There are times when you are moving fast and need to pack light. On these types of hunts, binoculars may be optional. And then there are the backcountry trophy hunts where you’ll spend a half-day or more just trying to get close enough for a bow shot. You have spent days glassing from a high perch looking for that one perfect specimen that’s the perfect representative member of the species.
Back in the day, it was all about the glass. Which coatings brought out color the best. Comparing different optics side by side to discover which one gave you those few extra minutes as the sun was rising or setting. But that was then…
Today, we have options. Whether the sun is high in the sky or disappeared hours ago, glass that owns the day and night is more affordable than ever. But why limit yourself to a simple pair of binocs? We are all creatures of technology these days and your binoculars should not be an exception. With ATN’s BinoX 4K 4-16x Binoculars, you’ll have 2.5 pounds of everything you need.
Wait? What? Sir Edmund Hillary is rolling over in his grave… 2.5 pounds? Sir Edmund cut half of the bristles off his toothbrush to save weight before climbing Mount Everest. Weight matters, so why would anyone choose a 2.5-pound binocular?
The answer is simple. ATN’s BinoX 4K is not only an awesome pair of binos, it’s also a laser rangefinder, night vision, camera, compass, and video camera. Start totaling the individual weight of those items and suddenly the BinoX 4K starts looking light.
And what about performance in the field? How much movement can you afford with a game animal? If you can see it, it can see you. First, you’ll have to glass it with your binocular. Then, you’ll need to switch to your rangefinder to get the distance. Next, perhaps you’ll need to start fumbling with the dials on your scope or counting Mil Dots for the range. Finally, you’ll have to find another animal, because that one got tired of waiting around to get shot.
Imagine instead, you raise your ATN BinoX 4K. You look over the heard and select your target. The range — up to 1,000 yards — is displayed on the screen. Fortunately, your rifle is equipped with one of ATN’s Smart HD rifle scopes. The ballistic solution downloads, and the electronic crosshair automatically adjusts. B.R.A.S.S. – Breathe, Relax, Aim, Slack/Stop, Squeeze, and follow through. It is as easy as that. Or at least it can be, with the right equipment.
ATN Ballistic Information Exchange (BIX)
BIX technology allows ATN’s SMART HD devices to communicate and exchange information. This technology allows related systems to talk to each other, exchanging information to facilitate a shooting solution and eliminating less accurate hold-over methods of shooting.
Perhaps an advanced-technology scope is not in your future or is illegal in your hunting area. No worries. ATN has a Laser Ballistics app that makes your firing solutions a snap.
However, by using any of ATN’s SMART HD scopes, you’ll start by imputing your load data — caliber, scope height, ballistic coefficient, zero range, and the muzzle velocity. In a pinch, you can gather some of this information from the ammunition box or manufacturer website. However, garbage in means garbage out. Put in a little range work and do it right. Measure the muzzle velocity of the ammo you are going to use, from your gun. This makes for the most accurate ballistic solution.
Once programmed, you’ll see how easy it is to make uphill or downhill shots and shots at longer ranges. Just range the target with the BinoX and forget about the rest. Behind the scope, all you have to do is focus on putting the electronic crosshair on the spot you want to hit and making the shot.
Predator and Hog Hunting
While many game animals are verboten after dark, that is prime time for other critters. If you have never hunted coyotes or hogs after dark, you are missing out on the best… second best thing you can do after the sun goes down (everyone loves a good campfire, right?).
The BinoX 4K offers up to 10x magnification at night without any resolution loss. It’s not complicated, but you will need to scroll through a menu or two to accomplish all of this, so a word to the wise — take a couple of hours at the range and practice with the equipment to ensure it becomes second nature before you are under the pressure of a hunt.
Video and Live Streaming
How about sharing and live streaming? Your hunting buddy or guide has the binos and you are ready for the shot. With the touch of a button, they can share your location and live stream the shot. Family and friends can start moving your way to help with tracking or field dressing. Best of all, you’ll have a recording of the entire event in 1080p with a camera that was built for vibrant color.
Technical Specifications
Model: ATN BinoX 4K 4–16X
Sensor: ATN 4K M265 Sensor 3864 (H) x 2218 (V)
Magnification: 4–16x
Angle of view: 6 deg
Field of view: @ 1,000 yards 220 feet
Objective lens: 40mm
System Resolution: 600 lp/mm
Display Resolution: 1280x720x2
Interpupillary adjustment range: 60–70 mm
Eye relief: 10–30 mm
Focus Range: 10 ft – ∞
IR illuminator: Yes
Laser range finder: Yes
Precision: ± 1 y/m
Range: 5–1,000 y/m
video record resolution: 1080p @ 30/60/120**
IP rating: Weather resistant
Charging: USB, type C Wi-Fi (streaming, gallery, and controls) iOS & Android
Bluetooth: Yes
3D Accelerometer: Yes
3D Gyroscope: Yes
3D Magnetometer: Yes
E-Barometer: Yes
smart range finder: Yes
E-Compass: Yes
Smooth zoom: Yes
Night Vision Mode: Yes
Microphone: Yes
Micro SD Card: 4 to 64 Gb
Battery life: (Li-ion) 15+ hours
Operating temperature: -20°F to +120°F / -28°C to 48°C
Dimensions: 9.4x5x2.6 inches / 240x128x67mm
Weight: 2.5 lbs. / 1.12 kg
Warranty: 2 years
ATN Radar
ATN Radar is another cool feature. The spotter locates the game. That’s great, but how are you going to find the flick of an ear the spotter saw? A lot of whispering and pointing right? With the BinoX, the spotter can “mark” the target. The information is then be passed to other ATN SMART devices (or smartphones) where a mini map overlay will pop up on the screen. The overlay will display your position and the target’s position. No talk, no gestures, just shot.
Conclusion
How do you write a conclusion when you are not sure you have given most of the features justice? The ATN BinoX 4K 4–16x Binoculars are an all-in-one solution. You can glass, range, get a firing solution, share your position, take a picture, record video, live stream, navigate (compass function), and more. With all that in mind, 2.5 pounds is not something you lug through the backcountry, it’s a weight saver! Do yourself a favor and check them out. At under $900, price is no longer a deterrent to owning the day and night!
MSRP = Manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
These look like a steal at twice the price. I’ll definitely check them out.
Why don’t they show real recorded videos for the binox? The atn website just shows animated like videos with no realism. Hard to find positive reviews for it . Something tells me it ain’t that great if they can’t show a realistic video from it.
Why bother. If the price is too high to post, I can’t afford it.
Posts live on the internet a long time. Years later we get complaints that the sale price does not match what they just read (even though the article is 5-6 years old, so we try to avoid them. The BinoX 4K 4-16 has an MSRP of $899. ~Dave
What is MSRP???
$899