ATN Hunting Blog | Tony Montoya

ATN THOR-6 384x288

ELITE THERMAL SCOPE SERIES

ATN ThOR 6 Mini 256x192

COMPACT THERMAL IMAGING SCOPE

ATN Binox-6 Dual 256x192

MULTISPECTRAL BINOCULARS – 4-in-1

ATN TICO 6 256x192

THERMAL IMAGING CLIP-ON SYSTEM

ATN BlazeHunter XD LRF 1280x1024

Extreme Definition 1280×1024 Thermal Monocular

ATN BlazeTrek 6 319

THERMAL MONOCULAR

ATN BlazeSeeker 6 207

THERMAL MONOCULAR

ATN Odin MFT 320x240

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL THERMAL OPTIC

Tony Montoya

My name is Tony Montoya, and I’m proud to call the good ol’ city of Waco, Texas, home. My love for hunting started at an early age, sparked by countless outdoor adventures with my father and brothers. Whether we were sitting beside a quiet pond listening to the sound of duck wings cutting through the air, or posted along a tree line waiting for dove to whistle by, the outdoors became part of who I am. We were always in the woods - exploring, scouting, and learning about game like deer, hogs, rabbits, and birds. I still remember the very first time I sat in a tree stand before sunrise, watching the world wake up. Seeing God’s creation come alive in that moment, I was hooked for life. Since then, hunting hasn’t just been something I do - it’s been a way of life. I’ve hunted all across the state of Texas, from North to South, East to West, and along the way, I’ve gained countless experiences, made lifelong friends, created unforgettable memories, and learned the true art of hunting. Over the years, I’ve taken thousands of invasive feral hogs and spent countless nights on tree lines calling in and dragging off coyotes. Some of my most meaningful memories have been made alongside my sons - Tony, Aiden, and Ian - listening to the howl of a coyote echo through the night or the deep grunt of a big boar moving in close. Those moments are what it’s all about. I was first introduced to night hunting by my younger brother, Austin Montoya, while managing predator numbers and controlling feral hog populations. I’ll never forget the first time I looked through an ATN Thor HD thermal over ten years ago. From that moment on, the way I hunted changed forever. Since then, I’ve successfully harvested thousands of hogs and hundreds of coyotes, helping protect crops, land, and livestock across Central Texas. These predators cost landowners and ranchers thousands of dollars each year in lost crops and animals - sheep, goats, chickens, calves, and even small horses - and I take pride in doing my part. I rely on gear that performs when it counts, which is why I choose ATN Optics. Their cutting-edge technology, proven reliability, and crystal-clear imagery give me the confidence to make smart, ethical decisions and succeed on every hunt.

OUR Best Thermal Scope in 2026

In recent years, thermal scopes have become increasingly popular among various groups of users, including hunters, wildlife observers, and security personnel. The technology behind these devices allows them to detect heat signatures emitted by living beings, making them invaluable tools for spotting targets in low-light conditions or even complete darkness. As we enter 2026, the market for thermal scopes continues to evolve, offering users a wide range of options tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

When you're out in the field, the difference between a successful hunt and a missed opportunity often comes down to one critical advantage: your ability to see what's hidden. As we move into 2026, thermal technology has taken a massive leap forward, and ATN is proudly leading the charge. Built on ATN’s most advanced and powerful platform to date, our 6th Generation thermal monoculars incorporate the industry's latest high-sensitivity thermal sensors with performance down to sub-15 mK NETD, paired with high-transmission germanium optics that maximize light throughput and detection capability. The result is exceptional image clarity, longer detection ranges, and improved target recognition across a wide range of applications and budgets. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the very best ATN thermal monoculars for 2026, helping you find the perfect optic to elevate your situational awareness, improve your safety, and dominate the night.

What Is the Best Thermal Scope? A Plain Guide to the ATN ThOR 6

What is the best thermal scope? This ATN guide explains what makes a scope good and why the ATN ThOR 6 640x512 3-24x earns the top spot for serious hunters.

Thermal Imaging Scope Attachment: The ATN TICO 6, One Unit That Clips On or Scans (2026)

Thermal imaging scope attachment guide: the ATN TICO 6 clips onto your day scope or runs as a handheld monocular - specs, picks and how to choose, price-free.

Scheels Thermal Scope Alternative: ATN ThOR 6 2-16x vs 3-24x by Use

Weighing a scheels thermal scope? Compare the ATN ThOR 6 640 2-16x and 3-24x by use case - all-around hunter vs long-range predator specialist - and choose.

Scheels Thermal Scope Alternative: ATN ThOR 6 Picks by Season

Searching a scheels thermal scope? Compare the ATN ThOR 6 640 3-24x and its siblings sorted by season - summer hogs, fall predators, off-season pest patrol.

White Hot Thermal Scope: ATN ThOR 6 Picks by Season

Need a white hot thermal scope? Compare the ATN ThOR 6 640 3-24x and its siblings and see how the White Hot palette reads by season, from summer to winter.

Thermal Heat Scope by Terrain: ATN ThOR 6 640 2-16x Picks

Choosing a thermal heat scope by terrain: how the ATN ThOR 6 640 2-16x reads across ag fields, thick timber and brush, plus two ATN ThOR 6 options.

Thermal Clip On Under 1000 Hog Hunting: ATN TICO 6 by Feature

Hunting a thermal clip on under 1000 hog hunting deal? Here's the honest ATN TICO 6 breakdown by key feature, the real cheapest price, and which model earns it.