Having decided to do something different this time around, as opposed to ACOGs or aimpoints, I find myself drawn to the variable scopes. However, I have to wonder if the Elcan SpectreDr might make sense again.
I looked at it a few years ago and dismissed it as being too heavy and far too expensive.
But when I consider the other options, aimpoints with magnifier or 1-4 scope the Elcan starts looking good again.
Weight? It appears that the other options with mounts are approaching the weight of the Elcan.
Price? The Elcan is friggin expensive, but the other options seem to be approaching that too.
My aimpoints have been incredibly tough, and I understand the Elcans are as well. I don’t know how tough the 1-4 scopes are.
Am I missing something?
Is the formerly too expensive and too heavy Elcan an option again?
The thing that gives me pause is the use of ARMS mounts to secure the sight to your rifle.
Hmmmmm.
I am a little embarassed to say I forgot about the mount.
I sort of assumed they would have gone to something different.
Wonder if you can dummy up something else instead?
With the numerous solid 1-4/6/8/10 options coming out from various manufacturers, the Elcan is no longer a viable or competitive option IMO, especially at its price point.
I’ve used issued Elcan 1-4’s and 1.5-6’s pretty extensively, tried to like them really hard, but always ended up swapping for a personal optic. Really not a fan to be honest.
But, as always, optics preferences are highly subjective and your mileage may vary. I’d just recommend looking elsewhere.
With the price of used S&B Short Dots already on LT/ADM/Bobro mounts coming into the same price range, I view that as no contest. The one chance I got to look at them side by side, the usability at 1x was night and day in favor of the S&B, and the FOV at 4x wasn’t super impressive with either.
I for one like the Elcan. Either 1x or 4x. No in between (seldom if ever used on low power 1-4 or 1-6 variable scopes). No heavier than a scope plus a mount. The only issue is price and perhaps the ARMS mount (although current generation Elcans are available with newer style ARMS mounts).
The IOR Pitbull was potentially a winner but the 1st generation had poor daylight visible illumination. The current generation has great daylight visible illumination but IOR put a BDC reticle in it similar to the higher power scopes and the entire reticle is illuminated instead of just the dot.
I would like to see someone come out with a 1x/4x (no in between)optic with a simple dot or circle dot reticle (no BDC) WITH daylight visible illumination at a price range similar to the IOR Pitbull.
Of course I could live with a Nightforce 1-4x with FC2 if it had daytime visible illumination.
I use the in between powers quite a bit on my 1-6 Swarovski. It depends on the targets I am shooting at and the width of the array for field of view. My roommate has an ELcan and its a workable optic but I don’t like the fact its only 1 or 4. Otherwise its a good scope. Don’t care for the ARMS mounts however.
Pat
Different preferences for different operators. 
Thanks for the replies.*
My only real concern for 1-4x scopes is durability. They just don’t appear to be as rugged as an Elcan or ACOG.*
I have never owned one, but I do have a varied of other rifle scopes that I use on my bolt guns. I can’t say that even the best of them is really that tough.*
Sent from my iPhone
I have the same feeling on my 1-4. It just does not seem as solid as an acog, but I do love the versatility.
Check out the Nightforce 1-4x. Very good reputation for rugged reliability. Zero issues with mine despite pretty heavy 3-gun use.
As TelLlamma recommended, I would take a look at the S&B Short Dot. It is a well made and durable optic. It has also been proven in combat as well.
Before I purchased one, I considered an Elcan but I couldn’t get past the ARMS mounts either. Finally, the intermediate powers on an optic can be useful. I leave my SD on 2X with the dot off. It provides a fast acquisition and I can still fire out to a couple hundred yards if necessary.
A typical manufactured scope will not be as durable as a Schmidt and Bender produced optic.
Good info guys.
That pitbull 1x4x looks interesting.
I wonder if anyone is working on something similar?
I agree with some others, I really dont see the need for the inbetween levels of mag.
The latest generation of the Pitbull seems to have fixed previous issues. The illumination is now daytime bright. It is heavy (1oz more than an Elcan without a mount).
IOR optics typically are heavy due to the Schott lenses.
Here’s the new reticle (poor camera picture):
Thanks for the pic SingleStack.
Is the Horseshoe illuminated at x1?
No. The illumination is as shown.
The new versions of the Short Dot are just about $1k over an Elcan w/o the mount. Their prices went up a few hundred dollars.
I had one and I wasn’t overly impressed with it. Which may or may not be related to havng to send it in for service. It was heavy for what it was and supremely expensive. The exit pupil / eye box was also a bit less than my TR24. IIRC, the 1x exit pupil of the TR24 is like 17.7mm, the Short Dot 14mm.
The Short dot is about 6-8oz heavier than the TR24.
I also wish the Short Dot had more adjustments for the dot brightness. At one step it went from too dim right to too bright.
The model I had was the Short Dot LE with a P3 reticle. It was one of the newer shorter versions. FWIW, all of the specs I see on retail websites are dated for S&B stuff. Look at their German site if you want current stuff.
For the cost and weight involved, I would really like to see more magnification on the Short Dot. The S&B 1-8x is vaporware at this point, but a 1-6x would be worth a glance.
Switching optics, be it an Elcan or a vari scope will never be as fast as a dual optic solution.
They sure are nice…but very expensive.