Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.

AT3 Tactical Alpha Red Dot Review

AT3 Alpha Red Dot, Two in a Row
Is the AT3 Tactical Alpha red dot our new favorite $100 optic? See view-throughs and how it fared in our full-auto, water, and drop tests.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
JUMP TO SECTION Jump To:

    Looking for the new king of $100 red dots that might de-throne the Sig Romeo5?

    AT3 Alpha Red Dot
    AT3 Alpha Red Dot

    The AT3 Tactical Alpha red dot is it.

    We’ve been testing several units close to a year and we now whole-heartedly recommend it as our favorite budget red dot with its performance and build quality that bats above its price range.

    v
    AT3 Alpha Red Dot, Two in a Row

    See view-throughs for the red dot and also green dot version. Plus see how it fared in our torture testing.

    $119
    at AT3 Tactical

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Table of Contents

    Loading…

    How We Tested the Alpha Red Dot

    The Pew Pew Tactical team has been testing 4 units (three red and one green dot) for close to year across multiple guns from full-auto 9mm to 5.56 and 12ga.

    AT3 Alpha on MAC11 with Lage Upper
    AT3 Alpha on Full-Auto MAC11 with Lage Upper

    Our ammo counts have been ~1000 full-auto 9mm NATO rounds, ~1000 5.56/.223, and 100 12ga rounds ranging from birdshot to 00 buck.

    AT3 Alpha on Beretta 1301
    AT3 Alpha on Beretta 1301

    We tested the Alpha for impact resistance and zero-hold by dropping it while attached to an unloaded AR-15 from a distance of 3 feet onto a wood bench 10 times. We shot groups before and after the drops.

    AT3 Alpha Water Test
    AT3 Alpha Water Test

    We also tested the IPX7 waterproof rating by submerging it completely in water for 30 minutes.

    AT3 Tactical Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • 50,000 hour battery life
    • Shake awake technology
    • Comes with two height risers
    • Great build feeling
    • Water and impact tested

    Cons

    • Battery cap screw is soft
    • Emitter slightly visible at 4 o'clock

    AT3 Tactical Alpha Red Dot Specs

    • Weight: 6.5 oz
    • Battery Life: 50,000 Hours (5.7 Years)
    • Illumination Settings: 9 Daytime & 2 Night Vision
    • Dot Size: 2 MOA
    • Objective Lens: 20mm
    • Waterproof: IPX 7
    • Footprint: Aimpoint Micro T1/T2
    • Battery: CR2032
    • Price: $119 with free shipping

    AT3 Tactical Alpha Features

    Red dots are getting way better in terms of features for the price.

    The Alpha brings 50,000 hours of battery life off a common CR2023.

    And a shake-awake function that turns the dot off after 15 minutes of inactivity and turns it on as soon as you move it again. Now there’s no reason not to just leave it on.

    Another great feature for the price is the addition of two risers that give you three optic heights: low, absolute co-witness, and 1/3 co-witness.

    AT3 Different Risers, from AT3 Tactical
    AT3 Different Risers, from AT3 Tactical

    I dig the low for AKs and shotguns while the taller risers are good for AR-15s and however you like to run your irons. And it has the Aimpoint Micro footprint so you can have your choice of third-party mounts.

    Fit & Feel

    The first thing I thought when I brought out the Alpha was “wow, this thing feels quality” with its weight and nice anodizing.

    The elevation and windage adjustments are easy with a cartridge rim or screwdriver. And are in that nice Goldilocks zone that lets you know with a tactile and mild-auditory click that you made an adjustment.

    AT3 Alpha, Top
    AT3 Alpha, Top

    My only complaint is that the battery cap on top (which is good placement) got dinged up when I used a large screwdriver. However, nothing a little Sharpie can’t fix.

    The illumination knob itself is a little stiff but we felt it get slightly looser with use. You won’t have trouble changing it based on your environment and it won’t change by itself at the slightest knock.

    AT3 Alpha, Side
    AT3 Alpha, Side

    The mount was also good for the price and it wasn’t too hard to change the heights. However, be sure to use some Blue Loctite when you put a new mount back on to prevent vibrational loosening.

    AT3 Alpha View-Through

    It’s pretty good…no green hue in the lens that you see from really cheap optics.

    AT3 Alpha Red Dot, View
    AT3 Alpha Red Dot, View

    Plus it’s way crisper in actual eye-ball view than through the camera. See it in motion here:

    However, there is a little bit of seeing the emitter at the 4 o’clock region…but nothing like the TRS-25 of yesteryear.

    TRS-25 Halo
    TRS-25 Halo

    You can’t tell the Alpha’s emitter when you’re actually looking at targets or the dot.

    The 2 MOA dot is perfect for close-up rifle work and we made it work out to 200 yards on a 14.5″ AR-15.

    Torture Testing

    We first put the Alpha on a 9mm MAC11 that we always bring out with friends who want to try full-auto for the first time.

