X-Sight 3-12 vs Photon XT 4.6 vs DIY Digital

S

simojo

New member
Over the past few months, I've tried both the ATN X-sight and the Photon XT 4.6x in hopes that one would be better than my DIY digital NV. Bottom line is that I'm going to keep using my DIY NV behind a Leupold VXR 2-7.

I'll post a couple video links at the end that shows the usage of each once they are done uploading.

X-Sight 3-12
Pros:
-Awesome FOV
-HD video for daytime is very nice, night is pretty good
-Can stream views to phone or tablet
-Has digital zoom
-Best looking option between the three
-Onboard video recording
-Large online community to help set it up
-Upgradeable firmware
-micro HDMI output for viewing on TV

Cons:
-Heaviest
-auto dimming makes it hard to get distance night video
-Video output is .mov (quicktime) and needs to be converted to .avi before editing in Microsoft Movie Maker
-Digital zoom
-Lots of web research to make sure firmware, batteries, SD card, and other quirks are setup correctly to make it function
-can't record while streaming to phone or tablet
-dedicated NV that relies on batteries
-battery life with AA Rechargeable: 1 hr.
-battery life with AA Lithiums: 5-6 hrs

Photon XT 4.6
Pros:
-Easy to setup and use
-video output compatible with most mini-DVRs and Microsoft Movie Maker

Cons:
-FOV is very tight. Ok for 100-200 yards or bait sites (my opinion)
-dedicated NV that relies on batteries
--battery life with AA Rechargeable: 2 hrs

DIY NV + Leupold VXR 2-7
Pros:
-Good FOV
-Full zoom magnification that doesn't pixelate at distance
-Quickly converts for day use or night use with lights
-Least $$ if day scope isn't included
-Can upgrade individual parts as needed (camera, mini-DVR)

Cons:
-non-traditional look
-requires initial engineering and setup (or sweet talking 6mm06!)
-requires use of mini screen for viewing/shooting** and alters or limits cheek weld.

** I prefer the use of the screen for viewing at night due to my astigmatism making it hard for me to get a clear focus while looking through the scope. This was true for all 3 systems.


X-Sight vs Photon FOV and field footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP7s8c5rZQU&feature=youtu.be

X-Sight vs DIY NV footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dowopElSskY&feature=youtu.be

X-Sight footage from Sat where I struggled to get the thing to show a clear image:


Photon XT video of bobcat kill:
 
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Simojo, nice review, very thorough.

I had good hopes for the X-Sight when it was first advertised. The long wait had everyone anticipating just how good it might be, and then it turned more into frustration since it kept being pushed further and further into the future for release. I would be interested in the X-Sight, even if it is heavy, if some things were to change, notably ease of operation without so many downloads, and a better or clearer view. It seems the scope just isn't all that clear at times, yet daytime looks very nice.

Question: Is the shooter's view (clarity and focus) through the X-Sight about what the recorded video shows? Somewhere I heard that the video is actually better than what the shooter sees.

I tried the Photon 4.6x as you know, and while it is a good scope, I find that my home-made deal is better. I can adjust zoom up to around 7x or 8x without getting too much fuzziness. On 4x it looks really good, but I generally hunt with it around 5x or 6x at my 60 yard bait site. I like a bit more magnification for my aging eyes and while it works well at a bait site, less zoom would be needed for out and about calling.

Hopefully eventually someone will get it right with digital, at an affordable price, and will work out the kinks that are prevalent now.

Thanks again for the review, and nice job on the bobcat.

David
 
No, I never could get the image that I viewed through the scope to be very clear; the viewfinder doesn't have the resolution that the camera does.

A new version of the XS was just released which is supposed to have a much better viewfinder. Probably won't have the bugs worked out of that version until 2018!!

During the video of the 3 coyotes I posted, I was watching through a 4.3" viewer like we have on our DIY NV and still couldn't see them clear enough to shoot.
 
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Thanks for the post and reviews. Seems like on the bobcat with the Photon you were having a lot of IR feedback which made it impossible to see anything except eyes on the cat. I thought the video part showing the deer was pretty good without the IR interference. Are you using your HM as a calling outfit or a bait site rig like 6mm06.
 
