The ELCAN SpecterDR 1x/4x combat optic is available in a few different variants, not just the Gen I and Gen II versions. I collected some pix of the ones I know about and thought I would post them as there might be some interest. The major change was the addition of the 1x/4x lever detent/lock, repositioning of the ARMS mount levers to the righthand side, and flattening of the battery cover that obscured the sight picture - generally referred to together as "Gen II". However, when viewed with perspective over time, there have been a number of other, more incremental changes and it's very likely there are even more than are pictured and described here. The SpecterDR has been around since about 2003, but the earliest model pictured here is from circa 2006-07. Seems like a textbook example of spiral development.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen I scope, ELCAN SpecterDR model DFOV14 (circa 2006)</span> Note the rectangular blister shapes on the sides near the front of the body in the area of the internal rotating lens, the protruding conical-shaped battery cover/knob, the sturdy rear BUIS at the very end of the body, the ARMS mount levers on the lefthand side, and no 1x/4x lever detent/lock (sorry, it's not shown in the photo). This scope is owned by a SH member.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Early Gen II, SOCOM SU-238A/PVS (circa 2007) </span>The body still has rectangular shaped blisters on the sides near the front, but the front and rear BUIS have been redesigned and moved. The ARMS mount has had the clamping levers moved to the righthand side, and there is a detent/lock added for the 1x/4x lever, which is now more accessible with the ARMS levers on the right. The battery cover/knob has been flattened so the open-eyed sight picture is less obscured for righthanded shooters. This scope was offered for sale on ARFCOM and has "7.62" written on the side. The owner claims that it has the 5.56mm M4/M249 reticle.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen II, later SOCOM variant (circa 2008). </span>The body blisters are more rounded and shaped more like the interior component contours, and they are in different places. Otherwise, the rest appears like the early Gen II variant. A few of these were recently sold on GunBroker.com.
<span style="font-weight: bold">3-6-2009 </span>I just received one of these scopes about an hour ago, my first SpecterDR. The serial number is #10-025XX, so the first two digits are NOT the year of manufacture, as I once presumed. Instead, they may indicate a particular production run. Also, I am surprised at the quality of the construction and finish of the scope I received, which came boxed and shrink wrapped with the accessories.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen II, civilian model DFOV14 (circa 2008-09). </span>This appears to be nearly identical to the Gen II SOCOM variant except for the color, black instead of FDE, and some changes in the blister shapes. This is the latest civilian version and is available through Mike at CSGunWorks. There are some differences with the SOCOM reticle, including the addition of range-finding brackets and the elimination of the 200m tic mark on the elevation axis.
Finally, here's a black Gen II SpecterDR DFOV14-C1 that is coming back from Iraq soon. The model number has "C1" at the end that designates the M4 carbine BDC reticle. I believe that "C2" would designate the 7.62NATO round BDC reticle. The serial number (ATI-07-...) suggests a 2007 production date, but I can't say for certain. It seems there were a few different body variations around this time (2007-2008). This scope looks very much like the current Gen II "civilian" model, except for the wear and tear. This scope is currently on GunBroker.com and is being sold by the owner who should be back in the US in the next few days. I'd love to own a former combat optic, but I can't justify it.
Here is how the owner described it on GunBroker, he addresses some known issues with the Gen I SpecterDRs: <span style="font-style: italic">"I have used this item the past 12 months in combat in Iraq. The Elcan SpecterDR (http://specterdr.elcan.com/) is built like a tank. I zeroed this site in March of 2008 and again in January of 2009, and the zero was still perfect and needed no adjusting. And this is after 11 months of abuse of combat and about 1200 rounds fired. As you can see the scope has all the wear of combat as well. The exterior is fairly scratched up, but the lenses are still crystal clear and all components still work flawlessly. The rear inclimate weather site also broke off (almost immediately), but can be replaced for a couple dollars."</span>
My thanks to crossgun for the nice images of his SpecterDR. The remaining images were borrowed from GunBroker.com and from AR15.com.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen I scope, ELCAN SpecterDR model DFOV14 (circa 2006)</span> Note the rectangular blister shapes on the sides near the front of the body in the area of the internal rotating lens, the protruding conical-shaped battery cover/knob, the sturdy rear BUIS at the very end of the body, the ARMS mount levers on the lefthand side, and no 1x/4x lever detent/lock (sorry, it's not shown in the photo). This scope is owned by a SH member.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Early Gen II, SOCOM SU-238A/PVS (circa 2007) </span>The body still has rectangular shaped blisters on the sides near the front, but the front and rear BUIS have been redesigned and moved. The ARMS mount has had the clamping levers moved to the righthand side, and there is a detent/lock added for the 1x/4x lever, which is now more accessible with the ARMS levers on the right. The battery cover/knob has been flattened so the open-eyed sight picture is less obscured for righthanded shooters. This scope was offered for sale on ARFCOM and has "7.62" written on the side. The owner claims that it has the 5.56mm M4/M249 reticle.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen II, later SOCOM variant (circa 2008). </span>The body blisters are more rounded and shaped more like the interior component contours, and they are in different places. Otherwise, the rest appears like the early Gen II variant. A few of these were recently sold on GunBroker.com.
<span style="font-weight: bold">3-6-2009 </span>I just received one of these scopes about an hour ago, my first SpecterDR. The serial number is #10-025XX, so the first two digits are NOT the year of manufacture, as I once presumed. Instead, they may indicate a particular production run. Also, I am surprised at the quality of the construction and finish of the scope I received, which came boxed and shrink wrapped with the accessories.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gen II, civilian model DFOV14 (circa 2008-09). </span>This appears to be nearly identical to the Gen II SOCOM variant except for the color, black instead of FDE, and some changes in the blister shapes. This is the latest civilian version and is available through Mike at CSGunWorks. There are some differences with the SOCOM reticle, including the addition of range-finding brackets and the elimination of the 200m tic mark on the elevation axis.
Finally, here's a black Gen II SpecterDR DFOV14-C1 that is coming back from Iraq soon. The model number has "C1" at the end that designates the M4 carbine BDC reticle. I believe that "C2" would designate the 7.62NATO round BDC reticle. The serial number (ATI-07-...) suggests a 2007 production date, but I can't say for certain. It seems there were a few different body variations around this time (2007-2008). This scope looks very much like the current Gen II "civilian" model, except for the wear and tear. This scope is currently on GunBroker.com and is being sold by the owner who should be back in the US in the next few days. I'd love to own a former combat optic, but I can't justify it.
Here is how the owner described it on GunBroker, he addresses some known issues with the Gen I SpecterDRs: <span style="font-style: italic">"I have used this item the past 12 months in combat in Iraq. The Elcan SpecterDR (http://specterdr.elcan.com/) is built like a tank. I zeroed this site in March of 2008 and again in January of 2009, and the zero was still perfect and needed no adjusting. And this is after 11 months of abuse of combat and about 1200 rounds fired. As you can see the scope has all the wear of combat as well. The exterior is fairly scratched up, but the lenses are still crystal clear and all components still work flawlessly. The rear inclimate weather site also broke off (almost immediately), but can be replaced for a couple dollars."</span>
My thanks to crossgun for the nice images of his SpecterDR. The remaining images were borrowed from GunBroker.com and from AR15.com.
