VOTATU V848: Tested By A Ballistics Expert

Is the VOTATU V848 actually worth buying? To answer this question, I put it through some serious hands-on testing.

FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.

VOTATU V848 - Laser Light Combo

HIGHLIGHT:

Survived a 2-hour -10°F freezer test.

STRESS TEST PLAN:

I am back, and I have a very exciting subject to review today. I was sent the VOTATU V848 to review, and I did not take it easy on this unit. The manufacturer is bragging about its upstanding build and use quality, so I put it through those exact stresses. The only thing I could not get was an image of the IR functions that looked like anything more than a regular function, just in black and white, so for that part you have to trust me.

BUILD & CONTROLS:

When I opened the box, the unit was packaged to be transported anywhere and survive, so well done, VOTATU, on that part as well. The body is made of aluminum, and the buttons are rubberized with plenty of traction; there will be no finger slips when working this light. The selector is maybe my favorite thing; it's a simple turn knob, not a button I have to push any number of times, just a click. The dial for the selector switch is labeled, but that writing is tiny, so it will take some training to learn how many clicks to get to the desired function, or younger eyes than I have.

MOUNTING SYSTEM:

The included instruction paper is very sparse, but it has a QR code that takes you to the full instruction manual. The included pamphlet shows and labels every item that makes the V848. The body has a built in picatinny mount, that is extremely strong and about two inches long, so this will not flop around or lose its laser zero. I also have to quickly mention the included parts bag, so if your gun does not run picatinny rails, the M Loc mounts are there as well, no problems.

IR FUNCTIONS:

Before I start talking about how I ran this through its paces, let me mention the IR functions. If I had mounted my IR scope on an AR and gone to the gym enough to carry that gun-and-scope combo around, the IR laser would be amazing; no coyotes or raccoon near the chicken coop would make it through the night. But without the IR scope, those functions are kind of a moot point; just like the name says, I can't see them when in use. Here is my (hope and prayer) question – if VOTATU makes this combo light, are they going to release a set of goggles or a small and lightweight optic to see the IR functions?

WEATHER PROTECTION:

So let's get into the stress test before we talk about laser and light functions, since they are pretty standard. I read about this light combo, and it is not waterproof, so I could not do my favorite test and throw it in the sink for an hour. It is rated for use in bad weather; that is the IP6 rating. I also learned that ratings like IP6 or IP7 include a dust rating depending on where the number is in the rating, so when you get things rated, look that up as well. The V848 is rated for use worldwide, dustproof and rainproof; it even said it's resistant to high-pressure water. So if you need a laser that will work perfectly in the car wash, this is one of them to get.

TEMPERATURE TEST:

Since I couldn't drown it, I took it to work and left it in the freezer at -10°F for two hours. When I pulled it out of there and went directly outside to 90°F, ice formed on the surface, and it looked like a square snow cone. I went inside the shop and turned on the laser and light together and separately, and they functioned perfectly. So did the remote push-button switch and the selector knob. This thing did not care about the harshest weather I could create at the time.

LIGHT & LASER PERFORMANCE:

Moving to the flashlight function, the light is a purpose-built flood beam; it will light up the entire truck shop from the entrance door. Our truck shop will hold two semi trucks and trailers with the doors shut, so this light is not a slouch. The laser is a very intense green laser, and across the shop the green dot does not grow in size; it is powerful and precise.

REMOTE & CHARGING:

The remote switch comes with the unit and has a Picatinny mount built in; the switch also has an M-LOK-style mount included. The battery is built in, and changes form a magnetic hookup wire, very nice and if this is plugged in and it's grabbed for things that go bump in the night, the magnet pulls off, not out of the wall. The charging cord uses a standard USB hookup to the charging block that works on your phone.

PRICE & VALUE:

From what I can see, everywhere that sells these, they only come in black right now; give the company a few months and a bunch of requests, and they will probably have a tan one on the market. This is a new company looking to get this technology into everyone's hands. Now for the thing everyone wants to know – what is the price? Anything like this I have seen on the market is out of reach for folks who want to outfit a busy rifle; this one costs about 100 bucks. Yeah, it surprised me as well. So my recommendation is – get one right now before they have a jillion orders and the price goes up.

Get it from Amazon now: $99.99 & FREE Returns