Elcan Specter DR 1.5-6X 7.62 NATO Reticle.
Here we go again with another high end product review! This time, I was asked to do a review for Gary at Wanstalls.
And the usual disclaimer is that I did this work of my own free will and was NOT paid or endorsed by any parties.
The model you all see here for this scope/dot sight is for a 7.62 (.308) NATO. I will attach this to my AR-10 and please be warned
that the AR-15 version uses the 5.56 (.223) NATO reticle.
About the photos, it was EXTREMELY hard to take the photos of the reticle.
The good
- High quality all around. The lenses on it are superb with no comas or glare. I need to test this in sunlight seeing that Maple Ridge was kinda wet.
- The construction is ALL metal. Aluminum I assume. It weighs 700 grams as the instruction manual says but roughly a little more than a full can of pop.
- ARMS mounts are EASY to install onto a rail
- Has a very basic iron sights system on top of the whole scope.
- Has a range finder (which I have not used) that is for estimating the range of the target by guestimating the height of subject.
- The red dot on the cross sight is the SHARPEST RED DOT I HAVE EVER SEEN!! The Eotech and Aimpoint are slightly fuzzy but this one is SHARP.
- The cross sight also has a mode that illuminates the whole cross sight.
- Comes with a battery. It's an uncommon type called a 3V DL I/3N/2L76. It's a Durcaell you can look up online. The manual claims 3000 hours of usage.
- Made in Canada
The bad
- The front sight of the iron sights is rather large. Good enough for a target within 30 yards or less.
- I could not believe that it did not come with a lens cap... lens caps are hard to find online too. It doesn't use standard lens caps like scopes.
- The range finder is not easy to use (I'll explain below)
- The battery cap/illumination knob is tied onto the scope with a thin piece of string. It may seem ghetto but it does the job.
- There is illumination but I am sure there is no night vision/thermal capabilities. Feel free to correct me on this part.
The ugly
- This particular model is designed specifically for a 7.62 rifle/ .308. It does not look like it is meant for a bolt action but for a semi-auto AR-10'ish rifle.
- Not interchangable for a .223/5.56 rifle due to the markings and long distances beyond a .223/5.56's range capabilities.
- The cross illumination is not very good even on the lowest lightings. It's a little dull with mainly the centre section of the cross illuminating.
- The notch for elevation is very difficult to unhinge in order to adjust for elevation. The worst part is that it must be locked back in order to fire with it.
- The markings for all the distances I believe is with factory ammunition. The part that scares me most is that custom loads may not be accurate to the marked yard distances.
- One thing that got me is that you cannot use the intermediate magnification ranges (2,3,4 etc.) The throw switch ONLY goes to 1.5X or 6X magnification.
- It costs (after taxes) $2833.59....
My opinion and side notes.
The reticle on this scope is by far the best I have ever seen. It isn't a cross sight but more like a crucifix sight. The lettering of the ranges are very clear.
For anyone who buys this, you need 3 things before purchasing (not counting cash or a credit card of course).
1. Lens cloth. DO NOT USE ANY NORMAL CLOTH, YOU WILL RUIN THE LENS/COATING.
2. A wooden chopstick. If you have a pair you're golden. MUST BE WOOD.
3. Any kind of rubber bikini for the Elcan or a tactical scope cover.
4. A penny. Preferebly a penny because it doesn't have sharp edges like a dime for windage adjustments.
Side note, the chopstick is not only handy for dissassembly of a firearm but you need it to lift that silver tab in order to do elevation adjustments. Be sure to lock it back in place before firing. You can use penny or dime but it will definitely mar the metal tab.
There are 2 modes of illumination, red dot in the middle of the cross or a full illumination. The full illumination isn't very good. The dot illumination is THEE AND I MEAN THEE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN.
You will be thoroughly blown away at how sharp that red dot illumination is.
The range finder estimation is not user friendly. It goes by 30"/76cm @ whatever you manage to fit below the top line and above the bar. I am guessing that a man sized target would need to be double the height for the range guesstimate.
There are many of you who think that $2800 for this type of scope is not worth it. There are definitely alternatives such as putting on a Nightforce but understand that the weight is going to be more after adding rings and the scope is probably more fragile than this combat scope.
The trade off is accuracy. The Elcan you can run around with while an actual rifle scope would most likely outshoot the rifle with the Elcan. The Elcan I haven't tested in rain, cold/hot weather. Scopes have the problem with mirages from hot summer weather. The Elcan is no exception.
Alright pictures, this is the best part and I know you've all been waiting for this.
I'm sorry everyone, but my camera is NOT doing justice through this scope.
The bottom left range finder is fuzzy on this picture but I reassure you that ALL is sharp except for my camera lens...
Front of the scope.
Iron sights on top. No need for backup iron sights...
My rig.... LMT MWS slapped on with the Elcan. I took her on the range yesterday... absolutely wonderful...
Thank you everyone for reading my review! I wish anyone who will acquire an Elcan good fortune. It's worth every cent.
