photon rt vs x sight 2
- Thread starter Indiyote
- Start date
Rhett Steele
New member
I have the photon xt not the rt and really like it. My hunting buddy has xt and really likes it.
6mm06
Well-known member
First of all I will list what I see as Pros and Cons of the X-Sight 2 and the XT model since I have owned both, still have the XT. I have no experience with the RT but I assume it is similar to the XT with an upgrade or two.
Photon XT 6.5x:
Pros: Simple to operate / navigate menu, quick boot up time, multiple reticles with 3 color choices, requires 2 AA batteries
Cons: Fairly hard on batteries, may require a 20 MOA rail to have enough sight-in adjustment, requires a DVR player for video (the RT has onboard recording), somewhat grainy view though not bad, white-out pretty bad when shooting. Requires 30mm rings.
X-Sight 2:
Pros: Ballistic calculator that works very well, multiple reticle choices and colors, magnification zoom ( a good feature), somewhat less whiteout than Photon, onboard video recording, internal 3 profile settings for different rifles or loads, several other features that you may or may not use. Has its own mount.
Cons: Has a learning curve to operate the menu, but a little study of the manual makes it easier, hard on batteries / requires external battery, sometimes locks up requiring rebooting, short eye relief.
For ease of use, quick to boot up and no frills, and a scope that works plenty good enough, I probably would choose the Photon. If you like technology and the idea of a ballistic calculator that allows for precise bullet placement at various distances, plus zoom magnification, then I would choose the X-Sight.
ATN doesn't have the best customer service record, though they seem to be making improvements while Sightmark has better CS. Both scopes are prone to problems and have to be returned sometimes. I know a few members who have had to return Photons so neither scope is without issues..
Photon XT 6.5x:
Pros: Simple to operate / navigate menu, quick boot up time, multiple reticles with 3 color choices, requires 2 AA batteries
Cons: Fairly hard on batteries, may require a 20 MOA rail to have enough sight-in adjustment, requires a DVR player for video (the RT has onboard recording), somewhat grainy view though not bad, white-out pretty bad when shooting. Requires 30mm rings.
X-Sight 2:
Pros: Ballistic calculator that works very well, multiple reticle choices and colors, magnification zoom ( a good feature), somewhat less whiteout than Photon, onboard video recording, internal 3 profile settings for different rifles or loads, several other features that you may or may not use. Has its own mount.
Cons: Has a learning curve to operate the menu, but a little study of the manual makes it easier, hard on batteries / requires external battery, sometimes locks up requiring rebooting, short eye relief.
For ease of use, quick to boot up and no frills, and a scope that works plenty good enough, I probably would choose the Photon. If you like technology and the idea of a ballistic calculator that allows for precise bullet placement at various distances, plus zoom magnification, then I would choose the X-Sight.
ATN doesn't have the best customer service record, though they seem to be making improvements while Sightmark has better CS. Both scopes are prone to problems and have to be returned sometimes. I know a few members who have had to return Photons so neither scope is without issues..
6mm06
Well-known member
Below are examples of the X-Sight and the Photon XT. The Photon hog hunt video appears somewhat brighter than my eye saw through the scope, though I admit my right eye is lacking. The X-sight 2 isn't bad but at a distance it was lacking due to not having the IR tightly focused or zeroed to the point of aim. I still managed to drop a hog with it at 120 yards.
I recently acquired the new ATN X-Sight 4k and find it to be a very good improvement over the X-Sight 2.
Photon XT 6.5x
ATN X-Sight 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-nD0126p8&feature=youtu.be
6mm06
Well-known member
Indi, I haven't had my 4k very long, but so far I like it and haven't had any issues. Of course that could change with time. I like the rechargeable battery that is advertised to run for about 18 hours. I don't know just how long it will power the scope just yet, though. I charged the battery when I first got the scope and haven't had to recharge it since. I have turned it on and off numerous times over a few weeks, shot it some and it only shows one bar down on the battery scale. The gen 2 scope required an external battery for any real use, and that required a cable attached to a battery. I mounted a small battery on the left side picatinny of the X-Sight 2 and it would power the scope for about 4 hours with most features turned off. The 4k is self-contained and has no need for external battery or cables. The only cable necessary might be a remote switch for an IR illuminator.
Also, I like the rotating dial on the left side of the scope that allows for zooming. The scope seems to zoom much better without the lag that the second gen model has.
