Beetle Outdoor Supply
Expired Business Member
Here's a copy of our latest Blogpost. Its hard to post pictures here, so if you want to see the full sized pictures, please go to the blog (here) where they are hosted
During the time I have been swapping the same optic from one rifle to the next I've watched friends try, test and resell countless optics, everything from cheap red-dots to Eotech's and Aimpoint's. There's always been some new cool-aid for them to try; and they always say 'well...I wish I had the money for an Elcan...' So at what point to they put their fingers onto a calculator and realize that sure, an Elcan might cost more than a US made Fixed Optic with similar features; but they always forget that have burned through 5 sights while I am still using my Elcan. It functions flawlessly every time I use it, and I share it with several different rifles. Sighting it in usually only involves 2 minutes, if its off at all because of the incredible ARMS mounts that secure it to anything with a rail.
Its taken a few years, but for whatever reason phone calls, emails and letters to Elcan finally got my company an account. I guess I had to fly to Las Vegas and speak to someone from a Canadian Company at SHOT about buying a Canadian product... that is built 35 minutes from my home.
Now lets look at the Elcan. Its lens size is considerably larger making it as effective to use as a simple red dot... This is why the fixed maginification models are standard issue with the Canadian and British military. But what is involved in the changing of magnification on a DR (Dual Role) model? take a look :
https://3.bp.########.com/-STb_cfBX1OQ/VkDJ3ZBQrdI/AAAAAAAAAKA/qbH6UlC0Oak/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BREVIEW2.jpghttps://4.bp.########.com/-3ewkvwwf_PM/VkDKIjSY6DI/AAAAAAAAAKI/y58XOxcygms/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BREVIEW%2B3%2B.jpghttps://3.bp.########.com/-i4oqi1Aq7a8/VkDKRUMVqZI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/mCN-_rPbP1w/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpg
The models also come with free kill flashes, these work to eliminate the reflective flash from your front lens should you be using it for hunting applications, the 1x4 in the middle is almost the same length as the 4x on the right, note the kill flash length.
https://1.bp.########.com/-cQ98-gQbNbQ/VkDLIPkHvmI/AAAAAAAAAKg/P9lS1aYUJic/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B6%2B%2BFRONT%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://2.bp.########.com/-IbGK-vSGGxg/VkDLIHkb_BI/AAAAAAAAAKc/0EJAfPKBIgQ/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B6%2B%2BWITH%2BKILLFLASH%2BFRONT%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://4.bp.########.com/-18z51tGX4aU/VkDORcuiFlI/AAAAAAAAAK8/eZJLAYzIYn0/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B4%2B%2B2%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://3.bp.########.com/-XDfITiluyrM/VkDORhHsaLI/AAAAAAAAALA/JeDbzFlu-5o/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B4%2B%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://1.bp.########.com/-_JHGSQUXmio/VkDORl4o05I/AAAAAAAAALE/QuHfoQItYcg/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B4X%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://2.bp.########.com/-TmOCi90L8eE/VkDOR9Gej4I/AAAAAAAAALI/8uq2Xune6X8/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B4X%2BWITH%2BKILLFLASH%2B2%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpg
Beetle Outdoor Supplies Mozambique 3 gun rifle Optics Challenge: For those not familiar with competitive shooting, (or those who doubt the benefits of the Elcan design) we'll provide you with a simple drill exercise. Its a modified Mozambique that I like to practice on using my pact timer and a couple mags loaded with 6 rounds each.
Starting unloaded engage each target with 2 rounds in either direction, perform the required mag change and engage each target with two rounds bringing you back to the first target. You can change your rounds up or down to add more or less mag changes, but at least one is a good idea.
Let us know how it worked out, and happy shooting!
Rich@beetleoutdoorsupply.com
https://4.bp.########.com/-OlZr_clVCRg/VkC8QEM5a1I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/73VnImpksSc/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BREVIEW.jpg
Elcan Optical sights have long represented the top tier in Military optics. They are in use by NATO forces around the world. Because of their price point and beer can styling they are often overlooked by recreational and competitive shooters. Personally I think I appreciate the practicality of an optic that is just at home on a heavy machine gun as it is on a deer rifle. I have always preferred these Canadian made optics and have used my SpecterDR 1x4 for years transferring it from one rifle to the next. It has been mounted on several AR Platform Rifles, a Tavor, a T97, even an 870 shotgun from time to time. It has functioned flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -30 to +30 and has been used in freezing snowstorms and hot summer rains...come to think of it; I don't know if I've ever cleaned the glass with anything but the edge of my shirt, or a cold wet thumb.During the time I have been swapping the same optic from one rifle to the next I've watched friends try, test and resell countless optics, everything from cheap red-dots to Eotech's and Aimpoint's. There's always been some new cool-aid for them to try; and they always say 'well...I wish I had the money for an Elcan...' So at what point to they put their fingers onto a calculator and realize that sure, an Elcan might cost more than a US made Fixed Optic with similar features; but they always forget that have burned through 5 sights while I am still using my Elcan. It functions flawlessly every time I use it, and I share it with several different rifles. Sighting it in usually only involves 2 minutes, if its off at all because of the incredible ARMS mounts that secure it to anything with a rail.
