Talk To Me About Olight Optics

[titsonritz]

Nothing I'd put on a serious use gun.

 

[obesechess]

Well, I've had some fun since I made this thread. The Gideon ended up being backordered for longer than I wanted, so I was going to go with the EPS Carry as I'd budgeted out about ~$325 for a red dot. I went to my LGS to try out different dots. I was pretty set on an enclosed emitter since I sweat, shed hair at about the same rate as my cat, and bartend once a week, which means my stuff is always wet and dirty at the end of the night.

Upon arriving at my LGS, I learned that every single dot that I tried out starbursted like crazy. I then realized I hadn't gotten my eyes checked in a long time. Turns out I needed glasses - mildly farsighted with astigmatism. Fun adventure. Fortunately I look very handsome with glasses. Went back to the LGS to try again, this time properly equipped. The Holosun dots all still starbursted, regardless of color or dot size, even with my glasses on, but only Holosun - no other brand. Must be something with their emitters. Who knows. The EPS Carry also hung off the sides of my G48's slide by several millimeters and just looked goofy to me. If I'm paying $325 for something I want it to look nice.

Of all the dots I tried, the Vortex dots looked the clearest, but they don't make an enclosed emitter dot, but ultimately I decided I'd just suck it up and deal with it. Given Vortex's reputation (quality, good CS, great warranty, etc), it felt like an easy trade-off to make between that and "having to clean my dot more often." I'm now waiting for a Defender-CCW to come in (also on backorder, but not as bad as the Gideon), which I got for $175 on sale.

HOWEVER. Olight/Osight has now also released another enclosed emitter dot, this time without a goofy proprietary charging system, just a regular old 1620 battery. The reviews on YouTube are all largely the usual paid shills - people who've put maybe 50 rounds through them and declared that it's the best red dot you can buy. I don't trust that and I don't respect it. However, other reviews on Reddit and other forums seem more positive. Right now, this dot is $150.

My plan is to grab one and put it on a range toy, and if it survives a thousand rounds or so then maybe I'll move it to my carry gun. Two optics for slightly over the budget I'd allocated for one.

If folks are interested, once I get it, install it, and put it through its paces I will post up a review here in a few weeks/months. I don't expect anyone to take my review seriously as I am no expert, but I am also not a paid shill.

And hey, if it sucks, lifetime warranty. Just send it back for a refund.

 

[Koda]

Remind me what the advantage of an enclosed emitter is?

And where do you get a Vortex Defender for only $150?

 

[1775usmc]

Remind me what the advantage of an enclosed emitter is?

And where do you get a Vortex Defender for only $150?

The emitter can't be obstructed. Easier to clean.

 

[obesechess]

Remind me what the advantage of an enclosed emitter is?

And where do you get a Vortex Defender for only $150?

The Defender-CCW was $175:

Vortex Defender-CCW Red Dots 3MOA

Vortex Defender-CCW 3 MOA Red Dot Optic SPECIFICATIONS: Manufacturer: Vortex Optics Model: Defender-CCW Red Dot SKU: DFCCW-MRD3 Battery: CR1632 Battery Life @ Setting 6: 9500 Hrs Magnification: 1x Dot Color: Red Dot Size: 3 MOA Eye Relief: Unlimited Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA...

simmonssportinggoods.com

I've bought from these folks before and they are legit. They're also $212.50 at Sportsmans Warehouse right now.

The OSight is $159 on Amazon right now, but I asked OSight's CS if they'd beat the price if I ordered direct, to which they said yes, $149.

And yes, enclosed emitters are much easier to clean and there's less to clean - debris, water, etc can't get into the emitter or housing, at least not as easily.

 

[Koda]

The emitter can't be obstructed. Easier to clean.

Thats a huge advantage...

 

[1775usmc]

Thats a huge advantage...

Those who know. Know.

 

[obesechess]

Oh yeah, and give it to me straight. If I am going to be putting optics on two pistols, and then leaving them alone, is it worth spending the $60+ on a decent inch-lbs torque driver, or will I be fine with just some threadlocker and common sense?

