OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Tactical Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Mepro 21M Washout--Polarizer vs. LED Illuminator?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Mepro 21M Washout--Polarizer vs. LED Illuminator?

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
calinb View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/30/2010
Status: Offline
Points: 36
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calinb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mepro 21M Washout--Polarizer vs. LED Illuminator?
    Posted: November/17/2019 at 15:04
I have two Mepro M21M sights. Compared to several other fiber optic-powered sights that I own, the washout is minimal, but it's still a problem when shooting from a dark environs to a light one--like from inside a building or even a hunting blind to a much brighter outdoor target. Snowy landscapes are the worst, of course, and will completely washout my triangle reticles.

Can anyone here help me decide between the LED battery-powered solutions vs. the Mepro factory polarizer? Whereas the LEDs (M1BullPup REM 21 or Homeland Guns W.O.R. "cottage industry" products) solve the problem by adding light to the reticle, the polarizer appears to solve the problem by DECREASING the amount of light entertaining the objective (while the reticle light energy gathered by the fiber optic remains the same). Thus with the polarizer, the reticle appears brighter against the darkened background.

With the Mepro factory product, objective image brightness can be adjusted by changing the orientation of the polarizing filter lens pair--cross polars for darkest and parallel polars for brightest. The LED powered products can be adjusted with an LED brightness control (available for an extra charge, in the case of the W.O.R.).

I read an online review that said the polarizer was not good for uniformly dark environments (shooting in a dark room, for example). The reviewer did report that the entire polarizer can easily be unscrewed (and I think easily lost). However, I don't understand why one would be compelled to ever remove the polarizer, given that the polars can be simply adjusted to the parallel polars position to maximize the light striking the objective. Parallel polars don't absorb very much light!

The major appeal of the Mepro factory polarizer is the ruggegness and self-powered feature of the sight is not compromised. From what I see of both the LED options, they suffer on both these counts!

The LED illuminators cost roughly half what the Mepro polarizer and kill flash kit combo costs. Hopefully someone here has used both LED and polarization solutions and can weigh-in.

Thanks!

Back to Top
Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: January/19/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9318
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2019 at 08:59
I haven't used the Meopta, but do use the Trijicon version of the same, and they have a place. Much like Trijicon's dual illum RMRs, they suffer exactly as you mention: from dark environment to bright environment, as from inside a building to outside, or - more what I encountered - in low light with a flashlight illuminating the target.
Trijicon had a similar polarizer and I used it often, but yes, taking it off means pretty much loosing it forever. That said, it does work well for addressing the issue - so long as you shoot with both eyes open. If you close your weak-side eye, it is bad, all bad.

I only use these when I absolutely have to. Most of my dot work has moved over to LED sources, which do indeed have batteries that die, but they do a much, much better job of providing a well defined and clearly visible aiming point. Swap the batteries every year or so and move on without worry. Also, backup irons are always there as an option. Or should be.

The polarizer works just fine and is a tool that can address the problem. If this rifle will never be called upon to defend life, I'd say go with the solution you most like. If it will be called upon under stress, go with the one you trust the most and have the greatest muscle memory operating.
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.
Back to Top
calinb View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/30/2010
Status: Offline
Points: 36
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calinb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2019 at 10:26
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

Most of my dot work has moved over to LED sources, which do indeed have batteries that die, but they do a much, much better job of providing a well defined and clearly visible aiming point.
Thanks so much for your insightful reply, RC. I now realize that this advantage of LEDs is hard to give up, vs. the small task of periodically replacing batteries and the additional failure points of circuits and, probably more significantly, electrical contacts.

Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

The polarizer works just fine and is a tool that can address the problem. If this rifle will never be called upon to defend life, I'd say go with the solution you most like. If it will be called upon under stress, go with the one you trust the most and have the greatest muscle memory operating.


Good advice! These band-aids aren't all that expensive so I think I'll order one of each of them and gain more experience with them. I shoot with both eyes open so the polarizer should work for me.
Back to Top
Shipwreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/25/2013
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 11
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shipwreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2020 at 16:31
In the end, what did you think of the polarizer?

