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Quoted: Affordable. I personally think every red dot made in the USA is more affordable than any and all Chinese. A MRO can be had for $400 new vs say a $125 Sig Romeo. I am losing a lot more than $275 a day then that one time purchase. Many here have watched their retirements tank or out right lost their jobs. I’d rather use open sights then anything 100% China. It will take a long time to shake their cheap crap but it has to start at some point. Save up a little more or cheap out it’s a little more complicated these days. View Quote Amen Brother! |
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Other than the Micro red dot for handguns, all of Meprolight products are made in Israel and are very nice. I am currently messing with the MOR Pro and Foresight and like both a lot. RDS V2 has the same body as the Foresight and the same undistorted view. It is a clever design and is easily one of the faster red dot sights.
Crimson Trace's CTS-1400 is made in Japan, to the best of my knowledge and I have been using one for a bit now with good success. Good collimation quality and well controlled parallax. With 1x prism scopes, I am not aware off-hand of anything not made in China. Personally, I do not get too hung up on Chinese manufacturers for riflescopes. It is a small and rather lo-tech industry full of people trying to make a living and not enjoying communist rule very much, but I see where you are coming from. Ultradots are indeed made in Japan, but I can't tell you anything about them since I have never looked at one. I talked to them at SHOT a couple of times and I do not plan to look at them any time soon. This industry is full of friendly and courteous people. And then there is Ultra Dot. Vortex Razor red dot sight is made in Japan. Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 holographic is made in the US. Both are very nice. I have not tested any of the Korea-made Bushnells. Doctersight/Noblexsight are made in Germany. Leica Tempus (this probably has best collimation quality of all compact red dot sights) is supposed to be made in Europe, but I would not be surprised if some pieces come from Japan. Everyone knows where Aimpoints, Trijicon MRO and RMR and Leupold come from, so there is no need to comment on that further, I think. Sightron's red dot sights are either Japan or Phillipines. I asked them to confirm. Early ones were from Japan and I remember they were pretty nice, but it has been a while. Kahles red dot sight is, I think, from Japan, but I could be wrong. Meopta red dot sights are made in Czech. Shield Sights are made in UK C-more STS and RTS are, I think, made in Japan. Not sure about the other ones. Hartman MH1 is made in Israel, I believe. Steiner MRDS and DRS are made in Germany, I think, but DRS might be assembled in the US. Not sure. ILya |
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I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list:
ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya |
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Kinda nuts the Romeo 7 cost almost as much as an Aimpoint ACO/Pro but its made in China.
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Sightron got back to me and said that all of their electronic sights right now are made in Japan.
ILya |
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Quoted: I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list: ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya View Quote Huh... Arent Sigs just rebranded Holosuns? I wonder if these are actually Holosun plants? |
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Quoted: Huh... Arent Sigs just rebranded Holosuns? I wonder if these are actually Holosun plants? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list: ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya Huh... Arent Sigs just rebranded Holosuns? I wonder if these are actually Holosun plants? SigEO started out with only OEM'ed products, but they since built a new facility in Oregon where they assemble a fair amount of stuff. Their early red dots were Holosun and I think Romeo5 and Roemo MSR probably still are. I do not know who makes the rest of the OEM'ed. Romeo1 looks to be the same manufacturer who makes Vortex Venom. I heard that Holosun is trying to get out of the OEM business because their own brand is doing well. At this point I suspect that Sig is their only OEM client, although they might still make a few things for PA. We'll see how that develops over the next year or two. ILya |
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Quoted: More On Battery Life If battery life is 1,000 hours, let's see what that means in terms of use. If you pick up the rifle and drill with it every day for one hour (yeah, right!), then, the battery lasts 1,000 days. That's almost 3 years. I replace batteries at least annually, so my regimen avoids an issue. If you drive to the range and use the rifle for a total of 10 hours, then the battery lasts for 100 trips. Going daily (dream on!), the battery lasts 3 months. Going once a month, the battery lasts 8 years. Going once a week, the battery lasts 2 years. Now, if you actually have the discipline to actually turn the damned thing off when not in use, all the above lifetimes get extended - they are already long but will get longer. Let's recap what 1,000 hours of battery life means - 1 hour/day, every day = 3 years 10 hours/day, every day = 3 months 10 hours/week = 2 years 10 hours/month = 8 years My mixed use - 1 hour/month for maintenance + 10 hours/ 2 months at the range = 6 hours/month average =>> battery life = 13 years View Quote I’m going to assume the Leupold Freedom red dot uses similar technology as the VX-R scopes. Here’s my experience with VX-R: I have a 3-9x40 VX-R with red dot duplex on a Remington 700. Between being g moved on/out of the safe, range trips and a week of rifle hunting a year the battery is going on strong after 4 years. |
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Quoted: I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list: ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya View Quote Midwayusa.com lists conflicting information with the Romeo 4 (several of them) and the Romeo 8 (both of them) as being Chinese. |
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Just a heads up the leupold rds is 12oz with mount not 7oz they state online.
