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FTP_Shooting_Sports

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    Alpha 3

    in Open Pistols

    Posted

    3 hours ago, xjwalt666 said:

    Did they change up the design? The one I had didn't require any tools to change the battery except a small screwdriver or knife to pop the tray open like the RTS2

     

    ETA: Just went and looked at pics of the new model. I think I had the V1 which had a normal battery tray, not requiring to remove screws. I agree with you on not wanting to have to replace the battery at a match with those tiny screws. 

     

    Yes the design has changed to harden the sights for slide ride applications. You should always change the batteries before your match which you can do at home :)  

    FTP Alpha 3 V3 Short Body (SB) - New!

    in Open Pistols

    Posted

    We are down to our last 18 x 8 MOA red dots. Thanks to everyone that has sent us the overwhelmingly great feedback. We will have more 6, 10 and 12 MOA dots at the end of June.


    We also are seeing a trend that people with astigmatism are finding our larger dot sizes which can be run at lower intensities to work great with their eye conditions. Smaller dots often need to be turned up to the point the dot flares which doesn't work well with astigmatism.

    Alpha 3

    in Open Pistols

    Posted · Edited by FTP_Shooting_Sports

    The battery tray uses the same 2032 battery and is side loading but you cannot use a Alpha 3 V3 battery tray in an RTS3. The tray has been upgraded to be more durable in the Alpha 3 for slide mounted applications.  It now uses screws as well similar to the Romeo 3 max.The Alpha 3 V3 SB uses the same mounting pattern and mount now.

    Alpha 3 Red Dot Sight Review Thread!

    in Gear & Accessories

    Posted

    Review for FTP Optics Alpha 3, V3 short body red dot in 10MOA

    TLDR: This thing is great, wonderful dot, great sized window and enjoyable for competition use.

    The “Long Story” … I’m a B classed USPSA shooter that has an astigmatism. I’ve been working my way through all the red dots so that I can find one that I really enjoy and works well for my eyes. I’ve tried SROs, RMRs, 507Comp, Romeos & even the Acro P2. All of them with the larger dot variation and all of them still starburst badly. I like many others have found that the larger dots on a lower brightness seem to work better. So, I was excited when I started researching FTP optics that they had more than the normal 5 or 6 MOA dot. I reached out to FTP and they were very quick to get back to me recommending that I try the 10 MOA so I could reduce the brightness and might reduce the star bursting. Their customer service was extremely helpful and quick on all of our interactions. In the end I ended up placing an order the end of March on a Sunday and I had one in hand Wednesday…. SADLY the optic plate I also ordered took longer to get in but finally received it and mounted it up.

    Upon first receiving my 10 MOA FTP Alpha 3v3 I compared it directly to my SRO currently mounted on my Limited Optics gun as well as the 507 Comp. The build quality between all three of these premium optics seemed very similar and I didn’t find the new FTP Alpha 3 lacking or lesser in any regards. Next up I popped in a battery and turned it on comparing it to my other optics. I fell immediately in love with the large 10 MOA dot and customer service was right reducing the brightness still allowed me to see the dot by also drastically reducing the star burst effect to almost nothing.

    Once I received my mounting plate I found that I really enjoyed the profile of the FTP Alpha 3 short body mounted on my 2011 over the SRO which always hung over the ejection port and got dirty with unburnt powder and I hoped that I wouldn’t have as much of an issue with the new Alpha 3 (I did end up having less build up). The other than that I noticed would be much easier would be battery changes… I HATE swapping the SRO batteries … its better than the RMR … BUT that’s not saying much. This has the little tray which is becoming much more industry standard and while swapping batteries isn’t something you do all the time it is nice for when its needed.
    Next up was testing. I didn’t have a match the weekend I received the Alpha 3 so that allowed me to go put in some range time getting to know the new guy in the safe. It was honestly refreshing it too a little time to get used to the larger dot but within a magazine or two I was adjusted and hooked. I brought my back up gun and did a few drills with both optics (SRO and Alpha 3) I found in all cases I both preferred and performed better with the Alpha 3. The larger dot allowed me to acquire targets just a hair faster as well as track the dot better for follow up shots and transitions. The housing itself allowed me to gather more information having slightly larger horizonal box, which I find useful for field of view. The housing is similar to the 507Comp in shape. I have tried to like the 507Comp a few times, but the dots just don’t work well for my eyes/brain. The MRS with its multiple dots cause me to lose focus and slow me down when trying to acquire the target and transition even after 500 rounds of forcing myself to use it I just couldn’t. This required me to do just the 8 MOA circle or the small tiny center dot … neither of which I really enjoyed.