I got the Rem 21 LED attachment device. I was impressed with it. Has a dial to adjust brightness, and is waterproof. I think leaving that on for the occasional use is the way to go, IMHO.
Back to Top
calinb View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/30/2010
Status: Offline
Points: 36
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calinb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2020 at 17:40

In the end, what did you think of the polarizer?

I got the Rem 21 LED attachment device. I was impressed with it. Has a dial to adjust brightness, and is waterproof. I think leaving that on for the occasional use is the way to go, IMHO.


I bought two Mepro polarizers/flash kill kits for my two M21s and they work well enough (especially in keeping with the no-batteries usage model) that I've not yet ordered the LED device. (I might still try them someday.) The polars cut down on the light somewhat, even at full bright, and they also cost me a small amount of image definition but it solves the washout problem quite well--especially when viewing from a darker area into a snow-filled scene. The adjustment range of the cross polars is adequate.
Back to Top
Shipwreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/25/2013
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 11
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shipwreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2020 at 19:22
Cool. Thanks for the update. I ALMOST wrote one, but went with the Rem 21 instead.

I have read both good and bad reviews for that Polarizer. So, I was curious what you thought
Visit: http://www.texasgunforum.com/
Back to Top
calinb View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: May/30/2010
Status: Offline
Points: 36
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calinb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2020 at 00:04
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

I haven't used the Meopta, but do use the Trijicon version of the same, and they have a place. Much like Trijicon's dual illum RMRs, they suffer exactly as you mention: from dark environment to bright environment, as from inside a building to outside, or - more what I encountered - in low light with a flashlight illuminating the target.
Trijicon had a similar polarizer and I used it often, but yes, taking it off means pretty much loosing it forever. That said, it does work well for addressing the issue - so long as you shoot with both eyes open. If you close your weak-side eye, it is bad, all bad.<snip>


I have a couple of the original no-battery dual illum RMRs (the tritium is getting pretty weak too--unlike my M21Ms, which were probably brighter to begin-with when I purchased them all around the same time). My RMRs work well with a headlamp. I set the beam adjuster on the headlamp a bit wider than full narrow and it casts enough light into my light collector of the RMR to illuminate the reticle quite well. I've always used it with two eyes open. I've mostly used this setup on an air rifle to illuminate and eradicate tree rats that invade the ceiling space of our house after chewing through our eaves but it works well on my AR pistol too.

Back to Top
Shipwreck View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/25/2013
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 11
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shipwreck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2020 at 08:20
Originally posted by Shipwreck Shipwreck wrote:

Cool. Thanks for the update. I ALMOST wrote one, but went with the Rem 21 instead.

I have read both good and bad reviews for that Polarizer. So, I was curious what you thought

I almost "bought" one... Man, it sucks that we can't edit typos on this forum :P
Visit: http://www.texasgunforum.com/
Back to Top
JoshuaDickens View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/13/2021
Location: London
Status: Offline
Points: 3
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JoshuaDickens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/28/2021 at 05:46
I'm always in favor of LED lights. Because they shine with a frequency at which the eyes are less tired. It also depends on the shade with which the LED shines. LED strips have many advantages. It is not for nothing that on the streets, many street lights are replaced by LEDs. Many entrepreneurs when they buy hangars for anything aircraft storage or rearing chickens lighting there and LED tapes. I am willing to bet that if I choose the best uk setting it will be much better than everything that the market offers to date.

***Read the rules you agreed to upon becoming a member of the OT. Your link was removed and your comments have NOTHING to do with shooting, hunting or optics and OT/SWFA does NOT support advertising other products. A second infraction results in permanent suspension***
Moderator


Edited by Kickboxer - October/28/2021 at 07:10
Back to Top
TauberNewton View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/27/2022
Status: Offline
Points: 1
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TauberNewton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2022 at 09:39
All the reviews I have seen about Mepro 21M have been good. The main issue reported as with any fiber optic sight is washout in a dark room aiming into a bright area. A polarizer is supposed to help with that, and there are some aftermarket options to allow light to hit the fiber optics. I set up a shooting area in my garage, and to keep it well-lit in the evening, I installed https://www.vont.com/product/vont-car-smart-strip-light/ on the walls.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.120 seconds.