And the 34mm tube makes it hard to find a lighter weight mount |
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Quoted: Just a heads up the leupold rds is 12oz with mount not 7oz they state online. And the 34mm tube makes it hard to find a lighter weight mount View Quote This is taken from the Leupold web site - Includes AR-specific mount. (snip) RDS – no mount with battery = 7.2 ounces RDS – with mount, battery & capped adjustments = 12.6 ounces |
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Ran across this on the net regarding US Optics if anyone is interested. Its from Precision Rifle Blog on where various optics are manufactured and such.
One minor note I’ll make here is that US Optics scopes are assembled in the USA with both domestic and foreign components. Their scopes are Buy American Act compliant, which means 51% or greater of the parts and labor are sourced from the USA. However, FTC guidelines prevent US Optics from being able to say their scopes are “Made In The USA,” because some components such as electronics and some of the glass come from foreign suppliers. However, all metal parts are turned by their own shop and local vendors in Southern California. The anodizing is done locally as well. All basic and skilled labor is performed in-house. https://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/08/07/tactical-scopes-where-theyre-made-and-warranty/ |
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Quoted: I’m going to assume the Leupold Freedom red dot uses similar technology as the VX-R scopes. Here’s my experience with VX-R: I have a 3-9x40 VX-R with red dot duplex on a Remington 700. Between being g moved on/out of the safe, range trips and a week of rifle hunting a year the battery is going on strong after 4 years. View Quote The illumination system in the VX-R has nothing in common with a red dot. ILya |
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Quoted: Midwayusa.com lists conflicting information with the Romeo 4 (several of them) and the Romeo 8 (both of them) as being Chinese. View Quote I do not have any personal insight on the subject. I asked Sig's product line manager and that is what he sent me. ILya |
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Quoted: The illumination system in the VX-R has nothing in common with a red dot. ILya View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I’m going to assume the Leupold Freedom red dot uses similar technology as the VX-R scopes. Here’s my experience with VX-R: I have a 3-9x40 VX-R with red dot duplex on a Remington 700. Between being g moved on/out of the safe, range trips and a week of rifle hunting a year the battery is going on strong after 4 years. The illumination system in the VX-R has nothing in common with a red dot. ILya I think he’s talking about the shake awake feature. |
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Quoted: I think he’s talking about the shake awake feature. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I’m going to assume the Leupold Freedom red dot uses similar technology as the VX-R scopes. Here’s my experience with VX-R: I have a 3-9x40 VX-R with red dot duplex on a Remington 700. Between being g moved on/out of the safe, range trips and a week of rifle hunting a year the battery is going on strong after 4 years. The illumination system in the VX-R has nothing in common with a red dot. ILya I think he’s talking about the shake awake feature. In that regard, yes. As far as the illumination system itself goes, they are not related. RDS uses a conventional reflex lens, while VX-R is a fiber dot. ILya |
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Quoted: And the 34mm tube makes it hard to find a lighter weight mount View Quote I looked around last night. There is no shortage of 34 mm rings, risers and bases. I did not study them enough to evaluate the weights but there are certainly quite a few (too many?) from which to chose. Some look as though they are reasonably light in weight. |
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Quoted: Midwayusa.com lists conflicting information with the Romeo 4 (several of them) and the Romeo 8 (both of them) as being Chinese. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list: ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya Midwayusa.com lists conflicting information with the Romeo 4 (several of them) and the Romeo 8 (both of them) as being Chinese. He posted where they’re assembled. Their parts are from CHY-NA. |
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Nikko Stirling Diamond MRSL is made in Japan, but depending on the store is borderline MRO prices. No battery life listed or detailed Specs. It looks like it has an off setting between each illumination setting at least.
