FCD ATA (Adjustable Turret Cap, Aimpoint Mirco)
Forward Controls Design (FCD)The T1/T2 ATA caps are incompatible with the M5.
ATA consists of 2 caps and 2 discs.
Having owned numerous Aimpoint T1s since 2007, and later, T2, we're quite fond of these small, tough, and fully enclosed dot sights. Our only gripe has always been the elevation and windage adjustment arrangement. If you're a T1/T2 you probably share our frustration, and have lost a cap or two over the years.
On a T1/T2, to adjust either the elevation or windage, the user unscrews the cap, flips it 180 degrees, mates the two dots/protrusions with the two indentations on the sight adjustment, and rotates the cap, which in turn rotates the adjustment dial.
As often is the case, adjustment isn't done in a single step. The user makes the estimated adjustment, fires to verify the zero, and repeats if necessary. The caps are rather short and small, and get lost easily. Such is the diminutive size of the caps it's not easy to dummy wire them. In any case, the sight itself is small and lacks much usable space for the tethering wire to loop onto.
ATA (Adjustable Turret cap, Aimpoint Micro) is a simple and robust solution. ATA gives the user the ability to make adjustments to either the windage or elevation without removing the caps.
ATA consists of a pair of 17-4 SS billet machined cap with internal O ring, and a 17-4 SS rotating disc with an externally accessible top slot. The disc has two dots/protrusions that mate perfectly with the two indentations of the adjustment dial on the sight. To make adjustments to either the windage or elevation, the user uses the rim of a cartridge (.223, .308, .45 ACP, and 9mm were tested) or a coin to rotate the externally accessible disc of the ATA.
ATA's caps are serrated to assist in its installation. There are 12 serrations total, matching the tick marks on the inside of the factory T1 cap.
The internal O ring prevents undue moisture from entering the ATA. In water immersion testing, ATA's ability to keep out water is on par with the single piece factory cap, to the depth of 77ft. To wit, T1 and T2 windage and elevation adjustments are water resistant even without the caps, they can't be taken to Aimpoint specified depths without the caps on, Aimpoint only warranties the sights to the advertised depths with the caps installed. When installing the ATA, please do not remove the O rings already present on the sight.
ATA is billet machined in 17-4 stainless steel, and QPQ treated. ATA is shipped partially assembled (O ring is installed inside the cap, the disc is not installed inside the cap). It is far faster and easier to install the ATA on the sight with the cap and disc separated (instructions are provided on the back of the card).
In place of the factory marking UP/R with a counter clockwise arrow, ATA's discs have the counter clockwise arrow, but individual caps for UP and R. As much as it may seem common sense that the elevation adjustment is always on top, and the windage adjustment is always on the side, the marking UP/R can be confusing to new shooters. At the risk of being redundant, the ATA disc with the UP engraving is installed on top (for elevation), the disc with R engraving is installed on the right side (for windage).
ATA is shipped as a pair of caps and discs (one with UP and a counter clockwise pointing arrow engraved, and another with R and a counter clock wise pointing arrow engraved). ATA caps ship with lubricated O rings installed.