TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Caveat Emptor’ Category

Caveat Emptor – Why Don’t You…

Friday, November 25th, 2011

We get email all of the time from readers asking why we don’t test this or that. There’s two simple reasons.

First, we do the news and we don’t have enough bandwidth to do proper test & evaluations which leads us to the second point. We don’t have the access to the right facilities and equipment to conduct proper tests.

We see folks all over the internet throwing products on their charcoal grills saying they are conducting burn tests or taking their latest gucciflauge out in the back yard to snap a couple of photos and saying they are testing camouflage or worse yet, shooting a ballistic material at a random range with some random gun. In all cases, they are wrong. All they are doing is making noise and, filling their reader’s heads full of nonsense that in some cases is libelous and in others downright dangerous.

Our editor actually conducted test & evaluation for DoD and later, after he retired from the military for commercial companies. Consequently, he knows how it is supposed to be done and, that is why you won’t see us doing it. If we aren’t going to do it right, we aren’t going to do it at all.

So, next time you see an internet “test” conducted by amateurs, ask them what qualifies them to conduct that test. Ask to see their test plan and their data collection schema. Ask them how many times they conducted the test and how they ensured that the tests were conducted properly and consistently. We could go on and on but quite frankly, question one will stump them.

Not only are there folks posting this nonsense on the internet but they are taking money from unsuspecting companies. Before you pay someone to conduct RDT&E for your company ask them what qualifies them to do this. There are tons of former end-users out there but DoD’s T&E community isn’t very big. Verify credentials.

Caveat Emptor – EOTech Counterfeiting Update

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Back in April Isaac Cheuk Hang Tse and his office manager, Pao Sheng Yang were charged with manufacturing and selling a counterfeit mark and possession of an assault weapon. Specifically, they were selling counterfeit EOTech sights.

Now, there’s been some justice in this case. According to an EOTech press release –

A Southern California businessman and his office manager have pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit (EOTech) high-tech rifle sights over the Internet. Orange County prosecutors say 65-year-old Isaac Cheuk Hang Tse, a co-owner of Anaheim-based Field Sports, and 34-year-old Pao Sheng Yang pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling counterfeit goods and possessing an assault weapon, both misdemeanors.They were initially charged with felonies. City News Service says Tse was sentenced to 60 days in jail and he was placed on three years’ probation. Yang got 90 days in jail and three years’ probation.Prosecutors say Field Sports manufactured and advertised about 700 counterfeit gun sights and 200 magnifier systems for sale online. EOTech is the United States-based corporation that has the copyright on the manufacture and sale of the sights and magnifiers.

Caveat Emptor – Ranger Medic Handbook

Monday, November 7th, 2011

It seems some people have zero shame. It has come to our attention that there are a couple of fake hardcopy Ranger Medic Handbooks on Amazon and in digital format for the Kindle. North American Rescue has an agreement with the copyright holder making them the sole distributor of the RMH and all profits from the book go to a charity of the their choice. The charity is always a Wounded Warrior type charity and is currently the Sentinels of Freedom. This is VERY important. One of the versions on Amazon is listed as the 2011 version which is completely bogus. According to the authors, this is a draft of the 2007 version before the edits were finished. On a good note, the copyright holder is currently in contact with Amazon to deal with the three companies publishing the RMH.

Printed on tear-resistant and waterproof 6 mil paper, the RMH was designed for hard field use. Sections of the 156 page handbook include tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), trauma protocols and procedures, common sick-call related subjects, pharmacology, duties and responsibilities, packing lists, and more.

We’re not going to publish links to the fakes so please don’t put the info in the comments section.

www.narescue.com

Caveat Emptor – Counterfeit Alert – E-Lite

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

We’ve mentioned counterfeit individual equipment several times here on SSD. Each time we run across a new case, the counterfeiters become more bold and the knockoffs more insidious. We have seen holsters, boots, gun sights, and even medical equipment. This time it’s the V-lite from S&S Precision. A company has produced a very similar product, copying everything except the actual name and this is the best clue that you have an unauthorized copy. If your light says “E-lite” instead of “V-lite” you’ve got a counterfeit copy. Otherwise, it looks just like the real thing.


The counterfeit E-lite is on the left and the Real McCoy V-lite is on the right.

Do not purchase counterfeit equipment. Not only do these bogus products steal from the companies that developed them, but their use can also result in mission failure or worse yet, injury or even death. Always ensure that you purchase your equipment from an authorized seller. Generally, if the deal seems to good to be true, it is. Remember, buy quality, cry once.

www.sandsprecision.com/distributors

Buyer Beware – GunClip Knockoff

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

The Crye Precision GunClipâ„¢ is already a very specialized piece of kit. It is precision molded in order to carry a Glock (17, 19, 22, and 23) and not necessarily intended for EDC. Rather, the point of the GunClipâ„¢ is to keep a light or suppressor equipped Glock at the ready. Due to it’s unique draw stroke, it is particularly effective when mounted to a chest rig. Additionally, it features a unique, patent pending attachment system that is adjustable for cant as well as width to accommodate a belt or PALS webbing.

Unfortunately, we were just alerted to a fake version of the holster that has been hitting the market. Intended for the Airsoft market, there is some concern that it will be purchased by someone who thinks they are getting a really good deal. While the two items do look alike, there are a couple of telltale signs that will let you know you have a counterfeit item. First, the name on the item will be “Crye Drecision” or just “Drecision” with the Crye portion blotted out. Additionally, it may give off an oily smell. Finally, it may be more flexible than a normal molded holster. In fact, this is the most dangerous aspect of the knockoff. Not only is there a danger of it not properly retaining the pistol due to the materials used, the belt attachment system is missing the teeth in the adjusters and after time may lose its grip on the belt or PALS webbing.

If you are the sort of person who has an actual need for a GunClipâ„¢ then go ahead and spend the extra few bucks to get the real McCoy. Remember, buy quality, cry once.

cryeprecision.com