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ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? #6714416 03/24/17 11:10 PM
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Hogz Offline OP
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I am about to pull the trigger on the X SIGHTII. But trying to decide on the 3-14 or the 5-20. From what I can tell the biggest difference is the field of view. Seems to bea bit wider on the 3-14. (And the obvious increased zoom of the 5-20)
Has anyone compared these two side by side.. Does the 5-20 distort as much as the 3-14 when zoomed in quite a ways?
I plan on using this on my 243 during day and night hunting! Most shots will be under 150yds day and night.
Was wondering what people that have the scopes think?
Thank you in advance for any input on this matter.


Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe
Jeff
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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6714621 03/25/17 03:31 AM
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3-14 is more than enough for 150 yards. I assume you have done your research on the x sight prior to spending your $$$. As owner of original x sight they are not for a plug and play user IMO.

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6715284 03/26/17 12:05 PM
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I had the 5-20x. The scope worked as it should but was a big bastard and I would go with the smaller one. I only sold it because I don't have night hunting access and for day time use you have to wait for it turn on and all which worried me.

Other than video recording capabilities, I think the photon is the better option honestly

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6715285 03/26/17 12:06 PM
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I now have a tactacam attached to my gun. Dosnt work at absolute last shooting light but good enough

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6715314 03/26/17 01:13 PM
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My preference is ANYTHING but an X-Sight.....


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Vern1
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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6715438 03/26/17 04:36 PM
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Hogz there are a lot of X-Sight Ii haters here.

I am on the ATN Pro Staff but I was an avid user before that. I know the X-Sights VERY VERY well. There were a lot of issues with the Generation One X-Sights, but most of those are resolved with the X-sight II, and most of the errors experienced are user based errors, as the ATN user guide is not that great for everything it has.

This facebook group will help you if you have issues. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ATNXSightTexas/

Now to your question.. the 3x14 has a lot bigger field of view for under 100 yards, BUT if you plan on zooming in you will loose a lot more clarity with the 3x14 than the 5x20. Think of it as a digital camera on extended zoom, the more you zoom in digitally the more pixelation occurs, and the higher the base zoom the better the picture.

I personally have both and I only use the 3x14 on y X-Bow for 50 yards and in, and my 5x20 is on my rifle for everything else. I added an ARMS 17 QD mount so I can set multipule profiles for different rifles and easily move it back and forth between rifles. 100 -200 yard shots I never even touch the zoom and it stays on base magnification, and the Field of view is just fine for me. But I do not hunt a lot of open fields where I may need to scan after the first shot and do running shots on hogs ect...

For scanning I have the BinoX HD and they are perfect for that.

I have a bunch of How to Videos with the X-Sights to set them up as well.

Below is an example of one of my HOW TO videos - How to use the One Shot Zero. Let me know if I Can help in anyway. I can also get you a 10% off discount code for an online vendor to save you some cash.


Last edited by jtprocaddie; 03/26/17 04:38 PM.

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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6716694 03/27/17 09:41 PM
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Get a Photon. Stay away from ATN.

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6716870 03/28/17 12:37 AM
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Thank you everyone for your input. JT..I have been on the facebook page for some time and have been learning alot there and getting alot of good information. Thank you for your post here and There!. I like the fact that the X sight is both day and night scope...Can you use the Photon during daylight?

I understand most of the options on the x sight from watching all the videos. It is a mini computer within a scope! I will mostly be using this on my Howa 1500 .243 for pigs and coyotes at night and pigs and possibly deer during the daylight hours. I have seen that it is farily heavy and you will not be doing alot of stalking with this gun with this scope on it.
Most of the reviews Ive seen have been pretty positive (amazon/cabelas and Youtube).
I have seen alot of people recommending the Photon too... i just watched some youtube vidoes on the photon. Looks like a decent scope as well.
Thanks again to everyone that responded. Gonna do some more research and some side by side reviews.


Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe
Jeff
Omaha Fire Captain
Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6717137 03/28/17 05:29 AM
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Yep you can use the Photon during the day but it's still a black and white image.

The Photon is an extremely simple to use, no frills, no thrills digital NV scope that just flat out works. It also has a slightly better image quality at night than the X-Sight. It's image sensor does a better job of using ambient and IR light to brighten the image in my opinion.

With that said, the X-Sight has a ton of positives over the Photon if you want all the features. Full color daytime use, video recording, variable zoom and wifi to the app are the big ones for most people. It all comes down to what you want. If you want a mini-computer within a scope, the X-Sight is the only logical choice in the price range. If you want something simple but extremely well built, easy to use and a company to stand behind it, the Photon XT is the answer. They are more different than they are alike and I always say that your personality and technical ability determine which one you will enjoy the most.


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718196 03/29/17 06:30 AM
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What good are features if they don't work correctly?

X-Sights are junk. Period.

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: aerangis] #6718369 03/29/17 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: PappyG1
Get a Photon. Stay away from ATN.
Originally Posted By: aerangis
What good are features if they don't work correctly?

X-Sights are junk. Period.


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718400 03/29/17 02:11 PM
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Like I said above, this form has the most haters of ATn I have seen in one place. The X-Sight II has almost no issues except the GPS issue, when searching for signal the usit is unresponsive. So just keep GPS off, and you have zero issues. Who really Geo tags hunting locations anyways on their scopes?

The other thing I will mention, just like any electronic scope, make sure your mounting screws stay tight I check mine ever time I go to the range just to keep up. I have not had them come loose yet, but its something to stay on top of.

