Fiber Optic on TA31F cracking

[SHIVAN]

Funny how if this was a "cheap" optic, I would see the comment, "you get what you pay for." But if its a high end item, you get, "it's normal, doesn't affect operation."

No, I'm describing an issue that is widely documented, observed and studied. I was relating that it is unfortunate, but a fact of life. If you can't reconcile the difference, I'm sorry.

I am also sending a clear message that if this fact of life bothers you so greatly, then you should probably steer clear of ACOG's - as a general announcement.

It is pretty rude to jump on people and call them OCD when you don't like their opinion. I'd expect more from someone considered STAFF.

Out.

Sorry I hurt your feelings, with a generalized and non-specifically addressed categorization.

[SHIVAN]

The new ones they are making are made from different material so they are less prone to cracking, if any at all.

I've talked with them about it too, but I've seen some of the newer ones with smaller and fewer cracks which is a step in the right direction.

Their glass is exceptionally clear and bright. Great optics for a lot of roles.

[Alaskapopo]

I had a TA 31 and it had a crack in the fiber optic tube cover and it still worked fine. Getting upset about that is like getting mad when you put your first scratch in the bed of your pick up. Its a truck its going to get scratched if you use it for work.
Pat

[rob_s]

concern over things like this seem to have an inverse relationship to actual use.

As a general point, if you think you have a cosmetic problem with an item, go out and, you know, use it, and see if the cosmetic issue affects function. If it does not, then move on.

there is nothing wrong with this thread and it's perfectly understandable to ask the question, but some of the replies are pretty whiny.

[payj]

Good info, just bought an acog so if this happens I know not to worry!

[TehLlama]

Expect it to happen - it may not.

Our newer ones at work seem to be doing quite well - though mine lives under black electrical tape because it's too bright.
My personal one is one of the worst looking I've seen - functions as designed, and I expect that the useful lifetime of that scope will be H3 half-life limited.

[JSantoro]

Funny how if this was a "cheap" optic, I would see the comment, "you get what you pay for."

Correct, IF it was a cheap optic in which cracks and bubbles appearing in the fiber-optic housing affected operation and usage. Since that's not the case, it becomes less funny and more a case of wonderment as to what the color of the grass is in the world some folks live in, where they can't separate the cosmetic from the functional. You generally see a pretty decent bit of dogpiling here on the "fit and finish" dorks (since that's not an operational category) and not the other way around, so it's a matter of a misidentified trend on your part, not a deviation from policy or habit on the part of the staff. I don't expect more from the rank-and-file American citizen, so you're living up to expectations.

Saleen, here's the WHY/HOW; what you're seeing are imperfections in the material used to suspend the fiber-optic in the plastic tube it's kept in. The tube pulls double-duty of protecting the FO and still allowing light to get to it (being clear, and all). The FO itself is suspended within the tube, originally via the injection of silicone-caulk-like material. These days, an epoxy resin.

Small air bubbles remain from the process, and those expand and contract with temp changes, impact and what have you, affecting the material around them. Think like a windshield that takes a hit from a chunk of gravel tossed up off the road, causing a star to appear. If it's gotten in the colder months, you're almost certain to see a crack appear out of it once the temps rise, or if you hit a pothole so deep it has stairs in it.

However, since you don't need to look through the stuff around the FO for targeting, and since those bubbles/cracks actually ensure that light is getting fed to the FO from more than one angle by refracting light, it's of no operational impact to the shooter. The only folks who worry over it either simply don't know, or do know and are the sort of person who would re-arrange deck chairs on the Titanic, thinking that perfect feng shui is superior to an intact hull.

So now that you know, kick the feng shui guys in the crotch. Hard, so they can't breed.

[saleen]

JSantoro,

Thanks for the technical insight. I wasn't overly concerned, but wanted to make sure for a couple of reasons that I'll elaborate on briefly.

Hopefully this thread was helpful to more than me, but looking at how it started turning, I almost feel sorry for bringing it up in the first place.

I purchased this from an individual, and it's my first ACOG. When the cracks appeared so rapidly I began to remember some of the rather good knock-offs of Leupold Mark 4 scopes in recent years, and I wanted to make sure that wasn't the case here.

So far, I've enjoyed the scope. Now I just need to get the rifle lined out and figure out what it likes to eat the most.

Thanks again to all.


Saleen