such as this setup: http://cgi.ebay.com/Aimpoint-Comp-M4-3x-Magnifier-clones-w-mounts-Package_W0QQitemZ180273846190QQihZ008QQcategoryZ66827QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Are they worth a damn? Would anybody ever consider getting one, why or why not? I put an order in already for an Aimpoint M4S so I have made my decision, however I am curious if anyone has tried one of the generic models.
they seem to be popular in my neck of the woods. lots of people use them knowing full well they’re knock-offs and don’t seem to care that it’s blatant theft, so i’ve had the chance to see quite a few. some models look like they were made in the same factory, but most of them are complete crap.
i wouldn’t consider using/owning one for ethical reasons.
ethics aside, i’d sooner put an ncstar on my gun. at least it would have a warranty so when it comes apart after 5 or 6 rounds, i’d have some recourse.
Thanks for the reply. Does anybody have more experience with them or know of the better ones to select from. I mean $280 for a sight plus magnifier is a lot more feasible than $1200.
I am just wondering about the quality and accuracy of them. Thanks for the input.
If you want something that says Aimpoint on it, buy an Aimpoint. If you just want a budget optic, I’d look into something like the Vortex Strikefire (apparently they’re a sight sponsor now, see link above) or a S.P.O.T. red dot. They’re servicable for a range gun.
what would make one of those better than a Chinese knock off. Are you just speculating or do you have concrete reasons as to why you are saying what you are? Thanks
I’ve absolutely no wish to be unkind, but even posing a question like this causes one to question your intentions a bit.
If you’re just trying to build a weapon that “looks right,” then perhaps a cheap knock-off will suit your needs; if, on the other hand, you’re trying to build a weapon that actually “shoots right,” then you really need to ante up for quality. I can state with some certainty that most every member of this forum would much prefer to go with the genuine article, even if it meant a longer wait.
The old axiom “you get what you pay for” is especially true in the world of optics, and aside from the obvious ethical considerations, there is no way that I would trust a Chinese clone to deliver on the firing line – or in harm’s way. That may sound elitist, but there are better courses of action available if you genuinely cannot afford the best equipment.
I’m not suggesting that the knock-off wouldn’t work well for a period of time, or allow you to train until you got something better, but in terms of component design, quality of manufacture and product backing, you are completely rolling the dice with this approach. Given the purposes of a fighting carbine, I should think that the perils of such an approach would be self-evident. Just because one component looks very much like another, that does not mean that they are in any way equal, and there are a great many things that can go wrong when producing a copy, from the mount to the coatings to the electronics.
Given the lengths to which Aimpoint goes to develop and produce world-class sights, I woudn’t really feel comfortable with anything less in this class of optics. What I would do, however, is consider an older model which is certain to be more affordable, now that the 4S is getting all of the press. I’m sure a Comp M2 or M3 could be found in your price range, and either of these would be a more credible choice.
Chief
True. I was not actually considering a generic, I was just curious about them. I am going to pony up for an Aimpoint CompM4S. I will have to save a little more for the magnifier, if I find I even need it.
Thanks for the help.
There is a tacked thread on TOS that is a must read for anyone think about this CHICOM crap. Once you see what is inside of these knock off POS sights, you will never think twice about them. It is called “How to recognize a fake Aimpoint”.
Anyone actually used one of those Vortex? Might be viable on a .22 upper.
What I was saying, as others have touched on, is that I wouldn’t want to support anyone who was performing blatant infringement of Aimpoint. Using their name, exact design, etc. It’d be like going to the store, buying a nice new CD on sale half-off, and then taking it home and opening it to find a CD-RW labeled with a sharpie in the case. It’s not so much that I paid less and got less, but that it was done in a shady way.
There are plenty of budget optics that at least stand on their own two feet of their own name, without trying to make a buck off Aimpoint’s hard work and name recognition.
Loknlod, it almost sounds like you are inferring that these knocks offs are comparable in some way. I mean if there weren’t then how can there be any competition.
