ATN Thor-HD 4.5-18X SMART Thermal Scope: Hunt Like a Predator

Every year states adjust their hunting and fishing regulations and more of them each year have now allowed night hunting of certain types of animals. In many states were feral hogs devastate crops and small game such as foxes, wolves, and coyotes cause havoc on chickens and rabbits hunters have been looking for advantages to combat these types of wildlife. Until the last few years if a person wanted to hunt at night it required expensive and heavy military style optics, that was until ATN Corporation developed and released their ATN Thor HD series of smart thermal optics. These aren’t like any thermal optics you’ve seen before I would imagine.

The engineers at ATN Corporation somehow packed all the latest in greatest in technology and mated it to an amazingly easy and customizable operating system to give hunters and sportsmen the advantage over their game once the sun goes down. Once I started to unpacked the optic and look at the specifications and features of the ATN Thor HD I was actually mad that it arrived in the middle of the Alaska summer. I say that jokingly of course but what I was greeted with when I opened the package from my friends at Hurricane Group Corporate offices was the ATN Thor HD 4.5-18X SMART Thermal Scope. Before I go any deeper into the review lets look at the specifications quickly and see why exactly this thermal optic is so special and advanced.

Specifications

Manufacturer: ATN Corporation

Model: Thor HD

Magnification Type: Variable

Magnification Range: 4.5 X – 18 X

Objective Lens: 50 mm

Length: 8.81″

Width: 3.16″

Height: 3.14″

Weight: 1.85 lbs

Human Detection Range: 1500 Meters

Human Head Detection Range: 600 Meters

Run Time: 8 hours on four batteries

Mount Style: Interchangeable Quick Mount

Key Features:

• Range Finder
• GPS
• Bullet Drop Calculator for each round/load
• HD Video Capable
• Barometer
• Compass
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Recoil Operated Video
• Selectable Reticle
• Micro SD Card For Data Storage

I was initially hesitant about the ATN Thor because I was completely unfamiliar with using thermal optics in any capacity. It took about ten minutes of reading and tinkering with the controls to get it all dialed in and set to my eyes. This optic is packed with so many features that it will be hard to keep this article a decent length, but I will try. Starting with the controls the ATN Thor is ridiculously simple to use, one simple On/Off button and the thermal sprung to life. The simplicity of the controls on such a complicated optic was a welcome relief. Once you look through the viewfinder all the operator needs to do in order to adjust the settings and presents is use the directional arrows and the “Enter” button located in the middle of the button array.

Scanning the display it was a bit out of focus but a quick turn of the compensation ring at the rear of the eye cup cleared it right up. This is great for shooters who wear glasses or have slight vision irregularities. Once I was dialed in I began to check the lay of the land and see what information was displayed in the viewfinder. As you can see by the below picture, the optic registered the time, date, temperature and a host of other information that could be deemed important by the end user. Although this information is was not captured in my test photo from the scope which was interesting.

Before anyone freaks out and calls PETA or calls me a dog hater, the optic was hand held during this test cycle and you can see from the leg in the left of the picture, I was closely supervised. At no time was the scope mounted on my rifle or was my dogs life placed in any harm. I was shocked though at how well the thermal optic could see the difference between her actual eyeball and the ocular cavity in her skull. This image was on the lowest setting and approximately 30 feet away. It’s June in Alaska, the sun doesn’t set very well here in the summer so I had to go into my garage and stand on the other side of it for the image to be taken. I was happy with how well my dog made the optic light up. My dog made an amazing Loud Out Room Assistant.

All fun and games aside I would have to say that this optic is light weight and the flexible eye cup makes extended viewing through the viewfinder very easy. In my few hours of on and off glancing and becoming familiar with its operation I can say that my eyes suffered no fatigue or discomfort. That is a big plus for me in terms of scoring the usability of the optic. All too often optics sound great and look even better but the second you put them up to your eye to use them the real trouble starts. The large rubber eyecup is soft and offers plenty of length as to prevent any scope bite during use.

Technology

The thing that sets the ATN Thor apart from the rest of the pack is the technology that is packed into the optic. ATN’s engineers seemed to have surveyed shooters and asked for what would make their perfect optic for varmints and fur bearing animals like foxes and wolves and they deliver just that. All the gadgets that anyone could want are packed into this scope and combined with a great field of view and magnification range. I almost thought it was all a joke until I looked through the view finder but sure enough all the advertised tools are there in plain view. The compass, thermometer, magnification indicator and shooting angle are all present during normal operation. They are though all nicely tucked into the margins of the view screen. This is important because the information is there if you need it but not presented in an unorganized or cluttered fashion.

One of the most interesting features that the ATN Thor HD series of thermal optics have is the ability to record images and high definition video. The optic features a Micro SD memory card in it that gives users the ability to record images and video like we previously discussed. One other feature that is available because of the Micro SD memory card is something ATN refers to as RAV or Recoil Activated Video. What this essential does is detect that the user has fired the weapon the Thor-HD 4.5X-18X thermal scope is mounted on and records the view through the optic before, during and after the shot. This allows hunters to capture the record of that perfect shot and hopefully trophy sized animal.

The ATN Thor HD family of optics is designed with lots of features to provide hunters and sportsman which years of serious use. The price point might not be in everyone’s budget but like I was told once long ago “Buy Once …Cry Once” and that has held true for me. The ATN Thor is available in multiple sizes and magnifications to suit the needs of a wide array of shooters. I was just fortunate enough to have this particular model sent to me for an initial review. Since it is summer in Alaska, and unfortunately our state hunting regulations don’t permit using forward facing thermal optics, this rifle is going back to the lower 48 to the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to be put through its field trials. Which is a real shame because I was hoping to land a whole pile of wolves, foxes and black bears this winter.

We hope you have enjoyed this first look at the ATN Thor HD 4.5-18X SMART Thermal Scope, if you are in a state that allows night hunting, you should really look at investing in a ATN Thermal Optic. The entire line can be user customized to hold a particular load and bullet drop compensation for any of your favorite hunting rounds. The scope also features several different styles of illuminated reticles, with all the ATN Thor family of optics, all the tools you need to be a successful hunter are at your finger tips.

You can get your own Thor HERE for a little more than a high end optical scope.