Its taken a few years, but for whatever reason phone calls, emails and letters to Elcan finally got my company an account. I guess I had to fly to Las Vegas and speak to someone from a Canadian Company at SHOT about buying a Canadian product... that is built 35 minutes from my home.
What the other guys are using...
https://3.bp.########.com/-tcXSqGHYg3U/VkC-xCN9x8I/AAAAAAAAAJY/YASC8lX63Zg/s320/and%2Bbackup%2Biron%2Bsights.....jpg
Right now, the popular setup for 3 gun rifles involves iron sights that swing out 45 degree's for close up shots where a person can't get a quick enough view using their scope.... and a scope of some sort on-top for mid-long distance shots. Some competitors use a thumb ring so they can quickly adjust the scopes magnification. A good example of these big arms is the MGM Switchview which is essentially a ring held on by an allen screw that you twist back and forth. I think they cost around $40 and I could speculate they will leave a nice ring impression on whatever they are mounted to. https://1.bp.########.com/-3OM25x2tM9g/VkC_O4T3GWI/AAAAAAAAAJc/k_y33zyudTw/s320/mgm%2Bswitchview.jpg
So now you have your rings, a second set of iron sights that swing out 1" or more from the side and a 1' long scope with a 2" long arm that pivots off the top. Who can guess what this amount of stuff weighs, let alone how many things your going to clip the sights and/or Switch view off of every time you put your rifle into the rifle rack, or if you are in a difficult course of fire and have to move around and under things? Not to mention that clipping any of these things stands a good chance of effecting your scopes point of impact since they are all stacked on top of each other.Now lets look at the Elcan. Its lens size is considerably larger making it as effective to use as a simple red dot... This is why the fixed maginification models are standard issue with the Canadian and British military. But what is involved in the changing of magnification on a DR (Dual Role) model? take a look :
https://2.bp.########.com/-yv7GfG0qvT0/VkDHx1M-I5I/AAAAAAAAAJw/Nf5picT3oGw/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2BSPECTER%2B1.5%2BX%2B6%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.png
Now that looks big, but it is the bigger 1.5-6 model wheras the 1-4 is on the right. Here is a view of the lenses I included a fixed Specter 4x model for comparison :https://3.bp.########.com/-STb_cfBX1OQ/VkDJ3ZBQrdI/AAAAAAAAAKA/qbH6UlC0Oak/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BREVIEW2.jpghttps://4.bp.########.com/-3ewkvwwf_PM/VkDKIjSY6DI/AAAAAAAAAKI/y58XOxcygms/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BREVIEW%2B3%2B.jpghttps://3.bp.########.com/-i4oqi1Aq7a8/VkDKRUMVqZI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/mCN-_rPbP1w/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpg
The models also come with free kill flashes, these work to eliminate the reflective flash from your front lens should you be using it for hunting applications, the 1x4 in the middle is almost the same length as the 4x on the right, note the kill flash length.
https://1.bp.########.com/-cQ98-gQbNbQ/VkDLIPkHvmI/AAAAAAAAAKg/P9lS1aYUJic/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B6%2B%2BFRONT%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://2.bp.########.com/-IbGK-vSGGxg/VkDLIHkb_BI/AAAAAAAAAKc/0EJAfPKBIgQ/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B6%2B%2BWITH%2BKILLFLASH%2BFRONT%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://4.bp.########.com/-18z51tGX4aU/VkDORcuiFlI/AAAAAAAAAK8/eZJLAYzIYn0/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B4%2B%2B2%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://3.bp.########.com/-XDfITiluyrM/VkDORhHsaLI/AAAAAAAAALA/JeDbzFlu-5o/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B1.5%2BBY%2B4%2B%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://1.bp.########.com/-_JHGSQUXmio/VkDORl4o05I/AAAAAAAAALE/QuHfoQItYcg/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B4X%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpghttps://2.bp.########.com/-TmOCi90L8eE/VkDOR9Gej4I/AAAAAAAAALI/8uq2Xune6X8/s320/ELCAN%2BOPTICS%2BCANADA%2B4X%2BWITH%2BKILLFLASH%2B2%2BBEETLE%2BOUTDOOR%2BSUPPLY.jpg
Beetle Outdoor Supplies Mozambique 3 gun rifle Optics Challenge:
https://2.bp.########.com/-q5GQ8bIXDpI/VkDMRxV3NoI/AAAAAAAAAKw/69hAKNfu7ag/s320/mozambique%2BElcan%2Bchallenge.jpg
Starting unloaded engage each target with 2 rounds in either direction, perform the required mag change and engage each target with two rounds bringing you back to the first target. You can change your rounds up or down to add more or less mag changes, but at least one is a good idea.
Let us know how it worked out, and happy shooting!
Rich@beetleoutdoorsupply.com
