Lets Talk Elcan Optics

driller212

driller212

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Hey well opinionated CGN folk, I call upon you on this late hour of the evening for some advice.

I was wondering if people could share their experience with Elcan and if they think the cost-value ratio is good enough for the specific model they use. I am looking at the Specter OS3x, OS4x, and DR. Is the variable magnification really worth the extra grand? I am leaning towards the more affordable OS3x and OS4x.

I have an eotech at the moment, but I am just not into the battery reliance, limited ranging ability, and lack of trajectory markings for longer distances. Not really into the flip to side magnifiers either. Just my personal opinion.

Anyways, have at 'er
 
I have a bunch of expensive optics and my specterdr is by far one of my favorite, I will probably buy another in the future, they are well worth the price, drop proof, top quality glass i.e. same level as svarovski glass.

that being said the g33 is the absolute best magnifier on the market right now, did you ever try it mated with your sight?
 
mikethebike said:
I have a bunch of expensive optics and my specterdr is by far one of my favorite, I will probably buy another in the future, they are well worth the price, drop proof, top quality glass i.e. same level as svarovski glass.

that being said the g33 is the absolute best magnifier on the market right now, did you ever try it mated with your sight?
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No, but I really do prefer an actual reticle with bullet drop compensation. I like to stretch things out here and there. And like I said the battery thing kind of kills it for me too. Call me old fashioned.
 
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Have a specter dr. Absolutely love it. The rapid switch on magnification and no need to set focus works great for action shooting, moving from close to distant targets. A couple guys at the last course i was on were running them on tavors as well, didn't seem to be much problem with them but we weren't shooting past 50 yards
 
driller212 said:
Yea, I read about that. Here is for hoping the effects would be minimal on a Tavor.
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my specterdr is on my tavor... the bdc is not really usable you kinda have to make your own chart

SAM_0033_zpse6b38d4a.jpg
 
I have a DR and an OS4. Having the 1x option is nice on the DR, but as I mostly use at at 4x, it's really not worth paying the extra to have the 1x, for me at least. Still, both are amazing optics.
 
So then, do you feel it would be more worth it to just invest in a quality optic with a mil dot reticle? or do you feel that even though you need to learn the poa-poi differences with the elcan it is still worth it?
 
ELCAN = Ernst Leitz Canada
Ernst Leitz = founder of Leica Camera.

SpecterDR 1-4x is selected by USSOCOM
OS4 is used by the Brits on their SA80

Nuff said.
 
The difference caused by the higher mechanical offset is only apparent when it is down to under 30m ish. The velocity of the bullet has more effect on the BDC when it goes out t longer range.

Zero at 200m, and walk back all the way to 25m and figure out the POI at each point, you will notice the difference will be only apparent at close range.
 
greentips said:
The difference caused by the higher mechanical offset is only apparent when it is down to under 30m ish. The velocity of the bullet has more effect on the BDC when it goes out t longer range.

Zero at 200m, and walk back all the way to 25m and figure out the POI at each point, you will notice the difference will be only apparent at close range.
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Ok I see. That is some great info greentips. I was worried more about the reticle being essentially useless at longer distances. Anyone have experience with both the OS3x and OS4x ? Thoughts?
 
Im an Elcan Specter DR whore. I put that #### on just about everything. To me, it really depends on what style you plan to shoot and what distances. If most of your shooting is inside 100m, go Eotech or Aimpoint. If most of your shooting is beyond 100m, go with a fixed or variable magnification scope. If you do 3 gun or carbine courses that is where having a true 1x, and a true 4x comes in handy.

I would say go with an acog if you choose a fixed magnification scope.
 
To add to what Greentips said using AE 62 gr FMJ (3020 fps) and 55 gr FMJ (3240 fps) at 200 yds the 55 gr will shoot a little flatter, -2.76"/-3.27" at 200 and -11.01"/-12.53" at 300. The greatest difference is at 600 with the 55 shooting 7" lower. From that you can see out to 300 it won't make much difference and of course barrel length will alter things, but out to 500 I'd guess you can just adjust the trajectory by the factory ammo you use (and bullet choice/MV if you reload).

When running it through Applied Ballistics to 1000 yds.

100 yds 0/0
200 yds -2.76/-3.27
300 yds -11.01/-12.53
400 yds -26.48/-29.41
500 yds -51.55/-56.10
600 yds -88.89/-95.58
700 yds -145.22/-151.77
800 yds -224.25/-229.57
900 yds -332.86/-334.43
1000 yds -476.79/-471.61
 
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The biggest advantage to the OS3 is the internal adjustments. I think it is one of the best choices for a general issue military optic on the market. Excellent glass, tough and just enough magnification to increase hit probability without being useless in close.
I really like the OS4, it is lighter in weight than the DR and in my opinion has a better reticle for target shooting(fine cross hair vs the dot of the DR) you can also mount a red dot on the top as the Brits are doing.
As for shooting at longer ranges I am running 69gr SMK at 2875fps out of a 20" barrel and the 5.56mm Carbine reticle in my OS4 is bang on back to 500m.
 
Further to my mental drivel (I was interrupted before I was done), the problem with reticles for a specific cartridge is though you can adjust for trajectory by reloading, but it may not be ideal for your rifle. If your lucky you'll be like Gunnerlove and your pet load will match your reticle.
 
In all practicality, anything beyond 300m is really fire and adjust with combat sight. That 1MOA or even 1.5 MOA difference in the BDC is not going to be a big deal once range estimation and inclination are mixed in, unless you carry a LRF. I don't think anyone can call the range down to 50m accurate once you are out at 400m or so with ether eye balls or even the 18" body width stradia on the BDC. But if you carry a LRF, you probably want to bring in a more precise piece of shooting equipment that can take advantage of distance reading, than dialing in elev. and wind. into 4X combat sight that is not meant for the purpose.


IMHO, any marking beyond 300m on a combat sight is just a reference point to fire and adjust. It is part of the skill set to be able to hold over and adjust fire on the fly.
 
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