Eotech replicas drying up?

[FirestormX]

I got a response back.

Originally Posted by my email

[...]
Today I came across a post in a thread on EOTechs on an airsoft forum I visit, where a “user” had created an account today, and posted this:
“Why don't you go to get the official licensed Eotech for airsoft series at www.Eotech-L3.com? It's much better than those fake one.”

This seemed really sketchy – the website just links to an airsoft online shopping cart. I couldn’t find any information about eotech-l3.com being licensed on google, so I figured I’d email directly - is this actually licensed? Because for$100, I’ll buy one in a heartbeat.
[...]

Originally Posted by Response

[...]
Sweet! This is totally bogus…
Send me your phone number I want to talk to you!
[...]

I wonder if I'm in trouble with EOTech. :P

[DustMagnet]

Originally Posted by Drake

That's just another Chinese clone (HK).

There's no evidence of official licensing.

Everything seemed legitimate and above board right up to the point where on the product page it suggested that I "... may also be interested in the following product(s)"

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

I got a response back.





I wonder if I'm in trouble with EOTech. :P

ORLY?!

Keep us posted, if you provide them with your phone number, lol.

Maybe they will hook you up.

[scottyfox]

11:43 AM (1 minute ago)

to me

Hello Scott,

It is a knockoff company selling black market Chinese counterfeit sights without our permission…

They do not have our permission or authorization to do this…

Where are they physically located? Canada or US?





Sincerely,

##############

Customer Service Manager

EOTech- An L-3 Communications Company

1201 E. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108



www.eotech-inc.com



To submit a repair request double click www.eotech-inc.com/raform.php

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by scottyfox

11:43 AM (1 minute ago)

to me

Hello Scott,

It is a knockoff company selling black market Chinese counterfeit sights without our permission…

They do not have our permission or authorization to do this…

Where are they physically located? Canada or US?





Sincerely,

##############

Customer Service Manager

EOTech- An L-3 Communications Company

1201 E. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108



www.eotech-inc.com



To submit a repair request double click www.eotech-inc.com/raform.php

Wonder what would happen if one was to report all the airsoft stores that are selling reps?

I assume they are safe, since they aren't manufacturing them.

lol.

[lurkingknight]

probably get a cease and desist if they were in the US... probably why they're asking for contact info.

Also probably a reason why some of the supply seems to be drying up. They may be actively going after fakes and fakers.

[FirestormX]

This EOTech rep emails back fast. It's also interesting that their firewall is blocking the tf141 website, haha.

Originally Posted by EOTech rep email

This directs the user to another website which is blocked on our firewall…
The sights are illegal Chinese counterfeits…
Awesome lead, I already have legal on this

I've asked if they've considered doing a lower quality model EOTech targeted for airsofters. Kind of like how Magpul worked with PTS to get Magpul accessories for airsoft. (if I remember my history correct?)
However, he replied to that email, but didn't address that. I don't know if I'll get another response.

Biorage: I gave my phone number, but told him it was Canada, and asked if it was worth calling Canada. He said "not really".

scottyfox: The rep I was talking with (Mike), determined "This site is in Hong Kong with sights coming in from Red China."

[scottyfox]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

scottyfox: The rep I was talking with (Mike), determined "This site is in Hong Kong with sights coming in from Red China."

He sent me the same thing, and is hilarious and awesome by the way.
EOTech rules!

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

This EOTech rep emails back fast. It's also interesting that their firewall is blocking the tf141 website, haha.



I've asked if they've considered doing a lower quality model EOTech targeted for airsofters. Kind of like how Magpul worked with PTS to get Magpul accessories for airsoft. (if I remember my history correct?)
However, he replied to that email, but didn't address that. I don't know if I'll get another response.

Biorage: I gave my phone number, but told him it was Canada, and asked if it was worth calling Canada. He said "not really".

scottyfox: The rep I was talking with (Mike), determined "This site is in Hong Kong with sights coming in from Red China."

Thanks for the details, quite interesting. Seems they don't give a fuck unless it's regarding their products being replicated in the U.S.A, and being sold from there. Else they are all safe. Could explain why Evike and GI don't sell reps now.

