While Hungry was next door I was on Mons Range doing Personal Weapons Test Level 3 (PWT3) as part of IBTS (Individual Battle Task Standard) for CF land operations.
Before reviewing the Elcan Specter DR 1.5-6X I'd like to thank Armament Technology for graciously couriering a brand spanking new demo unit to my unit's Battalion Orderly Room for our evaluation.
The optic's specs can be downloaded at: http://www.elcan.com/ELCAN_Business_Areas/Sighting_Systems/Products/Day_Sights/documents/SpecterDR1.5x-6x.SpecSheet.pdf
I mounted the scope on my issued C7A1. It mounted without difficulty using the ARMS throw levers though the levers require a fair amount of pressure to close.
It is a big piece (see picture below) with outstandingly clear optics (rivaling my Short Dot). There is some slight fringe distortion but no more than most other popular magnified optics and way less than the C79.
The reticle is similar (though not identical) to that of the Specter 1-4X with range BDC hold-over hashmarks graduated to 1,000M (in this case calibrated to 5.56 NATO but also available in 7.62mm). The reticle is generally finer than that of the 1-4 (I have promised Armament Technology not to post photos taken through the eyepiece or objective).
The fineness of the reticle is not surprising given that the sight is designed to be used at range - mounted on the C9 light machine gun (5.56) or C6 GPMG (7.62) or to be used in the DM role. While the variably illuminated dot at 1.5X is perfect for two-eyes-open CQB at 6X the reticle is clearly intended for longer range shooting. The reticle remains the same size irrespective of the magnification the optic is set at.
PWT 1
I took the opportunity to zero the sight during PWT 1 . PWT 1 evaluates the soldier's ability to zero and group to a standard at 100M with varying group standards by firing position.
On the first 5 round group at 6X I shot a 1MOA group (yes that's right, 1 MOA with a 20 year old C7A1 with a s**te trigger) 10cm high and 2 cm to the left of the point of aim. The sight zeros exactly the same way as the C-79 and 1-4X. Once zeroed, I cycled the 1.5-6x lever 10 times and fired another 5 round group - the POI remained consistent.
PWT 3
Having completed PWT 1 I did PWT 3 later. PWT 3 reconfirms zero at 100M and then involves run-ups from distance to distance firing at various positions. Between PWT1 and PWT3 I did PWT 2 (pistol) and had the rifle slung through-out that shoot and did a fair amount of walking to get to PWT 3. I must have gone from 1.5 to 6X dozens of times as I got stopped by folks asking, "WTF is that?"
Firing from the 300M the BDC reticle worked great. However when the event involves a run from 300M to 200M, dropping to the prone and firing in a timed event the reticle proved a little fine for me. It took just that much longer to bring on target than say an ACOG's or inverted V or even the C79's pyramid. Again this is not unexpected given the optic's DM design role.
Night Shoot
Having succesfully trialed it during PWT3 I then used the unit during a night shoot. The light gathering capability of this optic is really good. My PL WO and I were shocked by the difference between the C79 and the Specter. On an overcast night, on 6X with the entire reticle lit up on the lowest setting (not the red dot) I could clearly make out the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12s out at 100M. The fact the night shoot was at 50M made it a veritable day shoot (though my score did not reflect this due to what I suspect is a marking screw-up involving some sort of mis-match between shooters and their firing positions on the line).
Overall impression
Awesome. It won't replace my Short Dot but I would definitely put one on a AR15 or AR10 target rifle or an M14.
In regard to the latter rifle, the Specter's eye relief is insufficient when mounted on an ARMS 18 rail. I suspect it would work with another rail system that allows the optic to be mounted further back (i.e. Smith 2005 ACOG mount). Getting this optic married up to an M14 seems like a very worthy project.
It does mount perfectly on my FN FAL (with the ARMS Picatinny body cover mount) with perfect cheek to stock weld - too bad it's not a set up that can be shot.
I can't speak to combat durability but it seems very robust.
I'd say this is a very, very versatile optic - it works perfectly for close quarters use (though bulky), very well for rapid target shooting under pressure at moderate distance and is clearly intended for use at distance.