Honestly if there are similar, then that would in fact mean Aimpoint is making a rather large profit margin. I have never been one to want to over pay for something. If someone can make the same thing for less then good for them.
I am not inferring that the Chinese do that because in most cases they make crap. I just was wondering the differences.
Just to clarify, I don’t think the Chinese knock-offs of the Aimpoints are comparable in quality or durablility, or even functionality (heck they’ve got some weird red/green swappable retical?). I do think it’s an unethical business practice to build an exact cosmetic copy of the aimpoint, including logos and all, put cheapo guts in it, and then sell it knowingly misleading people. I can see the use of such an optic for a toy rifle like for airsoft, but that’s about it – and even then I hate to see unlicensed Chinese rip-offs make money.
The other budget optics, I don’t think they’ll be as durable as an Aimpoint either. But they could very well be servicable on a .22 conversion, plinker, hunting rifle, or even for competitions. But I wouldn’t want to trust my life to one. They may (or may not) be of better quality than the Chinese rip-off versions, but at least their main selling point isn’t some other company’s name written on the side.
There are two separate issues at hand:
-Quality vs. price vs. value – I don’t think the cheaper optics are up to Aimpoint’s standards, but I do think there are applications where they are perfectly acceptable to use.
-Infringement – Given that there are non-ripoff budget optics out there, I wouldn’t buy one of the rip-offs that are basically stealing Aimpoint’s design and name (at least cosmetically).
Couple of points.
A) It’s exactly the Walmart “it looks just like the real thing and it costs 1/3 as much so let’s just get the POS Chinese version” that is causing the global economy to become Chino-centric. Support that if you like.
B) What the people in “A” above don’t realize is that “looks like” isn’t the same thing as “same quality”. You know, kind of like ARs.
C) Most people buying “looks like” optics and other gear are frankly not qualified to make comment on the quality of same as relates to the original piece of gear. Witness the recent Surefire 900 thread where someone with zero experience with the real deal was trying to claim that his knockoff was “just as good”.
D) If you’re still confused, the arfcom thread mentioned earlier is here.
E) I have never seen a copy make it through a training class, or even more than a couple of matches. It just doesn’t happen. They lose the ability to adjust, or just shut off, or launch off the gun when the mount fails. Either way, they soon realize that “as good as”, isn’t.
In conclusion, only scumbags and idiots buy knockoffs. Either you’re willing to shortcut the original developer because you think you’re getting the same product for less money (in which case you’re a scumbag) or you actually believe that the POS that you buy for 1/3 the price is going to give you the same performance, or just care that it looks like the real thing to impress your buds (in either case you’re an idiot).
If you want a cheap red dot that’s good forget about knockoffs and just get this.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=425182
Cheaper than that ebay junk and guess what? It works.
Quoted for the TRUTH!!!
While it is true that aimpoint copies and other chinese articles can be used for plinking they will not last long and they are no substitute for the real thing.
An above poster inquired as to whether or not you are going for a rifle that looks right or shoots right.
That right there is a great little comment and that poster is 100% right.
If you want an optic that wont let the rifle down, go for the real article. If you spend time at the bench and you’re fully aware of what it is that you’re buying and you have no problems buying a counterfeit cheap product, buy the replica.
Just please, be aware of the difference.
I already ordered the CompM4S. That is kinda what I was thinking, along with the glass possibly sucking as well.
The best advice I’ve ever heard regarding cheap optics is, you’re better off with irons than substandard glass.
Be warned! There is a chinese company offering knock offs of LaRue optics mounts now. I’m willing to bet they will be passing them off as genuine on the auction sites soon.
You might as well go down to wally world and get one of these:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5684938
or you could get one of these:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7079451
At least wally world has a 90 day return policy so you may just get out and shoot with it in time to return.
unless your going for the look on your airsoft I say look for used or just save up .
Honestly, the comsemtic issues are pretty minor. Once you see what is actually inside those optics, you’ll be outraged at how much they’re charging for them. You could do better after walking down to Radio Shack.