Newbie needs help. Trying to zero scope I'm using a hot hands taped to a sheet of cardboard. I can see the hothands good but after taking first shot I cant see the POI to adjust the recticle to as instructed. Do you have to buy a thermal target to zero this scope? Any advise much appreciated this old bird hunter may have jumped in water over his head!!! The scope is a ATN THOR-HD 640-480, 1.5-15x. Also what are the best litthium batteries to use. Should I buy rechargables? If YES what brand last the longest? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND REPLIES!!! GA DOG

You really should only post the same question once in its respective forum. Looks like posted in at least three places...

I usually will tape another hot hands to the POI. Then you can make the adjustment.

JR

I did not think the first post went thru, so i sent it again. I first posted on optics, I did not get much help and was told to try posting on Hogs thread.

I have had good luck zeroing them in daytime still using a hot hands or a piece of tin foil. I'll use binoculars and make the adjustments in the scope just like zeroing a normal rifle scope.

As far as batteries go. With my old Pulsar I had good luck using the Amazon Basics rechargeable batteries. Amazon Basics products can be real hit and miss, Amazon tries to bully manufacturers to decrease their margins so Amazon can increase theirs, which starts off with a decent product and the quality quickly deteriorates.

Use some of the stick on splatter-type targets and use a spotting scope to see where your POI is. Good luck with that ATN scope.

Link to splatter target example (Yes, you tape your warmer to this target)

Charlie

Fireworks punk stick or straw with ice at poi.

Everyone has a preference, but the fireworks punk stick is mine. I formerly used an incense stick until the last 4th of July, when I was able to stop at a fireworks stand and get a whole bunch o' punk sticks for almost nothing.

I put out a target and make a smaill hole/slice at the center with my pocket knife. I mean, EVERYBODY carries a pocket knife at all times, don't they?
Anyway, I slip the punk/incense stick in the hole so that it sticks out at a right angle from the target. Then I go shoot. I used to have to walk up to the target to see where the round hit until I got a spotting scope from Craigslist last year. Now it's all pretty simple.

Don't know about batteries. I'm using a different scope with an external, rechargeable battery.

I use aluminum foil. One piece for the original target, then tape a smaller piece over the point of impact for adjustments. As far as batteries go, I use an external battery pack/power bank, but I’m not familiar with whether ATN has a decent external power input jack. I use Pulsar and Flir which do and I can usually go several nights with one charge. By the way, thermal optics are addictive. They should put a disclaimer on the label. Good Luck!!!

I print my targets with a hp laserjet that have a 1moa dot. Then i put the target facing directly into the sun so the black spot lights up. Start off at whatever your ballistics near zero is and shot at the bullseye. On mine the adjustments are 2x, meaning if i move 1 pixel left it has a POI 2x the distance. Kinda, wonky I know but it works. My near zero is at 27 yards to be zeroed at 113yards on my Airgun. So I adjust a pixel at a time until I'm hitting dead center at 27. Then move out to 100 yards where based on my ballistics it needs to be a 1.25" high. These scopes do not have fine adjustments like your regular optics so you have to get close as you can at what ever distance your planning on.

I start with a cardboard backer and spray a flat black spot on it and face it into the afternoon sun, once I get a close zero I use a AR500 steel target at 100yds, paint it flat black so it absorb lots of heat, it shows up well against a dirt/grass backstop

And that will help the OP see where the shot impacts, how? He has a target that works fine. That wasn't the issue, LOL.

In this Hot weather I use a Ice Cube in Aluminum Foil , with a Small nail to attach to the target.
Shows up pretty Good. Take a Couple Cubes with ya.
Place one at the Bullseye , fire a shot, and then place one at the impact .,, Then move the one at impact as you adjust your reticle.

I cut the bottom off of a coke can and staple it to the target. It will show as a cold spot and remains well defined. I've been able to see the point of impact for a second after the bullet strikes the target without other aids.

Lots of stuff you didn't ask for in this video, and the pieces of foil has already been mentioned by boog1 (same way I sight in my thermals), but good info as far as sighting thermals goes. Specifics on the target starts at about 6:30.