You know I keep re-reading this thread and pulling more things out of it. One point Augee has made, which bears further thought, is his comment about what TNVC is selling, vs the Chinese products we have been cussing and discussing here. I think we need to roll that out and explore a little more. I am not going to sit here and pretend form factor isn't a consideration for me. Regardless of what I or anybody else may say about it, anybody with half a brain is going to realize that hey, these guys want something that looks like what the big boys use. So let's get that out of the way. Augee makes the very valid point, of why we are pursuing less than perfect lasers, perhaps just for the form factor, when TNVC (and others) can sell you arguably better units. Now taking out the fact that he has a vested interest in you buying what they sell, this is a valid point; taking in all the factors here, something like a Mini-Tor, or the Holosun IRIS for that matter, might be a better choice.
Also, Augee and I disagree about the likelihood of the "boog" kicking off. But at least he agrees to discuss it. Neither of us know what the future may hold. And what our part may be in it. Much less what weapons and equipment may be required. We have discussed T,T,P's, from Vietnam era, through the Gulf Wars, and up to the modern times. We have discussed conventual vs unconventional warfare. And finally, how laser aiming devices fit into all of this. Will they even be a factor? If so, what features should they have. And how durable do they need to be. And the answer to that is we just don't know.
Another factor, which again I will freely admit, is I enjoy giving a big middle finger to the MIC, who constantly refuse to sell me the same items being used by the government, be it a full-auto Mk 18, or full-powered laser. I resent the hell out of that, and buying and using these lasers (and other stuff) from China is one form of protest. This puts some vendors in the crossfire. They take a lot of heat for shit that is beyond their control. But they also defend the MIC, which they are a part of, so this leads to some conflicts here. The fact that we are in a separate Chinese NV products forum is a testament to the demand for these products, and some people's desires to keep them from us. Be it government or industry. Should I just say fuckit, and re-quip with the IRIS when it finally hits the streets? Probably. But will I continue to use SG PEQ-15's and NGALs? Hell yeah, until they finally agree to sell us full-powered ones.
So for sure, in the interest of full disclosure, this is why I am using these Chinese products. You may agree or disagree with what I'm doing, but you should have the freedom to make that choice yourself, without anyone else trying to keep that information from you, for whatever reason.