Since opening day of most hunting seasons is still a couple of months away, you have time to pick out and order the perfect present that your dad, husband, brother or friend can use in the woods and fields this fall and for years to come, all year round. Yep, we’re talking about a thermal optic like those offered by ATN.
We know what you’re thinking — what if your guy isn’t the high-tech type? No worries. Even traditionalists will find thermal imaging easy to use and helpful in the field. Because scopes are a little more gun-specific, for gift giving, we recommend a thermal binocular or monocular. These are terrific for all sorts of hunting-related tasks. He can use his new gift for year-round scouting, for locating game, and for finding downed game after the shot. Thermal is a game-changer.
Because thermal works day or night, the possibilities are endless. Take, for example, ATN’s affordable OTS-XLT line of thermal monoculars. Simple and easy to use, the OTS-XLT comes with your choice of two lenses depending on the magnification Dad wants. The 2-8X model ($599 MSRP) is a great all-around choice, or for a bit more magnification and another $100, you can step up to the 2.5-10X lens. The OTS-XLT is powered by ATN’s Obsidian LT core with a 160x120px sensor. A smart rangefinder is built-in, and Dad can even record video and take pictures through the device. There are only a few buttons, so even a non-tech-savvy dad can pick the OTS-XLT up and start using it intuitively.
If the recipient is a techie and has some higher expectations from his or her devices, they might appreciate stepping up to the Odin LT line of monoculars, with an improved high-resolution display, upgraded lenses and a head mount for hands-free use. The Odin line starts at $1,299 and comes with a three-year warranty.
A monocular isn’t for everyone, of course. Traditionalists might prefer a binocular, and ATN’s got you covered there, too, with the ATN BinoX 4T. This line of smart HD thermal binos have a built-in laser rangefinder and a dual-core thermal sensor. Winner of our Predator Xtreme Readers’ Choice Award, the BinoX 4T comes in your choice of two 4th-gen sensors: 384x288 and 640x480, offering a detection range of 750 yards for the base model (out to 1,950 for the 640 sensor with the largest-magnification lens). Three lenses are available with the 384 sensor: a 1.25-5X, a 2-8X and a 4.5-18X. Three are available with the 640 sensor: a 1-10X, a 1.5-15X and a 2.5-25X. The bigger the magnification, the smaller the field of view, so when deciding, take into account what the hunter is likely to use the binos for the most and what ranges he might be seeking game at. He can select between black-hot/white-hot mode or color mode, and video capability (recording and live-streaming) is built in as well. With 16+ hours of run time on a charge, they can run the BinoX all day or all night.
If the lucky gift recipient already has an ATN scope, the BinoX will exchange information with it using ATN’s Ballistic Information Exchange (BIX). If not, he can download ATN’s laser ballistics app and pair it with his new binoculars to get all the ballistic data he needs for accurate shooting.
Starting at $2,699, the BinoX might make be one of the best gifts your hunter has ever received.
