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How to spot a FAKE Atlas Bi-pod

China also has a healthy legitimate business sector which PTS is part of, they approached us with a legitimate interest in acquiring rights to manufacture our products under their banner with the added bonus of being our "face" in China. Now we will see how our partner responds to this matter.
There aren't any Chinese nationals that give a crap if you live or die much less your patents. The "legitimate business sector" is just a bogus face for their copying companies. Everyone of them reverse engineer everything and sell it to the world. If you entered into a deal with them I am afraid you made a deal with the devil and the flames will certainly burn your ass.
I hate it for you as I like your products. However you can find solace knowing I will continue to support B&T through future purchases as I expect most Hiders will do.
 
So these can legally be sold in the USA or not?

sort of. A lot of companies that sell fakes, just have a drop ship setup...they don't have a store front nor doe they have a stocked warehouse. Also, there really isn't any enforcement. Why would you enforce anything with that country...China owns too much of our debt.

Kasey, I'd suggest simply canceling your contract with PTS and find someone else here in the states, Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan.

If you have a product worth copying and it's made in China, it WILL BE COPIED. This is common knowledge in various industries...doing business with China means that you're OK with fakes.

the way I see it, people/companies go to China for a cheap rate....there is a price to be paid for that cheap rate.
 
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What a bunch of horse shit. Chinese junk! I know I got a real ATLAS and would accept NOTHING ELSE for a bipod. Best money you can spend on your rifle. I want 5 more. And I only currently have 2 rifles that I run a bipod on. Yup, that's right... There is only one ATLAS pod. And those little fish f%ckers could never come close. Thanks OP for the info.
 
First of all, B&T products including the Accu-Shot monopods and Atlas bipods will never be made "off-shore" they will always be made here in the USA.

Second, ZERO jobs were lost by this agreement with PTS, in fact we have hired 5 more people in the last 45 days.

Third, we licensed one company, PTS, to make airsoft B&T products and part of this agreement was they would mark the items as such along with their logo. PTS is legitimate, they do business like any other legitimate company, they are a vendor at SHOT show and have contractual agreements with several well known, well financed firearm corporations. They are our partner in that part of the world and as such they will fight that fight against the pirates making the knock off seen in the OP. Without PTS we would have nobody to count on to defend our products over there.

Fourth, "ATLAS" is a copyright we own and is enforceable inside the USA, those importing these fakes do have a liability we will pursue.

Also, KUSA - you stated; "Hell, my real Atlas broke and it costed me more to get it fixed than one of these fakes cost new." We do not charge to repair our bipods, so total cost to consumer is the postage to return it. If you were charged ANYTHING please show me this and you will be refunded.

seanh, the only part of your post I can agree with is "If you have a product worth copying and it's made in China, it WILL BE COPIED." And this is one reason I joined a partnership with PTS!!! They are in Hong Kong and with them having a vested interest in our products for THEIR Airsoft line, they will strive to protect their interests and thus protecting B&T's against fakes. We are not exporting the manufacturing of our products, simply licensed PTS to manufacture Airsoft versions that will be marked as such.

I have no idea what you are suggesting we do; "....and find someone else here in the states, Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan.' for what? B&T is not outsourcing labor so what are we going to Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan for?

PTS is licensed to make AIRSOFT products that replicate our products, these are not fakes, they are licensed and will be clearly marked as AIRSOFT with their logo. Airsoft is a huge deal in the rest of the world where real firearms are not allowed but consumers want the look of the "real thing". And trust me PTS is doing a great job on their product line that include some of the biggest names in the industry.

The sample shown in OP photos is a fake and I am not "OK with fakes".

Again, there are American companies that are using our ideas without compensation to B&T, so how is that any different than the "Chinese"?
 
Kasey,
It cost me $49.95 to have it repaired. The legs would fold with the slightest of forward loading. The bipod was a V7 and had to be converted to a V8. I do not require a refund. I was only pointing out that everything breaks. I did find it interesting that the repair was more that a new fake one. With that said, I would rather pay more for the repair than get a new fake one. You make the best bipod that I have seen and I don't mind paying a premium for it. I actually intend on buying another one soon.
 
KUSA, I should have thought about the conversion possibility! I should have said; Other than a V7 to V8 conversion if you were charged ANYTHING please show me this and you will be refunded. I botched it so let me keep my word, either I send you 50.00 or give you 50.00 credit towards any of our MADE In AMERICA products.

