Rifle Scopes Real or fake eotech magnifier

[Snipeninja1218]

I purchased an Eotech magnifier on eBay a while back and go it for a pretty decent price, less than $100. A lady was selling her ex husbands stuff apparently she got in the divorce or so she explained to me, she stated she did not know much about the item and I asked if she new if it was real or fake, she sent me some pictures and from what I found on the web it seemed real but how can I be sure. It is a gen 1 3x magnifier, there is a samson marking and serial number on the mount. The glass is crystal clear. There is no real cosmetic damage to the unit. When I mounted in my rifle I liked it but I don't ever use it and would like to sell it but since I have no idea of its authenticity I don't want to sell it until I know. If anyone can help me identify this or has any information please let me know I appreciate it. If pictures would help please let me know which ones would and I will post them.

 

[CSTactical]

Photos help.

Mike @ CST

 

[IamTS]

If you reach out to EoTech, they will verify the serial number for you.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

most likely fake, unless she is just trying to put the screws to her x

 

[irondude]

EOTech Contacts | L-3 EOTech - Holographic Weapons Systems

attached link to call or email and verify serial number.

 

[Night Eagle]

sorry to tell you but i think its a fake. im 99% positive that those early models don't have serial numbers. i had the same thing and called to verify...no serial number though...real deal. you can also check inside of the mount there is a particular screw head that only eotech uses...

night eagle

 

[Snipeninja1218]

Thanks for the info you guys are awesome. What type of screw am I looking for exactly. I could not find any serial number except for on the mount itself. I will get some pics up tomorrow since it will probably help. Thanks again.

 

[Snipeninja1218]

trying to get pics of magnifier up

 

[Snipeninja1218]

I just added some pics of the Eotech Gen 1 Magnifier if any of these pics help please let me know I appreciate it.

 

[Snipeninja1218]

I tried to get some pics of the entire magnifier, the mount, the serial number on the mount and the screws the best I could. There is also one looking from the objective to the occular or backwards through the optic showing the housing of the magnifier if that is any indicator.

 

[Papa Zero Three]

Here is a link to L3's response to fake eotechs and magnifiers.

Counterfeit Alert | L-3 EOTech Holographic Weapons Systems

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

The counterfeits are almost impossible to distinguish on this particular model from the real deal. One clue that it might be legit is that the flip mount is a Samson, which did come on the Gen 1. Of course, the fact that you were able to purchase it on EBay for less than $100 is against you unless others were afraid of the "airsoft" or "counterfiet" possibilites. It would help if you received the original box, instruction booklet etc. For less than $20 you could sent it round trip to L3 and have them authenticate it for you (depending on how concerned you really are.) It is "rumored" that the rings that hold in the lenses on the authentic magnifiers have three wrench slots, the fakes have two. Good luck.

 

[Night Eagle]

so judging by your 2nd pic, and the serial number on the mount i now believe its real. i do think you should call eotech and talk to them though, they will be able to verify the serial number as they seemed to be aware of the how the fakes looked

night eagle

 

[RetardedTiming]

The mount certainly looks legit. I have several, but all my mags are 4X EOTech. Uses the same mount though.

 

[HBAM1]

Its totally fake, ill take it off your hands for $20.00...

 

[Bloodstriker]

I have a knock off magnifier on an airsoft gun. I've also played around with the real deal a bunch of times at the shops. There's a few things that might help:

- the flip mount on the fake has a bit of wiggle. The real is snug and there's no play.
- eye relief on the real is better
- the most obvious way to tell is by looking through the glass. The fake is equivalent to looking though a cheap Tasco scope (workable but the resolution isn't great). The real has a very crisp and bright image (similar to something in the range of a Zeiss Conquest) and can resolve a lot more detail.

 

[Snipeninja1218]

Thanks for all the help, the mount is snug for sure the picture through the glass is crystal for sure, I have a leupold and NF scope as well as a cheap Burris on my 10/22 so I know the difference in good glass. But I read some of these fakes had pretty clean glass, all of the controls function flawless and I thought the mount looked legit too, but without all the paperwork or box I couldn't be sure, I am just going to have to contact L3 and find out for sure. I heard and read so many different things on real or fake this is the best most consistent information so I appreciate all the help. As previously mentioned I was planning on selling the magnifier and didn't want to sell it as real if it was fake or want to sell fake if it was real.

 

[Bloodstriker]

I just went to take some pics of the fake one I have. Notice how the screws are all warped. I only mounted this twice. The machining on the mount is of low quality. Also, looking through the glass, there is a very noticeable pincushion effect.

 

[Snipeninja1218]

After emailing L3 and sending some pictures to them it was confirmed the magnifier is in fact real. So thank everyone who provided input and direction to me in order to find out. Lesson learned for all, if your married and get divorced grab everything out of your gun safe before the ex gets it on eBay.

 

[Peter Holman]

I have an Eotech 3x magnifier G33.STS that has Phillips head screws in the mount and I confirmed with Mike Kroll at Eotech that my serial number is valid. Therefore, I believe you cannot determine authenticity by screw type (airsoft or otherwise). I think the mount provided on my unit is by Aimpoint and they do use phillips screws. I think the best way to determine authenticity is to ask Eotech to confirm the serial number. Also, the optics on my magnifier are very sharp and clear. So, if this is a fake I'm keeping it!! The color coatings on the lenses are very good. I would know since I do a lot of photography with Leica and Zeiss m-mount lenses. Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[Peter Holman]

As a post script. What got me wondering about fakes was my Eotech rebate was denied because the rebate people had no record of my serial number and the rebate was declined. I called the rebate folks and they informed me they left off about 500 serial numbers from the list and mine was one and they are reprocessing my data. The main Eotech customer service people verified my serial number is valid. So, whew!! Maybe Eotech should put some kind of anti-counterfeit device on the unit like a hologram or something. There is too much money involved in these units to be getting fakes and people might feel reluctant about buying future products. So, Eotech that is just a constructive suggestion.

Best regards