I have a chance to pick up a ATN Xsight 2 HD 5x20x. Does anyone have any experience with one on aAR? Any info would be welcome. Thanks,vonn

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If you don't get info here, check out some hog huntin' forums.

Watched a bunch but a number of them seem to be selling or sponsored. The people here have always been pretty good at providing critical evaluations and I like to check as many sources as I can when dealing with web info. Thanks for the reply.

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I was just researching that vary same scope yesterday for many hours--Reading reviews, customer feedback and watching about 20-30 videos. I've come to the conclusion that it will be my scope for the AR I'll be getting. The most important step to do seems to be update the firmware as soon as you get it or at least check the version installed. New versions come out all the time and they improve and correct functions on the scope. I checked the ATN site and new firmware was just released recently. (Forget the exact date but it's within the last couple of weeks.)

The scope has been approved/certified for .308 caliber and below. Anything larger may damage the electronics or dislodge the batteries due to recoil. That's something else. Everyone says to go with external power. Batteries are still required but the power pack adds significantly to the use time--Hours instead of minutes. It's said to eat batteries like candy so use lithium AAs as well as a power pack.

Oh, and one other item I gleaned from feedback. The scope may overheat and shutdown in extended night mode use if you don't set the hibernate option. Apparently, night mode takes a lot of processor power that generates heat. I'm guessing hibernate mode allows the scope to sleep when not actively being used and still turned on.

I've got one. It works fine and you can't beat it for the price. You will want a good IR illuminator.

Thanks Blast. I read about the illuminator and thought I'd give the stock unit a try first. I intend to use the night scope and the AR for a hog gun in heavy brush area--My side lot. So at present, I'm not looking for long range illumination. And I was all set to spring for the 5x20 version of the scope.

After viewing more videos, I'm not so sure now but thinking of options. It looks like the low end 5x isn't much good for ranges less than about 25yds. I can see being closer to hogs than that. But I sure like the 20x end so I'm in a quandary. Go 3x14 for shorter range or go 5x20 for longer range. Perhaps a compact laser for the short-shots on the 5x. I just don't want to be carrying around 20lbs of rifle.

And I can see a FLIR handheld in my future too.

Well.... I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 5x20. Should be here within a week. I'm still shopping for compact laser.

I don't much care for the options on the power packs at $99 so I'm making my own. I ordered a butt stock mag pouch and a 10kmAh battery all for less than $20. I have a cable and a dust cap I think I can use. And the mag pouch doesn't have Fox or ATN advertising printed all over it in bright colors. I'm too old to stay out all day or night so I'm sure the battery will hold up fine for my needs. For special outings, I can carry a spare battery.

10-7

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Update:
Just found out last night that ATN is coming out with a remote "mouse" to control the ATN X-Sight II HD and the Thor HD. Perhaps a couple more devices. It will be called the X-Trac. The mouse looks like it straps to the hand guard and will be capable of controlling the X-Sight, via Bluetooth, without removing your hand from the guard. It has six buttons and a wheel to control several functions like zoom, menu activation and selection, camera control and others. Very convenient in that you don't have to release your grip to change options on the scope. All it requires is a firmware update to activate the scope's Bluetooth interface. That firmware update is already available. The X-Trac is due out next month at $79. I already pre-ordered mine.

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Si vis pacem para bellum.