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Posted: 11/20/2007 12:49:44 PM EDT
| Has anyone had the opportunity to use the LaserMax Uni on their AR yet? Thoughts? |
Green lasers are the new cool thing, plus they cost more to make. Expect the price to come down eventually. |
I will mess this up a little but here it goes: Green lasers are actually an IR laser of some sort that has an extra diode to make the laser green. Because of this it must have extra radiation protection to make it legal under FDA regulations. The cost of the diodes and the radiation protection send up the price... Now I know that is not perfectly accurate but in the first green unimax thread this was how I remeber it being explained by the industry rep. On topic, I have the red Unimax installed on a PS90 with the tape switch......It works very well is very bright and holds zero. The tape is nice, the wire is stiff and a little short. I recommend a little silicone at the connector to the unit since I feel it may be weak here (like any other tape I've seen) because of this I also recommend the TD RAS panel with pockets instead of mounting on a VFG. This will keep the wire strait and less likley to get ripped out the back. |
It is, and Lasermax is offering a mail-in rebate on the lasers purchased between 12/1/07 and 1/15/08- $50 off green, and $25 off red for NRA members. 
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Mine is damn bright, btu still not so good in the daylight. It can be seen as long as the beam hits a nice contrasting target. White target on an overcast day is pretty good. Bright sunshine with laser pointed at dark object, not so much. It's a great laser, but the most actual use I get out of it is making the cats chase that little dot until they collapse. |
I just got my green Uni-Max (AR15.com cobranded model  ), and it's a nice unit. It pulses the dot, which is supposed to increase it's visibility. It's bright, but in daylight, it's only visible against a light-colored background. I doubt the red unit would be any more visible in daylight. |
Are you saying the green lasermax isn't very visible in daylight? JR |
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The red (I've never seen the green) unimax is the brightest visable laser I have ever seen. On a light coclored target it is easily visable out to 35 meters in direct sunlight, at least with my vision 20/20.................... It is small easy to install and the flashing really helps.... Yes it is easier to use the laser indoors bu tthe fact that it can be used during the day at all is amazing I had a cheapie green laser pointer, and my red unimax is as bright as that one easily. I don't think you will be to disappointed you don't need a Visable laser at noon on a bright shiny day any way the sights can be used then. Visable Lasers have a niche that is in low light at ranges of less than 25 yards IMO IR lasers have a different niche night out to 400 meters or better. thats another thread sorry |
That's good to hear. I want something small and light yet visible in daylight for my AR pistol to tackle killer milk jugs and I've been debating between the red and green unimax . The red is sure alot cheaper than the green. JR |
just ordered one and looking forward to trying it. How does the rebate work? Does it come with the sight? NRA Life Member here. Thanks! |
Rebate is a mail-in, and you can get it here. Heading to the range on Sunday with some folks, so I'll try to get some pics of both the green and red in day/night and compare them to a Surefire laser as well. |
I am very interested in the pics. Seeing might make me go ahead and pick one up. OK so I will probably get one anyway but seeing some pics might make me do it sooner |
| how tall is it off of the rail its mounted to ? how long is the top ? should it be mounted to reciver or handgard ? please e-mail answers to me at [email protected] |
I don't know the specific dimensions but it look pretty small. Look at the Lasermax website. The pic of it mounted on there shows it to be about the same length and the FSB (handguard cap to bayo lug). Very thin as well. As for mounting it, it would mount to a railed forend or a rail section attached to a handgurad or float tube. PIC HERE |
It is the size of a matchbox really that is all put a matchbox where you will place it that is how much space it will take up |
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I got mine today (red). I think I'm going to like it alot. I'll mount it on weapon tonight. Really bright. overcast and foggy right now but I can see it against a brick wall almost 40 yards out. very compact- thickness over rail will be about .5", total length about 2.25" I faxed my NRA rebate form in making this a real bargain! My first purchase from the AR15.comSTORE. |
In the daylight the green is significantly easier to see than the red. A few weeks ago at the range everyone was amazed at the difference. |
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Maybe this is a dumb question, but just how critical is laser visibilty in bright sunlight? I guess I just think of a laser as a quick and up-close or a low light option. Am I wrong to use my EOTech HWS (and/or co-witness irons) as primary in bright daylight? Just asking as the whole laser thing is new to me. |
