If there has to be a night vision scope out there that embodies a great all-around deal, then it is the ATN X-Sight II HD scope. Apart from its great price, it packs some of the best features from this segment and by doing so it solidifies its place among the best models not only in this price – but for the money altogether.
Jack’s Verdict:
The ATN X-Sight has everything a hunter needs from a night vision scope. It has a great magnification range, a good field of view and focus range, excellent video recording capabilities (full HD), and solid construction to keep all that safe. On top of that, you get almost all of the modern technologies ready to help you aim at any moment. Those are the myriad of geotagging, elevation, acceleration, and barometer sensors that will precisely calibrate your shot trajectory and point of impact any time you need it. For the price you are paying, there is currently no better option for a scope that can do both night and daytime shooting and recording so well.
If you want to learn more about these types of scopes and check out all the other models I’ve reviewed, head over to my guide on the best night vision scopes out there. In this review, I will go deep into the features of the X-Sight, show you some of its most notable characteristics, and discuss how it fares against similar competition. So, without further ado, let’s just jump straight into it!
Features
What stands out the most about this scope for me is that apart from being an excellent night vision model, it does a rather fine job during the day as well. The HD Camera sensor really makes the picture pop out and brings it to life, even though you aren’t viewing it through real optics. This is why most people opt for a similar model, as this 2 in 1 convenience is irreplaceable when you are out hunting coyotes at night. It is priced in the lower brackets of regular rifle scopes and by having such a price tag it competes with them directly.
Hunters really have an easy choice in front of them because for the money, you are getting a fairly good day time scope, and an excellent night time scope, which comes at the price of a regular scope with not much adjustability and quality to it. Of course, the story with ATN’s scopes continues across all price brackets, as they have no logical competitors in the higher price points as well but I have a few models prepared here that might give them a run for their money.
Tech
It has GPS Geotagging and Elevation detection which are essential for some of the features I will go through in a moment. There are 3D magnetometer and accelerometer, and an electronic barometer on the inside. Another great feature that helps you with aiming is the GS7 Gyroscope which smoothens the spotting capabilities of the scope.
Magnification Properties & Aiming
In terms of magnification, this scope does zoom in quite a bit compared to other cheap night vision scopes such as the Night Owl NightShot Scope. It can bring your picture from 5 to 20 times closer depending on the range at which you are hunting. Speaking of range, there is also a built-in rangefinder inside the scope. That eliminates the need of bringing one with you or buying one altogether, as they can be quite costly. This one calculates the distance to the target as you are targeting making it really convenient.
The smart range finder works in 3 steps. First, you aim for the top part of the animal, then go for the lowest point on the ground below it, and then finally point your scope directly at it. After that, you should have a very precise idea of the distance between you and your target. Once the X-Sight knows the distance it has the option of automatically adjusting the point of impact of your bullet.
If you hunter in the closer ranges, then there is a 3-14x option for you. Both of these scope options zero in at around 100 yards but this one here has a bigger field of view at 1000 yards (240 ft). Lastly, the “Smooth Zoom” technology allows you to carefully fine-tune your zoom during aiming without losing your field of view like with other traditional step-zoom scope systems.
The eye relief is 65mm which is roughly 2.5 inches, or as much as most normal scopes nowadays. It has diopter adjustment settings in the -5 dpt to +5 dpt range.
Reticle
There is an unbelievable amount of reticles to choose from here, from Christmas tree reticles, through BDCs, all the way to a standard crosshair and a mil-dot. In fact, there are 8 choices for you to pick from.
This is where digital scopes shine, as what you see is completely adjustable – it is just a matter of software, not hardware properties. What eliminates the need for a sophisticated reticle is the add-on of a ballistic calculator. All you have to do is enter the map data and it will do all the trajectory calculations for you. For some, it might seem a gimmick, and that is why I suggest trying it out on a target practice session first before risking missing a shot when you’re hunting.
HD Properties & Recording
The full HD camera sensor here is great at picking colors and it really shines during the day. It has good night properties but realistically it can’t beat the IR thermal sensors on some of the other night vision scopes.
