STAR G36 Hensoldt Sight

[Darklen]

I noticed STAR is selling the G36 Hensoldt RDS scope again. I had done a review on an early example and concluded it was pretty much crap for outdoor use and the battery cover was no where near secure enough.

I'm wondering if anyone has purchased or used one of these new one and if the issues I originally brought up have been addressed. While I know there's better RDS's out there, but I really like the looks of the Hensoldt unit on the G36. I really don't want to spend the money on another one if it's still a turd.

[SHÖCK]

Originally Posted by Darklen

I noticed STAR is selling the G36 Hensoldt RDS scope again. I had done a review on an early example and concluded it was pretty much crap for outdoor use and the battery cover was no where near secure enough.

I'm wondering if anyone has purchased or used one of these new one and if the issues I originally brought up have been addressed. While I know there's better RDS's out there, but I really like the looks of the Hensoldt unit on the G36. I really don't want to spend the money on another one if it's still a turd.

Hey, talk to Soldner. He has bought one recentely and I was chatting with him about it at the last RAAT game. I was interested in them also (back when they also had an ARES model) but consensus was usually that they were pretty bad. I was going to buy one for a display model I was building with Army Code parts but probably not for actual play. They are also ridiculously expensive.

What did you do with your early model?

[Darklen]

Still have it, sitting in my storage closet. I tried to get the actual RDS unit apart to see if there was some way to increase the brightness or even replace the guts with a better unit, but I couldn't figure out how the seperate the two halves as they are glued. The plastic seems to be impervious to any solvent I have , liquid plastic model cement, acetone or even MEK. Nothing seems to touch the plastic so I can weaken the seam and seperate the unit.

[The Saint]

I don't think Star even makes this optics anymore, not since someone else acquired all its designs. The dual optics is now produced under the brand name ARES, but it's unclear whether any improvements were made when the new production lines were set up. It's possible, but far from certain.

[Darklen]

Both WGC and Ehobby has them for sale under the STAR brand. I'm under the understanding only the guns went to the ARES brand and the parts and accessories stayed with STAR. STAR still maintains their website and there nothing but parts and accessories listed, this sight included.

[The Saint]

Could be old STAR stock. From what I understand there is still a fair bit of STAR stuff in circulation from before the split. STAR products weren't the most popular, due to some issues like the ones you mentioned.

From what I can tell, ARES brands includes everything STAR had up to the split. ARES doesn't have things like PMAGs and MAGPUL flip sights.

There is at least one examples of ARES optics design differing from STAR. STAR's SUSAT isn't illuminated, but ARES' is. Does that mean optics improvements across the board? No, not based on the dreaded reviews ARES' MARS has received.

[SHÖCK]

Originally Posted by The Saint

Could be old STAR stock. From what I understand there is still a fair bit of STAR stuff in circulation from before the split. STAR products weren't the most popular, due to some issues like the ones you mentioned.

From what I can tell, ARES brands includes everything STAR had up to the split. ARES doesn't have things like PMAGs and MAGPUL flip sights.

There is at least one examples of ARES optics design differing from STAR. STAR's SUSAT isn't illuminated, but ARES' is. Does that mean optics improvements across the board? No, not based on the dreaded reviews ARES' MARS has received.

The actual ARES hensoldt sight is much cheaper but it is discontinued for a year or two. That part retailed for about $80 USD. The STAR one is a recent appearance (the last couple of months) on most of the HK airsoft sites and sells for $125-$150. I am inclined to believe they might be different models from the pictures that I have seen but they are no way conclusive.

[SHÖCK]

Originally Posted by Darklen

Still have it, sitting in my storage closet. I tried to get the actual RDS unit apart to see if there was some way to increase the brightness or even replace the guts with a better unit, but I couldn't figure out how the seperate the two halves as they are glued. The plastic seems to be impervious to any solvent I have , liquid plastic model cement, acetone or even MEK. Nothing seems to touch the plastic so I can weaken the seam and seperate the unit.

Yeah, the nylon fibre parts are glued together on all the scopes. To get them apart, the only real thing you could do is carefully saw it apart.

I like the hensoldt sight as well but hey, even the actual German army stopped using them didn't they? The real steel ones were said to be pretty bad for scope eye-relief and RDS functions too.

There are good clear pictures of the ARES model here:
http://rsov.com/index.php?target=pro...roduct_id=3428

Wasn't there also a company that made some hensoldt look-alike that was actually a separate RDS unit that merely clamped onto those G36 handle-scopes that have the 20mm rail on top of it?

TMC lists it as ARES/STAR though and claims to have over 500 in stock if you could actually contact them:
http://www.tokyo-model.com.hk/ecshop/goods.php?id=4469

Or you could go nuts and spend $1000 for the real deal.
http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merch...egory_Code=G36

[The Saint]

Originally Posted by SNK

The actual ARES hensoldt sight is much cheaper but it is discontinued for a year or two.

ARES hasn't been around for a full year, much less 2. Are you sure you're not mixing ARES up with STAR?

[HaloSix4]

I was looking at one for My buddies G36. The STAR one is discontinued, I'm pretty sure ARES won't be discontinuing theirs for a while, I could be wrong though.

[Darklen]

Originally Posted by Halo64

I was looking at one for My buddies G36. The STAR one is discontinued, I'm pretty sure ARES won't be discontinuing theirs for a while, I could be wrong though.

I thought STAR had discontinued it as well, but it's now listed as available on their website as well as instock at WGC and Ehobby.

I just wanted to know is anyone had purchased one of them recently and if they are improved over my initial review model. Please try to stay on topic guys.