The Elcan SpecterTR 1-3-9 is Raytheon's answer to the requirement for a 1-6 to 8 squad common optic, which was initiated by the US Army. The objective of the program is to come up with a single unit that can be used for both midrange and close range engagements to mount on carbines up to General Purpose Machine Guns. While infantry units may have different objectives in their choices of optics, the SCO could be of interest to law enforcement officers that may require positive identification of targets at all ranges and the need to switch to reflex sight when the engagement takes place. For civilian shooters, the popularity of 3-gun competition with mid range stages also makes such an optic a popular proposition.
With expertise in prismatic optic design in large weapon systems, Elcan/Raytheon minimaturizes its technologies to the scale useable on individual weapons. Similar to other Specter weapon sights developed by Elcan/Raytheon, it is an externally adjusting system with the same elevation and windage mechanism that we have seen in the UK FIST and Specter DR earlier. The selectable magnification is achieved by a rotating prism system housed inside the sight, which can be switched between 1X, 3X and 9X by a selector on the left side of the sight. The illumination is adjusted on the right side.
We have taken some pictures of the recticle but we were asked by Raytheon not to release it, as they are still refining the recticle design for the commercial version for sale to Law Enforcement market and civilian. To describe what we have seen in person and what it is printed in brochure, the sight has a 3MOA redot at 1X. Once the magnification is switched to 3X or 9X, the redot is turned off. The BDC reticle has marking from 200m to 800m, with hash marks in mrad on the stadia line. The total package, including mount, comes at 1 lb 13oz in total.
Overall, the optic does make sense in the method of operation. Elcan/Raytheon argues that operators rarely use the continuous magnification offered by traditional scope. Fixed incremental magnification and a side knob adjustment are much more easier and faster to manipulate, especially in adverse environmental conditions and under stress. The setup also avoids running into magnification not intended by the operator because he/she failed to completely adjust the optic under stress or under time constriant This could be very advantageous for law enforcement officers who need to switch from identification stage to engagement stage in an instant.
In terms of price, it is said that it will be well over 3000 USD in MSRP when available commercially.
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Originally Posted by Donster 125
