There is a reason that gopro have such a hold on action camera market. They are good, simply put and have set the consumer standard for years.
I don't use mine for airsoft but have used and abused it with flight footage, and track days where it has been crashed and taken it all.
If the gear box is slowing down its cycle I'd be checking for voltage sag as the fault. As to what's causing it, that could be a fair few things from excessive draw or a battery not being up to the job.
If the battery is getting hot then swap it out for one that is rated for higher draw. If the battery isn't too hot but the motor is hot check the gearbox.
I've used red dot engineering too and they are very helpful and the quality is good.
I use real steel optics but not ones with lifetime warranties. I've not lost one yet as they all have lexan style protectors under the cowl/cover or in a printed sleeve.
I know what you mean, i dropped a mag in a load of wet plaster board a few weeks ago, yuk.
I found if I hook the follower with the tip of the speed loader then seat the loader into the feed tube the follower gets fed back into the mag. Trying to do it upside down for the camera is a pain but hopefully you get the idea.
20221005_154940.mp4
It's interesting, I'm not sure about the hop being integrated into the barrel. The power cut feature is something I always want but having it as a light sensor for a game played in the dirt seems odd especially as they have a mag driven version already.
Not being on social media I haven't heard the jist of what's going on, but having met some players on a game a few weeks ago who were going, i wouldn't be surprised if its turned into a shit show. I'm glad I resisted the temptation of the shopping centre and didn't book.
As far as inserts go have a look for kydex units. I use a set of 7.62 kydex grips in my bungee ak pouches, as I didn't want the bungee. The kydex holds the pouch open enough so I can jam a magazine in at speed and the shape of the kydex holds the mag tight enough that it doesn't jump about.
If cared for and treated with respect, good quality lipos should be fine, with early signs of degradation showing so they can be disposed of safely.
For charging peace of mind you can use a batsafe box.
https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/bat-safe?gclid=CjwKCAjwvsqZBhAlEiwAqAHElX2T_9NKuIuG2vme8rRhfg1GS7-mgRvmUDgyS89SZQIQcqabdr1OcRoCoAkQAvD_BwE
Can be found with other retailers too. I use one while parallel charging 4s or 6s batteries.
I'd agree with that, without a doubt prices are going up, and its not even stiff pending release. I've noticed that all their re-stocking of magazines and such have all had price increase, what was £18 magazine is now a £25.
The surface mounted switch, circled in red, what is it called? It has failed and need a replacement. Ive swaped out the etu for another for the moment but for a quick bit of soldering if i can find the part this one will work again too.
Ess eye wear have models which carry inserts. You get the prescription lense fitted to the inserts and then they mount into the goggle. And I'm sure oakley do prescription eye wear in the balistic range, they do it for sun glasses.
I use ess eye pro and rate it highly, though I've not used the inserts as I wear contacts.
Alternatively i know a few folk who wear glasses under dye masks but I guess it would be dependant on what profile your glasses hold as to whether they'd fit under.
Like you I need a setup that I can change rif and keep playing. I use a warrior rpc and have different placards for each rif setup. I have ak open top pouches on currently but in the case with my mp9 is full placard setup for it. Two clips and rip, new pouches go on. If you don't want a plate carrier then ops do the minimo chest rig. It take placards and having used the ops before I've found the quality to be good.