Aimpoint 3x Magnifier Clones feedback needed

[jeffyboy]

I wanted to get some feedback from anyone that has used any of the Aimpoint 3x magnifier clones out there. I am looking to put a magnifier on the wifes AR but I'm not wanting to spend the $$$ for a "real" version if I can avoid it (she only uses it as a bench gun and for plinking stuff).

BTW - it would need to mate up with a real aimpoint M3.

[Backcountry]

If you are ghei or an airsofter, waste your money on the clone.

If you want something that works, pay for a certified Aimpoint product.

[stag6.8]

If you are ghei or an airsofter, waste your money on the clone.

If you want something that works, pay for a certified Aimpoint product.

I agree. I have both the clone and the real thing. In comparision the clones eye relief is terrible (I wear glasses)and the allenwrench adjustments on the magnifier barely work. but it works if youre on a limited budget like I was until I could afford the real thing. I also realized the the magnifier isnt all that expensive if you know where to buy. Its the mount is what cost you the money. the cheapest price I saw one was www.smartgunner.com for $419 with free shipping w/o the mount.

[akjunkie]

how bout this?

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=170

or this?

http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_238&products_id=1683

both way better than the airsoft clones.

[bobfried]

how bout this?

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=170

or this?

http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_238&products_id=1683

both way better than the airsoft clones.

It's ironic since both of those above are worse or the same as the air soft clone. The Hendsolt is alright but I'd take a clone magnifier over one any day of the week. The Mako one IS A CLONE!!!!!!!!!

[Backcountry]

Both are very, very ghei.

[akjunkie]

the Hensoldt is sold thru LaRue and the Mako is Israeli made.. maybe standard issue for the IDF.

i seriously doubt either is equivalent to airsoft quality.

[bobfried]

the Hensoldt is sold thru LaRue and the Mako is Israeli made.. maybe standard issue for the IDF.

i seriously doubt either is equivalent to airsoft quality.

Have you looked through the Hendsolt? There's a reason why Larue calls it the Po Boy special, it's basically there to tide you over until you save enough money for the real thing. Heck even the worse 3x clone is better than the Po Boy special. It's just a tank sight with the reticle cleared out, I bought like a dozen of them awhile back for about $10 a piece. It's an OK piece of glass, but it's not what I'd call a combat optic.

The Mako is an Eotech clone, go look at what a 3x Eotech magnifier looks like and look at the Mako. And it's not Israeli made, it's made by UAG, a well known airsoft maker. Mako re-brands a lot of stuff in their own name, just because it's an Israeli company doesn't mean it's Israeli made. I've looked through the so called Mako side by side with a few other clones and they are all equally as crappy. If your paying more for some perceived quality than your fooling yourself. That's like saying your willing to pay more for a higher quality of FAKE milk because you want better nutrition.

Line the Mako/airsoft and Po Boy up against an Aimpoint or Eotech magnifier and you will see why the latter are worth 3-15 times the price of the former. There really is no comparison, sort of like looking through a piece of old cellophane than looking through a piece of optical grade glass. But the question remains: Are they worth it? I say yes, for what they are and the intended usage, they're more than enough. If you have to ask than you probably don't need it. Those like me that buys ACOG's and T-1's like they're going out of style will not care about the cost. Those that care about the cost won't benefit from the slight benefit the real thing offer over the clones.

Here's the Mako 3x:


Here's the "Ultimate Arms" 3x, whoa how come they are identical, even the mount?


And the reason they're called CLONES is because they are CLONING another brand. Here's the Eotech and you can decide for yourself if the Mako is a reputable Israeli made magnifier:

[akjunkie]

I wanted to get some feedback from anyone that has used any of the Aimpoint 3x magnifier clones out there. I am looking to put a magnifier on the wifes AR but I'm not wanting to spend the $$$ for a "real" version if I can avoid it (she only uses it as a bench gun and for plinking stuff).

BTW - it would need to mate up with a real aimpoint M3.

Man, i totally forgot. i recently picked up a Vortex Strikefire w/ 2x magnifier from Scott and Liberty Optics.

