Viridian reactor R5

Holsters, lights, or any kind of accessory

Viridian reactor R5

Postby DaZhi on Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:26 pm

My tax return just burned a Shield size hole in my pocket, so I've been looking at lasers.

I found this green laser from Viridian and found the ECR concept intriguing. It uses a magnet in the holster for instant de/activation.

http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=176

I didn't really find a whole lot of first hand experience online.

What do y'all think?
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby UnaStamus on Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:32 pm

I've played around with Viridian. The lasers work. It's not terribly difficult at this point to make a laser that works. Green lasers are nice because they tend to be very daylight visible. I've used a Viridian in broad daylight and it works. I can't tell you anything about the reliability, but the functionality was pretty straight forward and simple.
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby TTS on Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:42 am

DaZhi wrote:My tax return just burned a Shield size hole in my pocket, so I've been looking at lasers.

I found this green laser from Viridian and found the ECR concept intriguing. It uses a magnet in the holster for instant de/activation.

http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=176

I didn't really find a whole lot of first hand experience online.

What do y'all think?


I am in the process of writing a review one right now. I have never been a big fan of lasers, but this one is pretty cool. I only have about 100 rounds with it on the Sheild, but it has been 100% so far.

The ECR is really the key to making it work for defense, no buttons to push under stress. I remolded a kydex holster to fit it as I was not a fan of the supplied holster. Having used red lasers in the past and now using this, I couldn't go back.
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby DaZhi on Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:30 am

I look forward to the review. I have the CT grips for my LCR and love the intuitive activation which piqued my interest in the R5. Looks about the same size too.
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby JoeH on Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:26 pm

If you don't care for the IWB/pocket holster that comes with the R5-Shield, Viridian has Instant-On holsters by DeSantis, Galco, and Crossbreed. So, you have options.

http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/reactor_holsters_shield.php
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby Ironbear on Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:38 pm



Their marketing guys could use a bit of a reality check..... ;) (emphasis mine)
Effective targeting up to 100 yards in daylight 2 miles at night


Hmm wonder what the drop would be at 3,520 yards..... :lol:
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby JoeH on Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:57 pm

The laser drop at 2 miles is zero. Reality check.
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Viridian reactor R5

Postby dtapper2 on Fri Mar 07, 2014 7:42 pm

Be mindful of a green lasers minimum operating temperatures, we are in MN here. It shouldn't really be an issue if you carry it IWB, as your body will keep it warm. But leaving it in ones vehicle in winter would render the laser inoperable until it warms up.
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby DaZhi on Sat Mar 08, 2014 2:17 am

Battery life is only 1 hour depending on use. Yikes! What kind of batteries does it gobble up, TTS?
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Re: Viridian reactor R5

Postby TTS on Sat Mar 08, 2014 6:34 am

DaZhi wrote:Battery life is only 1 hour depending on use. Yikes! What kind of batteries does it gobble up, TTS?


The small versions for the Sheild use a 1/3N battery. One hour of continuous use is quite a bit considering the power of the laser. At 5mW it is a bright son of a gun! I have been doing quite a bit of dry fire and testing with mine and haven't killed a battery yet.

I'll make sure to test battery life in the review.
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