Is this a good value for a thermal?

[John the Electrician]

I’m asking the group on this one. I could do extensive research, however I’m confident several members here know way more than I can figure out before the sale is over.

$2,000 off seems to either be a really good value or a really good marketing strategy.

What does the group think?

John

 

[Ridge Runner]

I’m asking the group on this one. I could do extensive research, however I’m confident several members here know way more than I can figure out before the sale is over.

View attachment 719037
$2,000 off seems to either be a really good value or a really good marketing strategy.

What does the group think?

John

It's technology. Wait another year.....that is if this same model is still in production ....it'll be half the current sales price.

Yes, that is a good price. Just depends on what you are looking for in a night vision scope.

I like these styles of NV scopes cause they mount like a regular scope using regular bases and rings vs picatany rail mount that can interfere with cartridge ejection on some hunting rifles.

With this being said I use a DNT335 on my 22 Hornet at ~ 2/3rds the sale price of this scope on sale.

 

[John the Electrician]

Weekend bump for your thoughts.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Midway has a ATN on sale, half price so under $1k.

ATN ThOR LT Thermal Rifle Scope 5-10x 50mm 320x240 PX Matte Black

Looking for a simple, reliable thermal scope that gets the job done without the clutter? The ATN ThOR LT 5-10x is built for hunters who want no-fuss...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Honestly best value is ATN. Does everything you need it to

 

[John the Electrician]

How is the quality control of the ATN? I have heard people complain about having to send them back for repairs.

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

How is the quality control of the ATN? I have heard people complain about having to send them back for repairs.

From what I understand it used to be an issue, but from my personal experience and some of my buddies we haven’t had any. Granted that’s a small sample size

 

[Hyde Hunter]

is it allowed to take a thermal scope to So Africa or is it a restricted ITAR item?

 

[Ridge Runner]

is it allowed to take a thermal scope to So Africa or is it a restricted ITAR item?

Depends on the scope.
Night vision and thermal scopes have various ITAR restrictions.
Before purchasing my DNT scope I checked the ITAR restriction level and it is listed as exportable with restrictions on sales and importing into certain countries. I wasn't worried about the other countries as I wasn't traveling to or through them and I was returning to the US with it. I did list it on CBP 4457 Form.

 

[mdwest]

The last I checked ALL thermal was ITAR controlled… Gen 3 and above NV was ITAR controlled…

Most of the current commercial Day/Night NV like the ATN and the Sightmark Wraith are not controlled…

 

[Sika98k]

It is now a discontinued model. In Europe they are now selling for about €3200.

 

[Datchew]

interested, but haven't jumped in on thermal yet.
Do thermal users have a devoted "thermal gun" like an AR setup for pigs and foxes and coyotes or is there a method of exchanging optics that's not overly busy.

 

[John the Electrician]

So, as the OP, I did not buy the thermal.

I have spent quite a bit this year on guns, ammo and supplies. So the wallet is pretty skinny. I’ve been planning to get a thermal with Scheels gift cards but my kids feet keep growing and shoes are not cheap.

I didn’t know enough about it to determine if it was a screaming’ deal or not, so I will wait.

I believe there are platforms for quick changes between standard and thermal scopes and all the confidence that goes a long with doing things like that. The scope/gun rodeo is always awkward.

 

[Daisy]

Pulsar is miles better than an ATN. I like it to have range finding if you don’t have a spotter with lrf.

 

[mdwest]

interested, but haven't jumped in on thermal yet.
Do thermal users have a devoted "thermal gun" like an AR setup for pigs and foxes and coyotes or is there a method of exchanging optics that's not overly busy.

I’ve got 2 AR10’s with thermals and suppressors that are dedicated to”thermal” guns… I use them exclusively for pigs and coyotes at night… I dont swap them from gun to gun (although the manufacturer says you can, and I’ve got the ability to save 5 different guns to the thermals memory)…

 

[mdwest]

interested, but haven't jumped in on thermal yet.
Do thermal users have a devoted "thermal gun" like an AR setup for pigs and foxes and coyotes or is there a method of exchanging optics that's not overly busy.