PM me and i'll email some pics of the Strikefire mounted on my 9mm AR.
had for a month now, and still havent hit the range yet with all this rain.

http://www.libertyoptics.com

[Omega13device]

I'd ignore these comments that it's "ghei" or airsoft, they totally miss the point which is that these clones are purely for recreational shooting. I mean come on, say you're on a budget and you've got $400 into an Aimpoint and mount, are you really going to blow another $500 on a magnifier and mount just so you can punch paper at the range? For that kind of money ($900 to $1000 altogether) you've got lots of other options including variable power scopes that have reticles with ranging capabilities the Aimpoint doesn't have, and you may even have money left over.

I bought an Aimpoint clone a while back to see what the hype was about. For what it costs, it is actually pretty good and if your main use is recreational and you're on a budget then it's a steal. The glass isn't bad at all for a sub-$100 scope. The eye relief isn't great but it works if you shoot nose to charging handle, and besides, what do you expect for this price? Down the road if you graduate from punching paper to some tac classes/matches and you're moving while firing, the eye relief will start to be a problem, so you can go get the real thing or get a Trijicon Accupoint, Millet DMS, or whatever.

Look for good deals on arfcom. You can pick them up used for much less than what they cost new on ebay.

[akjunkie]

Omega13,

I totally agree with your above post. The OP asked a question and you answered it respectfully.

Instead of insulting him by calling him a Homosexual:

"If you are ghei/GAY or an airsofter, waste your money on the clone"

Or stealing someone else's thread to Brag about their wealth or putting people down for Not being able to afford the real thing.

"Those like me that buys ACOG's and T-1's like they're going out of style will not care about the cost."

Respect, courtesy and Humility is a dying virtue.

[bobfried]

Omega13,

I totally agree with your above post. The OP asked a question and you answered it respectfully.

Instead of insulting him by calling him a Homosexual:

"If you are ghei/GAY or an airsofter, waste your money on the clone"

Or stealing someone else's thread to Brag about their wealth or putting people down for Not being able to afford the real thing.

"Those like me that buys ACOG's and T-1's like they're going out of style will not care about the cost."

Respect, courtesy and Humility is a dying virtue.

It's ironic since I am actually advocating him to buy it. Please check to see who is making what statements concerning what. Please do not quote one line and take out of context, if anyone would read the entire response they would understood that statement was meant to be sarcasm aimed at people who just flat state the clones are junk. I state otherwise.

I made posts concerning my experiences with them and I said they were perfectly adequate. Please do not lump me into category of name callers or braggers. I made correction to information you gave out and if that offended you please accept my apologies. I just want the OP to know exactly what the MAKO's are. Now your statements on the Vortex are dead on, they are great. Better yet, for a bit more money the new Burris magnifier and flip to side mount will be a great deal (around $230 TOTAL for a 3x magnifier and mount) when they hit the market.

[Omega13device]

Thanks akjunkie, just trying to help a brother out.

It's ironic since I am actually advocating him to buy it. Please check to see who is making what statements concerning what.

Bobfried, he wasn't talking about you, it was another poster.

A couple other things I should add to this topic... people should always keep in mind that it's the singer not the song and if you can't make your hits with a cheap scope then you're wasting your time with an expensive one.

The other thing is that these are just tools and you need to select the right tool for the job. A clone will do fine for punching paper. That said, after playing with magnifier + Aimpoint for a while I am moving to a Millet DMS in a Larue mount because for $400 all-in I get more functionality for the cost of the Aimpoint by itself.

[jeffyboy]

Thanks for all the "positive" feedback guys. Like I said it's not for me but for the wife. I'm not going to spend bank on something that will only punch paper a few times a month - if even that. As for the "gay" remark...I shouldn't expect anything less from someone with a screen name like that (theme from Deliverance playing now)

[stag6.8]

It's ironic since I am actually advocating him to buy it. Please check to see who is making what statements concerning what. Please do not quote one line and take out of context, if anyone would read the entire response they would understood that statement was meant to be sarcasm aimed at people who just flat state the clones are junk. I state otherwise.

I made posts concerning my experiences with them and I said they were perfectly adequate. Please do not lump me into category of name callers or braggers. I made correction to information you gave out and if that offended you please accept my apologies. I just want the OP to know exactly what the MAKO's are. Now your statements on the Vortex are dead on, they are great. Better yet, for a bit more money the new Burris magnifier and flip to side mount will be a great deal (around $230 TOTAL for a 3x magnifier and mount) when they hit the market.

whoa......thats sweet.....is burris making a reddot to go with that?