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Optics and Sighting Systems

What is the best optic for my Glock 43x MOS

If you need an optic for your Glock 43X, I’m here to help. The Modular Optic System, or MOS, version of the G43X has a factory cut slide that accepts only micro-footprint sized optics using the RMSc-type base. Not every red dot sight (RDS) will fit.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

ATN Thor 4 Thermal Scopes: Better Performance, More Features

American Technology Network (ATN) Corp. announced a new line of thermal rifle scopes called the Thor 4. These scopes offer a wide range of options and features that are sure to interest many hunters.

Sensors

At the heart of this scope is the ATN Obsidian IV Dual Core T. This is the technology that makes the rest of the features possible in this scope. In the base scopes, the sensor provides a 384×288 resolution while the optional sensor offers 640×480 resolution.

ATN Thor 4 color image

With the internal lithium ion battery, you can expect at least 18 hours of runtime with the first sensor. The upgraded sensor should still run for at least 16 hours on a single charge according to the data provided by ATN.

With this scope, you have the option of three viewing modes: black hot, white hot and color mode. A variety of electronic reticles are included in the scopes.

ATN Thor 4 Scope

There are additional sensors and measurement devices in the scopes. These include a gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, compass and range finder. These all feed data to a ballistic calculator.

Lenses

Variable power magnification lenses are part of the Thor 4 system. Like any other scope, you have to select the one that makes the most sense for you.

The 384×288 sensor can be paired with one of four different magnification lenses: 1.25-5x, 2-8x, 4.5-18x and 7-28x. With the 640×480 sensor, you have four different magnification lens choices: 1-10x, 1.5-15x, 2.5-25x and 4-40x. The higher the magnification factor, the higher the final price of the optic.

Video

Video capabilities have been upgraded in the Thor 4 models. These scopes use a dual core processor that has enough computing power to handle both recording high definition video and streaming it over WiFi.

In practice this means that you can record the entire hunt onto a microSD card while your partner can see things on his or her phone or tablet in real time. It also allows you to stream live to social media while recording locally if you wish.

I highly recommend checking out my friend’s hunting website that has additional information on hunting with thermal optics.

The microSD slot can handle high capacity cards: up to 256 GB of data. To put that into perspective, that is a quarter of a terabyte of data. Video is recorded at a resolution of 1280×960 @ 60 fps with the display showing 1280×720.

Controls

On the Thor 4, ATN opted to use a zoom wheel on the left side of the scope. Instead of pressing buttons to zoom in, you simply rotate this knob to move in or out.

Button style controls are still present on the top of the unit. These controls cover other things you may wish to change such as the reticle type or viewing mode.

WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity allows you to send data to your phone.

Ballistic Calculator

Using the data collected with its sensors and a load profile you select, the optic can do calculations for you for more precise shots. In theory, you range the shot and the computer automatically adjusts the reticle location based on all of the data its collected. All you have to do is pull the trigger.

Ranging the shot is accomplished by keying in on the height of the animal you are stalking. From the top of the animal to the bottom of the animal is enough height that the computer can calculate distance.

If you want a faster, more precise way of ranging, ATN offers an auxiliary ballistic laser, the ABL 1000. This laser integrates with the front of the scope and provides a direct measurement to the target.

ATN ABL 1000 Laser

Cost, Where to Buy

The cost of the new Thor 4 series of thermal scopes varies depending on how you choose to equip it. The base model, a Thor 4 384 1.25-5x has a suggested retail price of $1,999.

Upgrading to the 640×480 sensor and changing the lenses affects the price. Going to the largest sensor and using the 4-40x glass jumps the price to $4,799. While that may seem like a lot to the average shooter like me, I recognize that the technology built into this scope is far beyond anything I could have ever had just a few years ago. ATN deserves to make their money back on all of the research and development that goes into this kind of scope.

For me, I would probably buy the ATN Thor 4 640 1-10x. This would seem to make the most sense for my shooting. It offers the highest resolution with a broad range of magnification for short to medium range targets.

Last Update: October 23, 2022

Disclosure

GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a for-profit website.?I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide.

Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission.

The links do not change your purchase price. I do not get to see what any individual purchases.

Categories
Optics and Sighting Systems

LUCID HD7 – Any Good?

LUCID HD7

Has anyone tried the LUCID HD7 red dot sight?

I heard Michael Bane talking about them on his podcast recently, and I see they are sold on Amazon.  The feedback looks to be very good and at less than $200 they look like a great bargain.  But… I’d love to hear some feedback if anyone is running one now.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

Bushnell ImageView Binocular with HD Recorder

As a kid, I always wished I could take pictures through my binoculars.  It wasn’t that I was unhappy with the binoculars I had – quite the opposite.  The Bushnell binoculars that dad bought me weren’t fancy, but they were mine.

Bushnell ImageView binoculars

The family was on a tight budget and our Christmas gifts were frugal.  But when I got the binoculars, I was exceptionally happy.  For a kid who spent his days climbing trees and building forts in the woods with his friends, that set of binoculars was just about the perfect gift dad could have bought me.

Even so, in my mind’s eye I could see me capturing the images I saw through them to share with my family later.  But, that was a long time ago and digital cameras were a thing of Star Trek.  Today, however, things are different.

Earlier this year, Bushnell introduced the new ImageView 8×30 binocular that has the ability to capture not just photos, but HD video as well.  The camera is a 12 megapixel camera, which means it captures roughly three times the pixels (data) than the high-end Canon 1d camera I used to photograph major league baseball games as a stringer for Sports Illustrated some 10 years ago.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

New Magpul All-Steel MBUS

Magpul Industries Corporation has been in the news lately with its bold stand for gun owners and gun rights.  When the Colorado elected officials voted to limit law-abiding citizens’ use of high capacity magazines, Magpul immediately put out a press release stating that they would be moving their business out of state.

Magpul MBUS Pro sights

Now in the midst of their big move, Magpul has announced the release of new furniture for AR-15 style rifles and the venerable 1911 pistols.

MBUS Gen II

Magpul has already produced a very popular AR-15 flip-down sights in the original and Gen II MBUS (Magpul Back-Up Sight).  Made with the same high-quality polymer construction as their extremely popular PMags, Magpul’s original MBUS sights have found great popularity and high reviews for durability and function.  The original MBUS was lightweight, yet sturdy, and used a nice spring-activated mechanism to flip the sight into shooting position.  The user could then simultaneously press two levers on opposite sides of the sight to fold the MBUS back into a low profile position.