Airsoft Canada - View Single Post - [Review] G&P Dual Laser Designator / Illuminator (DBAL A2)

bobotea · December 13th, 2012, 04:16

**Please read follow up posts on important information regarding the eye safety of the lasers**

The G&P Dual Laser Designator / Illuminator (DBAL A2) is a great alternative to the real thing, for those looking for a durable and accurate replica with all the functions this is your device! To set the context, I use this device on my WE MK18 Mod1 Open bolt GBBR in conjunction with my NOD’s. This device sports a visible red laser, infrared laser, and an infrared illuminator.

Build Quality:
The build quality is top notch for airsoft, it is not made of zinc/pot metal but rather is of aluminum construction. The unit itself weights about a half pound and is similar in size to PEQ15, although is taller due to the quick detach mount (it will require the user to utilize a >1/3 co whiteness mount in order to clear the device) (I can still use my KAC irons with this device, to give one perspective the device cuts off the front iron sight just below where the front post starts).

The quick detach mount can be adjusted via a flat head screw opposite of the lever, allowing the device to adapt to spec and offspec rails. The coating of the device is anodized and the lettering is laser engraved which is a nice touch. All the trademarks and control texts are accurate to the real DBAL A2. This device also features rubber covers that can be flipped in front of the recessed lenses for protection.

Controls:
The G&P device features two control nobs located on the rear of the device. The left knob controls the power (momentary low, off, momentary high, on low power, and on high power) and the right knob controls the features from (visible pointer, IR illuminator, IR pointer & illuminator, and IR pointer).

To activate the features (red laser, IR laser, and or IR illuminator) one must press the fire button located on the top of the device, which has a nice tactile feel, or utilize the provided remote switch. The provided remote switch attaches to the rear of the device via a straight 3.5mm jack and is button in design thus utilizing momentary on is tricky, to utilize momentary on the user must hold down the button for more than 2 seconds, on release the device will turn off – a quick click of the button will leave the device on constant on. I am not sure if this was the intended design of the switch but I personally like this feature because it gives me the ability to utilize momentary or constant on regardless of my device settings.

Now one of the main drawbacks of this device, zeroing its features, this occurs via two sets of zeroing controls. Although the IR illuminator has its own set of zeroing knobs, the IR laser and red laser share the same set of windage/elevation knobs. Not only are the knobs for both the illuminator and lasers loose at some points of rotation and have an inconsistent clicking feeling but the lasers cannot be zeroed independently and therefore the user must choose what laser to zero, the IR or visible. For me I do not utilize the visible laser, as in reality it serves to give me no tactical advantage on the battle field, but I would still like to have the ability to have it zeroed. Another drawback stems from the knobs themselves, due to “loose” nature they are easily bumped during use and thus prone to losing zero, to avoid this problem I witnessed mark them by using a sharpie paint pen. It is worth mentioning that although the knobs are easily bumped out of place the device does not lose zero under the heavy recoil of a GBBR open bolt.

Features:
The device runs off of 1xCR123 battery, the device runtime is unknown to me but I have been using this device for approximately 4 months and have not had to replace it. The IR illuminator is nothing more than an IR laser with less focus; the spot/flood it produces is slim to none approximately 1 foot in diameter at a distance of 5 meters. The illuminator has a maximum effective distance of approximately 50 meters on a moonlit night, this is not ideal, but for ~$170 devices it is to be expected. On the other hand the Red laser and IR laser are more than enough for airsoft engagement distances, the Red laser is very very bright and I would not recommend it to be used in cqc situations as it could damage people’s eyes. The IR laser is <5mw so it does not produce a “line” like real PEQ boxes but rather acts as like a regular laser pointer, the IR laser has an effective distance of ~150-75 meters on a moonlit night (depending on your NODS).

Conclusion: (4/5)
All in all, for a device that is ~$170 I would say it is great for airsoft BUT airsoft only, I would not recommend use for real steal application. For the milsim, realism, or geardo player I would highly recommend this device but due to some of its draw backs I cannot give it a perfect 5.

