Monthly Archives: August 2023

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Monstrum Banshee 1-10×24

Earlier this year I was shown Monstrum’s newest LPVO scope, the Banshee. This new line would be slightly lower priced than their new Spectre. And more importantly, would feature a 1-10x model but due to manufacturing delays, Monstrum was unable to bring a 1-10x prototype to Shot Show. Months later, I was excited to receive a sample of the new Banshee 1-10×24 LPVO from Monstrum.

The Banshee shares broad physical similarities to the Spectre. Both have 30mm tubes and the same X1 reticle. Unlike the Spectre, the Banshee has capped turrets and the highest magnification of Monstrum’s LPVOs of 10x. As a minor note, on the Banshee the Monstrum logo is engraved into the eyepiece section of the scope, possibly a new standard in Monstrum’s industrial design.

At the range, I was able to quickly able to identify and engage targets at 50 yrds and 100 yrds. However, the illumination of my particular sample scope was a bit weak. Testing in the noon day sun, I could barely see a red tint at its highest level 5 setting. Green was slightly better. But to be fair, in bright daylight the X1 reticle is thick enough to line up my target without the need for illumination and in low light or CQB, the illumination levels would be adequate.

Overall I found the glass to be as good as the Spectre. I couldn’t quite compare apples to apples because of the higher 10x magnification of the Banshee. With both, I was pleasantly surprised at its sharpness and brightness for a price tier of under $250.

ONLINE RETAIL SOURCES

Amazon Affiliate: https://amzn.to/3P2wKZp

Monstrum: https://monstrumtactical.com/banshee-1-10×24-lpvo-rifle-scope/

RESOLUTION (50yrds)

Group: -1
Element: 2

Airsoft, Shooting Sports

EZshoot 1-6×24 LPVO

I had to re-edit and re-upload this video because of goof on my part. I’ve been mispronouncing the name of the brand. It’s not EZshot, it’s EZshoot.

EZshot is a brand best known for budget firearms accessories like barrel snakes, red dots, and weapon lights and not always in a good way. It came as a bit of a surprise that they reached out to me with an 1-6x LPVO. I didn’t have high hopes as to optical qualities and build quality but I was delightfully surprised.

The scope came in completely blank black box which was not a good start. Like Feyachi and MidTen, most of EZshots product are generic and often lack any branding on the product itself. I assume they buy their products from the same factories and just market them under their brand name.

Inside, I found an LPVO that we pretty well put together. The elevation and windage turrets are capped. The turrets underneath, looked a bit cheap but had nice loud clicks. Overall the scope looked good; not $500 scope quality but more than its $109 price on Amazon.

At the range, I found the image at 6x to be decent. Not amazing but not bad. It had a fair bit of chromatic aberration, edge distortion, and lacked some resolution and brightness. But the image was sharp enough to confidently engage man sized targets from 50-100 yards.

It’s eye relief and exit pupil were average for a budget LPVO. There are better scopes but almost none it’s price tier. I had no trouble brining it up to my eye and quickly acquired my target. I found it’s reticle to be better than I expected, though its outer cross hairs should have been thinner.

Without a doubt, there are better and more durable LPVOs. But for the price, this is great optic for a range baby.

ONLINE RETAIL SOURCES

Amazon Affiliate: https://amzn.to/3DKqAq2

Manufacturer Specs

ITEM WEIGHT‎15.2 Ounces
MATERIAL‎Aluminum
MAGNIFICATION MAXIMUM‎6 x
MAGNIFICATION MINIMUM‎1 x
COMPATIBLE DEVICES‎Rifle
MOUNTING TYPE‎Cantilever Mount
NIGHT VISION‎No
EYE RELIEF‎3.94 Inches
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS‎9.65″L x 2.76″W x 2″H

Product Reviews, Social

Feyachi FL-46 Flashlight

Feyachi sent me their new right angle rechargeable flashlight, the FL-46. Right angle flashlights are not new. The design was boy scout and military standard since before WWII. Right angle flashlights can be attached to the wearer’s chest, backpack straps, or pocket to illuminate while allowing wearer both hands free.

The box that the FL-46 comes in is a little fancier than Feyachi’s normal packaging, with a pull drawer. The flashlight comes with a nylon holster, USB-C charging cable, and user manual. The charging port is located under a plastic sliding panel at the base. The FL-46 can be stood on its tail and attached to your pocket or strap with a metal double-direction clip.