 

[Koda]

Oh yeah, and give it to me straight. If I am going to be putting optics on two pistols, and then leaving them alone, is it worth spending the $60+ on a decent inch-lbs torque driver, or will I be fine with just some threadlocker and common sense?

Ive seen rifle scopes come loose using the finger tight method... and when it mattered, so Im on the side of using a torque wrench.

 

[obesechess]

Figured as much. I'm confident I know somebody who has one I can borrow for a few minutes.

 

[obesechess]

OSight arrived. It's certainly far better packaged and "feels" more premium than its price point suggests, though obviously that can be very deceiving. It certainly doesn't feel like some airsoft-quality BS like some other optics in this price category that I've handled - looking at you, Crimson Trace - but, again, this is just going on feel and vibes. The notable exception to this is the included multi-tool, which inexplicably has an utterly ridiculous skull engraved in it. Otherwise I would say that the build quality and glass clarity feels comparable to the EPS Carry, though this has a slightly larger window with a slightly narrower body (neither fit flush on a G48, as far as I am aware there's no enclosed emitter optic that does, so whatever).

I'm going to get it torqued on when I get my hands on a torque driver and will post pictures of the included hardware, as well as the glass and reticle once it's mounted.

I have some one-on-one instruction time booked for next month where I'm gonna put a few hundred rounds on it and see if it holds zero or gives me any grief.

If it fails at any point in any way for any reason other than user error I am sending it back and putting the Vortex on instead, but for $149 with a lifetime warranty I figure someone has to do some honest testing. As I may have mentioned, every other review I can find is either obvious paid shilling OR someone who hasn't used this thing saying "I'd never buy anything from them or use it and I"m confident it's a piece of garbage," neither of which I trust or respect.

If folks have questions, feel free to ask 'em here and I will try to answer them. I have no experience reviewing firearm stuff but plenty reviewing car parts, guitars, etc so I think I am pretty thorough and informative.

EDIT: sorry for the rambling and redundant paragraphs, I've had four cups of coffee and nothing else so far this morning. I am vibrating.

 

[obesechess]

Alright, finally got a torque driver and got it installed.

Packaging is very thoughtful, as I may have noted, even with the ridiculous "skull" on the tool. The instructions are easy to follow and clearly written in plain English, free of typos, grammatical errors, head-scratching mystery phrases, or other things I'd expect from a cheap Chinese optic. One of my only two gripes is that, as far as I can tell, the list of which specific screws each gun needs - and what it should be torqued down to - is only available online, rather than in the included documentation. Fortunately as I have internet access this was not a big deal.




My only other gripe is that, once open, the battery "slot" is a little bit wonky/off-center in my opinion, and was very hard to open the first time as there was one of those little plastic tabs blocking the battery contacts and it got caught on something and was just kind of a pain in the bubblegum. Whatever. I have very little experience here so maybe they're all kind of a pain in the bubblegum. Went in and out fine (figured I'd put a Duracell in out of the gate since they're like three bucks). No cross-threading and it looks fine with the door on.



All mounted up with some vibra-tite and torqued down. Whoever decided that the new slimline Glocks needed to have the "GasOX" finish, which is a satin grey smeary mess of fingerprints, instead of the old one deserves a wedgie, but eventually I'll send it off to get nitride coated and get some new irons installed while it's there.



Glass is very clear with minimal, if any, distortion, a very slight red tint, and the reticle is very sharp. Multi-reticle system works well (switch between 32MOA circle, 2MOA dot, or both). This was impossible for me to get a good photo of so you'll have to take my word for it.

All done:


I have some one-on-one lessons booked for next month during which point I'll get it zeroed and get a few hundred rounds through it and see how I like it. I realize that first impressions from a new/inexperienced shooter are very little to go on, but this is far better built and packaged than I'd expected at this price point - remember, this was $150, shipped, with a lifetime warranty. I won't compare it to Holosun, but given that they're starting to move upmarket and increase their prices, I'm pretty interested to see what's happening with newcomers in the "cheap optics" space.

