Thermal imaging scope for my STG...thoughts?

Twohawks · June 25, 2012, 07:16

Thinking of getting the ATN 320 thermal imaging scope for my STG to set it up as my night defense rifle. Anybody have any experience with this type of scope? Any thoughts on
the idea?

Inkognito · July 02, 2012, 21:05

That is an awful pricey piece of equipment. I've been contemplating a 2nd gen night sight for years and I have looked at ATN. My research has turned up some questionable reviews about the quality of ATN products. Some say they do not hold up to real world use. If you are looking at a thermal sight, you might should consider getting a more proven brand like ITT that manufactures to military specs. I get the impression ATN is consumer grade optics. This is based solely on discussions I have had with others.

I would be willing to roll the dice for a 2nd gen sight that is going to cost me less than $1200. But a thermal sight at $5k plus? I think I would be willing to pay some extra to make sure I get one that is not going to disappoint me.

Twohawks · July 03, 2012, 12:52

Thx for the input. I'll let you know...it's on the way. There is a 1 year warranty. I will push it hard to see how it holds. I just heard of a company spi with their x26 model. $7k plus. I live in a remote area...wooded...and regular NV doesn't quite cut it...

The unit mounts with an actual a.r.m.s. #17 mount which is top shelf quality. Optics appear to be mil spec. Time will tell. The next closest unit in features sells for $2500 more from sti. Reviews from actual ATN Thor owners report the unit is robust.

Inkognito · July 04, 2012, 11:09

Definitely let me know how it works out for you after you've used it a bit. A good report might be just what I need to finally pull the trigger on an ATN 2nd Gen.

Twohawks · July 16, 2012, 21:23

Quality is excellent...military grade housing.

It's not real heavy but it makes the already heavy STG almost too heavy for off hand. And...you have to get real close to the scope so the .308 recoil will force me to use the scope on an AR or sig 556 classic.

**Bug Tussell** · July 21, 2012, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkognito

I would be willing to roll the dice for a 2nd gen sight that is going to cost me less than $1200. But a thermal sight at $5k plus? I think I would be willing to pay some extra to make sure I get one that is not going to disappoint me.

I'd be interested to know where to find 2 GEN NV scope for under $1200. Got a source to share?
Thanks

Twohawks · July 29, 2012, 19:52

The scope is great...but on my rock river arms elite comp not my stg....

One must get their eye up to the scope to open the aperture / dust cover. The recoil on the stg bangs it against ones eye....this was made for .223 not .308

May be the same for other night is ion optics.

Having said that it's amazing on the AR....

**riffraff2** · July 30, 2012, 09:58

I was burned.

Maybe ATN has come up with their quality but the GenII night vision I bought about 5 years back was not impressive in any way, shape, form or fashion.

Twohawks · July 30, 2012, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by riffraff2

I was burned.

Maybe ATN has come up with their quality but the GenII night vision I bought about 5 years back was not impressive in any way, shape, form or fashion.

I have never had an ATN product before this but I am shooting 1 MOA in the dark with this Thor scope on my Elite Comp. It really seems to be military grade as far as the housing etc. will let ou know if it craps out on me.

gates · August 14, 2012, 23:14

Thermal and NV are TWO different things...

Twohawks · August 20, 2012, 04:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gates

Thermal and NV are TWO different things...

Of course...and I can only speak about the Thor TI scope...but so far it's great.

**Mark IV** · August 25, 2012, 01:45

Hope you're going to put a Vortex or some other effective flash hider on that critter.

C2A1 · August 25, 2012, 23:09

Really depends on what you want to do. Since you live in a wooded area, you don't need to take 500m shots so a 2X 320 should suit you. The 30 Hz frame rate should be good for you. The 60Hz is if you are looking at fairly fast moving targets. The 640 is for super clear/ high res. but you pay a price and I think there is new technology in the wings which will totaly change the thermal picture in the next 5 years (assuming we last that long.). So I would go with a $6K system rather than a $12K. One thing is it will give you amazing performance over NV systems, day and night.

Twohawks · August 27, 2012, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Hope you're going to put a Vortex or some other effective flash hider on that critter.

Flash isn't bad...standard bird cage flash hider. You can notice the heat of the scope though..
C2A1 I agree. I think I have the right thing for my situation for the available technology and price.

rwwje · September 24, 2012, 01:11

Had to move ATN Gen 3 (works great) from FAL to AR for same reason that Twohawks had with ATN Thermal: close to eye mount and recoil. Use ATN Gen 1 on FAL for 25 to 50 yard night hog hunting at deer feedeers, as it has much better eye relief than the Gen 3 or Twohawks' ATN THOR Thermal unit. Never got a black-eye from the FAL/Gen 3 - but got reminded of the issue about 50% of shots. An appropriate Trilux type "accordian eye thingie" would put the ATN Gen 3 back on an FAL with no worries except an occasional, but much safer, brow/eye thump.

