Review: ATN X-Sight 5

The ATN X-Sight 5 is a digital riflescope that can be used in any lighting conditions. It operates via a quad-core sensor that captures the image transmitted through the objective lens and then processes and displays it on the 1280×960 DPI screen that is viewed through the ocular lens. The sensitive onboard computer optimizes the light particles entering the sight, allowing the shooter to cut through the night and engage targets as far as the ambient or accessory infrared lighting allows.

As the X-Sight is built on a conventional riflescope footprint, standard 30 mm scope rings are used to mount it to a rifle. The manufacturer includes a trio of options to help fit the scope to a plethora of firearms; there is even a scope ring that features a pair of Picatinny slots to allow the included IR illuminator to be attached. A Bear Creek BC-10 rifle chambered in .22-250 Rem. was chosen as our test firearm, and we found that the included rings provided excellent sight height and eye relief for use with this AR-10-type platform. Before taking it to the range, we charged the unit using the included USB-C cable and a common cell phone wall adapter; as the scope arrived completely drained, this process took approximately 6.5 hours.

The ATN X-Sight 5 ships with an accessory infrared illuminator (battery included) and a USB-C cable for charging the digital optic.

We began our evaluation during the day, where we zeroed the optic for 100 yards. This process involves firing a group and then entering the menu to drift a secondary reticle to the actual point of impact. After hitting enter, the scope records this correction and adjusts internally. We found that to do this, we needed to start at 15 yards to get on paper and then repeat the process at the final distance.

The X-Sight 5 offers multiple profiles that allow for zeroing at different distances or with different types of ammunition. Arguably, one can use this for multiple firearms, but doing so would require a quick-detach mount that faithfully returns to zero. After we completed sighting-in, testers evaluated the recoil-activated video setting, which continually records and deletes what is captured through the scope until it detects a shot has been fired. Once it does, it saves the user-selected amount of time prior to the shot and continues to record for up to 30 seconds after it—a feature we found to be convenient. There is also the option to capture this moment in slow motion at a rate of 240 frames per second or record at standard speed in 4K resolution. The fifth-generation X-Sight also has a calibration feature to ensure that lighter-recoiling firearms can be configured to activate this function.

Our night test took place under moonless conditions and required the use of the IR illuminator to see anything at all. In these conditions, users found the reticle’s cant and pitch indicators to be particularly useful, as the absence of light made these hard to determine otherwise. With night mode selected, we found that we could easily resolve 2’x4′ target boards out to 300 yards, but, as magnification increased, more visual distortion was encountered. Therefore, we determined that under these conditions, its useful hunting distance would be within 200 yards, as the display was still clean at 4X magnification and provided enough detail to place an ethical shot.

We confirmed this by engaging a 6″ plate using the MRAD crosshair option to determine holdover. This replicates a first-focal-plane reticle and zooms with magnification; however, by overlaying it with a scaled target, we determined that each hashmark is closer to 1.5 mils. This makes it effective for bullet-drop estimation, but the user shouldn’t use it to determine target distance or size.

Our overall impression of the ATN X-Sight 5 was quite favorable, particularly when the $795 MSRP for the 3-15X model used in this review is taken into consideration. Shooters looking for more zoom are welcome to try the 5-25X version, but we feel that most will be satisfied with the less expensive, lower-magnification version. Both also offer the option for an integrated laser rangefinder, but at an added expense ($1,095). As for functionality, those who had previous experience with ATN’s menu system found the transition to be perfectly straightforward, while those who did not were brought up to speed in just a matter of minutes. Regardless of experience with scopes of this nature, all agreed that the X-Sight 5 is ATN’s best performing night-vision series yet and helps to maintain a rifle’s traditional profile.