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ATN ThOR LT Review – Best Selling Budget Thermal Scope 

 June 25, 2019

By  Randy Angwin

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Last updated on September 17, 2022

A thermal scope is an essential hunting tool and should form part of the arsenal of any hunter, pro & amateur alike.

You can take your hunting game to the next level by using this tool that literally allows you to see in the dark. Who wouldn’t want that? Continue reading our ATN Thor LT review to find out if you should consider this piece of equipment.

Why You Should Consider Getting a Thermal Scope

In case you aren’t entirely sure, a thermal scope is a device that is mounted on a rifle. This enables hunters to hunt at night by using heat signatures to generate a thermal image.

Originally developed by the military as a warfare tool back in 1947, thermal scopes have evolved exponentially. They have since been adopted by law enforcement agencies, firefighters and hunters.

The main benefit of using a thermal scope over night vision is that it allows you to see in complete darkness. This ability increases your safety, the success of your hunt and helps to familiarize you with your surroundings so that you can easily navigate your hunting area and spot your targets at night. 

One of the leading manufacturers of Thermal Scopes, ATN is a Tech Optics company that was founded back in 1995.

With over two decades of experience under their belt, it is no wonder that today they are the market leading manufacturer and developer of optics for day & night hunting. They are proud to be revolutionizing the industry and aim to produce innovative & cutting edge products and technologies.

ATN’s ThOR line of scopes includes some of the best thermal rifle scopes and they have a fantastic reputation. 

ATN ThOR LT Thermal Scope Review

ATN Thor LT front menu controls

ATN is proud to introduce the innovative ATN ThOR LT, a powerful yet lightweight thermal scope built with quality and affordability in mind. As opposed to other thermal scope options available on the market, the ATN ThOR LT has been expertly designed to look, feel, mount and operate much like a traditional riflescope. 

The hardened aluminum body and easy mounting make this ideal for use on large-caliber rifles & other weight-sensitive platforms.

ATN Thor LT eye piece cup

Retailing at an unbelievable recommended retail price of $1,199.00 currently, you’ll be happy to know that included with your purchase of the ATN ThOR LT 3-6x is a scope cover, USB-C Cable, Eyecup and Lens Tissue.

We’ll have a look at the product specs first, go through the features and discuss them in more detail. 

Video Samples of the ATN THOR LT

Product Specs:

  • Core: ATN Obsidian Core LT 
  • Thermal Sensor: 160 x 120 px/17 µm and 320x240 px/12 μm
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
  • Magnification: 3-6x (also available with 4-8x)
  • Field of view: 11° x 8.3°, 8.3° x 6.2°, 11.6° x 8.7°  and 8.8° x 6.6°
  • Visual display: 1280 x 720 HD Display
  • Eye relief: 99mm
  • Attachment/Mount type: 33mm standard rings (not included)
  • IP rating: Weather resistant
  • Charging: USB type C
  • 10 hours of battery life from built in lithium ion battery
  • Weight: 1.4 lb.
  • Dimensions: 11.5” x 2.2” x 2.2”

Features of the ATN ThOR LT Line:

This compact, easily mounted device boasts many features that products in this price range do not usually include.

  • Black hot/white hot viewing modes
  • One Shot Zero
  • Weather resistance
  • Recoil resistance
  • Easily mounted onto crossbows, air rifles and other weapon platforms due to the lightweight build
  • 3D Accelerometer
  • Multiple reticle patterns
ATN Thot LT menu

Black Hot & White Hot Modes

The ATN ThOR LT features two modes - black hot and white hot. 

Deciding which mode to use mainly comes down to personal preference. It is thoughtful of ATN to include two options to choose from, again putting their user at the top of mind. 

High Refresh Rate

Most hunters will advise that you pick a refresh rate higher than 30 Hz and they would be right! The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the image appears on the HD display - especially when your target begins moving.

The 60 Hz refresh rate that the ATN ThOR LT has is new in this price range. 

Thermal Resolution

Low resolution means a lot of pixilation which distorts the edges of your target making your shot much less accurate.

Understandably, you want a thermal scope to be as reliable as possible and contribute to the success of your hunt. The ATN ThOR LT possesses a thermal resolution of 160 x 120 which is impressive for a budget thermal scope

ATN Thor LT thermal sensor

Battery Life

The Lithium Ion battery on the ATN ThOR LT provides over 10 hours of continuous battery life from a single charge.

The charging time for this battery is 6 hours for a full recharge and is charged through a USB-C port which comes with the scope for ultimate convenience. If you think that 10 hours of battery life is not enough for your needs - you may use any USB C portable charges to boost the operating time.

ATN Thor LT USB C charging port

Lightweight Design

The ThOR LT is the lightest of the thermal scopes featured in the ThOR collection. Weighing in at a mere 1.4lb, this scope can be mounted on air rifles, rimfire rifles, crossbows and other weapons where light weight design is an important factor.

ATN Thor LT side view of the scope

On Screen Menu and Navigation:

One Shot Zero

One Shot Zero makes it possible to sight in your target with more accuracy and less time & ammo wastage. This is done by simply going to the One Shot Zero section of the menu and pressing ‘OK’ to enter Zero mode, aligning the scope on your rifle so the bullet hits where you aim. One Shot Zero is available on most new scopes from ATN including the more expensive ATN Thor 4 model.

Optics Options

The ATN ThOR LT 3-6x has a detection range up to 475 meters, human recognition range of 240 and field of view of 11 x 8.3.