The scope can record in 1080p (30fps) directly on the Micro SD card you put in it. Another option of recording is via streaming to your mobile device. It works with both iOS and Android and transmits data through wi-fi. It also records sound, but that isn’t its strong side in my opinion.
Having an SD card slot is really a step in the right direction as previous models needed a USB cable for you to transfer information away and now you can just get a beefy 512 GB SD card and record all day long. What I found out is that the 4 GB of memory inside is just not enough if you are going to do multiple videos in a single day without moving/deleting them.
There is a feature on this particular scope that automatically records the shooting process for you. ATN is calling it an RAV (Recoiled Activated Video) and what it does is essentially work as a dashcam. Every time you shoot, it saves 10 seconds before the shot and that much after to make a full 20 second HD video of your shot and the moments around it.
Day & Night Modes
As I mentioned, this scope really shines both during the night and daytime. There is an option of buying an additional ATN IR Illuminator which will practically double the scope’s night performance and will let you have an effective range of up to 300 yards in total darkness.
Still, for me, the daytime recording is far superior since there is a camera sensor here instead of an IR one. The effective range during complete darkness without an additional Illuminator doesn’t surpass 200-250 yards, depending on the conditions. If it’s a moonlit night, then you can aim as far as 600 yards without much issue but at this point, the zooming capabilities and the resolution will start to limit the sensor’s performance.
On each mode you will get detailed data about:
- Distance to target
- Elevation
- How much you are zoomed in
- Wind
- Time
- Connectivity options
All that is on your screen in a way that it doesn’t get in your sight and is there to supplement your kill shot. The image is also well-stabilized and there is little to no blurring when you’re moving thanks to the 30 fps capacity. The colors are vivid in the day and the contrast is high enough in the night for you to easily distinguish potential targets.
If you want to learn more about the different night vision generations click here!
Construction & Durability
In terms of materials and construction, this scope is exceptionally well-built. It is entirely waterproof and dustproof, which is a good thing to have on your scope if you plan to take it everywhere with you.
The body feels solid in your hands and the buttons on top are very tactile even when you are wearing your shooting gloves. The whole scope weighs a little more than 2 pounds making it one of the lightest night vision models out there, especially considering the amount of technology fit into it.
Extra Features
What you will be getting in your package is:
- Batteries
- Guide & Manual
- Sunshades
- Light Filter
- Soft case
- Eyecups
The mount is a Picatinny one that is interchangeable. It is great to see such a mount on a night vision scope, as it will fit most of the rifles out there.
The X-Sight II has 4 AA batteries inside which are good for up to 17 hours. ATN also sells a 20 000 mAh battery pack that you can use for your scope. That will extend the scope’s life by more than 20 hours. It also has the option of charging other devices as well, such as a rechargeable flashlight, an IR blaster, or even a mobile device.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The best price-to-value ratio on the market
- Incredible Adjustability
- Very durable
- Fairly lightweight & compact
- Has wi-fi streaming
- SD card options for up to 64 GB
- Has Recoil Activated Video (RAV)
Cons
- The sound recording doesn’t sound great
- Isn’t ideal for long-range shots in pitch black conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ATN night vision scopes any good?
While ATN’s night vision scopes aren’t at the top of the night vision chain, they are, without a doubt, one of the most affordable ones and bring a great price-to-value to the table.
is the ATN X-Sight II waterproof?
Yes, this ATN scope is fully waterproof as well as dustproof thanks to its unibody construction and proper sealing.
Conclusion & Rating
Jack’s Rating:
Night vision scopes have gone a long way and they have much room for improvement still. Even so, there are scopes nowadays that are just so good of a deal and so full of technologies that they are an excellent future-proof investment. The ATN X-Sight II HD Night Scope is one of those models. It packs an amazing variety of features that are going to satisfy the taste of even the most experienced night-time hunters. Having an incredible price-to-value ratio it also is one of the top choices for beginners that want to have a versatile scope that will stick with them for years to come.
