Elcan Specter Review
Complete in-depth Elcan Specter Review that will cover everything on this optic.
This post will specifically review the Elcan Specter DR 1x to 4x version. The DR stands for dual role and there are also a few other variations of this optic that are available.
It is a bit on the expensive side for a battle optic and is also heavy but this article should help you decide whether this is the right optic for you.
The short quick answer is that the Elcan Specter is an excellent optic and definitely worth it. The Elcan Specter is one of the best optics money can buy.
What is the Elcan specter?
The Elcan Specter is a military designed combat optic made by Raytheon Technologies.
Selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command for elite SpecOps missions, the Elcan Specter DR 1-4x dual role weapon sight is reliable, amazingly bright, and very accurate.
Whether the mission calls for clearing a building or open-terrain patrol, the optic provides both fast acquisition and long-range target identification.
It is the only combat sight that switches between close combat battle mode and precision ranged fire mode.
A nice thing about this optic is that it combines the features of both a red dot and a scope into one single unit. It will take up less rail space than a red dot or holographic sight with a magnifier and also a scope.
The Specter 4x/1x Dual Role Optical Sight represents a revolution in optical sight design. The world’s first truly dual field of view combat optical sight, the Specter switches instantly from a 4x magnified sight to a 1x CQB sight with the throw of a lever.
Unlike zoom sights, the Elcan Specter offers an optimized optical path and identical eye relief in both 4x and 1x settings.
Depending upon the situation, the user may adjust the sight to illuminate the crosshair or just a brilliant red dot in the center.
In 1x mode, the Specter has by far the largest field of view compared to similar optics. In 4x mode, the Elcan Specter offers a generous field of view, long eye relief, and a crystal clear image.
The Specter 4x/1x offers the best single solution for both mid-range and CQB engagements and is designed to withstand the rigors of modern professional use.
Overall Design
The first thing to mention in the Elcan Specter review is the overall design of the scope.
The Elcan Specter is smaller and more compact compared to a low powered variable optic (LPVO) and does a lot of the same functions as an LPVO. It comes with a mount integrated.
This is a prism style scope and it is very rugged and durable.
It has a quick throw lever to change from no magnification to 4x magnification. There are no settings in between, it’s either set on 1x or 4x.
The lever must be pushed down and over to change between magnifications. This is to prevent from hitting the lever unintentionally.
The front of the scope does have threads that will accept a kill flash if you want to use one. It does come with one already with it and you will not have to purchase one separately. The kill flash will help eliminate any glare coming off of the front of the optic.
The Elcan Specter now comes in the standard black color and also a flat dark earth color.
Click here to check the current prices of the Elcan Specter
Mounting the Optic
The Elcan Specter comes with a very solid mount with the optic and it cannot be removed. It will mount to any 1913 Picatinny style rail and can even be quickly attached and removed while still maintaining its zero.
There are two levers on the side of the mount that clamp onto the rail and also a center tab under the mount that locks into the rail.
The mount has two additional slots behind the levers that can be used as reference points or can be used to attach zip ties or lock wire to prevent the levers from being opened unintentionally.
Zeroing the Elcan Specter
The windage and elevation adjustments are set to half MOA and can be adjusted in those increments. The Elcan Specter is designed to be zeroed at 100 meters to use with the ballistic reticle that is on this optic.
One thing that is very different about this optic, is when you are zeroing it the windage and elevation adjustments don’t actually change anything inside the scope. Instead, you are moving the entire scope in relation to the mount. That is how you zero the optic.
Also, the fixed iron sights that are on top of the optic are always lined up in relation to the reticle so once you zero in the optic, your iron sights are zeroed as well. This is a very clever way of sighting an optic in and also eliminates additional steps to co-witness your iron sights.
The rear sight is a peephole sight and the front sight is a blade. The rear sight can also be removed and there are mounting holes to add a red dot sight.
Click here to check the current prices of the Elcan Specter
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Reticle and Illumination
When doing the Elcan Specter review the reticle is a highlight on this optic.