The controls are basic, with a silicone clicky button at the right angle bend. Pressing turns turns it on and each tap cycles through its modes: On>High>Strobe>Off. Pressing it for over 1 sec. will also turn the flashlight off. The FL-46 lacks mode memory or momentary on.

In my testing, the “Regular” on mode output more than its stated 300 lumens by over 50%. It’s “High” mode was just above to its stated 500 lumens. Fully charged, the unit had a run time in excess of 400 minutes. It dimmed considerably after the first hour but stayed in a candlelight dim output well past the 300 minute mark when I had to cut the test due nightfall and the lack of light for the camera to read my timer.

If this light has just too many flaws for me to recommend it. It lacks mode memory and a means to lock out the strobe mode. Furthermore the plastic dust cover for the charging port leaves the light at only IPX4 water resistance; a glaring oversight for a “tactical-style” flashlight for it not to be rain-proof. This light might be better suited for workshops, repairmen, or mechanics.

Available on Amazon through my Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3s79VKJ

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Monstrum Raider X2

I recently reviewed the Monstrum Raider X1 weapon light. I got an early look at a prototype at Shot Show 2023. Back then, they didn’t even have a name for it but I was struck by their claim that it could output 2000 lumens. I was eager to test this claim, and thankfully Monstrum came forward and sent me both an X1 and an X2 to evaluate.

Like the X1, the Raider X2 comes in a compact box containing the light and a M-LOK/Picatinny rail. The weapon light is made of 6061 aircraft grade aluminum which feels quite durable and solid. It recharges via a covered USB-C port at the rear of the wedged shaped body.

Unlike the wedge shaped X1, the X2 has a straight lower profile shape. There is a small cut out in the body that allows the light to function as a hand stop, preventing your hand from moving forward which is useful as a safety feature for bullpup or short barreled rifles and shotguns.

An single activation button is located on the left side of the body. A press turns the unit on in its high output mode. Pressing the button cycles the flashlight from high, to low, to off. Keeping the button pressed for 5-6 seconds activates the strobe mode.

In my testing, I measured approximately 1650 lumens; which not as bright as the 2000 claimed. The shortfall may be because new batteries take a few cycles to reach maximum performance? The X1 I tested had a higher 1850 lumen output despite having the same internal components.

The Raider lacks momentary on or mode memory; two features I consider to be vital for a modern weapon light. This control scheme was standard for weapon lights 15 years ago and for those that are used to this scheme may be a selling point but not for me.

What is a selling point is it’s performance and durability. Monstrum states that it has a 60 minute run time on high mode. Fully recharged, my X2 ran for 70 minutes, with a gradual drop in brightness.

The Raider X1 did fail one of my tests: I found the unit did not meet to IPX6 rating it claims. I hit it with a high pressure water hose at various angles for about 15-20 seconds. A few minutes later, I found that moisture beads appeared behind the lens and lifting the silicone charging port cover, I found water weeping out of the port.

I left the unit outside in the sun for a few days to dry it out. After checking the charging port for moisture, I tried charging it up again and it appears to be working normally. While water getting into the unit is failure, it’s recovery from its wet condition may be a positive.

ONLINE RETAIL SOURCES

Amazon Affiliate: https://amzn.to/3KmOJad

Monstrum: https://alnk.to/ge48PGr

Product Reviews, Social

How easy are returns on Temu?

I recently made my first online order on Temu and mused, “I don’t know what their return policy is like?” Well now I know. Within my first order, a laser disco ball light was defective and even though it was cheap (less than $5), Temu did heavily advertise they offered “Free Returns” and I was eager to find out if this was for real.

In order to process a return I had to upload photos or a short 00:30 video demonstrating the problem. Videos longer than :30 are rejected by their website upload page. In my case, one of the three disco lights I had purchased, didn’t change color when music or sound played.

If approved, they offer a free downloadable return mailing label. You have to box up all the item(s) you wish to return from each order. You can return multiple items from your order but if you’ve already shipped a box and discover another defective item, Temu will not give you a free shipping label but will instead charge you $7.90 for it.

In my product return process, they approved my return and told me that I didn’t have to return the products. Probably because it would cost them more to ship it back than the item was worth. Overall the experience was relatively easy, similar to AliExpress but not quite as easy as Amazon.