Review - G&P Eotech 553 Clone

[Flatlander]

I'm sitting here at work bored so I will write a review on my G&P 553 clone. Well I got my 553 about a week ago from Redwolf - http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol...l?prodID=24658. Few things to note is that it uses 2x AAA batteries, NOT AA like Redwolf claims. You can also see in Redwolfs pictures from the rear shot that there are a couple of black specs in the glass; mine has these too. Looks like a couple pieces of plastic got up there somehow on the inside. Not a huge deal. It comes with no trades of any kind or any brand name that I can see (even on the box). Sounds like all the clone 553's are coming from the same place.

First thing I noticed when I took out of of the box is that it is quite heavy! Next thing I noticed is that it's friggin huge! If you don't like how big it looks you can take off the outter protective cover. I went to put it on my CA M4 and to my horror it wouldn't fit on the rail properly; the rail was too wide and sat at an angle. I then put it on the rails on my RIS to compare and it then wobbles. The damn throw lever mount system is picky about the rails it wants to sit properly on. I had to take a belt sander and grind down my top rail slightly (pics to follow). It now sits flush and snug. I also tried it on a buddies rail he had and it was a bit wobbly. You may have to shim or file/grind down your rail or 553 to have it fit properly and snug.

There were a few concerns I had with this gun: ghosting, brightness and adjustment. Unfortunately mine does have a faint ghost reticle above the actual. In brighter conditions it seems to fade out and you don't notice it. I played last night in lower light conditions and it is slightly noticable but still usuable in the sense that it doesn't distract you away from the main, brighter reticle. Notice how Redwolf doesn't take a picture looking through the sight with the it turned on? Sneaky bastards.

It apprears that the brightness is sufficient, however! It came with batteries which died within the first 5 minutes and I had only one extra AAA laying around to throw in. I took it out on my balcony during the day and could still see the reticle, although faint. It was also a bit cloudy. I think with a fresh set of batteries, brightness will not be an issue at all.

It appears that the elevation and windage adjustments are functional. I tinkered just briefly with them when I got it and I believe they moved. I took it out to the field to sight it in and it was already perfect so I haven't touched it since.

Another drawback is that the sight seems to shut itself off quite soon. I'm not exactly sure but I would say within 10-15 minutes. Now this may also be due to the low battery situation. I'll have to read the manual and see if it says anything about that.

Pros:

- It's a 553!
- Feels solid
- Brightness is sufficient (so far)
- Elevation and windage appears functional
- Red and Green reticles

Cons:

- Slight ghosting
- Picky about the rails it fits onto (modification maybe required)
- Turns itself off soon (might be low battery issue)

All in all I'm pretty happy with it. It's about the perfect height for me as the 551/552's sat a bit low on my rail for my liking. Plus the sexy factor of course because we all know we play this game to look good.

I'll update this post as I play and tinker with it more. I'll hopefully get some pictures up soon also.

**UPDATE** - Some pictures for you guys. I apologize for the huge pictures as I don't know how to do those nifty small thumbnail links. Also the wear is from 2 games of use keep in mind. I'm pretty hard on my stuff.

A couple of my new toys: 553 clone a Tornado!


If you look closely you can see the faint ghosting above the reticle. They are partially interlayed. It appears that there is two piece of glass/plastic on the front and the light is being reflected off of both...but I could be wrong.


Good picture of my new custom, rediculously long silencer along with the 553. That's a KA OD mag...yes it looks weird.


The base of the 553 isn't really blue like in the picture. It's just a much flatter shade of black and isn't near as noticable.


UPDATE 2: Here's what I used the stationary wood working belt sander to my top rail. Came out nice and even (and shiny!).


FRESH BATTERIES: so I put a fresh pair in and the reticle is a bit brighter. I took it onto my balcony on a pretty sunny day and I could only lose the reticle up in the bright blue sky, otherwise it's fine. I turned it on and watched it until it shut it off twice; both times it was about 10 minutes until it shut itself off. Kind of annoying but whatever. I can't find the manual to see what it says and come to think of it I don't think it came with one. I don't recall as I was too busy figuring out how it works on my own!

[paramedic]

much thanks, i was looking for the 553 review just this morning, looks like theres still a few kinks to be worked out. I'll probably wait for the next version or see how Huang's batch turns out. At least elevation works unlike some sights cough, 552 cough.

[Crunchmeister]

If you read Huang's thread, he said he's getting very limited numbers of 553s because G&P bought up an assload from the manufacturer, so I'm guessing Huang's are the same.

[Flatlander]

Little update and some pictures added.

[Ronan]

Hurricans are the one that needs some sanding not G&P... started to think all those clones are coming from the same place lol

[bruce]

I had no problems when I had my Hurricane 553 fitting on a G&P metal body.

[huang]

Originally Posted by Ronan

Hurricans are the one that needs some sanding not G&P... started to think all those clones are coming from the same place lol

ACtually no. For example, there are over 4 factories making 551/552. They are similar because once a factory comes up a new product, the other factories will copy it in about 4-6monthes. :-)

[Ronan]

Originally Posted by huang

ACtually no. For example, there are over 4 factories making 551/552. They are similar because once a factory comes up a new product, the other factories will copy it in about 4-6monthes. :-)

They could do the proper thing and copy it w/o any of its false >.>

[huang]

BTW, just off the phone with the factory. The 10 mins auto-off thing is by design. It is NOT a defect.

10 min auto off? what were they thinking?

[Dracheous]

Originally Posted by bruce

I had no problems when I had my Hurricane 553 fitting on a G&P metal body.

+1 nor just about any other rail I've tossed it onto thus far.

[Flatlander]

I posted a picture of the sanding I had to do to my top rail. It wasn't much, maybe a couple mm at most. Without it sanded down it would sit at probably a 20 degree off set from the verticle.

[solidgear34]

small question, im looking into the g&p 551-553 sights
and im wondering how well it does in a really bright day,
like is it increbly dim in daytime or is it fairly ok

[GSK88]

Originally Posted by solidgear34

small question, im looking into the g&p 551-553 sights
and im wondering how well it does in a really bright day,
like is it increbly dim in daytime or is it fairly ok

I own the 553 and it's OK. It can go fairly bright but it's not visible enough on bright days in my opinion. It's fine for indoors, but I've never seen a clone that can be seen well on a really sunny day.