Thanlks Slick17, to Sean the Nailer's point, patents are only worth what you are willing to defend them for. B&T's partnership with PTS came first of all as a surprise at the interest from PTS and my realization that unauthorized copies would follow and a strategic value was realized to a partnership with PTS. Sam (PTS POC) confirmed this and we closed the deal. Which means PTS will burden the cost to protect their contractual rights to that product being copied by unauthorized manufacturers in Asia.
 
I would think that the first clue would be that the unit is stamped "Atras."

Yes, I deserve to burn for that... But Atlas is an awesome company with fantastic products that are designed/made/sold in USA and are great examples of how details and quality matter. Ripping off a company like that with a crap product doesn't just cost them sales, it costs them reputation. And that's worth more than just a lost sales to folks too cheap to go to a reputable dealer... a lot more!

And to Kasey's point above, a licensed replica is a whole different ball of wax from a true fake which steals intellectual property, design, copyright and reputation. Licensed replicas have their place. Abject ripoffs... do not!

Cheers,

Sirhr
 
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Wow. Seriously. Some of the replies to this thread are laughable. Some, not so much.

I know of American made product lines built on copying ours. It doesn't just happen in China. Utility patents aren't always a sure bet it won't be copied. Sometimes it doesn't take many tweaks to get around a patent, happens all the time. That's why you throw as many claims as possible in the application and see what sticks. Not every claim makes it in the final draft.
 
NO one has awsnered the most important question...

How is the quality of the fakes? How similar/function/ect...?

Sounds like a good alternitive for range guns/ trainers

I fucking love raw capitalism
 
Is a fake Atlas so bad ;-)
I have a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust...value over $6000.
About 10 years ago I was given a fake Rolex Daytona (mechanical movement, not a bad fake worth about $400).
No word of a lie...even after a $600 service on the Rolex, the fake Daytona keeps better time.
Pisses the hell out of me to tell the truth.
 
Is a fake Atlas so bad ;-)
I have a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust...value over $6000.
About 10 years ago I was given a fake Rolex Daytona (mechanical movement, not a bad fake worth about $400).
No word of a lie...even after a $600 service on the Rolex, the fake Daytona keeps better time.
Pisses the hell out of me to tell the truth.

Timex for the win!
 
I'm really happy to see some people on this board actually care about made in America! It always bugs me when fan boys start jumping those that care about American jobs, American industry and America's ability to defend ourselves by having a vibrant industrial base-because they love Chinese made stuff! Best of luck to Atlas-I loved your statement regarding Atlas will always be American made-God Bless You!
 
I'm really happy to see some people on this board actually care about made in America! It always bugs me when fan boys start jumping those that care about American jobs, American industry and America's ability to defend ourselves by having a vibrant industrial base-because they love Chinese made stuff! Best of luck to Atlas-I loved your statement regarding Atlas will always be American made-God Bless You!

Made in America means shit now aways. Insanse regulations, unable to use chemicals/processes that are superior (due to epa), Unions, Taxes, Politics and Americans generaly being lazy whiney bitches.
America has and is pricing itself out of the market.
If China can make a product that is 95% of the American product for 20% of the cost, then thats just savy business to them. I wonder what the actual production/overhead cost on a an Atlas is. How the hell do you think companies have these amazing, lifetime warranties unless there is a metric shit ton of profit and margin built in? Its all about EV or expected value for the mouthbreathers........

90% of this shit you buy, use and own are make in china or another asian country. If everything was made in the US, YOU COULD NOT AFFORD basic shit like toiletpaper and toothpaste, much less luxury goods like TV's, Phones, Ipods,ect.

How do you think America became a world power and industrial leader? They used to be "china" or "india" to Britian/France/Germany and other world leaders. Making cheap, quality goods for export to expensive nations.

American made today means one thing..........expensive.
 
Is a fake Atlas so bad ;-)
I have a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust...value over $6000.
About 10 years ago I was given a fake Rolex Daytona (mechanical movement, not a bad fake worth about $400).
No word of a lie...even after a $600 service on the Rolex, the fake Daytona keeps better time.
Pisses the hell out of me to tell the truth.

I am of the opinion some stuff you can fake and use and some shit you should buy the real thing.

A rifle optic or life saving device is not something you generaly skimp on unless it has been PROVEN to be reliable.
I pride myself in being able to find cheaper and better value alternitives.
Going to buy one of those fAtlass and see how it compares to my real ones.