Thanks for following along. Someone's gotta put these things through their paces without OSight sending them a check (however, if someone from OSight is reading this and would like to send me a check, my DMs are open).

 

[Koda]

One of my only two gripes is that, as far as I can tell, the list of which specific screws each gun needs - and what it should be torqued down to - is only available online, rather than in the included documentation.

Did the instructions mention if your pistol needed one of the screws shorter than the other? I don't know about G48s but G19s need a slightly shorter mounting screw on the right side ...at least if its an RMR footprint. The reason is that screw protrudes into the extractor channel, so maybe check your extractor plunger for free movement.

I have some one-on-one lessons booked for next month during which point I'll get it zeroed and get a few hundred rounds through it and see how I like it.

IMO unless zeroing optics is part of the class, I would get it zeroed before your class. There are different distances people like to choose to zero pistol optics, I recommend 20yds but thats harder to do initially but it provides the flattest trajectory for all distances.

 

[obesechess]

Doesn't say anything in these instructions nor any others I can find online about installing optics on a G48 about different sized screws.

How do I go about getting it zeroed? I figured that was a trial-and-error process and I'd just do it with a much more competent and experienced shooter.

 

[Koda]

Doesn't say anything in these instructions nor any others I can find online about installing optics on a G48 about different sized screws.

How do I go about getting it zeroed? I figured that was a trial-and-error process and I'd just do it with a much more competent and experienced shooter.

You'll have ejection issues if the right screw is interfering. Its super easy to take out the extractor plunger to check, plenty of youtube vids on that. The extractor rod should come out easy, with it all apart you can shine a light in there to check for the screw tip. Assembly is in reverse order.

Zeroing is more of an effort. Ideally you need to shoot from a bench and over a pistol rest but it can be done standing. If standing it will be easier at 10yds instead of 20yds. Start at 5 or 7 yds and fire 5rds and see where the group is. Unload and adjust the optic until its on bullseye. Confirm with another 5rds. Replace the paper target and move the target stand out to 10 yards (or 20 if thats your goal) and repeat the process until the center of your group is centered around the bullseye and done. Slow steady fire for accuracy, best done over a pistol rest. Sandbags can suffice or even over a range bag.


(I would use a punch not a flat screwdriver)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurAKjLsp9o

 

[obesechess]

Thanks, I'll crack it open and see what it looks like when I get home. I'm looking at Osight's technical documentation, the full length of the screw provided - head included - is 9.4mm, so I should be okay since it looks like 8.2mm of thread is the upper limit. I'll report back.

 

[Gundolf]

Picked one up off amazon. Just installed it and so far I'm impressed. Build quality looks and feels high. For $160 and a lifetime warranty I was sold.
Well see how it shoots but Im optimistic

 

[Kruel J]

Picked one up off amazon. Just installed it and so far I'm impressed. Build quality looks and feels high. For $160 and a lifetime warranty I was sold.
Well see how it shoots but Im optimistic

View attachment 2137180

It will probably work as well as any other Chinese optic.

I still EDC an Arkfeld Ultra, BTW. I like Olight enough to pocket their products I suppose. But that optic is 100% Chinese made and probably rebranded somewhere too. They have a US office in Georgia with a decent social media presence but they are a Chinese company.

 

[obesechess]

Thanks for the video, @Koda - first time I'd ever taken my slide down that far. Visually confirmed that there's no interference with the extractor channel. The plunger popped out with no hesitation and I was able to put it back in with zero resistance.

 

[Koda]

Thanks for the video, @Koda - first time I'd ever taken my slide down that far. Visually confirmed that there's no interference with the extractor channel. The plunger popped out with no hesitation and I was able to put it back in with zero resistance.

It was worth the look for reassurance, side note now you know how to easily clean your slide. Dont put any lube in there, the firing pin assembly and extractor assembly dont need it. Just wipe them clean of powder residue and put back together dry.