    Alpha Red Dot on MAC11
    Alpha Red Dot on MAC11

    The blow-back action and heavy weight punishes optics more than 5.56 so we’ve been pleased with how it’s held up around 1000 rounds (and more in the future).

    We also did a drop test of what we think most people could possibly see with their rifle. We used a 14.5″ BCM AR-15 that was unloaded and dropped it optic-first onto our wooden table from a height of three feet.

    AT3 Alpha Drop Test
    AT3 Alpha Drop Test

    We did this 10 times trying to vary the angle a little bit each time.

    AT3 Alpha Post Drop Test
    AT3 Alpha Post Drop Test

    There was no discernible damage besides a little dirt and the illumination knob turning because of a direct hit.

    And of course we shot some groups with it before and after the drop test. This was conducted at around 15 yards.

    Oddly, we got more accurate after the post drop test…

    AT3 Drop Test Accuracy Results
    AT3 Drop Test Accuracy Results

    We also shot around 100 rounds of 12ga through a Beretta 1301 with the low mount.

    AT3 Alpha Green Dot on Beretta 1301
    AT3 Alpha Green Dot on Beretta 1301

    We didn’t zero with slugs but all impacts stayed consistent through our use of bird shot and 00 buck.

    Lastly, we tested the IPX7 waterproof rating by submerging an on unit in water (enough to cover up to the top of the mount) for 30 minutes.

    AT3 Alpha Water Test
    AT3 Alpha Water Test

    It passed with full function and no fogging.

    Who Is the AT3 Alpha Red Dot For?

    It’s for someone who has around $100 and wants the best in-class red dot for their important rifle.

    It has the battery life, build quality, multiple mounts, and reliability down.

    AT3 Alpha Red Dot, Double
    AT3 Alpha Red Dot, Double

    By The Numbers

    Affordability: 5/5

    It’s durable with 50K hours of battery life, nice looking dot, and two additional risers. All with a street price of $119 and free shipping from AT3 direct.

    Looks: 5/5

    It looks different from other stuff out there and is nicely coated. Plus it just feels great in the hand. The mount system is robust and looks good too.

    Reliability: 5/5

    We’ve tested several units over thousands of rounds with no failures. The shake-awake works well and the red dot has survived even our drop and water immersion testing.

    Overall: 5/5

    Given our testing of 4 units for almost a year and thousands of rounds…we give the Alpha our seal of approval.

    $119
    at AT3 Tactical

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Final Verdict

    Move over Romeo5…we have a new winner in the $100 red dot challenge.

    AT3 Alpha on MAC11 with Lage Upper
    AT3 Alpha on MAC11 with Lage Upper

    The Best Gun Deals, Coupons and Finds

    Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email.

    3 Leave a Reply

    • DAVID A LOCKHART

      This is my first optic. It's on my first and only AR-15. I only shoot at a 25-yard indoor range. Why, with such limited experience, do I recommend the AT3 Tactical Alpha Red Dot Sight? Because I'm 70, with lots of old guy vision problems, including myopia that can no longer be corrected to 20/20; early stage cataracts; and slight astigmatism. I now shoot accurately (with both eyes open; another first), and, for the first time since I got my AR, shooting's fun. It's easy to zero, and I can feel the windage and elevation knobs click (a great help at an indoor range). Even with my lousy vision, I see a bright, crisp dot at brightness settings low enough to keep the dot small, so it doesn't cover the target or get fuzzy. Now my training is much more efficient, and I don't waste ammo as before. Other red dot sights in this price category may perform as well or better; I don't know and don't really care. It works very well for me.

      June 20, 2024 9:14 pm
      • Sean Curtis

        David, thanks for sharing your experience. We feel like the Alpha represents a great value at this price.

        August 22, 2024 12:38 pm
    • Petunia

      Just what the market demands! More garbage!

      June 2, 2024 8:22 pm
    Join the community! Log in
    Please provide a valid email address.
    Password is required.
    or
    Register
    Please provide a valid display name.
    Please provide a valid email address.
    The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character.
    Please accept in order to continue.
    By unsubscribing, you will not be able to access exclusive training courses in your profile. You will still be able to save and access your products and articles.
    or
    Trouble logging in?
    Type your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.
    Please provide a valid email.
    Password
    Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it.
    Field is required.
    Account already exists
    We already have an account registered for email address () which is linked to your Facebook account.
    To log in type your Pew Pew Meter password below.
    Field is required.
    Account already exists
    We noticed that you have previously logged in with your Account which is linked to the same email address () - we can link both of your accounts together.
    In order to link your accounts, hit button below and log in to your Account with the same email as above.

    Account in Pew Pew Tactical means more.

    Login or create a free account to get the following
    Access and save hundreds of reviews, gun guides, and articles!
    Find the best daily deals on guns, gear, and ammo
    Manage your newsletter subscriptions and comments