A watch is jewelry. I wear an Omega Seamster Pro everyday, and my $20 timex expedition that I wore in bootcamp holds better time (and doesnt need to be worn/winded every 2 days or it stops working). Luxury goods with little utilitarian value don't follow the same rules. I guess it pays to play the game.
 
I'm really happy to see some people on this board actually care about made in America! It always bugs me when fan boys start jumping those that care about American jobs, American industry and America's ability to defend ourselves by having a vibrant industrial base-because they love Chinese made stuff! Best of luck to Atlas-I loved your statement regarding Atlas will always be American made-God Bless You!

Though I too try to buy local whenever possible...be careful what you wish for.
I'm from Canada, eh...and we sell you a lot of oil.
We are you're number one foreign source of oil because the U.S. can't produce enough for their requirements.
China really wants us to sell more of our oil to them, and less to you.
And a lot of Canadians think this a good idea because we all too often hear 'buy American...even if it does screw our friends and neighbors', from south of the border.
As I said, I purchase local whenever I can...but if I can buy a reasonable product for a reasonable price (putting more food on my table)...I'll go for it, as long as I don't completely disagree with the countries politics.
 
After reading through the posts I did some looking around and apparently there are several versions of these being sold. One of which HAS both tilt and pan. I forwarded the link to Kasey as soon as I found it so maybe some good can come from it.

It is a sad situation all around but, I'm keeping the faith.
 
Cobracutter,

NO one has awsnered the most important question...

How is the quality of the fakes? How similar/function/ect...?


- Really? That’s the most important question?


Sounds like a good alternitive for range guns/ trainers


- Great call! You claim to have a real Atlas and your thought is to buy a fake one at 60.00 instead of a getting rails for your range guns/trainers? Now that’s thinking….


I fucking love raw capitalism


- So in your world, the theft of intellectual property rights and pirated products is “raw capitalism”. Good grief, spoken like a true socialist. My time and energy means nothing and everyone should have the right to it!


Followed by


Made in America means shit now aways. Insanse regulations, unable to use chemicals/processes that are superior (due to epa), Unions, Taxes, Politics and Americans generaly being lazy whiney bitches.


- Nice broad brush there….


America has and is pricing itself out of the market.
If China can make a product that is 95% of the American product for 20% of the cost, then thats just savy business to them. I wonder what the actual production/overhead cost on a an Atlas is. How the hell do you think companies have these amazing, lifetime warranties unless there is a metric shit ton of profit and margin built in? Its all about EV or expected value for the mouthbreathers........


- Why blame China? They are communist, drink sewage water, kill baby girls and have business models that follow that trend.

I blame idiots here in the USA that choose to sell them and people like yourself that justify them doing so.

And FYI, we stand behind our products for life because we choose to support our customers. It takes consumer confidence in the product and company to gain customers. We deal with a small percentage of warranty issues and that is why we can afford to offer such coverage.



90% of this shit you buy, use and own are make in china or another asian country. If everything was made in the US, YOU COULD NOT AFFORD basic shit like toiletpaper and toothpaste, much less luxury goods like TV's, Phones, Ipods,ect.

How do you think America became a world power and industrial leader? They used to be "china" or "india" to Britian/France/Germany and other world leaders. Making cheap, quality goods for export to expensive nations.

American made today means one thing..........expensive.


- Again, you are exposing your ignorance on this subject, I have no idea what you might be a subject matter expert in but I sure hope it’s not business, but it’s certainly not my business model. Differences in Materials, Metal finishes and treatments on and on and all you see is the price tag. You are a perfect example of what is wrong with America, you rial against manufacturers for having their products made "off-shore" but expect to pay peanuts for the things that are made here.
 
NO one has awsnered the most important question...

How is the quality of the fakes? How similar/function/ect...?

This thread comparing the two (real vs fake) in side by side photos and feedback is the best I've seen to date. Bottom line is it is as to be expected of a fake item, not as good in overall quality.

As an aside, People must also keep in mind BTI actually HAS an agreement with an Airsoft company to make licensed Airsoft copies of the ATLAS. Anyone outside of that licensing agreement is an unauthorized mfgr.
 
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"So these can legally be sold in the USA or not?"

No, any V8 Atlas bipods that are imported into the USA are in violation of the law and according to that law, anyone selling a KNOWN COUNTERFEIT can be fined and imprisoned. Not just dealers that sell them, but anyone. I'll ask the controller to get that posted up here.
 