What is your diy setup if I may ask? I've been looking at the x sight as well the last couple days and am mixed on the reviews it has
 
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For those of you using the home made NV like 6mm06 uses, do you find that the external screen light reflecting off of your face and clothing creates any issue when calling coyotes? It would seem that the large external viewing screen would put out a lot of light on a really dark night. Kevin
 
That has been my concern as well Kevin. I know 6mm06 has great results with his HM on his bait pile and shooting from his cabin, but I have two concerns about an HM outfit for calling. First as you point out there is the amount of light from the screen coming back on the shooter, and second the danger of knocking something loose trying to carry it around in a hunting situation. I've read that some put red filter paper over the screen to cut down on the light, but don't know anyone who has actually done this or shows a video comparison of the effect.
 

Yep, there is quite a bit of light reflected into your face from the monitor. I use mine inside the cabin behind the window that has foam over it, so no light can be seen from the outside. I think if a guy used it while calling, he would have to either dim the light (my monitor has a dimming mode) or use a red filter over it, or both. I read that some guys in the UK are putting red filters over theirs and it does pretty good.

While the home-made unit works extremely well at a bait site like my setup, I think it would require more caution out and about when calling. As DoubleUp mentioned, the monitor or camera can be knocked off or caught on brush etc. If calling open places, it might not be as much of a problem. I think for calling I would prefer a dedicated NV scope, but I am used to mine enough now that I think I wouldn't have much of a problem using it when calling.

One thing noted earlier is that the monitor helps a guy with aging eyes see better.

 
One thing not mentioned above that is a huge crux in the digital scene IMO is the eye relief.

On the photon, unless it's on a AR you have a h*ll of a time getting it far back enough to get a comfortable shoulder on the gun and your eye close enough to the monitor. If you back your eye away slightly the view becomes a pin-hole.

I'm not sure if the X-sight has this problem, but a PRO to the DIY setup is the eye relief is not a concern.
 
Larue, I didn't find that to be the case at all once I put a rail on, but I couldn't even mount the Photon on the regular bases. I think Bill Kingore is having some problems getting comfortable with his cheek weld on a bolt-action even with a rail. In fact he has just gone back to an AR I believe, but it was not a problem for me once I mounted the EGW rail.

Everyone has a different fit I reckon. Since we're all using different rifles and all have different body shapes I guess invariably there will be misfits for some equipment.
 
^ I also put a rail on and i'm on the last two slots with the scope all the way back in the mounts. Factory 1PC mount on the gun is WAY too far forward however it is perfect on my dayscope.

I actually tried using a "picatinny rail extension" backwards to set it back even further but the rail extension was too weak and you could flex it up and down. I've got it to a usable position but it's by no means perfect for my fit.

If for say I bought the X-Sight, that doesn't fit into standard ring mounts, and it had the same eye relief issue i'd be up sh*ts creek. If that was the case i'd be unsure if the X-sight would work on anything but an AR.
 
Are you still having to use a black powder weapon? If so, that may present a whole set of mounting problems that might limit your options and not occur otherwise. I think you told me that was the situation in your state, and I can see where it might create multiple issues.
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleUpAre you still having to use a black powder weapon? If so, that may present a whole set of mounting problems that might limit your options and not occur otherwise. I think you told me that was the situation in your state, and I can see where it might create multiple issues.

Yes, its a modern inline with a custom picatinny rail & thumbhole stock on it so it's not much different than a bolt gun ergonomics. My buddy has a Ruger 10/22 and it's similar on that, can't get it back far enough and the rings are on the last two slots with the scope all the way back. It's not as bad because the length of pull on the Rugers is so short, definitely not optimal. Bottom line the eye relief is a topic of concern IMO.
 
Well it could be body shapes as well I guess. I have a habit of sticking my neck out too far.
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On the DIYNV I dim the screen down as low as it can go and also use a piece of red filter over the screen. I also wear some type of facemask normally, which reduces the shine whether it's from the screen or the viewfinder on the thermal.

I've went downrange and looked back and couldn't see any significant shine from the screen while my partner held the rifle.

I think there's less shine from the screen than what there is shine from the viewfinder flashing against your face as you mount the rifle with a Photon/XS or use a thermal.

The red filter cuts down the shine a lot.
 
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