As an avid hunter and night vision enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of testing numerous thermal scopes over the years. However, when I first got my hands on the ATN TICO LT 320 35mm, I knew I was dealing with something truly special. This clip-on thermal scope has quickly become a game-changer in my hunting arsenal, and I’m excited to share my experiences with fellow outdoor enthusiasts who are looking to elevate their hunting game without breaking the bank.
The Rise of Clip-On Thermal Scopes
Before diving into the specifics of the TICO LT, it’s worth noting the growing popularity of clip-on thermal scopes in the hunting community. As predicted by many industry experts, 2021 marked a significant year for thermal clip-on sights, with several manufacturers entering this exciting market segment. The concept behind these devices is brilliantly simple: they allow you to transform your existing day scope into a high-tech thermal optic with just a quick attachment.
This versatility is a huge selling point for hunters who’ve already invested in quality day scopes and don’t want to completely overhaul their setups for night hunting. The TICO LT exemplifies this trend, offering a compact and lightweight solution that seamlessly integrates with your current gear.
First Impressions and Design
Right out of the box, the TICO LT impresses with its compact size and lightweight construction. Measuring just 5.9 x 2.9 x 2.5 inches and weighing a mere 1.2 pounds, this thermal clip-on won’t throw off your rifle’s balance or handling characteristics. ATN has clearly prioritized field-readiness in the design, creating a device that feels at home in rugged hunting environments.
The build quality is solid, with a weather-resistant housing that’s held up admirably against light rain and high humidity during my outings. While it’s not fully waterproof (a minor drawback), the weather resistance has proven more than adequate for typical hunting conditions.
Mounting and Ease of Use
One of the TICO LT’s standout features is its incredibly user-friendly mounting system. ATN claims you can attach it to your day scope in under two seconds, and I’ve found this to be pretty accurate in practice. The scope comes with a special adapter mount (Adapter 1, fitting 45.5-50mm objective lenses) that makes the process a breeze.
The quick-detach, single-lever design allows for rapid mounting and dismounting, which is perfect for hunters who might need to switch between day and night setups quickly. If you have multiple rifles with different objective lens sizes, additional adapters are available separately to ensure compatibility across your collection.
For those preferring a different mounting option, ATN also offers a separate mount that attaches to the long rail of an AR-style rifle’s upper receiver. This flexibility in mounting options adds to the TICO LT’s versatility, making it a valuable addition to various weapon systems.
Thermal Performance
Now, let’s talk about the heart of this device – its thermal imaging capabilities. The TICO LT boasts a 320×240 resolution thermal core with a 12-micron sensor and a smooth 60 Hz refresh rate. While this might not match the extreme detail of some higher-end (and much more expensive) thermal scopes, I’ve found it more than capable for most hunting scenarios.
The thermal imagery is crisp, clear, and responsive, allowing for quick target acquisition even in complete darkness. The 35mm objective lens provides a good balance between field of view and detection range. Speaking of range, the TICO LT offers impressive performance for its size and price point. ATN claims a detection range of up to 1510 meters, with recognition at 680 meters and positive identification at 340 meters.
In my field testing, these figures have proven to be pretty accurate. I’ve had no trouble spotting coyotes and feral hogs well beyond 400 yards, which covers most practical hunting distances. The thermal imaging quality truly shines when scanning fields and forests for heat signatures, revealing animals that would be completely invisible to the naked eye or even traditional night vision.
The scope offers both White Hot and Black Hot color palettes, which can be easily toggled depending on your preference and the hunting conditions. I typically use White Hot for general scanning and switch to Black Hot when focusing on a specific target or in situations where I need maximum contrast.
One of the most impressive aspects of the TICO LT is its “No Zero” feature. As a true clip-on device, you don’t need to rezero your day scope after attaching the TICO LT. Simply collimate the thermal reticle with your day scope’s reticle, and you’re good to go. This saves valuable time in the field and ensures you maintain the zero you’ve carefully established with your primary optic.
