Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: darron on April 15, 2025, 03:25:52 PM

Title: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: darron on April 15, 2025, 03:25:52 PM
Took my son youth hunting this weekend.
He was able to bag his first bird ever, but at first I thought it wasn't going to happen. We had his 410 in the barn where we stayed at over night. We had a fire going etc. The next morning it was a crisp 31 degrees. I left the cover on it until we got in the blind and birds started gobbling. I took the cover off, turned it on, looked down the site and it was glazed over. I could see the red dot but nothing else. I had to get my glove and wipe both sides for several minutes. Is this due to the temp change? I should of left it in the truck? I seriously thought we were done.
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: PharmHunter on April 15, 2025, 03:29:55 PM
Never had that happen, but I'd assume it was due to the cover being on over night.  Moisture, temp changes etc.  Probably be fine if you leave it off in the same situation.
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: ScottTaulbee on April 15, 2025, 03:32:11 PM
Had the same issue with my son's during youth season. It was raining and we were in a blind and I had to do it every 15 or so minutes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: ScottTaulbee on April 15, 2025, 03:32:47 PM
Ours didn't have a cover on it and it was left in the truck over night


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: joey46 on April 16, 2025, 02:44:04 AM
If you are describing internal fogging I'll bet it lost it's seal and air is creeping in someplace. No scope or red dot should do that under any condition.  When the season's over take it off and put it in a refrigerator or freezer for a short time.  If it fogs internally when removed it's lost it's seal.  In the old old days some high end scopes were advertised this way as a way to show  "fog proof" under all conditions.
Add - just looked up that AT3 on Amazon.  It reads fully sealed, waterproof with a lifetime warranty.  If it fails the refrigerator test let us know how their customer service is.  Looking through a fogged red dot is unacceptable.  Good luck.
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: Turkeyman on April 16, 2025, 06:37:03 AM
I've had this happen a few times over the years. Nothing to be concerned about if you shoot with both eyes open, as you should with a red dot. As you said...you could see the dot. With both eyes open you just superimpose it on the bird and kill him.

With adverse weather conditions you'd be continually wiping the lenses.
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: joey46 on April 16, 2025, 07:31:41 AM
Original post never mentions rain.  Shouldn't have had to wipe the lens for several minutes on a red dot advertised as nitrogen filled.  There is an internal leak somewhere I'm betting.  A youth hunter has enough to remember.  Glad it worked out.
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: darron on April 17, 2025, 10:33:21 AM
correct, no rain at all. Just a light frost at 31 degrees. And it wasnt just a wipe and done. I had to continusoily wipe both sides for several minutes before you could see through it. 
Title: Re: AT3 red dot issue
Post by: joey46 on April 17, 2025, 11:07:44 AM
That red dot gets ok reviews. Your particular one may have a problem.  Good luck.  Congratulations to your son.