Do what you feel most comfortable with.


Joseph Trousdale
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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718646 03/29/17 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted By: Hogz
It is a mini computer within a scope!


I had an X-Sight 1, it certainly had it's issues and digital night vision has it's issues with illumination. I'll leave the scope itself alone and make these comments...

Night hunting with an X-Sight type digital scope, is not point and shoot. All the in-scope function and related items take a while to learn how to manage as you'll screw around with it, because you can. I missed a shot on my first ever large buck because I forgot to turn the Wi-Fi function off on the scope from playing with it the night before, the batteries died as I was about to pull the trigger. Scope batteries, illuminator batteries, which illuminator, am I recording, firmware updates, scope "freezing" (certainly was there..), ballistic calculators (do I have it turned on, should I try it...) etc.

Digital night vision does not equal Thermal. As you see Lawman posting videos with a 100mm Thermal scope, don't expect the same with NV.

I couldn't be happier with my current, less complex, external recorder (mounted on my buttstock) and XD50 Thermal.

All this said, I'd buy the Photon for your first night hunting scope.


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718705 03/29/17 06:05 PM
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I know a buddy at work who bought an Xsight II , it failed to power up and he had to return it.

Problem is it worked for a few outings to the range to zero and shoot but failed on the night of the hunt.

He got to watch the two other hunters with PhotonXTs and another guy with a green light / day optic kill hogs.

Don't let this happen to you....

Ignore the ATN troll


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Pig_Popper] #6718869 03/29/17 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
I know a buddy at work who bought an Xsight II , it failed to power up and he had to return it.

Problem is it worked for a few outings to the range to zero and shoot but failed on the night of the hunt.

He got to watch the two other hunters with PhotonXTs and another guy with a green light / day optic kill hogs.

Don't let this happen to you....

Ignore the ATN troll



Haha Perfect example of the hate of ATN here lol

Right after ATN launched the X II on the first firmware there was an issue with the sleep mode doing this to the unit, but that was fixed right away. Other than that there are several things that can cause this. ( which are now resolved from being able to happen)

The most common is setting the distance to 0 as it would cause an error in the ballistics which would keep it from powering on. There was a trick to get around that and get it working again which is mentioned in the forums. But the latest updates will not even allow you to set the distance at zero so that is no longer an issue.

Or having charged batteries in the scope helps haha


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718970 03/29/17 10:18 PM
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Hahahaha

What is so funny about a malfunctioning scope that resulted in customer dissatisfaction and a return of the product ?

You are by far the strangest ProStaffer I've ever known

Hahahahaha


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Pig_Popper] #6718976 03/29/17 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
I know a buddy at work who bought an Xsight II , it failed to power up and he had to return it.

Problem is it worked for a few outings to the range to zero and shoot but failed on the night of the hunt.

He got to watch the two other hunters with PhotonXTs and another guy with a green light / day optic kill hogs.

Don't let this happen to you....

Ignore the ATN troll


Same thing happened to a buddy of mine a few nights ago with a Thor HD. Still don't understand how you can minimize the problems. These features that don't work aren't free. Even though you don't feel they're important the consumer has an expectation that they will work.

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6718992 03/29/17 10:53 PM
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ATN products are not reliable and their customer service is trash IMO


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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6719949 03/30/17 06:01 PM
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Great information. Thank you all for your input. I'll continue my research into both sights.

Which photon do those of you that like this brand recommend looking into? And JT...I follow a lot on your Facebook page as well.

Thanks again guys!


Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe
Jeff
Omaha Fire Captain
Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: PappyG1] #6720130 03/30/17 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: PappyG1
Get a Photon. Stay away from ATN.


Which photon would you recommend? 4.6 or 6.5?
Thank you


Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe
Jeff
Omaha Fire Captain
Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6720174 03/30/17 09:32 PM
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Also..is there a way to attach a different Ir illuminator to any of the photons? I know you can with the X sight.
Just wondering if there is a way to attach an IR that I already have?
Thanks


Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe
Jeff
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Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6720236 03/30/17 10:39 PM
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Depends on distances you will be hunting. If you're shooting inside 100 yds the 4.6 is plenty. If you hunt larger fields the 6.5 may be a better fit. I think you can attach an external IR on the right side.

Re: ATN X SIGHT II 3-14 vs 5-20. Preferrences?? [Re: Hogz] #6720489 03/31/17 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted By: Hogz
Also..is there a way to attach a different Ir illuminator to any of the photons? I know you can with the X sight.
Just wondering if there is a way to attach an IR that I already have?
Thanks


Short answer: Yes you can attach an external IR to the Photon XT.

Long Answer:
Yes there is a way but it's not perfect. The best place (for a right handed shooter) for an external illuminator on the Photon is on the left hand side of scope. It seems to perform the best when put slightly in front of the front objective of the Photon. The reason I mention right handed shooters is that your left hand is free, so you can easily use it to turn the illuminator on/off, change the brightness setting, adjust the beam focus etc.

However, if you don't have the luxury of a rail to mount to on the left side of your rifle, the Photon XT does have a small integrated plastic weaver rail on the front right of the scope. A mount can be attached there for your external IR illuminator. The complaint I have with this setup is that it isn't handy for a right handed shooter AND it make the scope feel a little out of balance and sort of top heavy.

With that said, there are tons of Photon users who have their illuminators mounted in that spot and they seem to be perfectly happy. I probably just notice it more because I'm so used to having it mounted lower on a rail on the right side.

- Jason


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