Thermal Scope Recommendations?

[Red Leg]

I have used an ATN for several years and other than its controls, which are not particularly intuitive, it has worked perfectly. I can identify species out to nearly three hundred yards and it will easily handle a shot to two hundred. @gizmo has used them pretty extensively in his operation in North Texas.

My favorite, however, is my Leica clip on. Not in your budget, but something to consider eventually. I simply clip it on the scope of any rifle with the correct size objective for the mating ring, switch it on, and head out the back door. It is 640, so when combined with German tech, it is an amazing device.

I have an ATN monocular for scanning while calling or for finding game as @mdwest suggests.

 

[HankBuck]

Questions you should be asking yourself:

How often will the thermal be used?
At what max range will the thermal be used?
Is this a designated night rifle or a used for day and night?
Which is better use a clip-on or a full thermal scope?
What functions are: needed, wanted, nice to have?
Can the budget be stretched?

Currently I have one designed night rifle. I went with a DNT335. The DNT335 is a multi functional digital day and night thermo scope. And although it has more functions than I need or use I'm satisfied that I purchased it.

@Ridge Runner - I’ve got to try a “clip on” as You and a couple others have told me they can work great (If Clip Ons can be easily switched from one scoped rifle to the next?) —- that would add several other rifles to the night hunting game with minimal cost and set up time. All of my scopes are 1” tubes and most have 40mm objective. How easily and quickly can you switch between rifles and do you need to ‘check zero’?

 

[Muskox]

@Ridge Runner - I’ve got to try a “clip on” as You and a couple others have told me they can work great (If Clip Ons can be easily switched from one scoped rifle to the next?) —- that would add several other rifles to the night hunting game with minimal cost and set up time. All of my scopes are 1” tubes and most have 40mm objective. How easily and quickly can you switch between rifles and do you need to ‘check zero’?

As you would imagine the mount for the clip on is everything. Make sure your dealer sets you up correctly. If in doubt send a note to www.opticstrade.com and have them tell you what you need.

 

[Ridge Runner]

@Ridge Runner - I’ve got to try a “clip on” as You and a couple others have told me they can work great (If Clip Ons can be easily switched from one scoped rifle to the next?) —- that would add several other rifles to the night hunting game with minimal cost and set up time. All of my scopes are 1” tubes and most have 40mm objective. How easily and quickly can you switch between rifles and do you need to ‘check zero’?

Unfortunately I don't have nor ever used a clip-on, although that was what I was originally looking to purchase because of being able to switch from one rifle set-up to another.

In talking with various reps at SCI 2025 and with a couple of members on the AH forum who who do have experience with clip-ons. Rotating the clip-on from one scope to another is simple as long as your using the proper adapter set-up for the clip-on.

As for rezeroing; according to the reps it's just a matter of taking the thermal off the current scope and clipping it onto another scope, no rezeroing needed. However, I would definitely check my zero to make sure my bullet point of impact is the same as my point of aim.

It's more about having the correct objective lens adapters than tube size. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer as to the smallest adapter, most of the clip-ons required a 40mm or 42mm minimum objective.

Perhaps AH members with experience using adapter type thermal clip-ons will chime in on the pro and cons using 1" tubes. I prefer scopes with 30mm and larger tube sizes and 44mm to 50mm objective.