Elcan scope question

[Douglas S Graham]

I saw one of these recently, can't buy one now, as I'm waiting to hear about doctor bill deductibles. Anybody have one of these on their FAL, and do you like it. BTW, the guy said the tritium is good for "about" 7 more years. Then what?? It looked cool, seemed heavy. Just looking out for down the road, will need a scope someday. Thanks guys.

[rjroberts]

One used to be able to send the ELCANs back to the factory for tritium replacement. Some have said they don't do that any more: I'd check with ELCAN before I got into it.

ELCAN does not have an effective rangefinder other than certain of the new generations.

ELCANs are heavy and clumsy.

The glass is good and I like the overall view through it.

I had one, sold it and got an ACOG (this was when I had an AR10) and never was sorry. Consider the use.

On my FAL, I use an EOTech or a "regular" 6x fixed power mildot scope.

[Douglas S Graham]

Finally!! Thanks for the response!!!!!! It is big. Looks cool through the glass. but based on your answer, I'll consider other options. I can save for an ACOG if that's the cat's meow. BUT, seems like the Eotech might be the cheaper alternative. Thanks again for the enlightenment. DSG.

[GySgt D]

I have one on my STG-58 kit gun. Purchased new in 2001, IIRC.

The reticle was quite dim when new, and it sure hasn't improved any. It's jus bright enough to be seen nowadays.

I doubt that I will be able to get the tritium replaced, so I'm kinda bummed out about buying the thing. I swear, I haven't shot that rifle but maybe ten times in the past six years. Hardly going to get my money's worth on the ELCAN.

Here it is:

[xcpd69]

The problem with dead tritium in the ELCAN scopes is due to a law passed in Canada a few years back forbidding the export of tritium.

Since ELCAN is "Ernst Leitz of CANada," and based out of Canada, this precludes anyone in the US from getting their tritium replaced by ELCAN.

The place I worked at had one with dead tritium they acquired before I was there to warn them. It laid around for several years unsold, before it was finally gotten rid of.

The scope itself was of EXCELLENT clarity and still completely useful in daytime. I actually considered purchasing it myself for one of my ARs, but never did.

[GySgt D]

I wrote Raytheon (apparently they are the parent company of the manufacturer, or something like that), and they told me basically that getting the tritium replaced would be no problem.

....The big problem is trying to get your scope back! Even Raytheon couldn't get it back from Canada!


I posted the full text of the email on arfcom a couple weeks ago:

Good day GySgt D,

I apologize for our late response, however we do have an issue replacing the tritium source as our facility is in Canada. There would be no problem for you to send it to us, or even for us to repair it. The problem is that ELCAN does not have a US tritium import license, meaning we could not ship it back to you. As it is, all of our sights we export directly to the US have non-tritium illumination.

If you have purchased this sight from a distributor, I would direct you back to them as they may have a license or have used a wholesaler with a license to import into the US.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Regards,

xxxx


Having the house to myself this weekend, I've had the opportunity to check out the low-light features of the scope. The reticle wasn't as badly depleted as I had originally stated. Usually when I take the thing out of the safe, I don't give my eyes enough time to adjust when I turn the lights off.

All in all, I would have rather have purchased an ACOG, but DSA was sold out at the time I had the funds. Got the Elcan instead... Considering the rather steep price increase of it from several years ago, I don't feel too bad about the purchase.