question about the elcan specter 1.5x - 6x, for 7.62

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Hey guys,

Aside from the high pricetag, this optic seemed to be the best in class (ie. It did what it did, better than any other optic like it). I'm not interested in variable power scopes though.

Is this optic still 'top of the heap' or is there a new, better version of it by now?



The rifle in question is an FNAR, and i've got it in my head that this is the right choice; unless it has been surpassed already by a better version (or maybe a TA55A pops up on the EE for cheap).


Thank-you for your input. I appreciate it.

Cheers!
 
Have you played with one - either at a gun store or shot with one?
The reason I ask is that while the idea behind the optic is a good one, it is poorly executed in my opinion.

Cons:
- too expensive overall for what it is,
- too big,
- too heavy,
- while the Elcan optics are great, the reticle is too small at 1.5 power and too large at 6 power.

when all is said and done, it doesn't do anything a good quality variable can't and none of what it can do, can be done better than a good quality variable with the exception of perhaps immediately switching from 1.5 to 6 power.
If you stick a quick view tail on the end of the variable though, that can be largely negated.

I had a hard-on for one and planned to purchase one for my LMT MWS to sort of go for the UK L129 look and then I actually used one at the range.
There are far better options out there and the majority of them are less money than this thing.
 
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beltfed said:
Have you played with one - either at a gun store or shot with one?
The reason I ask is that while the idea behind the optic is a good one, it is poorly executed in my opinion.

Cons:
- too expensive overall for what it is,
- too big,
- too heavy,
- while the Elcan optics are great, the reticle is too small at 1.5 power and too large at 6 power.

when all is said and done, it doesn't do anything a good quality variable can't and none of what it can do, can be done better than a good quality variable with the exception of perhaps immediately switching from 1.5 to 6 power.
If you stick a quick view tail on the end of the variable though, that can be largely negated.

I had a hard-on for one and planned to purchase one for my LMT MWS to go for the UK M119 look and then I actually used one at the range.
There are far better options out there and the majority of them are less money than this thing.
Click to expand...

So the summary of what you're saying is that you would rather 3x Strike Eagles, instead of one Specter DR?

I do love the made in Canada thing, but honestly, 2k for a battle optic is much over my budget.....
 
beltfed said:
Have you played with one - either at a gun store or shot with one?
The reason I ask is that while the idea behind the optic is a good one, it is poorly executed in my opinion.

Cons:
- too expensive overall for what it is,
- too big,
- too heavy,
- while the Elcan optics are great, the reticle is too small at 1.5 power and too large at 6 power.

when all is said and done, it doesn't do anything a good quality variable can't and none of what it can do, can be done better than a good quality variable with the exception of perhaps immediately switching from 1.5 to 6 power.
If you stick a quick view tail on the end of the variable though, that can be largely negated.

I had a hard-on for one and planned to purchase one for my LMT MWS to sort of go for the UK L129 look and then I actually used one at the range.
There are far better options out there and the majority of them are less money than this thing.
Click to expand...

Great input, thanks.


I haven't held or used one yet. Taking a trip down to whichever store closest to Ottawa has them, might be next up.

I do think the 1.5-6 selector is a bit gimmicky, and yes the optic seems pretty bulky (although I didn't think it's weight was significantly more than it's competitors.) I definitely need to put in some more legwork here, not just more youtube videos, haha!


I'm drawn to the toughness of the optic, the reputation of the glass, and the detail of the reticle at 6x, along with the field of view and eye relief. (which is why I had considered tying to track down an acog TA55a, if they're still around?).


More magnification might be nice, but I've no use for being able to zero in on mouse nuts at a mile. Being able to clearly see, watch and hit a target at 600 yards, is more than enough for me.
 
I have one but haven't spent a ton of time with it. It is bulky, it has short eye relief, 1.5* instead of 1* is a bit annoying, it is expensive for what it is. If you take off the front dust cover and kill flash it shortens it up but the dust cover can't be installed without it.

I bought it because I wanted a cdn made optic. Glass is Crystal clear, supposedly super robust, and easy to use. Not sure yet how the bdc will line up but I am looking forward to testing it out.

I think there are better ways to spend 2k
 
Short eye relief? That's good to know. I had mistakenly considered it 'not bad' (as in, better than the ACOG lineup, which is my likely other choice). I had thought the eye relief of the acogs were poor, the elcan better, and then you get into great eye relief with the Leupold/Vortex ect.


2k? If I could find one new for 2k, I would buy it right now, haha! No debate necessary. I had them pegged at being a fair bit higher than that.

Good post, thanks. I'm starting to get a better bead on what I need to know, and where I'm way off base, lol.
 
Look at the higher end 1-6x from Eotech and Trijicon. Not sure what the Eotech costs but you can get the Trijicons for under $2k.

I recently switched to a 1-4 Accupoint for TAC rifle and I really like it. The eye relief is fine for up close with both eyes open. The glass is fantastic and the optic is solid.
 
/\ Maybe that's the way to go instead. An extra $2000, buys a heck of alot of ammo and range time.

I've just been chasing a name here, looking for a simple fix. I've got homework to do. Thanks for that.
 
I think I got it for 2.2k back in the fall when they were on sale. I have both the trijicon 1*8 accupower and the Gen 2 razor 1*6. Razor is the best glass of the 2 and had long eye relief. Trijicon glass is just ok.

With the elcan I have to run the stock collapsed and the optic mounted as far back as possible on the receiver. Not trying to talk you out of it but might not be great for that fn.
 