    So fast forward to today almost exactly two months later. I’m still enjoying the Alpha 3 much more than my other optics and will likely be replacing the SRO on my backup gun in the future. I have shot 6 matches (including Area 1 Championship) since receiving the optic, I have likely close to 4000-5000 rounds through it and I haven’t had a single issue. The optic still preforming just as it did on that first day of training and I still love the dot and what it allows for me to do. I can’t tell you much about long term battery use as 2 months isn’t enough time but I’ve gotten into the practice of just turning the dot off after the match and turning it on when I gun up at the safe table and do my first practice draws before a match and I’m still on the first battery I put in.
    It’s nice to have something designed for competition shooters instead of something adapted over for competition shooters. I have an open gun in the works and it will for sure get an FTP Optic when it’s done. If you’re gun is for competition or a range toy I can whole heartedly say please don’t spend SRO money, saving yourself some coin for ammo and buy a BETTER and cheaper optic with the FTP Alpha 3.

    - Phillip Barlow

    Another FTP Alpha 3 Customer Review vs the competition!

    in FTP Shooting Sports

    Posted

    Review for FTP Optics Alpha 3, V3 short body red dot in 10MOA

    TLDR: This thing is great, wonderful dot, great sized window and enjoyable for competition use.

    The “Long Story” … I’m a B classed USPSA shooter that has an astigmatism. I’ve been working my way through all the red dots so that I can find one that I really enjoy and works well for my eyes. I’ve tried SROs, RMRs, 507Comp, Romeos & even the Acro P2. All of them with the larger dot variation and all of them still starburst badly. I like many others have found that the larger dots on a lower brightness seem to work better. So, I was excited when I started researching FTP optics that they had more than the normal 5 or 6 MOA dot. I reached out to FTP and they were very quick to get back to me recommending that I try the 10 MOA so I could reduce the brightness and might reduce the star bursting. Their customer service was extremely helpful and quick on all of our interactions. In the end I ended up placing an order the end of March on a Sunday and I had one in hand Wednesday…. SADLY the optic plate I also ordered took longer to get in but finally received it and mounted it up.

    Upon first receiving my 10 MOA FTP Alpha 3v3 I compared it directly to my SRO currently mounted on my Limited Optics gun as well as the 507 Comp. The build quality between all three of these premium optics seemed very similar and I didn’t find the new FTP Alpha 3 lacking or lesser in any regards. Next up I popped in a battery and turned it on comparing it to my other optics. I fell immediately in love with the large 10 MOA dot and customer service was right reducing the brightness still allowed me to see the dot by also drastically reducing the star burst effect to almost nothing.

    Once I received my mounting plate I found that I really enjoyed the profile of the FTP Alpha 3 short body mounted on my 2011 over the SRO which always hung over the ejection port and got dirty with unburnt powder and I hoped that I wouldn’t have as much of an issue with the new Alpha 3 (I did end up having less build up). The other than that I noticed would be much easier would be battery changes… I HATE swapping the SRO batteries … its better than the RMR … BUT that’s not saying much. This has the little tray which is becoming much more industry standard and while swapping batteries isn’t something you do all the time it is nice for when its needed.
    Next up was testing. I didn’t have a match the weekend I received the Alpha 3 so that allowed me to go put in some range time getting to know the new guy in the safe. It was honestly refreshing it too a little time to get used to the larger dot but within a magazine or two I was adjusted and hooked. I brought my back up gun and did a few drills with both optics (SRO and Alpha 3) I found in all cases I both preferred and performed better with the Alpha 3. The larger dot allowed me to acquire targets just a hair faster as well as track the dot better for follow up shots and transitions. The housing itself allowed me to gather more information having slightly larger horizonal box, which I find useful for field of view. The housing is similar to the 507Comp in shape. I have tried to like the 507Comp a few times, but the dots just don’t work well for my eyes/brain. The MRS with its multiple dots cause me to lose focus and slow me down when trying to acquire the target and transition even after 500 rounds of forcing myself to use it I just couldn’t. This required me to do just the 8 MOA circle or the small tiny center dot … neither of which I really enjoyed.

    So fast forward to today almost exactly two months later. I’m still enjoying the Alpha 3 much more than my other optics and will likely be replacing the SRO on my backup gun in the future. I have shot 6 matches (including Area 1 Championship) since receiving the optic, I have likely close to 4000-5000 rounds through it and I haven’t had a single issue. The optic still preforming just as it did on that first day of training and I still love the dot and what it allows for me to do. I can’t tell you much about long term battery use as 2 months isn’t enough time but I’ve gotten into the practice of just turning the dot off after the match and turning it on when I gun up at the safe table and do my first practice draws before a match and I’m still on the first battery I put in.
    It’s nice to have something designed for competition shooters instead of something adapted over for competition shooters. I have an open gun in the works and it will for sure get an FTP Optic when it’s done. If you’re gun is for competition or a range toy I can whole heartedly say please don’t spend SRO money, saving yourself some coin for ammo and buy a BETTER and cheaper optic with the FTP Alpha 3.

    - Phillip Barlow

    FTP Alpha 3 V3 Short Body (SB) - New!

    in Open Pistols

    Posted

    On 4/24/2024 at 12:04 PM, tt350z said:


    Are these shipping times still accurate? I placed my order April 15 for a 8MOA and the tracking number from April 18 still shows awaiting item. I’m only like 3 hrs from where the tracking origin.

     

    It appears that shipment was held up by the customs broker but you should have received it by now and we are hoping you are enjoying it!

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