I like the eye relief of the 4k, which is an improvement over the gen 2 model.
Another particular thing I really like is that the 4k boots up so much quicker than the gen 2 model. The gen 2 would take several seconds to boot up once the power button was pushed, sometimes taking up to 8 seconds or more before getting a crosshair and being ready to shoot. The 4k will boot up in half that time. This is one area where the Photon excels, or at least the XT model does. It will boot up within one or two seconds.
Also, whiteout when shooting doesn't seem to be quite as bad with the 4k, though I admit I haven't shot it enough yet to make an absolute determination about that. It just seems to be a bit less as of now, and definitely less than the Photon.
The image through the scope does not seem to drag as much when the scope is panned around an area. The gen 2 scope seems to have a slight delayed action when scanning, causing the view and / or video to appear somewhat blurred or delayed.
I think the 4k has a slightly better image than the second gen scope and doesn't seem to pixilate quite as much when zooming, though it still does some.
The 4k accepts 30mm scope rings which will allow you to mount it slightly lower to the rifle bore, depending on the rifle and bolt lift, which results in a better trajectory. I purchased UTG high quick detach rings from Ebay for slightly over $20 and they work great and lock up tight. I don't know if they will return to zero or not since I haven't tested them yet, but I actually plan to keep it mounted on an AR upper, so it really won't matter.
As to a negative, the 4k is a bit picky about mounting on a bolt action rifle from what I have seen and read, due to its design. The eye relief, while better than the older model, is still not as long as I would like it to be. The scope tube isn't long enough to allow for positioning the scope more rearward on a bolt rifle. It seems better suited for an AR. The 4k does come with scope rings, two sets actually. One set has a funky looking offset ring that will allow the scope a more rearward position. For use on my AR, I much prefer the UTG rings.
Another negative is one that is common to many night vision scopes in general, particularly digital scopes, and that is field of view. The FOV is more narrow than I would like on both ATN models, including the Photon, which leads me to bring up another subject, which is magnification. For most reasonable shooting, say 150 yards and under, the 3-14x scope is the way to go. If you generally shoot distances over large open fields then the 5-20x would probably serve you better. I tried a 5-20x in the woods behind my house and it had way too much magnification. Magnification combined with small field of view doesn't work very well in those types of areas.
Also, I like the rotating dial on the left side of the scope that allows for zooming. The scope seems to zoom much better without the lag that the second gen model has.
I like the eye relief of the 4k, which is an improvement over the gen 2 model.
Another particular thing I really like is that the 4k boots up so much quicker than the gen 2 model. The gen 2 would take several seconds to boot up once the power button was pushed, sometimes taking up to 8 seconds or more before getting a crosshair and being ready to shoot. The 4k will boot up in half that time. This is one area where the Photon excels, or at least the XT model does. It will boot up within one or two seconds.
Also, whiteout when shooting doesn't seem to be quite as bad with the 4k, though I admit I haven't shot it enough yet to make an absolute determination about that. It just seems to be a bit less as of now, and definitely less than the Photon.
The image through the scope does not seem to drag as much when the scope is panned around an area. The gen 2 scope seems to have a slight delayed action when scanning, causing the view and / or video to appear somewhat blurred or delayed.
I think the 4k has a slightly better image than the second gen scope and doesn't seem to pixilate quite as much when zooming, though it still does some.
The 4k accepts 30mm scope rings which will allow you to mount it slightly lower to the rifle bore, depending on the rifle and bolt lift, which results in a better trajectory. I purchased UTG high quick detach rings from Ebay for slightly over $20 and they work great and lock up tight. I don't know if they will return to zero or not since I haven't tested them yet, but I actually plan to keep it mounted on an AR upper, so it really won't matter.
As to a negative, the 4k is a bit picky about mounting on a bolt action rifle from what I have seen and read, due to its design. The eye relief, while better than the older model, is still not as long as I would like it to be. The scope tube isn't long enough to allow for positioning the scope more rearward on a bolt rifle. It seems better suited for an AR. The 4k does come with scope rings, two sets actually. One set has a funky looking offset ring that will allow the scope a more rearward position. For use on my AR, I much prefer the UTG rings.
