Woof, so it's taken a minute since I had the time to check in to this thread--I know I was summoned a while back before SHOT, and I just haven't had the time to get caught up, but it sounds like various things have resolved themselves and discussion has happened since then, so I'm not going to backtrack.



As others have noted, currently these units are trickling in from Wilcox, production has been somewhat slow on them, and since there was such a long lead up, we're still fulfilling backorders with the ones that come in right now, but they are available for order / backorder.

https://tnvc.com/shop/wilcox-raid-xe-low-power/

Lead time estimates are all across the board with these--we're generally giving a Q3 ETA for new orders, but at times these things almost seem to show up at random in onesies and twosies, which I believe is why you're seeing some of the social media hype ebb and flow, there are still a limited number of units out in the field.

Some clarifying items:

- Yes, green VIS laser is probably quite a bit out right now. For better or for worse, green visible lasers tend to be more complicated, more expensive, and harder to source for high quality ones that will not fall flat in the cold.

- FDE is also going to be a little slower, currently the focus of both Class IIIB and IIIR ("commercial") versions is on the black body / red VIS laser, yes, a few FDE examples are out there, but again, the primary manufacturing focus is on the black/red for the moment.

- Some of the delays are the usual suspects, materials and supply chain issues--but the other thing is that the RAID is simply hard to build. What many may not necessarily realize is that a lot of these items, from Wilcox to L3Harris to Gentex are not being assembled by robots on an assembly line, but for the most part, being assembled by hand, and the training curve for something like the RAID, which is a very complex piece of hardware is pretty steep.

In terms of the last question asked:

Unfortunately the Wilcox switch is significantly larger and thicker than the ST07, and the cable... girth is much larger as well / not as flexible as Insight / Surefire cables.

That being said, I feel like the old stand-by of adhesive Velcro and zip ties that got us through nearly two decades of GWOT is being overlooked by the "MLOK Generation" that expects a purpose-built mounting accessory for every conceivable item.

Currently my switch is simply tucked under the laser and secured by the classic Insight cable strap (also a great item to have, especially if you're moving lasers / cables around) because I don't think this laser will "live" on this rifle long term--otherwise it would be Velcro'ed and zip tied down, and I'd not worry an extra minute about it.



There's a lot of things I don't like about the Wilcox switch, but worrying about breaking it is not one of them, the connector is much sturdier and more secure than a standard Crane / ITI plug (at the expensive of size--especially kicking straight out of the back of the device like that) and the cable is much thicker / unlikely to break without the help of a blade or something sharp cutting it / the housing.

~Augee

As I've mentioned, they are working on their processes to improve throughput, so hopefully we will see a steady increase in the number of available units as that progresses.

Wilcox is not producing them in "spurts," rather as they build batches, they may have some orders that need to be fulfilled in full (e.g., an LE agency order for 22 units) while in many cases dealers will accept partials for inventory. So, if, say, a batch of 30 get built, 22 may get allocated for a rated government order that needs to be shipped complete, and then the remaining eight might get split up between two or three dealers that will accept partials, while a non-rated dealer (rated government orders are legally prioritized for production and fulfillment) with an order for 20 that is not willing to accept partial shipments may have to wait for the next available batch--however, in that time, another rated order could potentially come in that bumps it back again. Hence the "spurts" of availability.



Accessory kitting is almost always a "lose-lose" scenario for the manufacturer. Someone will always be unhappy, unless you want to order 200+ pieces of a particular solution for your organization.

::shrug::

I don't really understand the objections some folks have to Velcro and zip-ties, I don't really see the advantage of paying extra for parts that require tools to remove and install, and typically can only really be installed one way, which may or may not meet your needs over a $0.05 mini-zip tie and maybe $1.00 worth of self adhesive Velcro and some alcohol swabs where the only real limits are your imagination and what works for you, other than maybe looking slightly nicer.

That being said, there's always this option:

https://fernilab.com/shop/p/wap

Beyond that, I actually think that the supplied rail-mount platform is a pretty slick solution (the BOSS connector interface is different, but the rail mount platform can support either switch configuration):



~Augee

@DIZ

What Div did you work at Lockheed?

Don't hack up your shit just yet

Wilcox changed up the connector system recently. Here's the basics:

The -01 configuration is what is called the standard pack out configuration and comes with the Wilcox Ergocto 3 button remote. This uses a Wilcox proprietary connector.

The -05 configuration uses the crane connector and does not come with a remote switch. It is not compatible with the Ergocto 3 button remote.

Now, you can purchase a crane connector junction box for your -01 that will let you run a 3rd party crane connector based switch.  (ETA: @BigxCat if your unit is compatible that is. See below)

They are available to order but I recommend to get with your dealer to verify what is compatible with your specific unit because some early versions are not compatible.

If you need help, reach out to us, and give us your P/N and S/N.

P/N 65300G07/G10/G11 Raid-Xe and P/N 65300G12/G14/G18 are slightly different in their housing design.

The cables that work for the G07/G10/G11 Raids WILL NOT work with the G12/G14/G18 Raids.

All current production Raid-Xe will be either G12/G14/G18. They are no longer building the G07/G10/G11 housings.

This was based on end-user/customer feedback regarding the connector. New units can use either a Legacy Crane Remote or the Wilcox 3-button remote.

The Wilcox remote is user configurable which isn't available with the Legacy Crane Connector.

Correct.

I should also clarify.

All RAID Xe from TNVC are the newer G12/G14/G18 which are compatible with the crane connector junction box.