Opinion: T1 or EXPS (Replicas)

[JLiang]

Looking to get a new optic for the Type 97 and it's come down to the T1 and the new EOTech.

It should be noted that I would prefer the optic to be magnified if possible, but I've heard replica magnifiers and replica EOTechs don't really take well to being magnified; it just pronounces the ghosting of the reticule and makes the image mushier. Is that true?

As well, is there a notable difference between repro T1s and EXPS? Somehow I feel the answer is that all repros aren't gonna make that big a difference, but I'm wondering anyway.

Any opinions on which would be better? I essentially want an optic that will let me aim with both eyes open but still offer that zoomed view when needed.

[Handsonic]

The Eotech will give WAY better range of visibility, as in the "screen" is bigger, so if you bring it closer to your face you can see more area. The Eotech replicas also have 0 ghosting and very little parallax problems, as opposed to the T1's which have awful ghosting and some parallax issues. I've also heard T1 replicas don't hold zero, which is an issue I had with my old Eotech replica.. The main problem with Eotech replicas are that the dot is really just... inadequate. Also, looking through them is like looking through sunglasses, it's a real pain in the ass indoors and in low light areas.

[Curo]

Originally Posted by Handsonic

The Eotech will give WAY better range of visibility, as in the "screen" is bigger, so if you bring it closer to your face you can see more area. The Eotech replicas also have 0 ghosting and very little parallax problems, as opposed to the T1's which have awful ghosting and some parallax issues. I've also heard T1 replicas don't hold zero, which is an issue I had with my old Eotech replica.. The main problem with Eotech replicas are that the dot is really just... inadequate. Also, looking through them is like looking through sunglasses, it's a real pain in the ass indoors and in low light areas.

I think you have that backwards, the Eotechs have the ghosting, I hope you like looking at your forehead/reflection

OP whats your budget? There some great sites in the 100-200 dollar range, even 80 dollar range for really low end RS that might look just like the Aimpoints minus the trades.

[Handsonic]

Originally Posted by Curo

I think you have that backwards, the Eotechs have the ghosting, I hope you like looking at your forehead/reflection

OP whats your budget? There some great sites in the 100-200 dollar range, even 80 dollar range for really low end RS that might look just like the Aimpoints minus the trades.

no, I had an eotech replica and it had literally 0 ghosting.

[Curo]

Originally Posted by Handsonic

no, I had an eotech replica and it had literally 0 ghosting.

Thats a rare bird. Cause the optic is so much more 'open' to light theres generally ghosting on clones vs the more 'shaded' or 'covered' aimpoints.

[pestobanana]

All repro EOTechs are really, REALLY bad. The reason is that for a reticle like that to work, it has to be a holographic optic, which requires a complicated laser source and multiple lenses, which gets expensive. A single reflector works for a red dot optic, but will never work for a complex reticle like the EOTech.

All repro EOTechs use a single reflector and the result is a horribly distorted reticle, with massive parallax, fishbowling etc issues.

[BioRage]

All repros are bad, period.

There's a ton of threads for cheap RS alternatives. Buy once, and don't sweat it when your replica dies within a year.

[Curo]

Originally Posted by BioRage

All repros are bad, period.

There's a ton of threads for cheap RS alternatives. Buy once, and don't sweat it when your replica dies within a year.

This, Ncstars, firefields, and bushnells may not be great RS quality, but you don't need an aimpoint, Trijon or Eotech to have a real steel sight

Check out sightes made by these manufactors, most or all are made for .22 real steel guns and are better than airsoft counter parts at taking the stresses of running around. They also are often clones of other designs, so you can still pass for an aimpoint or other 'cool' RDS.

Sightmark
Ncstar
Firefield
Bushnell
Leopold (i think they make RDS)
Holosun
Vortex (a tad higher priced by a second to none warranty, theres a reason I just bought one off of Biorage)
Primary Arms
VISM (like primary arms makes a Aimpoint T1 clone, but unlike airsoft ones its designed for light RS use)

A couple of decent clones though are
-Hurricane (if these are still around but they are 150 bucks each and still repro quality)
-A rare batch of G&P aimpoints (some batches are terrible some are okay)
-Phantom has a low grade holographic site, kinda sketchy quality on the lenses/reticule though

[Short Round]

I've used 2 Element T1s for the past 3 straight years. One I got from Airsoft Vanguard (Chinese Retailer), the other from Airsoft Store (Stealth). Both have been used in heavy rainfall, buried in the snow, dragged through dirt, dropped/fallen on, and still work perfectly as my primary sights.

I am not a huge fan of Element at all because of the piss shit quality products they continue to produce, however for some unknown reason the Element T1s seem to go against that statement.

As for Replica Holosights, I have seen too many issues with them (mainly reticle ghosting) regardless of which company makes them, but I have also seen many instances of there being no issues with them as well. I personally owned a Replica Holosight in the past which ghosted quite badly. I would highly recommend avoiding any Replicas and picking up a RS Holosight if you can afford it (I've seen them as low as $300+ as of late).

Personally I think you will have less Height Over Bore issue if you get a T1 or any other sight to that, such as the previously mentioned Primary Arms, Vortex, and Vism sights.

[Azathoth]

Originally Posted by Curo

This, Ncstars, firefields, and bushnells may not be great RS quality, but you don't need an aimpoint, Trijon or Eotech to have a real steel sight

Check out sightes made by these manufactors, most or all are made for .22 real steel guns and are better than airsoft counter parts at taking the stresses of running around. They also are often clones of other designs, so you can still pass for an aimpoint or other 'cool' RDS.

Sightmark
Ncstar
Firefield
Bushnell
Leopold (i think they make RDS)
Holosun
Vortex (a tad higher priced by a second to none warranty, theres a reason I just bought one off of Biorage)
Primary Arms
VISM (like primary arms makes a Aimpoint T1 clone, but unlike airsoft ones its designed for light RS use)

A couple of decent clones though are
-Hurricane (if these are still around but they are 150 bucks each and still repro quality)
-A rare batch of G&P aimpoints (some batches are terrible some are okay)
-Phantom has a low grade holographic site, kinda sketchy quality on the lenses/reticule though

^^Best reply,

Although real eotechs on the used market are almost as cheap as repros now. Lots of EO hate due to shenanigans.

Go check out the videos here.
http://popularairsoft.com/news/real-...-sights-part-1

[AnthonyG]

Originally Posted by Azathoth

Although real eotechs on the used market are almost as cheap as repros now.

links? links? links?

[Red Dot]

Check out AIM Sports as well, better than repro quality.

[darkshift]

picked up a holosun recently and apart from their weird design with a very steep angle on the objective lens, seems to be working out pretty well. running it on a WA spec gbbr and after 10 full mags no change in the zero. I would suggest using blue loctite instead of the one they provide (that is if you plan on keeping the optic on the weapon semi/permanently).

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

links? links? links?

Canada gun nutz, and the cheapest I've seen is sub 350.

[EOD Steve]

Beware of older 511, 512, 553 models. If heavily used, reticle is very dim compared to newer models, also a fair bit of reticle smudge at the edges.

Safest bet is a newer exps or xps. (these do not fall under the aforementioned sub-350 realm)