Another negative is one that is common to many night vision scopes in general, particularly digital scopes, and that is field of view. The FOV is more narrow than I would like on both ATN models, including the Photon, which leads me to bring up another subject, which is magnification. For most reasonable shooting, say 150 yards and under, the 3-14x scope is the way to go. If you generally shoot distances over large open fields then the 5-20x would probably serve you better. I tried a 5-20x in the woods behind my house and it had way too much magnification. Magnification combined with small field of view doesn't work very well in those types of areas.
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I bought a Photon XT for my hunting partner and it had an eye relief / lens issue. Called customer service and we had a new scope in hand in 6 days. Impressive customer service to say the least. The new one works great and my friend loves it. I think it is a heck of a scope for the money. I haven't tried the X Sight but have had terrible experiences with ATN's customer service with thermals. Will never buy another ATN product for that reason.
yes based on customer service and the fact that i dont need all the fancy features of the atn im going with the photon rt 4.5. optics planet has a deal on them for 480$! free 2 day shipping as well. quick question. what batteries are everyone using in these to maximize run time?
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6mm06
Well-known member
I use Dollar General Alkaline and they do pretty good. They are cheap but seem to work pretty darn good. I use then exclusively in my trail cameras. The Bushnell cameras will run a good while on them. I haven't used rechargeables yet. The DG batteries come in a pack of 20 for around $6.00. Get the Alkaline and not the Heavy Duty. I have also used Rayovac and Duracell but they are more costly and I can't tell enough difference in battery life to make them worth the difference in cost.
Me and my partner both had xt’s. I had the 4.6 and he had the 6.5 or whatever magnification the higher one is. On both scopes it would never hold zero. Keeping good batteries in the scope got old quick. I was told you had to keep good ones in there so it wouldn’t lose zero. I kept up with it and it still wouldn’t hold zero. My buddy switched a year ago to the x sight 2 and has yet to have a problem. He doesn’t use all the WiFi or Bluetooth stupid stuff. I recently sold my photon and bought the new 4K. I obsolutely love it so far. Better picture, the zoom turret is sweet and the eye relief is wonderful. I bought my first 4K and it froze and wouldn’t update. Sent it back and got another one in and this one is awesome so far. Our photons never even got close to 1” MOA at 100. Our ATNs are grouping where our bullets are touching on multiple shots. So far so good. On a Facebook page it does seem like ATN is getting a little better at customer service. It is a little learning on the ATNs as well. We used energizer lithium’s in the photons and they were the best IMO.
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DoubleUp
Well-known member
I have 3 of the 4.6 XT models, and all of them have always held zero. I've always used Warne QD rings since I purchased the first one from 6mm several years ago and he sent those rings with the scope. I did have to send one in because it started having a red tint through the view finder, and it was replaced within 10 days by Sellmark.
I killed a bunch of coyotes using them before I went thermal, and still have all 3. I have one with a doubler that I keep mounted on a 243 and have ready to use on the bait pile. I take it out every once in a while and shoot a crow with it to verify zero. If it didn't have the IR whiteout at the shot I would probably still be using one calling.
This first video is of an almost black female I killed last year with the Photon and doubler at 125 yds. It has the momentary IR whiteout because I was using rifle mounted IR to better see the animal.
This second video is with the Photon without the doubler. Range is 100 yds. and I'm only using the IR which is mounted on the back of my shop. As you can see there is no whiteout because I'm not using the IR mounted on the rifle.
This third video is of some crow kills during daylight that I made to check my zero. Range is from 100 to 155 yds. The first crow is killed with a 17 HMR and the rest using a Photon 4.6XT mounted on my 243 Predator.
I killed a bunch of coyotes using them before I went thermal, and still have all 3. I have one with a doubler that I keep mounted on a 243 and have ready to use on the bait pile. I take it out every once in a while and shoot a crow with it to verify zero. If it didn't have the IR whiteout at the shot I would probably still be using one calling.
This first video is of an almost black female I killed last year with the Photon and doubler at 125 yds. It has the momentary IR whiteout because I was using rifle mounted IR to better see the animal.
This second video is with the Photon without the doubler. Range is 100 yds. and I'm only using the IR which is mounted on the back of my shop. As you can see there is no whiteout because I'm not using the IR mounted on the rifle.
This third video is of some crow kills during daylight that I made to check my zero. Range is from 100 to 155 yds. The first crow is killed with a 17 HMR and the rest using a Photon 4.6XT mounted on my 243 Predator.