I've said this here before but it bares repeating Visable Lasers have a niche in tactical or defense use, and they are different. Tactical: when you move from Light to dark areas lasers can be used effectivley to aim when your eyes are not yet adjusted. Vis lasers are also good at less than 10 meters for snap on target shots when speed is paramount. Then there is the intimidation factor. Defense: In a panic mode the eyes instictivley focus on the threat so a dot on the threat is easier to use than sights. That being said my unimax is on my PS90 which has the white reticle that can be hard to see and use in low light or in a hurry so I put it on that weapon for that reason. You are not wrong in that using a vis laser (RED) and a red dot sight can be self defeating, as you may not be able to tell which dot is which. Brightness in daylight is more important for defense than tactical use. However the most important reason here is most of us want to use them on the ranges we shoot at and most of shoot at paper or steel during day light so brightness matters to those of us who only use lasers for plinking and fun. |
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Thanks. I'm still trying to work out the most practical combination for me. I mounted the red uni-max for a 25m zero and will see how it works for me. As a high-volume shotgunner, I prefer a fast instincive style and still want to use the other sights as primary, atleast until I get comfortable with the laser. still learning... |
Yes- sorry, here it is. Tested were a surefire laser vs. Lasermax Uni-Max (red and green) during the day as well as at low light. During the day, at 25yds all lasers were clearly visible on target, though the green seemed to be experiencing fading brightness due to cold/batteries? (though they were brand new, and unit had never been turned on prior to this test). First the setup, 2PM on a cloudy/overcast day; targets 25yds away:  View from the receiving end:  On plywood (note the "shape" of each dot:  And against a black coat:  And then later that evening, as it started to get darker. First at 25yds again (green is fading?):  Predator-like view from downrange (in-line with lasers):  And off-line:  Resulting pattern downrange:  And at a distance of 145yds. First from the line (blurry due to bad photo, but hopefully you can see brightness)  And downrange (hand for scale):  Here it is with flash, again for scale:  And each with a plate to show off size, pattern:  unimax red  surefire  Finally, view from downrange:  So, conclusions? A laser can work well at defensive ranges, even in daylight, though that is not their intended application. As it gets darker, they will reach far beyond those ranges, and as distance increases, so will the beam's size. Not sure about what the problem was with the green laser fading, nor the elongated pattern of the red unimax, but those became evident at distance, spreading to a 6-8" pattern at 145yds. The Surefire laser maintained its focus much better throughout the range, but keep in mind it is significantly larger, heavier, and more expensive and powered by two CR123 batteries. For defensive purposes, close range, or dry-fire practice, the Lasermax Uni lasers are small and lightweight and more than adequate. |
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I haven't noticed that elongation with my red UniMax but I will look closer next time I have it out. I assume you set to continuous (vs. pulsed) for your pics?
Are you saying that use in DAYLIGHT is not the intended app? If so, that would seem to validate my statement that the laser is a low light or close quarters option, and not a primary sight system for daylight? Thanks for the review and pics! |
Not sure, but will swap them out and try again; unit was new and fresh. Started off bright, but started fading within 2-3minutes. Turning it off and on a few minutes later brought it back, and was able to maintain that for over 15-20minutes, so not sure what was causing it...
Both Unimax units were pulsed.
Definitely- lasers are intended for low-light scenarios. |
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First: Howdy folks. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I bought a Bushmaster ORC recently. The two little 1/2” rail risers that came with the rifle are perfect for use with the LaserMax Uni. With the Uni mounted as far back as possible, the switch is somewhat protected by the charging handle, but does not interfere with using the charging handle. I have an EOTech mounted in front on the 1/2" risers and it makes a great combination. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2143393520_7873725efa_o.jpg |
No, the Uni is just a little taller than the 1/2" riser, but even if it were the same height, if you mounted the EOTech on top, it would block the battery compartment cover of the Uni...and you need frequent access to that. Also, IMHO, the Uni is not strong enough to mount a second sight on. |
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Both Unimax units were pulsed. Seems to me that the images of the brightness comparisons should be taken with a grain of salt. There is no way to assess the actual brightness because i would think it impossible to take the pic at the exact time the laser was at max brightness. What you are seeing is most likely somewhere in the middle between on and off. That being said. My very generous father in law got me the Unimax Green for Christmas and it is the brightest laser i have ever used. |
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