I'm starting to see that I had overlooked Trijicon, as just being a few models of ACOGS. Wow, quite a bit more going on over there. Just comparing some accupoints now. Pretty amazing scopes, especially for the prices I'm seeing.
 
Junction said:
So the summary of what you're saying is that you would rather 3x Strike Eagles, instead of one Specter DR?

I do love the made in Canada thing, but honestly, 2k for a battle optic is much over my budget.....
Click to expand...

Not sure what a strike eagle is to be honest....

What I'm saying is I'd personally rather (and would recommend), spend the money on a good quality variable like a Nightforce, Trijicon, Leupold, Sightron or similar and mount than the Elcan.
At the very least look at one and play with it in depth and if you can, try it before you buy it.

The other thing to consider, as in the OPs case, the Elcan would likely sit a tad too high on the FNAR anyhow.
With a variable, the rings or mount could be lowered, keeping the optic closer to the bore axis.
 
Second that.

The only thing it got is good class
The 1.5x is terrible.
My suggestion is to see one in real life first, trust me, I thought exactly the same too before I saw one in real.





beltfed said:
Have you played with one - either at a gun store or shot with one?
The reason I ask is that while the idea behind the optic is a good one, it is poorly executed in my opinion.

Cons:
- too expensive overall for what it is,
- too big,
- too heavy,
- while the Elcan optics are great, the reticle is too small at 1.5 power and too large at 6 power.

when all is said and done, it doesn't do anything a good quality variable can't and none of what it can do, can be done better than a good quality variable with the exception of perhaps immediately switching from 1.5 to 6 power.
If you stick a quick view tail on the end of the variable though, that can be largely negated.

I had a hard-on for one and planned to purchase one for my LMT MWS to sort of go for the UK L129 look and then I actually used one at the range.
There are far better options out there and the majority of them are less money than this thing.
Click to expand...
 
I have one, for my Stag 10...currently have not used it yet but planning to shortly as I just got in 400 rounds of 7.62 :)

--

Glass is perfect, the adjustments are external, not internal...hence the durability. The throw lever is very fast, and I can throw it back and forth without removing my firing hand off the pistol grip (even off-hand), something that is much more awkward and "hard" on a normal scope, and may require a larger throw lever adding additional cost and bulk.

Most people use the lowest setting and the highest setting on LPVOs (low powered variable optics), nothing in between anyways.

I find the 1.5x setting just fine and still can use it with both eyes open and with the recticle illuminated (many, many settings...from night vision to full recticle illumination to a very sunny day, daytime bright) it is just as fast as any red dot IMO. Your field of view is also really, really nice (wide) on 6x. On 1.5x the center dot is 3.5MOA (a good, fast size IMO) and on 6x it is 1.5MOA...also good for more "precise" work. The recticle is also etched into the glass, so it works fine if the battery goes down.

It IS a bit bulky and heavy...but don't forget the mount is built in (also don't forget that having to buy one separate mount adds a decent cost and some weight to other optic options) but also...man up? (not saying YOU, OP, just in general)...you don't get a 7.62 semi auto battle rifle/DMR rifle with a RIFLE length barrel and then add an optic to then go on and cry about weight.

If you want super light weight then get a shorter barrel length 5.56 AR15 with a red dot and then practice shooting it rapidly at pistol distances and feel good about yourself!!!

Most people are terribly out of shape and do not remotely work out or have a decent BMI so I if your active and decently fit, I wouldn't stress the weight too much. (flame suit on!!!)

...men half our size fought wars for years with (subjectively) lesser rifles weighing more then most of our modern stuff...did they cry over a few ounces here and there? NO!!! Especially if it gave them what our guns can and do...but I bet they also didn't huff and puff walking a mere 100 yards to staple a target up and never go get it at the end because they've tired themselves out shooting off a bench...? Sorry, side rant...my 2 local gun clubs are just filled with great, athletic specimens of "men" LOL.

To add...

Some people dislike ARMS mounts, but I found most just parrot others talking points about worn out, early 2000s models and have no real first hand experience expect maybe (again worn out) models in their time in the reserves 15+ years ago lol (modern ones are 100% fine if your rails are in spec)...and really how often/why are you constantly taking the optic on/off?

---

The optic is also Canadian made, not Chinese (or Japanese for the "better" stuff) like 95% of optics...and just like Aimpoint optics made in Sweden, Canadians do not work for slave wages so they need to be paid properly as well, raising the units cost.

---

I will update this thread once I put some rounds down range, hopefully this weekend or next...excited to try out the ballistic recticle which is done up for a mix of 150/168gr ammo out of a 20" barrel and measured in METERS, along with giving you 17" wide (man sized) ranging markers from 300-1000 meters. My Stag 10 has just a (just under) 19" barrel and I have lots of M80 ball, should be a fun time. Remember this is a combat sight, not a bench rest precision one.
 
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I had a Specter DR 7.62 on my Stag 10, you know, before I sold it.


The price is steep.

I found myself never using the 1x since the deal I got came with a free Mini Reflex sight to mount on top.

The eye relief was hard to get used to, a little too short for .308 recoil.

The optic had to me mounted so far back on the rifle that it was tough to use the charging handle without an extended latch.

No ability to mount a BUIS, Specter sits too low and too far back.


I wanted to love the Specter DR, but in hindsight I should have gotten a 5.56 OS4X and put it on an AR15.
 
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