I know there are a few posters that don't mind dealing with (and making them richer) communists-you are the same people that would have dealt with Nazi Germany before Pearl Harbor. Supporting communist china is support for cheating, stealing, and lying. Sure you may save a couple of bucks now, just like you could have saved/made a couple dealing with the Nazi party under Hitler. Thank God we still live in a "free" country, you can do business with whom ever you want (as long as it is legal, of course), but your responsibility as an American should be foremost in your actions and choices. Putting funds in the hands of the people's republic, is arming those that would do you harm......just saying.
 
I know there are a few posters that don't mind dealing with (and making them richer) communists-you are the same people that would have dealt with Nazi Germany before Pearl Harbor. Supporting communist china is support for cheating, stealing, and lying. Sure you may save a couple of bucks now, just like you could have saved/made a couple dealing with the Nazi party under Hitler. Thank God we still live in a "free" country, you can do business with whom ever you want (as long as it is legal, of course), but your responsibility as an American should be foremost in your actions and choices. Putting funds in the hands of the people's republic, is arming those that would do you harm......just saying.

I agree with you for the most part. But before you get all huffy and puffy I'll bet that you have several hundred Chinese items in your house right now. I'll bet you buy several Chinese products in the upcoming week also. Who are you supporting?

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
 
KUSA, I am quite sure I do not have ANY goods from china that are fakes sold in the US- in violation of our laws. I hope you are not trying to equate buying stolen (intellectual property) made in china with buying legally imported goods. That is like buying any other piece of stolen goods. I make it a practice to buy American when ever I can, yes even if it costs more. There is no doubt that almost every American household has some communist made goods in it-in todays world it is almost impossible not to. Many products contains sub-parts made in china. Supporting theft of American intellectual property-is supporting theft, pure and simple, it doesn't matter if it is made by communist slave labor, or by some scumbag in CA, the fact of the matter is-the vast majority of the theft and smuggling of counterfeit goods into the US originates in communist china. When given a choice, American, or non-commie, over communist mfg goods, I chose American first, Western Civilization second, and commie third. If that is "huffy and puffy" in your world-okay. Remember, many goods made in commie china are made by slave labor, does having china made goods in your home make you pro-slavery? My guess is, if goods actually had a sticker declaring if they were mfg using slave labor, many would not buy them (I hope so any way). Yes, there would still be those that to save a couple of bucks would buy two! Prior to the Civil War, many if not most many homes (if not all) in free states had goods in them that originated in slave states? Who were they supporting? What were they supporting? Could it be, they didn't realize the purchase of one item over another may have contributed to slavery? We live in a historical time when information regarding products is far easier to obtain, than during pre-Civil War times. Because I bought a lighter made in china, please don't confuse me with one that supports communism or slavery, I do not.
 
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Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

I wonder where that was made? LOL

I love atlas. They are worth the price tag. I have two now and a third on order. One is for my .22 trainer. I would not consider a fake even for "just a trainer". Support american companies or there will be no America!
 
Sad to see. Yet far larger, far wealthier companies than B&T have been suffering this for years. It's highly unlikely that Kasey and company will be able to do anything about it. Yet were it my company and my product, I'd do whatever I could... up to and including privately funding an operation to blow up the manufacturing facility of those responsible and ensure they were not able to do it again.
 
I am sure it is made right down the road from the Apple factory.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

Hahaha. Two shay. I agree with you about American made. I just couldn't resist. It is sad that all of our laws and regulations have made it difficult to survive as a company in America. It is almost impossible to find products that are 100% American made...especially electronics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
 
Pawprint
Like I said I largely agree with you but you did go on a rant about how awful it is to buy Chinese products. Now you are backing up and clarifying what you said now the world knows you buy communist goods. There are many rice bowls filled by your American dollar.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
 
Pawprint
Like I said I largely agree with you but you did go on a rant about how awful it is to buy Chinese products. Now you are backing up and clarifying what you said now the world knows you buy communist goods. There are many rice bowls filled by your American dollar.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
Not backing up one bit. I live in the real world, but when given a choice I buy American made goods. When I buy gas, I may be getting some Iranian oil (in the form of gas). Do I support Iran? Hell NO. But to be clear, I try not to buy Chinese goods-slave labor, under commie rule- made goods they are a blight on mankind. Do not equate me with those that buy Chinese commie goods-because they are cheaper, and because they just don't like American businesses etc. If you knew any American history, you would know how many American's did business with the Nazi's prior to our entering the war (and some after we declared war-through their multi nationals)-they too saw nothing wrong with making a buck (forget the slave labor camps in Nazi held territory), for it was legal etc. The biggest shame is this type of fool wasn't killed off in the war, it seems like the patriots were, as the scum that has anti-American anything is still reproducing! I'm ashamed of those that will buy Chinese made goods-because they are cheaper (an usually not of the same quality as US made goods) to "send a message to the unions......or whatever". It's hard to know how many American's died due to the deals some had with the Nazis, I hope we never have to face the Chinese again-as in Korea, but I'm guessing someday we might. It would be great if only those that love doing business with the commies were the only ones sent to fight-but we all know that isn't how it works.
 
