Introduction of GPO
Not long ago, when GPO (German Precision Optics) made a debut, we were all excited to check out their products. When I tested GPO optics at Shot Show last year, I was surprised – firstly, the products were nicely designed; secondly, the optical performance exceeded my expectations, especially when I learned about the prices. It is no secret that GPO is run by professionals who previously worked at other renowned optics manufacturing companies, so it is obvious that they know what they are doing. They clearly found a way to stick out of the crowd. Another thing that separates GPOfrom others is their generous accessory pack provided with each purchased GPO device.
GPO Spectra Red Dot
With binoculars, riflescopes and rangefinders already presented, we expected GPO to go for a red dot sight next. Spectra is a dot of the small tube type, featuring a form factor similar to the famous Aimpoint Micro. The competition in this field is harsh, with many manufacturers offering their own versions.
Is Spectra a worthy competitor?
Physical Properties
In size, GPO Spectra is similar to other small tube sights on the market. Spectra is made of aluminium. There are 11 illumination intensity settings – the lowest 5 are NVD compatible, whereas the highest setting is suitable for strong daytime brightness. The knob on Spectra dot is solid and robust, producing tactile clicks upon turning.
What we like is that the night vision compatible levels are marked with ‘N’ and the daytime-compatible levels with ‘D’, making it easier for the user to promptly choose the correct level.
The front lens of Spectra dot measures 20 mm in diameter, but the view is somewhat obstructed at the bottom where the LED-diode is positioned. The housing around the optical tube is quite thick, obstructing some of the field of view during use.
Spectra Battery
The battery compartment is on the right side of the Spectra dot. To install the CR2032 battery, one must remove the round-shaped cover. GPO promises up to 50.000 hours of battery life on Spectra product.
Windage and Elevation
The windage and elevation knobs are capped but not shrouded. The rotations can be made with the caps themselves because of the protruding line on the top of each cap. Each click equals 0.5 MOA, which means that it moves the POI for approx. 0.7 cm at 50 m. The Spectra device is waterproof and shockproof to all the calibers.
Mounting and footprint on Spectra Dot
A fixed, low Picatinny mount is supplied with Spectra. The high mount is not included, meaning that GPO didn’t plan for these to be used on an AR platform.
If you unscrew the four M3x5 screws and remove the mount, a footprint reminiscent of the one found on Aimpoint Micro devices is found underneath.
Even though it looks similar, it is not the same! The footprint on GPO – Spectra dot is unique – adapters suitable for the Aimpoint Micro mounting platform will not fit GPO Spectra.
Interested in footprints on red dots?
Optical properties of Spectra Dot
The image on Spectra red dot is without tint, and the objects seen through are of their natural colour. Both the objective lens and the glass at the back of the device are quite exposed.
The magnification, though, is a true 1x – you can comfortably look through with both eyes open.
Spectra Accessories
Spectra comes in a nice-looking box. Inside it, the dot and all the corresponding red dot accessories are well-protected with foam. The small tube dot sight comes with a rubber bikini cover for the protection of lenses, a Torx key, a lens cloth, a battery, and an instruction manual.
Final thoughts and Price
GPO has entered the red dot sight market with an interesting small tube sight, which is expected to compete against other similar sights at the 300-€ price point where the competition is quite harsh. Spectra dot strong points are clear optics and 5 NVD-compatible illumination intensity levels. Spectra is already available, it hit the optical market in January 2020.
Picture gallery
On the pics seems to be some non-matching mount (maybe for Aimpoint but without further explanation below the problematic pictures). Please remove those and the proper ones of the included mount or provide some additional info but this really stopped me from thinking of this mount for my revolver.
Apologies, there are two pictures of GPO Spectra with an EAW adapter for the Aimpoint Micro footprint but one lacked the description below which I now added. In all the other pictures, GPO Spectra is shown with the original, supplied mount.