The Elcan Specter has a dual-thickness ballistic crosshair reticle with a user-selectable red dot, VSOR rangefinder, and area fire circles. The reticle is very advanced and is calibrated for the 5.56 round. (They also make a 7.62 version)
There are 5 brightness settings and it is compatible with night vision as well. There are different brightness settings just for the dot and also separate brightness settings for the entire reticle itself. So lots of different options for the user to choose from depending on the environmental conditions.
At the 1x magnification setting the red dot will be a 6 MOA size dot and at the 4x magnification setting it will be a 1.5 MOA size dot.
The reticle isn’t too busy and has just the correct amount of information on it. The bullet drop compensator (BDC) shows increments from 300 meters all the way to 1000 meters.
This is calibrated and designed for an M4 rifle shooting the M855 ammunition. The BDC will change slightly depending on some variables including barrel length, but for most shooters, it will be very close and get the job done.
The horizontal hash marks going down the reticle with the different ranges are calibrated to show 19 inches across at that range. 19 inches is considered to be the width of a standard size human silhouette.
This allows you to makes ranging targets at different distances very fast and easy.
Eye relief on the Elcan Specter is very generous. It ranges from a 2.75 to 3-inch eye relief and this will provide you with some more flexibility when shooting while using this optic.
Lastly, glass clarity is absolutely insane. When looking through this scope you will appreciate just how clear and bright the reticle is and anything you are targeting.
The biggest downside of the optic
As with everything when it comes to firearms and optics, there is always a trade-off.
The biggest downside I discovered when doing the Elcan Specter Review is the weight and price.
The Elcan Specter is heavy and some people might not like the weight of it. This optic weighs around 22 ounces with the mount on it but you must keep in mind, it’s like have the best of both worlds for a sight. An LPVO and a red dot.
Depending on your own personal rifle setup and what you have in mind for this optic, it will work great for some people and not so much for others.
Final Considerations
The Elcan Specter is a premium optic and you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to rifle optics and scopes.
It is extremely rugged, durable, and versatile. But it is also expensive and heavy. If you can afford it you won’t regret purchasing one.
Switching from 1x to 4x quickly and being able to engage targets at different distances quickly is what this optic does exceptionally well and no wonder it is used by different military units.
Click here to check the current prices of the Elcan Specter
Specifications for Elcan Specter:
| Objective Lens Diameter: | 32 mm |
| Magnification: | 1 – 4 x |
| Exit Pupil: | 8 mm |
| Battery Type: | DL1/3N |
| Battery Quantity: | 1 |
| Field of View, Angle: | 6.5 – 26 degrees |
| Eye Relief: | 70 mm |
| Weight: | 660 g |
| Fabric/Material: | Aluminum |
| Length: | 153 mm |
| Width: | 74 mm |
| Height: | 78 mm |
| Illumination Type: | LED |
| Illumination Color: | Red |
| Brightness Settings: | 5 |
| Adjustment Type: | MOA |
| Adjustment Click Value: | 0.5 MOA |
| Adjustment Range: | 120 MOA |
| Parallax: | Fixed |
| Focus Range: | 20 m to Infinity |
| Attachment/Mount Type: | Picatinny |
| Battery Life: | 600 – 3000 hours |
| Weather Resistance: | Shock Resistant |
| Water Resistance Level: | Waterproof for 2 hours |
| Water Resistant Mark: | 66 ft |
| Shockproof: | Yes |
| Finish: | Hard-Anodized |
| Included Accessories: | Integral A.R.M.S. Picatinny Mount, Anti-Reflection Device |
| Magnification Type: | Variable |
| Additional Features: | VSOR rangefinder, User-selectable red dot, AN/PVS-22 night vision compatible |
Features of Elcan SpecterDR Dual Role 1-4x Optical Sight w/Integral A.R.M.S. Picatinny Mount:
- Switches instantly from a 4x magnified sight to a 1x CQB sight with the throw of a lever
- Identical eye relief in each sight
- Reticle: Dual-thickness ballistic crosshair with user-selectable red dot, VSOR rangefinder, and area fire circles
- Red dot/crosshair illumination:5 settings, AN/PVS-22 compatible
Package Contents:
- Elcan SpecterDR Dual Role 1-4x Optical Sight w/Integral A.R.M.S. Picatinny Mount, Anti-Reflection Device
Click here to check the current prices of the Elcan Specter
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