Pros + Cons: Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x

Pros + Cons: The Elcan Specter DR1-4x Chapters: 0:00 The Elcan SpecterDR: Why This Optic Is So Controversial 0:27 What the SpecterDR 1‑4x Actually Is 1:10 The Unique Switchable Magnification System 2:05 Pros: Extreme Durability & Military Track Record 3:00 Pros: Glass Quality & Field of View 3:52 Pros: Fast 1x Performance 4:45 Cons: Weight and Size 5:30 Cons: Mounting & Ergonomics 6:20 Cons: The Biggest Problem With the SpecterDR 7:10 SpecterDR vs LPVOs 8:05 Who This Optic Is Actually For 9:00 Final Verdict: Is the Elcan Worth It? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model featured: FDE, 5.56 reticle, updated generation with 2032 batteries ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The excerpt below is from Frank Woods and Breech Bang Clear. For more info, check out this killer article om their site: breachbangclear.com/elcan-specterdr-analysis/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Chin Up: Elcan SpectreDR" A friend of mine said, “Elcan weapon sights, be it the M145 or Elcan SpecterDR, are garbage fires. You cannot change my mind." Challenge accepted. Well, I might not change his mind, but I can better inform yours when that’s the most some would say without substantiating that opinion any further.Knowing that over the years the Elcan SpecterDR has been a victim of criticizing hearsay, I sought feedback from those who actually used them in the most adverse conditions overseas, to supplement my own findings.First, the Elcan itself, and the focus of this piece. As I said previously, the problem I was looking to solve for my rifle was PID capability, and the ability to more precisely take shots at range, without being too heavy or taking up a lot of space on the upper receiver’s top rail.Given its form factor, I view and describe the Elcan in the same category of optics as the Trijicon 4×32 ACOG that came before it: a combat optic. In short, it’s a magnified optic that has a self-contained mounting system. In terms of size/footprint, it sits squarely on the upper receiver or within the confines of its top rail, without the need for a cantilevered mount that pushes the optic past the forward limit of the upper receiver in order to obtain proper eye relief in relation to the rear objective.This keeps the weapon balanced, with the weight squarely concentrated in its center, which acts toward keeping the rifle from getting front heavy. This is helpful with any AR-15, but especially so with the HK416 upper, which is already more front-heavy than a typical AR between its barrel profile and the gas piston assembly riding on top of it.Being all one piece and therefore not needing to level the optic in a separate mount is convenient, and lends itself further to the optic’s resilience; the Elcan is a stout optic. Commonly described as having been “built like a tank,” the optic could definitely be used as a blunt force instrument between its construction and its weight, which is considerable, but not as bad as it’s made out to be. More on that later. With this, I end up with an optic that balances my rifle, doesn’t take up too much space, provides enough magnification at 4x to appreciably obtain PID and a clear sight picture from close quarters distance out to at least 500m, provides an illuminated BDC reticle that’s NV compatible, and is extremely durable and robust. Given the fact that it’s sitting on a 10.4″ barreled rifle that’s configured for CQB to medium range engagements day or night, and be used with night vision as well, it does what I need it to do for the weapon I put it on.The glass is some of the highest quality there is to be had in the industry, extremely clear, and the BDC reticle is etched into that glass. This means it will always be there even if there are no batteries in the optic, and the reticle can never be damaged and knocked loose inside the optic like some wire reticle optics have been known for. It is the third Elcan SpectreDR I’ve owned, so it’s not new or unfamiliar to me. The first two were also the 1-4x variety, the first was black and calibrated for 7.62, the second was FDE and calibrated for 5.56, and they were both earlier/older Gen 3 models, having been purchased in 2012 & 2014 respectively.Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x by generationThis one is a newer Gen 3 model (Gen 3.1 perhaps? 3b maybe?) that has a new battery cap that’s flat and has a flathead screwdriver-like slot, a change from the older raised and textured battery cap. Previously it was retained with a piece of string lanyard and required you to hold the illumination dial in place while you removed and fastened the battery cap to avoid spinning the illumination dial along with it. I asked a friend to call a contact of his over at Raytheon and he reported back that this was done to streamline manufacturing....