Constant technical advances in digital rifle scopes provide ever-increasing functionality and utility to hunters at cost-competitive prices. In this review, we’ll look at how night vision technology works, its advantages and uses, and finally, we’ll update you on ATN’s current smart high-definition rifle scope range.

What is Night Vision, And How Do Night Vision Scopes Work?

Night vision optical devices use digital technology to allow binoculars, cameras, and rifle scopes to display an image even when it’s dark. Sensors used in these devices capture and digitize the small amount of visible and infrared light available at night. Software then intensifies and enhances the digital signal to create a usable image for viewing through the eyepiece or ocular lens.

While night vision technology has existed for many years, original devices were complex and cumbersome. Newer digital technologies have improved night vision capabilities while producing lighter devices. The prices for night vision optics have also reduced, placing advanced technologies into the hands of everyday users, where once it was the sole preserve of the military or governments.

The availability of night-vision technology has spawned many non-military uses for personal and commercial applications. Personal uses include:

– Wildlife observation – researchers can study nocturnal animal behavior.
– Navigation – hikers, campers, and boat owners can navigate in low light.
– Hunting enables low-light hunting when the game may be difficult to locate.
– Security – used for monitoring properties during the night.

Commercial applications incorporate:

– Search and rescue – locating and rescuing individuals in low-light conditions.
– Aviation – used by pilots to see and avoid obstacles when navigating.
– Agriculture – monitoring crops for pests.
– Oil and gas – monitoring critical equipment during the night.
– Law enforcement – aids in surveillance, search, rescue, and tactical operations.

Best ATN Night Vision Rifle Scope Series

ATN has created two innovative models of night-vision riflescopes to cater to all hunters, from casual weekenders to professionals for whom hunting is their livelihood.

The X-Sight LTV series offers a price-competitive night vision option for amateur hunters who require standard digital riflescope functionality. While an LTV scope uses a powerful processor, it still provides over ten hours of non-stop use on one battery charge. Day and night modes are user selected, choosing between multiple reticle patterns. Hunters can also record the through-scope action in high-definition video onto an onboard Micro SD card.

The X-Sight 4K Pro series takes tech to another level, with a dual-core processor and an ultra-sensitive sensor providing unparalleled night and day vision. Despite all the onboard tech, the 4K scope batteries can last over 18 hours of continuous use. The extra functionality of this series includes high-definition video recording at speeds up to 120 frames per second, dual streaming wi-fi capability to the onboard Micro SD card and a connected device, Bluetooth connectivity, a ballistic calculator including weapons profiles, and a smart range finder. 

Best ATN Day/Night Vision Smart HD Scopes 2023 Review

The following four ATN night vision scopes comprise two from the LTV range and two from the high-end 4K series. Let’s look at the specifications of each, and we’ll review their pros and cons.

ATN X-SIGHT LTV 3-9X

The LTV 3-9X is the most cost-competitive night vision riflescope in the ATN lineup. However, don’t let the wallet-friendly price fool you. The 3-9X runs ATNs Obsidian LT Core processor with a Quad High Definition plus (QHD+) sensor of 2,688 x 1,944 pixels. 

All this digital ability is coupled with high-definition optics to give crisp and vivid images by day or night. The 3-9X uses 30mm standard rings for mounting and gives 90mm eye relief. Video records onto the onboard Micro SD card of up to 64 GB capacity, at 1280×720 resolution and 30 frames per second.

Battery power is via an internal lithium-ion battery, and recharging the battery uses a USB C-type charging connector. Expect greater than 10 hours of continuous operation on a full charge. A 3D gyroscope and accelerometer provide in-view data, while there are multiple reticle patterns for selection by the user. The 3-9X is of hardened aluminium alloy with impact-resistant electronics, yet its lightweight of 745 grams makes it ideal for weight-critical platforms like air rifles or crossbows.

A one-shot zero facility is standard on all ATN scopes, and the 3-9X ships with a two-year warranty.

ATN X-SIGHT LTV 5-15X

The LTV 5-15X comes from the same series as the 3-9X giving you a 5 to 15x variable magnification with a 240-foot or 5-degree field of view at a similar price to the 3-9X. The internal electronics are identical, sporting the Obsidian LT Core and the QHD+ 2688×1944 pixel sensor. This pairing and the scopes high definition optics assure you of excellent images in both day and night modes.

