22 replies to this topic

[LightningLion]

Element will made a replica of the popular Manta Strobe.

Souce (Spanish but with a video): http://mundoairsofter.com/2011/desvelada-la-element-manta-strobe

Sorry for the "spam" guys, but is an exclusive

[beta08]

Yesssssss. Kinda disappointed that they put "E-Lite" on it and the clear plastic isn't a bit foggier, but that could be fixed with some acetone I believe.

[master_titled]

Or don't ruin the plastic, and spray it with something like frosted glass spray paint.

[beta08]

Even better. I didn't know such a thing existed.

[uscmCorps]

Kinda disappointed that they put "E-Lite" on it

I'm normally a real stickler for accurate trademarks, but I'm kinda glad they did this. I'd be worried this got in the hands of troops who depend their lives on their equipment and for it to fail on them. At least with E-Lite on it, the replica will pass a cursory inspection but still clearly not 100% authentic.

[BigAl]

As above. Will have to get one to go on my Replica AF.

[pamparius]

the plastic looks cheap

Edited by pamparius, 17 December 2011 - 09:24 AM.

[ericfine50]

Wow. Interesting to see what the final looks like.
I am also glad they put the E ino the plastic. This are not meant for real world use.

Eric

[frogfish]

It dosen't matter what is stampped on it, it looks the same, dose the same thing, but is cheaper, dudes are going to cheap out and buy it for work.

[hitmanNo2]

I would buy this sort of stuff because at the end of the day, I'm playing with toys. I don't really need to worry about things not working when I need them. Sure it's annoying if they don't work, but it's no big deal. If my life was on the line, I would stump up the extra £ for the real deal. Surely people don't buy this sort of stuff to rely on in real world scenarios? Also, might it compromise insurance stuff? Anyway, the authentic stuff is more expensive for a reason, better QC, materials etc. Surely not worth the risk.

[LordElpus]

never underestimate the human capacity for being a cheapskate.

[LightningLion]

Well, after all real mantas cost nearly 450$ and are restricted by ITAR laws so... This would be a great substitute. Plastic looks crappy yes...

[akiraspeedstar]

Aren't Mantas about $250?

[cfg123]

Ebay prices, which is how Non-US buys get past the ITAR restrictions on alot of items, are almost double. Or, at least they used to be, haven't checked.

[ericfine50]

There is one up there for around 200.00 now.

[beta08]

Up for pre-order. http://www.jkarmy.com/eng/magento/fma-devil-rays-strobe-velcro-safety-lite-ir-green-led-pre-order.html

[ericfine50]

Interesting.

[kojak]

I saw that at JK Army the other day, they're calling it FMA brand instead of Element. The same photo (with less blur) is shown elsewhere as the Element prototype Manta strobe.

Is FMA an OEM for Element, or some kind of rebrand? Replica V-lites (E-lites) are sold under both names with different photos, prices, and packaging:


G FMA Velcro "Safty" Lite:

http://www.ebairsoft.com/velcro-safty-lite-class-p-5189.html
http://www.jkarmy.com/eng/magento/fma-velcro-safty-lite-class-a.html


G Element EX234 E-LITE:

http://www.ebairsoft.com/element-ex234-elite-velcro-safety-light-p-5306.html
http://www.jkarmy.com/eng/magento/element-ex234-e-lite-coming-soon.html

Judging by the photos, perhaps the FMA brand was created to sell the same product with undisguised trades.

[LightningLion]

To aclarate it: FMA seems to be a different brand. With correct marking (V-Lite instead of E-Lite) and correct size. At least I´ve heard that Element E-Lite are not 100% accurate with the size of the S&S original ones. At least is what I asume, specially considering this:
In JKArmy you can pre-order the FMA Manta Strobe with horrible transparent plastic:
http://www.jkarmy.com/eng/magento/fma-devil-rays-strobe-velcro-safety-lite-ir-green-led-pre-order.html

A Chinese copy of a chinese copy?

Also, final version of Element Manta Strobe will come with a "blurred" plastic instead of that horrible transparente one.
You can see more about actual version of Element Manta Strobe on my new blog´s post.

Edited by LightningLion, 11 January 2012 - 02:19 PM.

[kojak]

The photo at JK ARMY (FMA) is the same one on your blog (ELEMENT), just blurrier. And the original prototype pics from Element were the ones with the too-clear housing.

So is FMA is cloning the clone (and borrowing pre-production photos), or releasing more accurate copies under a throwaway brand to protect Element from litigation?

Anyways, this afternoon I should have some Element and FMA V-lites in hand; unfortunately I don't have any real ones handy but I can at least do a comparison between the two fakes.