July 03, 2012, 12:52	#3
Twohawks Registered FALaholic #: 64693 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	Thx for the input. I'll let you know...it's on the way. There is a 1 year warranty. I will push it hard to see how it holds. I just heard of a company spi with their x26 model. $7k plus. I live in a remote area...wooded...and regular NV doesn't quite cut it... The unit mounts with an actual a.r.m.s. #17 mount which is top shelf quality. Optics appear to be mil spec. Time will tell. The next closest unit in features sells for $2500 more from sti. Reviews from actual ATN Thor owners report the unit is robust. Last edited by Twohawks; July 03, 2012 at 15:48.

July 16, 2012, 21:23	#5
Twohawks Registered FALaholic #: 64693 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	Review Quality is excellent...military grade housing. It's not real heavy but it makes the already heavy STG almost too heavy for off hand. And...you have to get real close to the scope so the .308 recoil will force me to use the scope on an AR or sig 556 classic.

July 29, 2012, 19:52	#7
Twohawks Registered FALaholic #: 64693 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	Update The scope is great...but on my rock river arms elite comp not my stg.... One must get their eye up to the scope to open the aperture / dust cover. The recoil on the stg bangs it against ones eye....this was made for .223 not .308 May be the same for other night is ion optics. Having said that it's amazing on the AR....

August 25, 2012, 01:45	#12
Mark IV Curio & Relic Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 50937 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,015	Hope you're going to put a Vortex or some other effective flash hider on that critter. __________________ "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." Edward Abbey

September 24, 2012, 01:11	#15
rwwje Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 2017 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 1,418	Had to move ATN Gen 3 (works great) from FAL to AR for same reason that Twohawks had with ATN Thermal: close to eye mount and recoil. Use ATN Gen 1 on FAL for 25 to 50 yard night hog hunting at deer feedeers, as it has much better eye relief than the Gen 3 or Twohawks' ATN THOR Thermal unit. Never got a black-eye from the FAL/Gen 3 - but got reminded of the issue about 50% of shots. An appropriate Trilux type "accordian eye thingie" would put the ATN Gen 3 back on an FAL with no worries except an occasional, but much safer, brow/eye thump. __________________ Conservatives believe that the people are sovereign, and that the government is subject to the will of the people. Liberals believe that the government is sovereign, and that the people are subject to the will of the government.

June 25, 2012, 07:16	#1
Twohawks Registered FALaholic #: 64693 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 15	Thermal imaging scope for my STG...thoughts? Thinking of getting the ATN 320 thermal imaging scope for my STG to set it up as my night defense rifle. Anybody have any experience with this type of scope? Any thoughts on the idea? Last edited by Twohawks; June 29, 2012 at 15:38.

July 02, 2012, 21:05	#2
Inkognito Registered FALaholic #: 51153 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KS Posts: 814	That is an awful pricey piece of equipment. I've been contemplating a 2nd gen night sight for years and I have looked at ATN. My research has turned up some questionable reviews about the quality of ATN products. Some say they do not hold up to real world use. If you are looking at a thermal sight, you might should consider getting a more proven brand like ITT that manufactures to military specs. I get the impression ATN is consumer grade optics. This is based solely on discussions I have had with others. I would be willing to roll the dice for a 2nd gen sight that is going to cost me less than $1200. But a thermal sight at $5k plus? I think I would be willing to pay some extra to make sure I get one that is not going to disappoint me.

July 04, 2012, 11:09	#4
Inkognito Registered FALaholic #: 51153 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KS Posts: 814	Definitely let me know how it works out for you after you've used it a bit. A good report might be just what I need to finally pull the trigger on an ATN 2nd Gen.

July 30, 2012, 09:58	#8
riffraff2 Veteran Member Platinum Contributor FALaholic #: 54720 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,865	I was burned. Maybe ATN has come up with their quality but the GenII night vision I bought about 5 years back was not impressive in any way, shape, form or fashion.

August 14, 2012, 23:14	#10
gates Registered FALaholic #: 129 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: phx az Posts: 10,429	Thermal and NV are TWO different things...

August 25, 2012, 23:09	#13
C2A1 Registered FALaholic #: 15514 Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,017	Really depends on what you want to do. Since you live in a wooded area, you don't need to take 500m shots so a 2X 320 should suit you. The 30 Hz frame rate should be good for you. The 60Hz is if you are looking at fairly fast moving targets. The 640 is for super clear/ high res. but you pay a price and I think there is new technology in the wings which will totaly change the thermal picture in the next 5 years (assuming we last that long.). So I would go with a $6K system rather than a $12K. One thing is it will give you amazing performance over NV systems, day and night.

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