Thermal is and has always been expensive tech, and yet, while many of us need it, we’re unwilling to pay the high prices for it.
Someone has to have made an affordable thermal rifle scope, right?
Right!
ATN has released the Thor LT 320 to the civilian market as a budget thermal scope.
But, knowing the prices of these things, what does “budget” really mean?
Could the new Thor LT be too good to be true?
Quick Overview...
What We Like: Thermal image quality
What We Don’t Like: No WiFi or Bluetooth
Best Uses: Night Shooting, Day Shooting, Tactical Use, Hunting, Scouting, Varmint Control
- Thermal Resolution: 320x240
- Sensor: 12-microns
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Display Resolution: 1280x70 HD
- Eye Relief: 90 mm
- Color Modes: White Hot/Black Hot
- Battery: Li-Ion 10+ hrs
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 2.2 x 2.2”/1.4 lbs
Our Verdict: The ATN Thor LT 320 is an easy-to-use and no-fuss thermal rifle scope. If you’ve been in the market for an affordable thermal, this is a dream-buy come true. The price alone is worth every justification to buy it even if you don’t do any night hunting - yet. You’ll figure out how to shoot hogs and coyotes in the dark soon enough.
Who is the ATN Thor LT 320 3-6X Best Suited to?
Law enforcement, military, hunters – if you shoot, you could always benefit from having a thermal rifle scope in your arsenal.
What’s really nice about the Thor LT is that it does away with the bells and whistles that you likely don’t need. If you need a thermal scope for faster target acquisition, whether it be day or night, the Thor LT does just that.
With its high-end thermal quality at its low price point, this is a thermal scope that is designed for all. Whether you’re new to using thermal or you’re already a veteran with the tool, its price point makes this scope a must-have kind of buy.
It you are looking for a clip on thermal, I would highly recommend taking a look at the new ATN TICO LT 320 35mm thermal scope (clip on).
How Does the ATN Thor LT 320 3-6X Perform?
The Thor LT is a high-functioning and high-end thermal scope without the nonsense and fuss features that can complicate use. What it does have is foundational quality that lends itself to high performance when you need it – out in the field.
You have One Shot Zero to get sighted-in quickly, accurately, and without wasting ammo. The Thor thermal scope offers an extremely lightweight build and ergonomic profile that is not unlike a traditional daytime scope. Best of all, it offers high thermal resolution, a fast refresh rate, and low micron pixel pitch for optimal image quality at every available magnification.
Even though it’s not a teched-out recorder or mini-computer, it’s not designed to be such a tool. With its thermal display modes, multiple reticles, and one shot zero, you have a thermal rifle scope in every sense of the word. It’s easy to use and now easier to afford.
Features & Benefits
Thermal Image Quality
To have 320x240 resolution in a thermal scope at this price point, the Thor LT 320 offers unbelievable quality its price range. 320x240 is technically medium resolution, but in a scope at this price, it’s exceptional and can be considered high-end.
While we’re not necessarily concerned with image scales for photos or recording, we do want better, stable, and high detail and resolution when we zoom in on a target. Fortunately, the Thor LT delivers. Since this scope has 3-6x zoom, the upgrade in thermal resolution for minimal pixilation and higher thermal sensitivity will prove to be valuable from the center to the edges of the FOV (field of view) at every power setting.
The LT 320 also has a 12-micron sensor that is well paired with its smaller Germanium lens for running efficiently with higher magnification. You also have a 60 Hz refresh rate that reduces lag and choppy optical quality when you’re scouting, scanning, observing a moving target, and when you’re in a moving vehicle.
White Hot & Black Hot Modes
What’s the compromise for the price?
One compromise is the maximum of two thermal display modes: White Hot and Black Hot. Depending on your needs, you may find that one works better than the other for your intended purposes, and you don’t have to compromise on the style of reticle as it allows for a good selection of multiple reticle patterns.
One Shot Zero
Even though the Thor LT is designed to be a budget thermal scope, it still features ATN’s One
Shot Zero tech that allows you to zero in faster than ever.
It’s a pretty straight-forward program as you take a shot at the bull’s-eye, enter the Zero program within the menu settings, and then realign the reticle to the center of the POI (point of impact) using the directional buttons. Save that adjustment and confirm zero by aiming at the bull’s-eye once again.
This is not unlike zeroing with a traditional scope except the digital One Shot Zero Alignment technology allows for easier zeroing than using mechanical turrets.
Ultra-Lightweight
It’s almost ridiculous to believe that the Thor LT 320 weighs only 1.4 lbs, but it does. It’s one of the lightest thermal scopes from ATN and is suited for use on crossbows, rimfire rifles, and air rifles where weight consciousness is an essential consideration.
Part of its lightweight benefit is due to its hardened aluminum alloy frame, its built-in Li-ion battery (no external insertion of batteries), smaller Germanium objective lens, and its scaled-down form of a traditional daytime scope.
The hardened aluminum alloy also tells you that it’s rated to withstand the recoil from high caliber rifles. Hog hunting anyone?
Classic & Ergonomic Design
This thermal rifle scope is akin to a traditional scope as it can be. It’s sleek, thin, lightweight, and streamlined. It takes 30 mm rings that are not included, and the eyepiece has been redesigned to provide 3.5” of eye relief and a more traditional feel.
Limitations
No WiFi or Bluetooth
The Thor LT is designed to be as simple and high-functioning as possible to provide the best, lowest price to the buyer. Not everyone needs a WiFi-enabled scope or video recording features, so this does away with the extra bells and whistles that would normally tack on extra cost.
However, without the capability to connect to a device, there is no “smart” connection to compatible same brand binoculars and other gear. There is no ability to photograph, record video, and upload to a computer or TV.
If you are after a smart thermal scope with all the bells and whistles on it you may want to take a look at the ATN Thor 4 640 1-10x smart thermal rifle scope.
Popular Questions
The Thor LT 320 is a long-range thermal rifle scope especially if you’re hunting at night. The following ranges have been calibrated for human-sized targets. The detection range is 910 m, recognition range is 455 m, and identification range is 290 m.
With any Thor LT thermal rifle scope, an eyecup, scope cover, USB-C charging cable, and lens cloth is included in the buy.
You will need to purchase 30 mm mounting rings, and you may want to consider the ATN Quick Detach Mount to complete your setup.
The Thor LT is designed to withstand high caliber recoiling rifles but is also lightweight enough to be mounted to crossbows, air rifles, and rimfire rifles.
Buyers have mounted the Thor LT to AR 10s in 308, AR 15, 308, 270, 300 Blackout, 30-06, and more.
The built-in lithium-ion battery operates for approximately 10-12 hours. You can also extend operating time to approximately 22 hours with ATN’s external battery Power Weapon Kit.
The Thor LT 320 thermal rifle scope comes with a manufacturer-backed 3-year warranty. Depending on where you buy the Thor LT from, you can also purchase an additional protection plan for a small, one-time fee.
ATN also has a 10-day return window for a full refund if you’re dissatisfied with your new thermal rifle scope.
Conclusion
Is it too good to be true?
To have thermal technology for less than $2000 was once a pipe dream.
Sure, the Thor LT doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but most buyers will take it and make the best of it for the heck of a deal they’re getting it for. Besides, not many can say they own a thermal rifle scope when they’re traditionally sold for around $2000-$5000 – and that’s the “affordable” budget for civilian thermals.
With high-end thermal resolution, HD display, ultra-lightweight build, One Shot Zero, long-range detection, and no-nonsense interface, the Thor LT is exactly what many of us need.
For the price, it’s one of those deals that’s as good as it is true.
Further Reading