Battery Life and Operation
The TICO LT is powered by an internal lithium-ion battery that provides over 8 hours of continuous operation. This has been more than sufficient for my longest night hunting sessions, and the ability to recharge via USB-C is a convenient touch. The simple controls allow for quick adjustments to brightness and contrast, ensuring optimal image quality across various conditions.
Image Quality and Magnification
While the TICO LT itself offers 1-2x magnification, its real strength lies in working in tandem with your day scope. You can utilize your primary scope’s magnification and reticle while benefiting from the TICO LT’s thermal overlay. This combination provides a familiar sighting system with the added advantage of thermal detection.
The 1280×960 display resolution ensures a clear, detailed image, crucial for positive target identification. Whether you’re scanning for predators at dusk or tracking wounded game in the dead of night, the image quality consistently impresses.
Value Proposition
Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of the ATN TICO LT is its price point. Retailing for under $3,000, it represents exceptional value in the thermal optics market. Considering the quality of the thermal core, the convenience of the clip-on design, and the overall performance, the TICO LT punches well above its weight class.
For hunters and shooters looking to add thermal capabilities to their arsenal without investing in a dedicated thermal riflescope, the TICO LT offers an attractive and cost-effective solution. It’s a testament to how far thermal technology has come in recent years, bringing previously unattainable capabilities within reach of more outdoor enthusiasts.
Real-World Applications
During my time with the TICO LT, I’ve used it for various hunting scenarios, from predator control to hog hunting. Its performance has consistently impressed me. On one memorable coyote hunt, I was able to spot a pair of coyotes stalking through a field over 300 yards away, well before they were aware of my presence. The thermal imaging allowed me to track their movement through tall grass and position myself for a clean shot – something that would have been nearly impossible with traditional optics.
For hog hunting, the TICO LT has been a game-changer. Feral hogs are notoriously destructive and primarily nocturnal, making them challenging to control. With this thermal clip-on, I’ve been able to effectively spot and engage hogs during their most active periods, significantly improving my success rate.
The scope has also proven valuable for wildlife observation and property surveillance. Its ability to detect heat signatures has helped me study animal behavior patterns and monitor my property for unwanted intruders, both human and animal.
Limitations and Considerations
While the ATN TICO LT 320 35mm is an impressive piece of equipment, it’s important to note a few limitations. As mentioned earlier, it’s weather-resistant but not fully waterproof. This shouldn’t be an issue for most users, but it’s something to keep in mind if you frequently hunt in extremely wet conditions.
Additionally, while the 320×240 resolution provides good image quality for most applications, those requiring extreme long-range precision or the absolute highest level of detail might want to consider higher resolution (and higher priced) options.
Finally, it’s worth noting that thermal imaging, while incredibly useful, does have some limitations. Extreme weather conditions, like heavy rain or dense fog, can impact thermal detection ranges. However, these limitations are inherent to all thermal devices and not specific to the TICO LT.
Conclusion
After extensive field testing and real-world use, I can confidently say that the ATN TICO LT 320 35mm Clip-On Thermal Scope is a stellar product that offers tremendous value for hunters and shooting enthusiasts. Its combination of high-quality thermal imaging, user-friendly design, and attractive price point makes it a standout option in the growing thermal clip-on market.
Whether you’re looking to extend your hunting hours, improve your varmint control efforts, or simply want to add thermal capability to your existing rifle setup, the TICO LT is an excellent choice. It has significantly expanded my hunting opportunities and success rate, especially during nighttime operations.
The ability to quickly transform my favorite day scope into a thermal-capable optic has been nothing short of revolutionary for my hunting. The TICO LT offers a perfect balance of performance, convenience, and affordability that I believe will appeal to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts.
If you’re on the fence about adding thermal capabilities to your hunting arsenal, I strongly encourage you to give the ATN TICO LT a serious look. It’s opened up a whole new world of nighttime hunting for me, and I’m confident it can do the same for you. Just be warned – once you experience the thrill and effectiveness of thermal hunting, you may find it hard to go back to traditional methods!