The enhanced high-definition night vision mode of the 5-15X lets you keep hunting once the sun goes down, with HD video recording possible at 720P resolution and 30 fps. One-shot zero is an included feature, while the scope’s low power consumption gives over ten hours of continuous use, with recharging via a USB C-type connector. Construction is the same as the 3-9X, with hardened aluminium alloy and impact-resistant electronics designed to cope with high-caliber weapons.

Given the larger variable zoom range, the 5-15X is marginally heavier than the 3-9X, but only by 35 grams, making it ideal for platforms like air rifles or crossbows where weight is important. The 5-15X is weather resistant, comes with a two-year warranty, and uses the 30mm standard rings for mounting, with a 90mm eye relief. The choice between multiple reticle patterns is standard, and the scope has onboard gyroscopes and accelerometers operating in three dimensions, giving on-screen data.

ATN X-SIGHT 4K PRO 3-14X

Moving to the 4K Pro series of scopes takes us to another level of rifle scope sophistication, offering greatly enhanced functionality at a slightly higher price. ATN’s higher specification Obsidian IV Dual Core processor powers the 4K Pro 3-14X and joins with a 4K sensor of 3864×2218 pixel resolution to offer an uncompromising clarity of vision. Offering a variable range magnification of 3 to 14 times, the field of view is 460 feet or 9 degrees.

Given the specification of the sensor, it’s no wonder that the 4K series of rifle scopes has an impressive resolution for recording. The 3-14X can record 30, 60, or 120 frames per second at 1080p resolution. The recorded video can be sent to the onboard Micro SD card and simultaneously streamed by wi-fi to an external iOS or android device.

Mounting of the 4K scopes is the same as the LTV range, using 30mm standard rings and with a 90mm eye relief. Where the two series differ is in the amount of functionality on offer. The 3-14X allows the selection of recoil-activated video recording to ensure you don’t miss your hunting action, and you get a full ballistic calculator that supports different weapon and load profiles while capturing and reporting environmental conditions to guide and adjust your aim. 
 
A range finder comes standard in the 4K series, as does a smart Mil-Dot reticle that allows you to program the variance between hash marks in Mils. Multiple reticle patterns and colors are user selectable, and an infra-red illuminator is standard. Despite the extensive electronics on board, the internal lithium-ion battery provides more than 18 hours of continuous use on one charge before recharging using the USB C-type connector. The 3-14X weighs in at 940 grams and comes with a two-year warranty.

ATN X-SIGHT 4K PRO 5-20X

The 4K Pro 5-120X comes from the same professional series as the 3-14X but offers a variable 5 to 20 times magnification and a 240-foot or 5-degree field of view. The processor powering the 5-20X is ATNs Obsidian IV Dual Core using a sensor of 3864×2218 offering 4K resolution, while the microdisplay viewed through the ocular lens, or eyepiece, has a high-definition resolution of 1280×720. These three specifications hint at the extraordinary clarity and sharpness of the final sight picture.

Video recording on the 5-20X can be recorded to an onboard Micro SD card while simultaneously streaming to a nearby iOS or Android device and offers a resolution of 1080p at three selectable frame rates of 30, 60, or 120 frames per second. The recoil-operated video option is useful if you forget to hit record in the heat of the moment.
 
Like its lower magnification sibling, the 5-20X offers multiple reticle patterns in several colors and boasts ATNs smart Mil-Dot reticle that lets you program the variance between the hash marks in Mils and dynamically adjusts through the entire zoom range. An onboard ballistic calculator and built-in range finder ensure you hit the target every time by accounting for multiple variables, including elevation, environment, shooting angle, and weapon and load profiles. 

Battery duration exceeds 18 hours of full-time use via the internal lithium-ion battery, with Micro USB recharging. As the largest of the 4K Pro scopes, it’s no surprise that the 5-20X is slightly heavier than the rest, tipping the scales at 1.01 kg. The scope ships with a two-year warranty.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, selecting the best night-vision riflescope depends entirely on your unique hunting needs, personal preferences, weapon platform, and budget. There is always a tradeoff between functionality, sight quality, weight, and cost. It’s for this reason ATN created two series of night-vision scopes, allowing them to cater to most user requirements despite the huge number of selection variables.
  
If you’re weight or cost limited, the LTV series of night-vision scopes will more than fulfill your hunting needs, offering excellent resolution. If cost and weight are less of an issue, or you’re a professional or semi-professional hunter, the increased functionality and image resolution of the 4K Pro series will more than meet your expectations.

We hope this review has helped in your selection process, but whatever your decision, ATN experts are standing by to assist you with any further queries you may have.