Pros:
-solid construction
-retains zero under GBBR recoil
-accurate text
-remote switch allowing for momentary and constant on
-powerful lasers
-good battery life? (see follow up posts)
Cons:
-cannot zero lasers independently (can only zero IR or visible laser)
-illuminator spot is very small and almost unusable?(see follow up posts)

PS: this is my first review so all feedback is welcome

December 13th, 2012, 04:16	#1
bobotea Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: BC, Canada	[Review] G&P Dual Laser Designator / Illuminator (DBAL A2) Please read follow up posts on important information regarding the eye safety of the lasers The G&P Dual Laser Designator / Illuminator (DBAL A2) is a great alternative to the real thing, for those looking for a durable and accurate replica with all the functions this is your device! To set the context, I use this device on my WE MK18 Mod1 Open bolt GBBR in conjunction with my NOD’s. This device sports a visible red laser, infrared laser, and an infrared illuminator. Build Quality: The build quality is top notch for airsoft, it is not made of zinc/pot metal but rather is of aluminum construction. The unit itself weights about a half pound and is similar in size to PEQ15, although is taller due to the quick detach mount (it will require the user to utilize a >1/3 co whiteness mount in order to clear the device) (I can still use my KAC irons with this device, to give one perspective the device cuts off the front iron sight just below where the front post starts). The quick detach mount can be adjusted via a flat head screw opposite of the lever, allowing the device to adapt to spec and offspec rails. The coating of the device is anodized and the lettering is laser engraved which is a nice touch. All the trademarks and control texts are accurate to the real DBAL A2. This device also features rubber covers that can be flipped in front of the recessed lenses for protection. Controls: The G&P device features two control nobs located on the rear of the device. The left knob controls the power (momentary low, off, momentary high, on low power, and on high power) and the right knob controls the features from (visible pointer, IR illuminator, IR pointer & illuminator, and IR pointer). To activate the features (red laser, IR laser, and or IR illuminator) one must press the fire button located on the top of the device, which has a nice tactile feel, or utilize the provided remote switch. The provided remote switch attaches to the rear of the device via a straight 3.5mm jack and is button in design thus utilizing momentary on is tricky, to utilize momentary on the user must hold down the button for more than 2 seconds, on release the device will turn off – a quick click of the button will leave the device on constant on. I am not sure if this was the intended design of the switch but I personally like this feature because it gives me the ability to utilize momentary or constant on regardless of my device settings. Now one of the main drawbacks of this device, zeroing its features, this occurs via two sets of zeroing controls. Although the IR illuminator has its own set of zeroing knobs, the IR laser and red laser share the same set of windage/elevation knobs. Not only are the knobs for both the illuminator and lasers loose at some points of rotation and have an inconsistent clicking feeling but the lasers cannot be zeroed independently and therefore the user must choose what laser to zero, the IR or visible. For me I do not utilize the visible laser, as in reality it serves to give me no tactical advantage on the battle field, but I would still like to have the ability to have it zeroed. Another drawback stems from the knobs themselves, due to “loose” nature they are easily bumped during use and thus prone to losing zero, to avoid this problem I witnessed mark them by using a sharpie paint pen. It is worth mentioning that although the knobs are easily bumped out of place the device does not lose zero under the heavy recoil of a GBBR open bolt. Features: The device runs off of 1xCR123 battery, the device runtime is unknown to me but I have been using this device for approximately 4 months and have not had to replace it. The IR illuminator is nothing more than an IR laser with less focus; the spot/flood it produces is slim to none approximately 1 foot in diameter at a distance of 5 meters. The illuminator has a maximum effective distance of approximately 50 meters on a moonlit night, this is not ideal, but for ~$170 devices it is to be expected. On the other hand the Red laser and IR laser are more than enough for airsoft engagement distances, the Red laser is very very bright and I would not recommend it to be used in cqc situations as it could damage people’s eyes. The IR laser is <5mw so it does not produce a “line” like real PEQ boxes but rather acts as like a regular laser pointer, the IR laser has an effective distance of ~150-75 meters on a moonlit night (depending on your NODS). Conclusion: (4/5) All in all, for a device that is ~$170 I would say it is great for airsoft BUT airsoft only, I would not recommend use for real steal application. For the milsim, realism, or geardo player I would highly recommend this device but due to some of its draw backs I cannot give it a perfect 5. Pros: -solid construction -retains zero under GBBR recoil -accurate text -remote switch allowing for momentary and constant on -powerful lasers -good battery life? (see follow up posts) Cons: -cannot zero lasers independently (can only zero IR or visible laser) -illuminator spot is very small and almost unusable?(see follow up posts) PS: this is my first review so all feedback is welcome Last edited by bobotea; December 13th, 2012 at 17:47..