OK, thanks. I think he's about reached that decision as well! "Blobs" just don't get 'er done. It's just a shame ATN continues to put out products that so underperform both their advertising and their customers' expectations. Their customer base has got to be shrinking. Even with customers who want to "ease" into the world of thermal by buying entry level products, they can't be happy with a product that doesn't even come close to performing the way ATN claims they will. Truth in advertising? I don't think so. My ancient Gen 1 Yukon, made in Russia, gives better performance than his scope!

Mike, we've all been predicting this for years but they continue to sell scopes day after day, year after year and your buddy's story is just repeated over and over. Until there comes a day when very few new people are entering the market (I obviously don't want to see that happen) I don't think we'll see much change. They have slick advertising, great prices and their products are mostly sold in places where uninformed potential customers are looking....gun shows, Optics Planet, Amazon, local gun shops etc. Nothing against gun shows or local shops, I'm just saying that's where a lot of ATN's are available for sale and guys are walking in and impulse buying thermal. It's an interesting business model and it's been successful for them.

He's certainly learned his lesson, and after the bleeding stops, I am going to suggest that he contact you folks there at Outdoor Legacy and get some competent, caring advice from true professionals in the area of night optics of all kinds..

FYI, he still won't be able to see the impact holes in a target with thermal when it comes to zeroing, at least not reliably so. He will need to either use a day optic to see the holes (spotting scope) or walk up to the target. Then use the one shot feature to make adjustments accordingly. It will probably take 2-4 shots, realistically to get adjusted and verified.

OK, thanks, DNS. From what I saw looking through the scope during the day, he would not be able to see a 50 caliber hole, much less a smaller one. He's got a good spotting scope to use. However, at this point he's so disgusted and angry that I think he'll just try to sell it, take the loss, lick his wounds, and stay out of the thermal game all together. He definitely will not buy a thermal scope at a gun show ever again!

I just heard from my buddy with the sick thermal scope. He finally broke down and contacted ATN about the issue of not being able to focus. They, after several back-and-forths and about an hour, agreed with him that the scope needed help. They assigned him an RMA, but, of course, asked for a copy of proof of purchase. Needless to say he doesn't have that. ATN then informed him that there is a $35 examination fee, then $125/hour repair charge, plus parts, if needed, if they determined that the scope was out of its 3 year warranty. He has decided that he will wait and see what the ATN techs say: if it's fixable for $160, he'll have them do the repair; if it's going to cost big bucks, he'll just have them return it and he'll sell it for whatever he can get. Not sure that's a wise idea, but it's his money, his decision. I told him that a reputable thermal dealer on the forum had told me that even brand new out of the box units did not deliver very clear images, so he's been forewarned! Keep your popcorn handy. . .

The neighbor has a buddy with an ATN thermal scope. They came over a while back to sight it in, and it was a problem even at 50 yards. I looked through it and was not impressed. If that’s the best it can do in daylight, I wouldn’t have one. Further, the neighbor and the buddy shared the same blind recently - the neighbor with his ATN infrared and the buddy with the thermal. They swapped rifles to see which was most useful. The buddy has since ordered an infrared scope.

As for me, I will likely order the same IR scope that mikei uses.

My SIghtmark Wraith is a winner in my limited experience with it. I am amazed at the clarity of the images and the power of the IR illuminator that comes with it. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get into night vision hunting but can't quite gather together the coins to get into thermal.

I'll bet they can't fix it in 1 hour's time.

Is your buddy in the market for some bridges, or maybe some inland coastal property?

He really is a pretty bright guy but I think he's in total denial that he made an expensive mistake. Like the old saying goes: When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. He's still digging. . .

Just heard from my buddy in Llano. ATN returned his scope and he took it out for a spin. Claims that the focus is "better," but that he can't see even a .30 bullet hole at 50 yards, so the "one shot zero" is a bunch of marketing BS." He says he can tell his cows from the deer, but it's basically "blob shooting," and he isn't very happy with that. The only good thing is that ATN honored the warranty, even though he was not the original owner. He says he'll be taking it hunting for the next few weeks, but that he's going to sell it and get out of the thermal business altogether. A shame.

Pardon my bluntness, but your friend is an idiot.

I think that is going a bit overboard. The guy is simply ignorant of the subject and naive about his expectations. That doesn't make him an idiot, but maybe more of a victim, of both himself and the person who sold him the ATN.

Chill out Funkeruski! I don't pardon your bluntness; it's inexcusable. You make a rather unkind statement about a person you don't even know basing the statement on a third party's report of a single incident. Not cool, bud, not cool at all.

Agreed

We are all ignorant of lots of topics. That doesn't make all people idiots.