ATN also offers a 4-8x option which features the same product specs as the ThOR LT 3-6x but boasts a detection range up to 625 meters, human recognition range of 315 and field of view of 8.3° x 6.2°.

The ThOR LT 4-8x option is slightly more expensive than the ATN ThOR LT 3-6x and retails for $200 more.

Warranty

The ThOR LT is guaranteed to be free from manufacturing defects in material and craftsmanship under normal use for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase. The returns and repairs process is a simple & hassle-free experience.

More Video Samples!

What's Included:

  • Thermal Scope
  • Scope Cover
  • Eyecup
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Lens cloth
  • Manual
ATN Thor LT packaging

What do we think about ATN Thor LT?

The ATN ThoR LT is a perfect choice if you are looking for a budget thermal scope. The 160x120 thermal resolution unit comes in 3-6x and 4-8x models while the 320x240 version is available in 2-4x, 3-6x, & 5-10x variants. The 10-hour battery life, 60Hz refresh rate, and high-quality construction are features often not found in much more expensive thermal scopes. Whether your hunting Coyotes or Boars, the ThoR LT is a great option for a great price.

Main differences Between ATN Thor LT and Thor 4

ATN Thor LT

ATN THOR 4

ATN Thor LT thermal riflescope
ATN ThOR 4 640 2.5-25x – Best Thermal Scope Under 5000

Thermal Resolution:

160x120 or 320x240

Thermal Resolution:

384x288 or 640x480

Optics:

3-6x, 4-8x, 2-4x, 3-6x, 5-10x

Optics:

1.25-5x, 2-8xx, 4.5-18x, 7-28x, 1-10x, 1.5-15x, 2.5-25x, 4-40x 

Human Detection Range:

up to 1620

Human Detection Range:

up to 3300

Video recording:

N/A

Video recording:

Yes

Thermal Resolution

Thor 4 has a higher thermal resolution compared to Thor LT. The thermal resolution on Thor LT is either 160x120 or 320x240. With Thor 4, you can either pick a model with a thermal resolution of 384 or 640 depending on your budget. But overall, you can expect less pixilation and better picture quality from Thor 4 thermal scopes compared to Thor LT. Your chances of an accurate shot with a Thor 4 thermal scope are much higher when compared to using a Thor LT.

Optics

With regards to optics, we’ll quickly point out that ATN also upgraded the field of view on Thor 4. Thor LT thermal scopes offer either 11ᵒ x 8.3ᵒ, 8.3ᵒ x 6.2ᵒ, 11.6°x8.7° or 8.8°x6.6° field of view.

On the other hand, Thor 4 thermal scopes have a wider field of view which goes as far as 16ᵒ x 12.5ᵒ and 32ᵒ x 25ᵒ (also dependent on the model). However, there is one Thor 4 model that also has an 8.3ᵒ x 6.2ᵒ field of view as found on Thor LT. But generally, it’s apparent that you can scan a wider area at any given time using a Thor 4 compared to a Thor LT.

Detection Range

Thor LT thermal scopes have lower detection ranges of 475ft and up to 1620ft. Note that the Thor 4 offers higher detection ranges which range from 750ft all the way to 3300ft depending on the model you pick. This means that you can view targets that are much further way using Thor 4 thermal scopes.

Video Recording

ATN included the video recording function on the Thor 4. You can now record and share footage using your thermal scope with just the simple press of a button. Footage recorded is stored on the integrated SD card provided which offers storage capacity that ranges from 4 to 64G depending on the model. You can proceed to transfer the footage onto your computer or other smart device and view at a later date.

Thor 4 boasts a video resolution of 1280 x 960 which ensures that videos recorded are captured in clear and crisp quality. Unfortunately this feature isn’t available on the Thor LT thermal scope since it’s more streamlined. 

Other Smart Features

Thor 4 being an upgrade of Thor LT also offers more advanced smart features starting with the Smart Range Finder. This feature offers users a quick and close estimation of the distance of their target. Upon estimation, the scope’s reticle automatically adjusts its point of impact. This increases your chances of hitting your target because it eliminates guesswork of your target’s distance.

Also, Thor 4 has a Smart Mil Dot Reticle which also increases your chances of aiming and keeping your eyes on the target.

You’ll also find a Ballistic calculator on Thor 4 thermal scopes that ensures you hit your target each and every time. Note that all these features aren’t present on Thor LT thermal scopes.

Final Thoughts

As hunting grows in popularity, the needs of hunters grow with it and a thermal scope is undoubtedly one of these needs.

You can enhance your entire hunting experience by investing in a good thermal rifle scope. If an affordable, compact & lightweight thermal rifle scope is what you’re after - look no further than the ATN ThOR LT.

About the author 

Randy Angwin

Randy Angwin holds a master of science degree from University of Florida. He is an expert in infrared and night vision technology. His knowledge helps us staying on top of the latest trends in the thermal industry. When not working, Randy likes to hunt and spend time with his two German shepherds.

  • Las miras termicas de atn pueden acoplarse al abl? o si tienen algo parecido para hacer la medición de distancia de forma rapida.
    Será posible desarrollar una mira termica que utilice la señal termica del animal para medir la distancia? En áreas boscosas resultaría conveniente una forma de medir la distancia que no utilice el láser, y en su lugar utilice la señal termica para determinar la distancia entre el cazador y la presa. Les dejo eso de tarea para los desarrollados. Gracias, me mantienen informado .

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