GP6 II Tactical Pack - ArniesAirsoft

Author

Herr_Heckler

Registered: August 2005
Posts: 46

Review Date: 21/9/05

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �42.00 | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Surefire construction quality, looks and illumination. Kit with lots of parts.
Cons:	Dubious finish durability, flimsy screws, lightweight mount, smallish thumbscrew.

You know the feeling. You buy a new accessory for your kit and when you get home and install it there's a sense of "this was meant to be, this was destined to be". When I got to install Guay&Guay's (G&G) GP6 II Tactical Pack on my UMP that was the feeling I got. What's the GP6 you ask, a new grenade launcher or something? Nah, it's a flashlight pack. You can "click" the back button now if you wish but you could be missing out on a good thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/GuayGuay%20GP6/GG_GP6_mounted_02.jpg

You're still here? Well then you really do deserve an explanation why I'm waxing poetic about a flashlight of all things so I'll do my best. BUT, instead of giving you the explanation outright I'll let you have the fun of finding it out for yourself. I'll do the review on the kit and we'll see each other at the end okay.

We begin with the flashlight itself. I assume the body is black anodized aluminum due to it's relative light weight. It has a lot of checkering to assist gripping during wet conditions and instead of a plain checkered straight tube it has an angular midsection with the stenciled label. All in all the effect makes the unit look sturdy, tactical and very much in keeping with Surefire flashlight body designs. The finish , however, does not inspire confidence particularly at the flashlight head where I've seen some paint chipping already. The bulb looks very similar to a Surefire unit and can actually be replaced by one should you wish. Even the reflector mimics the stippled surface of Surefire bulb assemblies unlike earlier G&G units with smooth surfaced reflectors. The stippling actually seems to work also. I've tried the unit side-by-side with my G2 Nitrolon and the beam intensity and structure are quite similar with a solid white center and a nice soft surrounding halo. So you can use this to momentarily blind an opponent especially in a dark corridor as you riddle him with BB's...lovely CQB scenario.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/GuayGuay%20GP6/GG_GP6_Package_01.jpg

It uses two 3volt Lithium batteries that have become the status symbol for any taclite and taclite wannabe these days. And batteries ARE INCLUDED mind you. Even if they are generic, still. To install the batteries you unscrew the tailcap and slip them in. The tailcap is triple o-ring sealed which should make this somewhat waterproof for some rain play. The tailcap also contains the dual function switch button. Press lightly for momentary illumination, press down further to lock for continuous illumination. Effort is just right and positivs although I do have concerns on durability of the rubber which feels rather thin. Also, I wish the button were a bit wider similar to Surefires for comfort.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/GuayGuay%20GP6/GG_GP6_rearseal_01.jpg

If you want to install the unit on your AEG RIS/RAS or any rail system you can use the INCLUDED rail mount. However, mounting the clamp on the GP6 is not that easy especially if you're trying to avoid scratching the finish. The 2 allen screws also appear rather frail particularly the threads and I would advise care to avoid stripping them during installation. You can use the INCLUDED allen wrench for the screws.

The clamp itself is a simple 2 piece unit with an aluminum (I think) base and a steel hoop. The hoop for some reason is finished in a totally different shade from the base and the flashlight so expect a little color clash. The base is black and holds the rail mounting system composed of a bolt, thumbscrew and rail catch. The rail catch is just a simple piece of bent steel also finished off-color from the other parts. The thumbscrew is checkered and slotted but in my opinion too small for the job. I like the size used by King Arms for it's QD mount. Still, the threading on both the thumbscrew and bolt appear robust enough for airsoft use. Here's a small tip for the G&G marketing guys, next time think about a mount that will show off the G&G logo on the flashlight instead of covering it.

After you've mounted it on your AEG's rails you may also wish to install a pressure switch for your vertical grip. Whoa boy, don't run off to the store. G&G INCLUDED one with the pack. Just replace the tailcap, stick on the velcro and you're good to go. The pressure switch is not as "padded" as more expensive versions but it works. The replacement tailcap is a duplicate of the push-button version so you'll preserve the look of the flashlight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/GuayGuay%20GP6/GG_GP6_bulb_01.jpg

Skirmish time right? Wrong! Ever wonder what a stray bb will do to a flashlight bulb assembly? Get your GBB and see. Just kidding. Trust me, they are not made similar to the goggles we use in games, they are NOT bb resistant. Normally we'd find some spare clear plexiglass, cut it up and glue it on. Or we'd run out to the store and buy a scope cover and install the plexiglass. Not with the GP6. You see G&G INCLUDED a lens cap AND a thick clear lens. The lens is about 5mm thick and should shrug off you're day-to-day 1 joule hit with ease. The lens cap fits tightly over the flashlight head and snaps close. I've switched it on with the cap closed and not a sliver of light could be seen. So it's all to easy to close it with the light on if you're using the standard tailcap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/GuayGuay%20GP6/GG_GP6_Contents_01.jpg

So, you figure it out already why I'm all giddy? Let's try it one more time. Here's the list of what you'll find in the pack.

Flashlight
2 Lithium batteries
Rail mount
Pressure switch
Lenscap
BB lens shield

Got it yet? We've got a kit that once you buy it you can install it in any configuration you want provided your AEG has a rail. You also have protective gear for your investment so you can buy it on the way to a game, install and start shooting. You get all that on top of near-Surefire quality in fit and finish and illumination. I gotta hand it to G&G on this one. Sure it's not perfect, still, the pack goes beyond what most manufacturers would do in terms of packaging a lighting system for airsoft. In my case, I ended up using it with my UMP with the standard tailcap as the switch is within easy reach of my thumb while maintaining my hand position on the vertical grip. In this configuration I get to use both momentary and continuous illumination as needed. I figure I'll use the pressure switch if I need to move the unit to my TM G36K. Truly a case where the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. Hmmm...about the G36, maybe I'll buy another set. Smile