FTP Optics Alpha 3 vs SRO

Fast Toys

Fast Toys

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I have a few people ask how the Alpha 3 compares to the SRO. Here is a quick summary:

SRO

Window is round/egg shaped and measures 0.98 x 0.89 inches

SRO weighs 1.6 ounces

SRO features 8 brightness levels with 3-8 for daylight use and 1-2 for night vision gear

Battery = CR2032 with top loading battery

Dot Sizes = 1, 2.5 or 5 MOA dot

Motion sensor = not available

Footprint for mount = Same as RMR

Warranty = 5 years from date of manufacture

Retail Price = $ 988.00 with street price of 850-860 CAD


FTP Optics Alpha 3

Window is tombstone shaped with window measuring 1.02 x .85 inches

FTP Alpha 3 weighs 1.46 ounces

FTP Alpha 3 features ten illumination levels optimized for daylight use

Battery = CR2032 with side loading battery tray

Dot Sizes = 6 or 8 MOA dot

Motion sensor = Yes. Dot will turn off after period of inactivity and then turn back on at same illumination level when motion it detected

Footprint for mount = Same as RTS-2 and Sig Max (please note RTS-2 mounts with blast shield will need to be clearanced)

Warranty = 30 months from date of purchase

Retail Price = $ 499.99


While the SRO is a good sight, it is not optimized for competition use. The dot sizes are much smaller and not ideal for pistol shooting in bright sunlight. Illumination levels are wasted to accommodate operators with night vision settings. The FTP dot is brighter at peak illumination levels and offers more illumination levels. The bezel of the lens on the SRO is thick and will add more protection if dropped but obscures the target more as a compromise. The glass is egg/round shaped while the FTP version is optimized to track the dot under recoil in the upper portion of the lens. The dot sizes on the SRO are not optimal for pistol competition shooting. The SRO is heavier and the price point is much higher. The FTP Optic has a motion sensor to extend battery and diode life while the SRO does not.


I hope that helps!
 
Good info thank you.

Could you also please compare the FTP OA3 to the Viper/Venom/Razor red dot lines that come with Lifetime Warranty?
 
Shinku said:
Good info thank you.

Could you also please compare the FTP OA3 to the Viper/Venom/Razor red dot lines that come with Lifetime Warranty?
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To be honest, I don't know of any high level competition shooters that use any of those red dots. The windows are smaller and the Venom is a 3 MOA and the Viper is a 6 MOA. The dot on them doesn't look that great IMHO. The main advantage would be price point and the warranty. The running joke with the Vortex red dots is you need to buy two so you have one to use while you send the other one back for warranty. If you are not doing competitions, I am sure they are just fine for target shooting.
 
Fast Toys said:
I have a few people ask how the Alpha 3 compares to the SRO. Here is a quick summary:

SRO

Window is round/egg shaped and measures 0.98 x 0.89 inches

SRO weighs 1.6 ounces

SRO features 8 brightness levels with 3-8 for daylight use and 1-2 for night vision gear

Battery = CR2032 with top loading battery

Dot Sizes = 1, 2.5 or 5 MOA dot

Motion sensor = not available

Footprint for mount = Same as RMR

Warranty = 5 years from date of manufacture

Retail Price = $ 988.00 with street price of 850-860 CAD


FTP Optics Alpha 3

Window is tombstone shaped with window measuring 1.02 x .85 inches

FTP Alpha 3 weighs 1.46 ounces

FTP Alpha 3 features ten illumination levels optimized for daylight use

Battery = CR2032 with side loading battery tray

Dot Sizes = 6 or 8 MOA dot

Motion sensor = Yes. Dot will turn off after period of inactivity and then turn back on at same illumination level when motion it detected

Footprint for mount = Same as RTS-2 and Sig Max (please note RTS-2 mounts with blast shield will need to be clearanced)

Warranty = 30 months from date of purchase

Retail Price = $ 499.99


While the SRO is a good sight, it is not optimized for competition use. The dot sizes are much smaller and not ideal for pistol shooting in bright sunlight. Illumination levels are wasted to accommodate operators with night vision settings. The FTP dot is brighter at peak illumination levels and offers more illumination levels. The bezel of the lens on the SRO is thick and will add more protection if dropped but obscures the target more as a compromise. The glass is egg/round shaped while the FTP version is optimized to track the dot under recoil in the upper portion of the lens. The dot sizes on the SRO are not optimal for pistol competition shooting. The SRO is heavier and the price point is much higher. The FTP Optic has a motion sensor to extend battery and diode life while the SRO does not.


I hope that helps!
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Going to point out that the Walther guy won optics division at the nationals with the SRO

gadget
 
A great shooter could win with Chinese knock off optic from Ebay. That doesn't mean it is the best optic for the job. Compromises are made to in the red dot industry to appeal to the widest range of audiences and sales from competition shooters are VERY small compared to LEO's, military, operators and target shooters. We took the opposite approach and specifically made our optic to suit competition shooters without the compromises. But hey, what do I know?
 
serbinator said:
any drop test videos? the SRO seems to be too fragile.


@11min mark it breaks during a drop test.
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We did not armor our optic or have any interest in doing so. Any armoring would make the frame significantly thicker which is detrimental to target acquisition speed for a competition pistol. As we said previously, this optic is designed for competition, not for LEO's, operators or the battle field.
 
good point, ( most competitive shooters dont drop their guns during a match anyway). regarding the dot size what is a recommended size? is Open division different then production optics? i have seen elsewhere that smaller dots around 3 moa seem to be used for IPSC/USPSA.

what would be the advantage/disadvantage for using 6 or 8?
 
Most IPSC/USPSA competitors use a 6 or 8 MOA. We sell about 60 % 8 MOA to 40 % 6 MOA. Personally, I prefer the 8 MOA as I feel the larger dot is brighter for shooting in the desert sun in Arizona etc. Some people feel they can be slightly more accurate with a 6 but I can hit the A zone at 50 yards with an 8 so it doesn't affect me. You would not go wrong with either and it's somewhat of a personal choice.

The smaller dots (1-4 MOA) are really a compromise so people can use them on a rifle or for tactical use. Considering most IPSC/USPSA targets are at 25 yards or less, a smaller dot doesn't help you and makes it much more difficult to see in bright sun. Also, in my opinion, the smaller dots tend to amplify perceived movements of the dot on your focal plane so people tend to wait too long to fire a shot with an acceptable sight picture.

Lastly, smaller dots tend to flare or star burst when you turn them up to deal with the bright sun. The larger MOA dots maintain a nice crisp circular dot by comparison.

If you look at the Sig line for example, they tended to have smaller MOA dots as their main audience is LEO, Military etc. When Max Michel came out with his own signature Sig optic (The Romeo 3 Max), he immediately requested them in 6 MOA as he is a competitive shooter.
 
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