Heres the cheapest I found it, other stores want $300+ and not many even sell it. https://ammosportsnmore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=366 $200 |
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Leupold and most other manufacturers also only say assembled in the US since components come from other places. That's pretty standard.
I've known the guy from Sig for a few years and I have never caught him lying to me. When he does not feel like disclosing anything he keeps his mouth shut and when he tells me something he is pretty straight about it. I talk to many optics companies and after a while you kinda develop a feel when they are trying to bullshit you. Admittedly, I only know a few people at Sig, but I have not yet caught them bullshitting (and truthfully, most other companies stopped trying to bullshit me too). As far as "Made in China" stuff goes, it will be interesting to see how it develops from here. Personally, I think most large companies will start (and already started in many cases) to diversify their supply chain with some support from their governments. Japan is already incentivizing companies to pull out from China and some, like Olympus, already have (Olympus no longer makes cameras in China; they built a new facility in Vietnam). US Government will too, at least in some industries. In the gun optics world, Phillipines will likely be the biggest immediate beneficiary of this. Japan will get some goodwill, but they are too expensive to take over the $500 and under market again. Phillipines already has an optics infrastructure. The interesting part will be what happens with South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. I would not be surprised if we see more from those, especially Taiwan and Korea made electronics. Larger players will try to grow some ability to make things in the US. Vortex, Leupold, Burris and Sig all have capacity here and there are a couple of contract manufacturers that can step in, but the way it stands now, most of the growth of US manufacturing will be in the $1k and higher range for riflescopes and $400 and higher for non-focusing sights. ILya |
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Quoted: Leupold and most other manufacturers also only say assembled in the US since components come from other places. That's pretty standard. I've known the guy from Sig for a few years and I have never caught him lying to me. When he does not feel like disclosing anything he keeps his mouth shut and when he tells me something he is pretty straight about it. I talk to many optics companies and after a while you kinda develop a feel when they are trying to bullshit you. Admittedly, I only know a few people at Sig, but I have not yet caught them bullshitting (and truthfully, most other companies stopped trying to bullshit me too). As far as "Made in China" stuff goes, it will be interesting to see how it develops from here. Personally, I think most large companies will start (and already started in many cases) to diversify their supply chain with some support from their governments. Japan is already incentivizing companies to pull out from China and some, like Olympus, already have (Olympus no longer makes cameras in China; they built a new facility in Vietnam). US Government will too, at least in some industries. In the gun optics world, Phillipines will likely be the biggest immediate beneficiary of this. Japan will get some goodwill, but they are too expensive to take over the $500 and under market again. Phillipines already has an optics infrastructure. The interesting part will be what happens with South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. I would not be surprised if we see more from those, especially Taiwan and Korea made electronics. Larger players will try to grow some ability to make things in the US. Vortex, Leupold, Burris and Sig all have capacity here and there are a couple of contract manufacturers that can step in, but the way it stands now, most of the growth of US manufacturing will be in the $1k and higher range for riflescopes and $400 and higher for non-focusing sights. ILya View Quote |
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Quoted: Maybe because not everyone is a airline pilot and can afford to buy expensive optics? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Why cheap out? Buy quality and cry once. The thing is, most people have plenty of wastage in their spending, and if they want to bad enough, they can adjust spending and get the nicer optics. Downgrade cellphone plan (or eliminate), stop eating out for a month or two, no stops for coffee (bring your own), stop frivolous purchases, etc. If they would track every penny spent for a month or two, they'd get a good idea where their money is actually going and where they can adjust to be able to afford the nicer things. |
