How we compile maker specs

Our comparisons put two products side by side the way an agency test-and-evaluation committee would want them on one page: what the maker publishes, what agencies in the index issue, and any dated notices. We don't test, score or rank products.

Spec values

• Maker-published only. Every value comes from the manufacturer's own product page, spec sheet or manual. Each value is linked to that document with the date we accessed it (and the document's own date when it has one). Our import tool rejects any value no source names.
• Copied as published. We keep the maker's units and wording (for example “1.2 oz (34 g)”) and don't convert, round or average.
• “Not published” means we couldn't find the value on the maker's current page, spec sheet, manual or an archived copy. We never fill a gap from retailers, reviews or forums.
• One exact version. Each column names the exact version the values belong to (for example a 3.25 MOA red-dot version). An agency's issued version can differ.
• Maker test conditions differ. Lumens, candela and runtime are the maker's figures (we name ANSI/PLATO FL1 only where the maker says so). Optic battery life is usually stated at one brightness setting. Water ratings are as the maker states them. These aren't always comparable between makers.

Agency adoption

• Counts are agencies, from current, published entries backed by a public source. We don't count officers, units or quantities.
• SWAT / tactical-unit entries are not counted.
• Pistol optics count only entries mounted on a duty pistol, rifle optics only entries on a long gun; weapon lights count both and show the split.
• Rifle-optic and rifle-light entries are still a small sample in the index, and are labeled that way.

What we don't do

• No verdicts, winners, scores or “best” lists. Column order is agency count in the index, then A–Z.
• No safety, durability or performance claims beyond the maker's published spec. Our import tool also rejects banned wording in notes and values.
• Notices (recalls, safety statements, agency actions) are dated, neutral, and linked to the original document, and are listed the same way for every maker.
• The printable memo never carries affiliate links, sponsors or ads. If retailer links are ever shown, they appear below the spec table, never in it, with the same treatment for every brand.

Corrections

Makers revise their pages. If a value is out of date or wrong, send a correction with a link to the maker's document; we recheck every spec sheet at least once a year.

Comparisons: Pistol optics · Weapon lights · Rifle optics · pistols and agencies