h6>Introduction
Lasers have been utilized as a tool to enhance firearm targeting systems for quite some time.
Modern target pointers employ small laser diodes which are attached to a weapon and lined up to emit a light beam parallel to the barrel. Since a laser beam has extremely low divergence, the laser light appears as a small targeting spot even at long distances. Most laser target pointers use a red diode or an infrared (IR) diode to produce a dot, while some pointers also combine visible and IR laser diodes.
Live Resin is a resin company from Russia, specialized in producing high quality weapon and accessory sets. This review covers their Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-2, AN/PEQ-15 (LRE-35010) set.
Review
The Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-2, AN/PEQ-15 is packed in a zip-lock bag and safely secured between a firm cardboard (9X10cm). The CAD box art on the front displays all the kit parts, while the one on the back lists correct designations of the two target pointers included in the kit and shows them in more detail.
The kit consists of 5 resin casting blocks with 6 pieces each... 30 parts in total. The parts are molded in grey resin and the cast is absolutely amazing; upon closer inspection I found no air-bubbles, no seam lines or any other casting imperfections. Here is some information on the two laser pointers included in this kit:
The AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer / Illuminator / Aiming Laser (ITPIAL) is the US Army standard issue near-infrared dual beam multi-function laser, which combines the utility and operational effectiveness of aiming lights and illuminator in a single device. One narrow beam is used for aiming the rifle and one wide beam with adjustable radius for illuminating targets, like a flashlight. Both beams can only be seen through night vision goggles and, since the beams are produced by two independent lasers, each one can be zeroed independently. The AN/PEQ-2 is waterproof to a depth of 20 meters and runs on two AA batteries. The system can be mounted to a wide range of military equipment including individual and anti-tank weapons via an interface compatible with all standard Picatinny rails.
The AN/PEQ-15, also known as the Advanced Target Pointer / Illuminator / Aiming Light (ATPIAL), is the next generation of the AN/PEQ-2, offering more functionality at almost half the size and weight. The ATPIAL is a multifunction device emitting a highly collimated visible or infrared light beam for laser pointing and precision weapon aiming, but also an adjustable focus infrared beam for target illumination. The lasers may be used with or without a night vision device to engage enemy targets under any lighting conditions. The ATPIAL system uses a rail grabber interface and is compatible with all standard Picatinny rails.
Both laser target pointers are presented very realistically in scale. The power button, function selector, battery compartment cap and number of other details are well defined. Due to the rail attachment interface, the AN/PEQs are very easily fitted on any Live Resin weapon offerings featuring rail system. Combining this set with other Live Resin weapon accessories gives modelers everything they would ever need for "pimping up" their modern US weapons.
Conclusion
This kit features two laser target pointers / illuminators / aiming lights most often used with the US Army weapon arsenal today: AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PEQ-15. The resin cast is perfect and features tiny, but incredibly well defined details. With 30 pieces (15 copies of each laser pointer version), this set presents an absolutely great value for money.
Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.
References
Insight Tech Gear
Comments