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Quoted: The thing is, most people have plenty of wastage in their spending, and if they want to bad enough, they can adjust spending and get the nicer optics. Downgrade cellphone plan (or eliminate), stop eating out for a month or two, no stops for coffee (bring your own), stop frivolous purchases, etc. If they would track every penny spent for a month or two, they'd get a good idea where their money is actually going and where they can adjust to be able to afford the nicer things. View Quote Dave ?..Dave Ramsey... Is that you? All joking aside, it's a valid point. Ilya, thanks for sharing you information. Do you have any insight on current Burris red dots and their country of origin? |
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Quoted: Dave ?..Dave Ramsey... Is that you? All joking aside, it's a valid point. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: The thing is, most people have plenty of wastage in their spending, and if they want to bad enough, they can adjust spending and get the nicer optics. Downgrade cellphone plan (or eliminate), stop eating out for a month or two, no stops for coffee (bring your own), stop frivolous purchases, etc. If they would track every penny spent for a month or two, they'd get a good idea where their money is actually going and where they can adjust to be able to afford the nicer things. Dave ?..Dave Ramsey... Is that you? All joking aside, it's a valid point. No, I got the idea from the "Tightwad Gazette", which was an publication from the early '90s, which helped my wife and I greatly in getting our budget and spending under control. Way before Dave Ramsey... |
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Quoted: Sounds like a stretch to think that Midwayusa know where the parts used in manufacturing optics comes from, but ok. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted:He posted where they’re assembled. Their parts are from CHY-NA. Sounds like a stretch to think that Midwayusa know where the parts used in manufacturing optics comes from, but ok. Maybe they did their research? It’s not hard to confirm with a simple call (like I did last year) to Sig. Or, maybe since the early models were made AND assembled in China, Midway just assumed (correctly I might add). |
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Quoted: Dave ?..Dave Ramsey... Is that you? All joking aside, it's a valid point. Ilya, thanks for sharing you information. Do you have any insight on current Burris red dots and their country of origin? View Quote Fastfire II red dot I have is from Philllipines. I think Fastfire 3 is from there as well. Not sure about RT-1 since it is very new, but it is probably from China. I can ask. ILya |
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In Range has you covered
Leupold Freedom RDS - American Made Series |
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Quoted: I checked with Sig on where their different red dot sights are assembled and here is the list: ROMEOZero- USA ROMEO1Pro- Philippines ROMEO1- Philippines ROMEO3- Japan ROMEO3MAX- Japan ROMEO3XL- Japan ROMEO4- USA ROMEO5- China ROMEO7- China ROMEOMsr- China ROMEO8- USA ILya View Quote I saw a friend's Romeo3Max and Romeo3XL. Holy crap, were they nice. |
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Quoted: If you want American, you could always buy a Leupold RDS. View Quote Yes, or their Deltapoint Pro. The Deltapoint Pro is motion-activated. I have two. One is about 6-7 years old. I leave it on 24/7, except when transporting the weapon in a vehicle. I just replaced the battery “for good measure” although the old one still tested good. I have a VX-R Patrol 3-9x with Firedot TMR reticle (now superseded by a comparable one in the Freedom line with MOA reticle and turrets rather than mil/mil, and just picked up a VX6-HD 2-12x with Firedot reticle. The Firedot scopes use a fiber optic tube to transmit the beam. Don’t know if the Deltapoint Pro’s illumination works the same way, but all these motion-activated optics have been completely reliable. |