i like the fact that there are chinese companies "trying" to do legit international business. I would be happier if the PTS version has notably different feature while still retaining the look of the original. That said, i think China is now on the same path we were on some 100 years ago. Or Japan 30-40 years ago, everything used to be in Japan. Today, hardley anything. In fact, when i see something that says made in japan it is usually at a antique shop. As demand grew for both the products and the lifestyle people wanted, japan had to look for another way to get the products to the people without hurting their own bottom line. It will not be long before the Chinese peasant/worker becomes fed up with having only rice and a hut and bicycle while business owners drive caddy's, live in beautiful homes and eat the best food money can buy. They will demand higher wages, better healthcare, so forth and so on. This in turn will start to drive the cost of chinese made items higher and higher. In a hundred years they'll be people complaining about the next 3rd world country with a flagrant disregard for its people or the environment, stealing jobs and making shit for next to nothing, thus the cycle will continue......
 
I think Paw made his point well.

China based products of legal import and manufacture are not evil to buy
China made illegal copies of American Products are evil

Seems simple to me

Perfectly reasonable.
A case in point. I love Tivoli Audio products Tivoli Audio Canada- Table Radios, Portable Radios, Hi-Fi Systems, iPod Players, Music Systems and Networks
On the backs of their not inexpensive radio and CD combination it says...'made in China', which I have no problem with as it is a 100% wholly owned American Company. And truthfully they likely wouldn't be in existence if it was 'made in USA'.
My compact radio/CD player was $600. If made in the US it would likely be 3x that, and I'm not in a position to pay $1800 for a portable radio.
That being said...I have a friend that purchased a Zenith radio a year ago...looks identical to the Bose Wave Radio/CD, but at 1/5 the price (the old 'too good to be true' comes to mind).
About 6 months after he had it the CD quit so he took it to the local Zenith repair depot who got back to him the next day. He was told it had never seen the inside of a Zenith factory and none of the 'piece of crap internals' (the techs exact words) were standard size...in other words he now had a paperweight.
Hugh difference between legally made product and the junk that so many people buy thinking they're getting a great deal.
 
Not backing up one bit. I live in the real world, but when given a choice I buy American made goods. When I buy gas, I may be getting some Iranian oil (in the form of gas). Do I support Iran? Hell NO. But to be clear, I try not to buy Chinese goods-slave labor, under commie rule- made goods they are a blight on mankind. Do not equate me with those that buy Chinese commie goods-because they are cheaper, and because they just don't like American businesses etc. If you knew any American history, you would know how many American's did business with the Nazi's prior to our entering the war (and some after we declared war-through their multi nationals)-they too saw nothing wrong with making a buck (forget the slave labor camps in Nazi held territory), for it was legal etc. The biggest shame is this type of fool wasn't killed off in the war, it seems like the patriots were, as the scum that has anti-American anything is still reproducing! I'm ashamed of those that will buy Chinese made goods-because they are cheaper (an usually not of the same quality as US made goods) to "send a message to the unions......or whatever". It's hard to know how many American's died due to the deals some had with the Nazis, I hope we never have to face the Chinese again-as in Korea, but I'm guessing someday we might. It would be great if only those that love doing business with the commies were the only ones sent to fight-but we all know that isn't how it works.

When purchasing Chinese made goods you loose money in the long run as you will no doubt have to run out and get something that actually works once the Chinese made good breaks, and it will break. I concur with your more patriotic approach but those on strictly a business oriented mentality has something to gain from this as well.

Don't buy Chinese! Their government is the worst kind of insincere and undermining enemy we face, ironically an enemy we fund. Not to excite things any further but here ya go! I have two good friends who work at Google down the street, every day there are cyberattacks from the Chinese mainland.

US Takes First Stand Against Chinese Cyber Espionage - YouTube

Shit, hope this is not too political in orientation?
 
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