MC-74B - ArniesAirsoft - Review Archive

Author

rallymad_nad

Registered: January 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 561

Review Date: 11/2/06

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �17.00 | Rating: 8

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Great design. Straight forward and simple
Cons:	Hard to fit

The MC-74B laser module is the business half of the ICS MC74, the other part being the rail adapator, called the MC-74A. For those technically minded, this unit is less than 5mW, with an output wavelength between 630 to 670 nm.

The laser unit is powered by 3 small watch batteries, type LR41. They are stacked in the rear of the laser, and can be accessed by unscrewing the main body and undoing the small cap screwed on the end of the laser.

Constucted nicely out of metal and powder coated black, the unit itself looks well made. The pressure switch comes on about 250-300mm of cable which should allow plenty of placement options. A small section of sticky back velcro is supplied, although after a while it doesnt stick so well, so it may be wise to invest in some more for replacement. The excess cable was run inside the hand guard as it keeps things tidy.

The main reason I brought this particular unit was to fit it in my ICS MP5. As it fits inside the end of the cocking tube, it adds nothing to the silhouette of the gun. No need to pay out for RIS rails etc and nothing extra for stuff to snag on. The ICS cap on the cocking tube simply unscrewes but the TM version can be cut off and threaded like other people have done. ICS just makes it easier for you. One thing I would say is that there could be a little more thread on both parts to make it easier to fit.

Once located securely, adjustment is made by simply adjusting the 3 hex screw positioned at the 4, 8 and 12 o'clock positions. Being so close to the actual barrel, and lined up with it, it is much easier to set up and more accurate over a longer distance as apposed to a laser positioned further away from the barrel which will need to be zeroed to a set distance due to the angle imposed on it to cross the line of the barrel.

This unit is said to function fine underwater, maybe its jsut to reinforce the point that it is ok in inclemment weather. I have found this is not the case. The internals of the pressure switch corroded in mine, and took some work to fix it, although its not as good as it is was and does need some pressure on the affected section, rather than the switch to get it to work. Pressure switches seem to be costly to get hold of for some reason. The internals of this one looked like a good design but a replacement may have to come from one of the cheap lasers/lights off ebay.

Overall, I think this is the one and only choice for a laser on the MP5, it just looks trick and does what it says on the box.