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Quoted: Yes, or their Deltapoint Pro. The Deltapoint Pro is motion-activated. I have two. One is about 6-7 years old. I leave it on 24/7, except when transporting the weapon in a vehicle. I just replaced the battery “for good measure” although the old one still tested good. View Quote How often do you replace the battery on your DPP (that sounds like double penetrator pro sorry )? I'm looking at one of these or a maybe a Romeo 3 MAX with a larger window. Maybe even an SRO. I know these things aren't Sage Dynamics Duty Proof, but for a non CHY-NA optic I've seen some good videos on these. DLO - thanks for the insider information. Always appreciate it!!! |
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Quoted: How often do you replace the battery on your DPP (that sounds like double penetrator pro sorry )? I'm looking at one of these or a maybe a Romeo 3 MAX with a larger window. Maybe even an SRO. I know these things aren't Sage Dynamics Duty Proof, but for a non CHY-NA optic I've seen some good videos on these. DLO - thanks for the insider information. Always appreciate it!!! View Quote Basically I don’t know because I’ve not had a battery failure. I replaced the battery after 5-6 years on the DPP just to be safe, although the original battery still tested good.. Second DPP is three years old now and still on original 2032 coin battery. Original battery is still in both scopes. And they can be made daylight bright. The oldest DPP is on my HD carbine with a riser mount. |
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Ok thats great to know! I'll be using it for a HD suppressed PCC or 300blk sbr.
Sorry OP got a little off topic. Love my MRO. It's the longest I've used a RDS and not second guessed myself based off price or where the optic was made. I see them all the time in the $300s on the EE and at 6oz with QD mount its gtg. I know my Burris FastFire 3 is exactly 4oz with QD so there's a comparison for you. *personally I trust my trijicon optics. Electro or Tritium have never failed me. Going all the way back to my RX01NSN reflex sight some 15 years ago. I just don't like the 5 year warranty on electro optics component systems and non-transferrable Lifetime warranty to second parties. But I love their stuff. |
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Quoted: Maybe because not everyone is a airline pilot and can afford to buy expensive optics? OP - The Nikon P-Tactical Superdot is made in the Philippines and has some good reviews. They are also out there cheaper than Cabelas. https://www.cabelas.com/product/NIKON-P-TACTICAL-SUPERDOT/2843524.uts View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Why cheap out? Buy quality and cry once. OP - The Nikon P-Tactical Superdot is made in the Philippines and has some good reviews. They are also out there cheaper than Cabelas. https://www.cabelas.com/product/NIKON-P-TACTICAL-SUPERDOT/2843524.uts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWYLHQR/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_VNkOEb2XD2NZA" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWYLHQR/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_VNkOEb2XD2NZA $169 on Amazon |
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For guys looking at the DPP, these guys have a lot of experience with them too:
https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/262246-delta-point-pro/ |
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View Quote What a piece of shit that optic is. Hard pass |
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Quoted: I just stumbled across this in the last day as I was looking around for a replacement red dot. Leupold Freedom, $279 (including mount), made in USA https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81tT7cWl9GL._AC_SL1500_.jpg View Quote I'd actually try one of those out if they got rid of the silly gold ring around "tactical" optics. I dont mind it on my hunting scopes but not cool on ARs. I did have a Leupold Prismatic years ago that looked very similar but it had an etched reticle in it as well and I really liked it. |
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Quoted: I'd actually try one of those out if they got rid of the silly gold ring around "tactical" optics. I dont mind it on my hunting scopes but not cool on ARs. I did have a Leupold Prismatic years ago that looked very similar but it had an etched reticle in it as well and I really liked it. View Quote Did you not see the InRange video posted above where the rear lens popped out the very first mag? |
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View Quote Thanks for posting that I was just about to order one! WTF |
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View Quote Jesus! |
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