Looking to take your night hunting to the next level? A thermal monocular is a surefire way to do so. While I’ve shown a variety of thermal scopes, today we’re looking at the new ATN BlazeHunter thermal monocular you can use in concert! 

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

About the ATN BlazeHunter

ATN’s BlazeHunter thermal monocular series has five different models, some with and without a laser range finder (LRF).

We have the 2.5-20x 635 LRF model in for testing. It is powered by a single removable battery but comes with a second one to have ready to go on long hunts. This model has a detection range out to 2000 yards and the following advertised LRF capabilities: 1800m for highly reflective targets, 1500m for moderately reflective targets, and 600m for low reflectivity targets. 

From ATN: 

Elevate your hunting game with the ATN BlazeHunter Thermal Monocular, designed for the avid outdoor adventurer who needs precision and reliability in the field. Equipped with a professional-grade sub-18mK NETD sensor, this monocular provides exceptional sensitivity and clarity, detecting even the smallest temperature differences. Perfect for tracking prey or surveying large areas, it adapts to any condition with multiple viewing modes and a built-in laser rangefinder for precise distance measurements. Capture your adventures with video and photo capabilities, and share in real time via Wi-Fi. Compact, lightweight, and featuring up to 14 hours of battery life, the BlazeHunter is your ultimate tool for performance and versatility in any hunting environment! 

• • PRO-GRADE IMAGE SENSOR 
  • HIGH DEFINITION OLED DISPLAY 
  • VIDEO RECORD 
  • MULTIPLE VIEWING MODES 
  • BUILT-IN LASER RANGEFINDER 
  • WI-FI CONNECTIVITY
  • COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN 
  • 14-HOUR BATTERY LIFE 

What’s in the Box

The thermal monocular comes in a sturdy carrying case with two removable batteries, a charger and USB-C cable, carrying strap, accessories bag, lens cloth, and printed materials. 

Controls and Design Details 

The focus ring sits on the very front of the unit with the diopter on the rear.

Connecting to the covered USB-C port allows the user to charge the battery in the monocular as well as download any footage to a computer.

A ¼ x 20 jack on the bottom of the unit allows for easy tripod mounting for stabler footage and better LRF performance. Four buttons along the top of the monocular control the unit.

The power button turns the unit on and off. The “up” button activates the laser rangefinder with a short press and starts/stops video recording with a long press. Short pressing the “center” button cycles through the color modes while a long press accesses the main menu. A short press of the “down” button cycles through the zoom levels and a long press manually adjusts the shutter. 

ATN put a lot of thought into every part of their design. The control buttons are separated by raised bars so you can tell them apart by feel. The battery compartment is easily accessible with a cap secured by a tether so you don’t lose it. 

Testing

Six color palettes—white hot, black hot, high red, iron red (ironbow), green hot, and sepia—provide a variety of options for viewer preference. I took these photos of my Bronco after driving it to better compare the modes. My favorite is high red.

The LRF was instantaneous, returning range readings extremely quickly. I went coyote hunting with a friend and filmed some deer and coyotes, some coyotes out to 800 yards! 

I also took some close-up footage of my cat to demonstrate the 640 capabilities.

In the day of 4K it may seem low resolution, but it provides more than enough detail for hunting, capturing the cat’s pawprints. 

Compared

We also have the ATN BlazeTrek, a lower tier model that only comes with a single built-in rechargeable battery, not two removable ones.

The BlazeTrek also has no LRF options. Having an integrated laser rangefinder makes it more efficient to evaluate possible shot opportunities in the field, weeding out what may be beyond your capabilities.

Pairing a monocular with a thermal scope is also a way to make night hunting collaborative. Though it comes at a higher price, the BlazeHunter also has much better resolution than the BlazeTrek. 

Conclusion

The unit controls are intuitive and easy to manipulate in the dark, even with gloves on.

I am a huge fan of the integrated laser rangefinder as well as the video recording capabilities, internal memory, and removable batteries.

It also comes with a three-year warranty! 

Get the Gear

Shop all models of the ATN BlazeHunter here! 

Don’t miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make sure you’re subscribed!

Thanks,
Gavin Gear