I would personally like a slightly coarser reticle.
As they become available I will definitely be getting one calibrated in 7.62...
Before reviewing the Elcan Specter DR 1.5-6X I'd like to thank Armament Technology for graciously couriering a brand spanking new demo unit to my unit's Battalion Orderly Room for our evaluation.
The optic's specs can be downloaded at: http://www.elcan.com/ELCAN_Business_Areas/Sighting_Systems/Products/Day_Sights/documents/SpecterDR1.5x-6x.SpecSheet.pdf
I mounted the scope on my issued C7A1. It mounted without difficulty using the ARMS throw levers though the levers require a fair amount of pressure to close.
It is a big piece (see picture below) with outstandingly clear optics (rivaling my Short Dot). There is some slight fringe distortion but no more than most other popular magnified optics and way less than the C79.
The reticle is similar (though not identical) to that of the Specter 1-4X with range BDC hold-over hashmarks graduated to 1,000M (in this case calibrated to 5.56 NATO but also available in 7.62mm). The reticle is generally finer than that of the 1-4 (I have promised Armament Technology not to post photos taken through the eyepiece or objective).
The fineness of the reticle is not surprising given that the sight is designed to be used at range - mounted on the C9 light machine gun (5.56) or C6 GPMG (7.62) or to be used in the DM role. While the variably illuminated dot at 1.5X is perfect for two-eyes-open CQB at 6X the reticle is clearly intended for longer range shooting. The reticle remains the same size irrespective of the magnification the optic is set at.
PWT 1
I took the opportunity to zero the sight during PWT 1 . PWT 1 evaluates the soldier's ability to zero and group to a standard at 100M with varying group standards by firing position.
On the first 5 round group at 6X I shot a 1MOA group (yes that's right, 1 MOA with a 20 year old C7A1 with a s**te trigger) 10cm high and 2 cm to the left of the point of aim. The sight zeros exactly the same way as the C-79 and 1-4X. Once zeroed, I cycled the 1.5-6x lever 10 times and fired another 5 round group - the POI remained consistent.
PWT 3
Having completed PWT 1 I did PWT 3 later. PWT 3 reconfirms zero at 100M and then involves run-ups from distance to distance firing at various positions. Between PWT1 and PWT3 I did PWT 2 (pistol) and had the rifle slung through-out that shoot and did a fair amount of walking to get to PWT 3. I must have gone from 1.5 to 6X dozens of times as I got stopped by folks asking, "WTF is that?"
Firing from the 300M the BDC reticle worked great. However when the event involves a run from 300M to 200M, dropping to the prone and firing in a timed event the reticle proved a little fine for me. It took just that much longer to bring on target than say an ACOG's or inverted V or even the C79's pyramid. Again this is not unexpected given the optic's DM design role.
Night Shoot
Having succesfully trialed it during PWT3 I then used the unit during a night shoot. The light gathering capability of this optic is really good. My PL WO and I were shocked by the difference between the C79 and the Specter. On an overcast night, on 6X with the entire reticle lit up on the lowest setting (not the red dot) I could clearly make out the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12s out at 100M. The fact the night shoot was at 50M made it a veritable day shoot (though my score did not reflect this due to what I suspect is a marking screw-up involving some sort of mis-match between shooters and their firing positions on the line).
Overall impression
Awesome. It won't replace my Short Dot but I would definitely put one on a AR15 or AR10 target rifle or an M14.
In regard to the latter rifle, the Specter's eye relief is insufficient when mounted on an ARMS 18 rail. I suspect it would work with another rail system that allows the optic to be mounted further back (i.e. Smith 2005 ACOG mount). Getting this optic married up to an M14 seems like a very worthy project.
It does mount perfectly on my FN FAL (with the ARMS Picatinny body cover mount) with perfect cheek to stock weld - too bad it's not a set up that can be shot.
I can't speak to combat durability but it seems very robust.
I'd say this is a very, very versatile optic - it works perfectly for close quarters use (though bulky), very well for rapid target shooting under pressure at moderate distance and is clearly intended for use at distance.
I would personally like a slightly coarser reticle.
As they become available I will definitely be getting one calibrated in 7.62...