Here we go again with another high end product review! This time, I was asked to do a review for Gary at Wanstalls.
And the usual disclaimer is that I did this work of my own free will and was NOT paid or endorsed by any parties.
The model you all see here for this scope/dot sight is for a 7.62 (.308) NATO. I will attach this to my AR-10 and please be warned
that the AR-15 version uses the 5.56 (.223) NATO reticle.
About the photos, it was EXTREMELY hard to take the photos of the reticle.
The good
- High quality all around. The lenses on it are superb with no comas or glare. I need to test this in sunlight seeing that Maple Ridge was kinda wet.
- The construction is ALL metal. Aluminum I assume. It weighs 700 grams as the instruction manual says but roughly a little more than a full can of pop.
- ARMS mounts are EASY to install onto a rail
- Has a very basic iron sights system on top of the whole scope.
- Has a range finder (which I have not used) that is for estimating the range of the target by guestimating the height of subject.
- The red dot on the cross sight is the SHARPEST RED DOT I HAVE EVER SEEN!! The Eotech and Aimpoint are slightly fuzzy but this one is SHARP.
- The cross sight also has a mode that illuminates the whole cross sight.
- Comes with a battery. It's an uncommon type called a 3V DL I/3N/2L76. It's a Durcaell you can look up online. The manual claims 3000 hours of usage.
- Made in Canada
The bad
- The front sight of the iron sights is rather large. Good enough for a target within 30 yards or less.
- I could not believe that it did not come with a lens cap... lens caps are hard to find online too. It doesn't use standard lens caps like scopes.
- The range finder is not easy to use (I'll explain below)
- The battery cap/illumination knob is tied onto the scope with a thin piece of string. It may seem ghetto but it does the job.
- There is illumination but I am sure there is no night vision/thermal capabilities. Feel free to correct me on this part.
The ugly
- This particular model is designed specifically for a 7.62 rifle/ .308. It does not look like it is meant for a bolt action but for a semi-auto AR-10'ish rifle.
- Not interchangable for a .223/5.56 rifle due to the markings and long distances beyond a .223/5.56's range capabilities.
- The cross illumination is not very good even on the lowest lightings. It's a little dull with mainly the centre section of the cross illuminating.
- The notch for elevation is very difficult to unhinge in order to adjust for elevation. The worst part is that it must be locked back in order to fire with it.
- The markings for all the distances I believe is with factory ammunition. The part that scares me most is that custom loads may not be accurate to the marked yard distances.
- One thing that got me is that you cannot use the intermediate magnification ranges (2,3,4 etc.) The throw switch ONLY goes to 1.5X or 6X magnification.
- It costs (after taxes) $2833.59....
My opinion and side notes.
The reticle on this scope is by far the best I have ever seen. It isn't a cross sight but more like a crucifix sight. The lettering of the ranges are very clear.
For anyone who buys this, you need 3 things before purchasing (not counting cash or a credit card of course).
1. Lens cloth. DO NOT USE ANY NORMAL CLOTH, YOU WILL RUIN THE LENS/COATING.
2. A wooden chopstick. If you have a pair you're golden. MUST BE WOOD.
3. Any kind of rubber bikini for the Elcan or a tactical scope cover.
4. A penny. Preferebly a penny because it doesn't have sharp edges like a dime for windage adjustments.
Side note, the chopstick is not only handy for dissassembly of a firearm but you need it to lift that silver tab in order to do elevation adjustments. Be sure to lock it back in place before firing. You can use penny or dime but it will definitely mar the metal tab.
There are 2 modes of illumination, red dot in the middle of the cross or a full illumination. The full illumination isn't very good. The dot illumination is THEE AND I MEAN THEE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN.
You will be thoroughly blown away at how sharp that red dot illumination is.
The range finder estimation is not user friendly. It goes by 30"/76cm @ whatever you manage to fit below the top line and above the bar. I am guessing that a man sized target would need to be double the height for the range guesstimate.
There are many of you who think that $2800 for this type of scope is not worth it. There are definitely alternatives such as putting on a Nightforce but understand that the weight is going to be more after adding rings and the scope is probably more fragile than this combat scope.
The trade off is accuracy. The Elcan you can run around with while an actual rifle scope would most likely outshoot the rifle with the Elcan. The Elcan I haven't tested in rain, cold/hot weather. Scopes have the problem with mirages from hot summer weather. The Elcan is no exception.
Alright pictures, this is the best part and I know you've all been waiting for this.
I'm sorry everyone, but my camera is NOT doing justice through this scope.
The bottom left range finder is fuzzy on this picture but I reassure you that ALL is sharp except for my camera lens...
Front of the scope.
Iron sights on top. No need for backup iron sights...
My rig.... LMT MWS slapped on with the Elcan. I took her on the range yesterday... absolutely wonderful...
Thank you everyone for reading my review! I wish anyone who will acquire an Elcan good fortune. It's worth every cent.
