So... Since my eyesight is not improving, I have decided to try out the optic sighting trend. After some research (Glock MOS, Sig Romeo, etc, etc) I went with the Springfield Echelon, mainly to take advantage of its ability to quickly mount any popular dot sight out there now. For the optic, I went with the Holosun 407 as I felt its solar power option was worthwhile. I just came off the range with the gun and optic and now have 500+ rounds through the gun.
Experience thus far:
The Echelon has performed without flaw. Its supplied 21 round mag was in fact assembled incorrectly from the factory. Once I corrected that, it runs fine. Springfields claim that the Echelons trigger is better than other strikers is just hype. There has been yakking about the Echelon being modular like a P320 and I would like a compact version but if one is out there, I have not seen it. The OEM irons are fine and accuracy is very good with them. Mine are conventional 3 dot tritium but there is a U-notch version, too. The optic mount has been absolutely rock solid. As far as the optic goes, it too has been flawless.
Heres the rub:
As an old dog iron sight user, adapting to the dot has been an uphill battle. But I am coming along. I set up the dot to sit just above the front sight, which is visible through the optic window. I just bring up the front sight as with a normal iron sight presentation and the dot is right there. I was a little put off at first by the "wiggling" of the dot on the target as I was pulling the trigger but I have been working to steady my grip so this problem is diminishing. The main advantage of the dot sight is without question, amazing (for me, anyway) distance accuracy. I can hit a 10 inch target at 100 yards now with regularity. Slowly but surely, my presentation speed is increasing but is nowhere quick enough for this set up to be a viable self defense gun. Not yet, anyway. And here is what I want: An optic sight with a variable dot size! A very large dot for quick self defense and a smaller dot for accuracy work. I may try out other reticles to see if they may address my desire for a big, quick to pick up self defense aiming aid.
If you have been looking at the Echelon, I think its a great optic sight platform and worth a try. Holster makers are beginning to catch up to it now, too.

Thanks for the writeup. Glad to hear that the optics mounting solution actually works, as that was a big part of the selling point for this gun. I'm not surprising that grip modules and such aren't readily available yet...it was tough to get them at first for the P320, too, but eventually the factory caught up and the aftermarket exploded... hopefully the same happens for the Echelon within a few years.

As to your red dot...take a look at the Holosun 507c. It's basically the fancy version of your 407c (exact same footprint) with user-selectable reticle options, one of which is a circle-dot type thing that may be what you're looking for.

I had an Echelon for a while. The ergonomics were good, and I liked the grip and cocking serrations. The optics mounting system worked well. Unfortunately the trigger was not very good and the pistol was not accurate with a variety of ammo. I traded it off for a G19 gen 5, which I like.

Thanks for the write up! I currently carry Glocks, but have been wanting to try something similar but different! I had been on the lookout for a used Springfield like yours, but found a used Shadow Systems MR920 first. I’m glad that you like it, and I’ll probably still pick up a Springfield if I run across one!