Good ol' asia and canadian retailers though can still prosper

[FirestormX]

I got a response back, regarding EOTechs for airsoft (to fill the low priced gap that replicas are taking):

We can’t license airsoft because many gun show gypsies and low end on line stores advertise these as acceptable substitutes. When sold at gun shows they get pawned off as the real deal to young soldiers who do not know better. I know of one KIA where a non working fake was on the weapon at the time of enemy engagement. Unlike airsoft guns which are licensed by the mfg because of the cool factor and that they cannot be used in real application pose no real threat to end users mistaking the product for the real thing. Except for LE officers thinking airsoft guns are real if represented or presented incorrectly by the person who has it!

Seems they're more concerned about incorrect use and scammers. I guess that if you produce something that can just be mounted on a milspec rail - as opposed to something like PTS stuff that fits on off-spec AEGs (and thus, can only be used for AEGs), it's harder to ensure your "for airsoft" products are only used for airsoft.

It makes sense. But I would imagine you can do something like change the EOTech logo a little bit on the optic (put a BB flying through it or something, so con men can't just paint over the logo to make it look like real steel), and put a warning "for airsoft use only" on the optic and in the paperwork or something.

Ah well. At least we can pretty safely call out any other companies claiming they're making "EOTech licensed" airsoft optics. EOTech knock offs aren't going to go away, but at least we can call out people blatantly lying about it.

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

I got a response back, regarding EOTechs for airsoft (to fill the low priced gap that replicas are taking):



Seems they're more concerned about incorrect use and scammers. I guess that if you produce something that can just be mounted on a milspec rail - as opposed to something like PTS stuff that fits on off-spec AEGs (and thus, can only be used for AEGs), it's harder to ensure your "for airsoft" products are only used for airsoft.

It makes sense. But I would imagine you can do something like change the EOTech logo a little bit on the optic (put a BB flying through it or something, so con men can't just paint over the logo to make it look like real steel), and put a warning "for airsoft use only" on the optic and in the paperwork or something.

Ah well. At least we can pretty safely call out any other companies claiming they're making "EOTech licensed" airsoft optics. EOTech knock offs aren't going to go away, but at least we can call out people blatantly lying about it.

Good to know! thanks for the follow up.

I would of gotten an EoTech, but got a sweet deal on an Aimpoint Pro.

[SuperHog]

Unfortunately it is not cost effective to produce $600+ optics and expect them to work reasonably. I have a total of 4 and 3 of them have stopped working. One of them, the internals have fell a part and floating around on the inside tube.

I picked up truglo from Basspro for US$120, and that thing is sweet. Best of all.... Life time warranty.

http://www.basspro.com/TRUGLO-TriCol...1110105010320/

[DEATH2000]

Originally Posted by SuperHog

Unfortunately it is not cost effective to produce $600+ optics and expect them to work reasonably. I have a total of 4 and 3 of them have stopped working. One of them, the internals have fell a part and floating around on the inside tube.

I picked up truglo from Basspro for US$120, and that thing is sweet. Best of all.... Life time warranty.

http://www.basspro.com/TRUGLO-TriCol...1110105010320/

Which brand are they? Any $600 optic should come with a pretty good warranty.

[-=ArchAngel=-]

Originally Posted by SuperHog

Unfortunately it is not cost effective to produce $600+ optics and expect them to work reasonably. I have a total of 4 and 3 of them have stopped working. One of them, the internals have fell a part and floating around on the inside tube.

I picked up truglo from Basspro for US$120, and that thing is sweet. Best of all.... Life time warranty.

http://www.basspro.com/TRUGLO-TriCol...1110105010320/

There are probably a lot Aimpoint purists that'd disagree with that hahaha

[Cobrajr122]

I wonder what is stopping them from making an airsoft line that is very clearly and permanently marked as 'Airsoft Edition' or something of the like.

I have a real EXSP3 in front of a 3x magnifier, I am not too sure how much I like the setup. Pretty sure my prescription is fucking with it.