People searching through online store offers have certainly found the CymaM4 QBS replica family at Evike. This is a series of 4 replicas, differing basically only in the length of the handguard and the barrel. Sounds familiar? It's exactly the same with the Cyma Platinum series at Taiwangun. Apart from the shortest one, the replicas are identical at first glance. What is going on?
To begin with, let's explain the aforementioned difference of the shortest models. In the Cyma Platinum line, the shortest model (the CM.097D) has a 10-inch handguard and 275 mm long inner barrel, partially hidden in the factory installed silencer (which is almost completely embedded in the handguard). In the M4 QBS at Evike, the shortest version has 8.5-inch handguard and the inner barrel around 200 mm long. The silencer protrudes slightly beyond the handguard. The overall dimensions of the replicas are the same: 670 mm with a collapsed stock and 750 mm the stock extended.
The Cyma Platinum CM.097D at Taiwangun:
and the Cyma M4 QBS at Evike (collimator is not included):
That's all when it comes to external differences between both series. Other models are identical. They have the same stocks, pistol grips, mounts, sights and receivers. The spring replacement system based on the guide mounted in the lower receiver is also identical. Even the technical parameters look almost the same. The M4 QBS with a 10-inch handguard generates 350-370 fps. The equivalent we describe, the CM.097B (LINK), during our tests reached an average of 375.8 fps. It is similar with the rate of fire, which is the basic feature of both series. The product available at Evike, powered by a 11.1V battery shoots 28 rps. The CM.097B from Taiwangun shot 26.2 rps in out test. The difference is small and may be due to, for example, the battery's current capacity. We used the 1100mAh 20C pack.
The main differences lies inside the mechanisms. Evike's model uses a slightly different frame, with a collar around the hole for the motor shaft. It does not affect the work of the mechanism, but it is different, therefore we noted it.
In Cyma Platinum, the standard frame looks like this:
There are also more serious differences. The QBS uses a piston with full steel teeth, an aluminum cylinder, cylinder head and piston head (the latter has a bearing).
In the Platinum series, the piston is the same, the heads are still aluminum, but the piston head (which also has a bearing) is the "silent" type and it transfers less load onto the frame, which extends its service life. A point for Taiwangun.
Another difference is the electronic control system with a MOSFET and a microswitch used in the Cyma Platinum series, which is simply not found in the QBS at Evike (there is no mention of it). A second point for Taiwangun.
The Cyma Platinum CM.097B:
Both series use fast steel gears (machined, not cast) with a ratio of 13: 1. The QBS:
and Platinum:
And that's it when it comes to comparing the two replica series. In our opinion, the Platinum specification is slightly better and it is not worth importing the QBS version. It is a little different when someone would like to have a replica with the Umbrella Corporation markings.
Evike has licensed Helios replicas with 3 handguard lengths - 14.5, 13 and 10 inches available for pre-order. These are the same low-profile light M-LOK handguard as in the Platinum and the QBS series. The differences in appearance between the QBS/Platinum and the "Umbrellas" are slightly different pistol grips and the use of the classic lower receiver in the latter, which look like standard cast AR-15 receiver (the QBS/Platinum series have receiver imitating the ones milled "from a single block" of metal). The upper receiver in all replicas are the same ("milled").
Technically, the Umbrella Corporations rifles are identical to the QBS, so they are slightly worse than the Platinum series. But you get the Umbrella logo on the magazine well. Completion of pre-orders is scheduled for January 2020.
