Review for ATN ThOR 320 2x Enhanced Thermal Imaging Weapon Sight TIWSMT322D

Author: Eastern Predator Hunter {!} , Hunting and Shooting enthusiast, from Alexandria, VA on Feb 6, 2013
Pros:  Well made and easy to use
Cons:  Reticle cross hairs can be tough to see at times
Would recommend:  yes

Eastern Predator Hunter wrote:

This sight works superbly on predators in low and no light situations. I hunt in the Appalachians mostly in the National Forest with heavy to moderate ground cover. The Scope is especially useful in winter at spotting approaching coyotes in wooded or vegetated areas. This thermal sight allows you to see their heat signature and easily identify coyotes, even through a light brush cover that would certainly prevent you visually acquiring them. Even in the snow, the sticks and branches prevent red light or image intensifier scopes from seeing the coyote but with this sight it is no problem to acquire and identify the coyotes, most of which approach boldly at night. If I had more money I would have purchased the 4x version to get better definition at longer ranges. While you can EASILY see the coyotes at 2x, I think the additional magnification would be nice for specifically identifying animals at greater ranges. My one complaint with this product is with the reticle pattern designs used. The crosshairs are very thin and tough to make out at times. They give you 5 reticle patterns but the crosshair and dot thicknesses are too thin to easily permit picking out the crosshairs in heavy clutter. This reticle issue is this devices one downfall. I would recommend ATN add a better Duplex reticle pattern with wider crosshairs and also add an EOTEC style pattern like the circle with a dot or series of dots in it for close in moving targets. Also ATN needs to make their post reticle much wider more like a German #4 reticle with thick bars. Increasing the crosshair thickness is essential to helping you quickly get on a moving animal with your point of aim in thick cover. Since the reticles are electronically generated, perhaps ATN can offer an upgrade to fix this easily (Optics Planet you may want to mention this to ATN). That said, this is a great hunting device. You can pick up animals as hot spots at greater ranges than possible with a normal riflescope (day or night) and you can see in total darkness. This is a pricey capability but if you hunt furbearers/predators in low or no light conditions this product is well worth the cost, in my opinion.