ATN Thermal

PS: What I will continue to do with the two DNV optics I have it to use them in the day time to record video of perforating critters.

ya!

GWB
 
One of Each. Same feeder, same distance, 120 yds. (pay no attention to the distance displayed by the optic.)



Daytime



Night Time.

JMHO, if my budget was limited to $2k, and I could not wait to save enough to get both a thermal and scanner, or did not want to invest that much cash, I would go with one of the newer model DNV scopes and a Thermal Scanner. For $3K to $3,500 one could do both thermal scope and scanner and be good to 200 yds.

YMMV

ya!

GWB
 
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Save up longer. Otherwise you won't be happy and will just spend more in the long run. We've all done it lol. For $2500 the iray gl35 is tough to beat. I would put up irays 384 scopes against most 640s. Theres a lot of people who run and like the agm adders, but in m opinion the iray has the best image out there. Good luck! It's a rabbit hole you'll never come out of!
 
Austin, I have enjoyed two different ATN 4K Pro digital scopes and I consider them very good for the money. I have both the 3-14x and the 5-20x models. They are not without bugs at times, minor, but from what I see, most other brands have them too from one issue or another.

As to thermal, I probably would not go with ATN due to the increased price as well as negative reviews I read. I have had good success with the AGM Rattler TS25 thermal scope. This scope has only a 1.5x magnification. I mainly got it to be used as a scanner, but have actually used it more mounted on a rifle. For budget I think the Rattler TS35 with a 2.0x magnification would be hard to beat, money and quality wise.
 
You guys are great. I’m really glad I asked, and very thankful and appreciative of all of your feedback. It sounds like I definitely would’ve just wasted the money going the route I intended to.

I’ll just hold onto the cash I’ve got stored back for thermal, and get a decent glass when I’m ready. Definitely sounds like it’s a “do it once and do it right” kind of deal or you’ll be wishing you had.
 
As 6mm06 mentioned with his AGM, there are several thermal scopes that are small enough and light enough to be used as a scanner, but can also be weapon mounted. I would not advise trying to scan with one and then put it on the rifle to shoot. That would be frustration at the highest level. You can get a Sightmark Wraith Mini Thermal for under 2 grand, and I have a friend who caught them on Amazon for under $1,600. They are a solid unit with excellent CS from Sightmark. So that would solve your thermal scanner entry, but then you will need a good DNV scope to shoot until you can afford a second thermal. Again, Sightmark has the solid performing Wraith mini DNV scope usually running around $700. So you could be in a thermal scanner/riflescope and the Wraith mini DNV riflescope for about $2,500 total.

If you decide to go with the thermal scanner (whichever brand) and still use your lights for shooting, you are going to need to run your headlamp scanner at the same time in my opinion. If you go from total blackness with the thermal to turning on the rifle light you will spook many, many coyotes. If you can condition them with the headlamp before bringing the rifle light on them it should help in that regard.
 
DoubleUp said:
As 6mm06 mentioned with his AGM, there are several thermal scopes that are small enough and light enough to be used as a scanner, but can also be weapon mounted. I would not advise trying to scan with one and then put it on the rifle to shoot. That would be frustration at the highest level. You can get a Sightmark Wraith Mini Thermal for under 2 grand, and I have a friend who caught them on Amazon for under $1,600. They are a solid unit with excellent CS from Sightmark. So that would solve your thermal scanner entry, but then you will need a good DNV scope to shoot until you can afford a second thermal. Again, Sightmark has the solid performing Wraith mini DNV scope usually running around $700. So you could be in a thermal scanner/riflescope and the Wraith mini DNV riflescope for about $2,500 total.

If you decide to go with the thermal scanner (whichever brand) and still use your lights for shooting, you are going to need to run your headlamp scanner at the same time in my opinion. If you go from total blackness with the thermal to turning on the rifle light you will spook many, many coyotes. If you can condition them with the headlamp before bringing the rifle light on them it should help in that regard.
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This is very good advice I recommend it myself.
 
DoubleUp said:
As 6mm06 mentioned with his AGM, there are several thermal scopes that are small enough and light enough to be used as a scanner, but can also be weapon mounted. I would not advise trying to scan with one and then put it on the rifle to shoot. That would be frustration at the highest level. You can get a Sightmark Wraith Mini Thermal for under 2 grand, and I have a friend who caught them on Amazon for under $1,600. They are a solid unit with excellent CS from Sightmark. So that would solve your thermal scanner entry, but then you will need a good DNV scope to shoot until you can afford a second thermal. Again, Sightmark has the solid performing Wraith mini DNV scope usually running around $700. So you could be in a thermal scanner/riflescope and the Wraith mini DNV riflescope for about $2,500 total.

If you decide to go with the thermal scanner (whichever brand) and still use your lights for shooting, you are going to need to run your headlamp scanner at the same time in my opinion. If you go from total blackness with the thermal to turning on the rifle light you will spook many, many coyotes. If you can condition them with the headlamp before bringing the rifle light on them it should help in that regard.
Click to expand...
That all makes perfect sense, I greatly appreciate all of this information
 
6mm06 said:
Austin, I have enjoyed two different ATN 4K Pro digital scopes and I consider them very good for the money. I have both the 3-14x and the 5-20x models. They are not without bugs at times, minor, but from what I see, most other brands have them too from one issue or another.

As to thermal, I probably would not go with ATN due to the increased price as well as negative reviews I read. I have had good success with the AGM Rattler TS25 thermal scope. This scope has only a 1.5x magnification. I mainly got it to be used as a scanner, but have actually used it more mounted on a rifle. For budget I think the Rattler TS35 with a 2.0x magnification would be hard to beat, money and quality wise.
Click to expand...

I tried to reply to you the other day when you commented, and I got wrapped up with phone calls, cause I kept getting a message to wait 20 seconds before I could post it. I don’t want you thinking I didn’t appreciate your time and advice, so thank you very much
 
Didn’t give it a thought. Austin. Hope you find the right scope for your needs. When you do be sure to share your thoughts. That’s how we all learn.
 
Austin, I should have mentioned that the Sightmark Wraith Mini DNV is better suited for AR type rifles since it's form is so small. If you intend to use the scope on a regular hunting rifle then you might be better to go with the larger Wraith which is also a bit cheaper or one of the other manufacturers. There is an extended mount for the Mini to work on a regular rifle, but it makes the scope sit a long way back and looks odd. It works fine though. I have one and tried it to be sure it would function okay, but I have mine on an AR 6x45.
 
DoubleUp said:
Austin, I should have mentioned that the Sightmark Wraith Mini DNV is better suited for AR type rifles since it's form is so small. If you intend to use the scope on a regular hunting rifle then you might be better to go with the larger Wraith which is also a bit cheaper or one of the other manufacturers. There is an extended mount for the Mini to work on a regular rifle, but it makes the scope sit a long way back and looks odd. It works fine though. I have one and tried it to be sure it would function okay, but I have mine on an AR 6x45.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that info, it’s little stuff like that, that really helps a lot too. Thank you
 
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