Something to think very long and hard about before stepping into the world of thermals..

what is it you really NEED?

you can easily spend $10K or more on a quality tool.. If youre hunting west texas or somewhere else that you may at some point be taking a 300+ yard shot, at night, etc.. that may in fact be something you need..

but you can also spend less than $1K.. and potentially get a tool that more than meets your needs..

For example.. I almost exclusively hunt the piney woods of E TX for hogs.. there are a couple of different places ranging from about 90 miles north of Houston all the way up to Longview.. but by in large there is no place I am getting a shot anywhere on any of the properties I pig or coyote hunt longer than 200 yards.. for the most part Im realistically looking at a 75-150 yard shot AT MOST in 90% or more of the places I have blinds and feeders available to me..

Something as simple as the AGM Rattler 256 is more than enough to meet my requirements.. With the 256 rattlers (I own 2 of them) I can see heat signatures at well over 400 yards, make out targets easily at 200+ (tell the difference between say a pig or a deer), and have targets clear enough to take kill shots at over 150.. So why pay more? (the AGM 19-256 Rattler V2 is currently on sale at Cabelas for $895.. plus the 10% discount for vets, plus the 10% discount for buying on member mondays.. they are $725 (plus tax)... I think I got mine for just under $700 a few years ago when I bought them...

Sure, a nice 640 class pulsar would be great.. but its capabilities would honestly be wasted on me.. I dont need to see every hair on the pigs head at 300 yards before he walks to within shooting range.. I just need to 100% know its a pig and be able to see it clearly enough that I can take an accurate shot to the vitals..

Thats not to say I dont like a truly high end thermal.. Ive got a pulsar 640 class, laser range finding handheld monocular (the wife bought it for me as a present).. its an awesome piece of equipment..

Im just saying, much like rifles, there is a WIDE variety of products out there with a HUGE variance in cost... while everyone on this board would love at some point to own a rigby... its certainly not necessary to hunt in Africa.. a $400 Ruger American in 308 will kill plains game just as easily..

Its the same with thermals.. there are some incredible $10K tools out there.. but an $800 tool most of the time will do everything you ever wanted..

 

[Datchew]

Appreciate the good advice @mdwest

My pig and coyote hunting is just like you described. Basic and short range.

 

[Ridge Runner]

interested, but haven't jumped in on thermal yet.
Do thermal users have a devoted "thermal gun" like an AR setup for pigs and foxes and coyotes or is there a method of exchanging optics that's not overly busy.

"...busy." Do you mean complicated?

The easiest and least complicated are the Clip-on. Because the device attaches to scope already mounted on the rifle. No rezeroing each time the device is attached or detached from the scope.

There are a variety of types of setups. With Pros and Cons to each one.

My DNT335 is a fixed mount. It is dedicated for use on my 22 Hornet. Each time I remove it from my 22 Hornet I have to resight the scope; both day and thermo reticles. As for changing ammunition the DNT335 has seperate day and thermo ballistic data memory settings:

Night Vision, Thermal scopes like the ATN the OP and @mdwest are referring to can be mounted with QD mounts and should hold zero as a typical scope with QD mounts. When changing from one rifle to another like any other rifle/scope setup rezeroing is necessary.

Clip-ons are just that, and what I was originally looking for. As these clip on and off various scopes, within their range of adapters, to use on a regular scope so no rezeroing your scope when switching to a different scope and rifle set up. Clip-ons are also much less expensive. ie one has a 3-9 x 40mm scope on a 6mm rifle the clip-on fastens to the 40mm adapter on this scope. To switch over to one's .308 rifle with a 4-12 x 44mm all that is needed is to remove the clip-on off the 40mm scope and fasten it to the 44mm adapter on the .308 scope. If the regular scope is already zeroed there's no need to rezero the rifle/scope setup.