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.

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.

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.

White Hot Thermal Scope: ATN ThOR 6 Picks by Use Case

Need a white hot thermal scope for a specific job? Compare the ATN ThOR 6 640 2-16x and its siblings for hog hunting, predator calling, and ranch pest control.

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.

Used Thermal Scope? Match New ATN ThOR 6 640x512 2-16x to Your Terrain

Considering a used thermal scope? Match a new ATN ThOR 6 640x512 2-16x to your terrain instead, from thick timber to open range, with two ThOR 6 siblings.

Used Thermal Scope vs New ATN ThOR 6 640x512 3-24x: By Use Case

Shopping a used thermal scope? See why a new ATN ThOR 6 640x512 3-24x wins by use case, from hog control to long-range hunting, backed by two ThOR 6 siblings.

Thermal Vision Scope Picks by Use Case: ATN ThOR 6 Roundup for Hunters

Pick the right thermal vision scope by use case. This ATN ThOR 6 roundup matches the 640x512 and 384x288 models to predator calling, hog control and recovery.

Best Thermal Vision Scope by Season: ATN ThOR 6 Picks for Every Condition

The best thermal vision scope for every season. ATN ThOR 6 640x512 leads our roundup, with picks that see through darkness, fog, and cold-to-warm nights.

A thermal spotting scope by season: ATN ThOR 6 640 2-16x picks

A thermal spotting scope that earns its keep all year. The ATN ThOR 6 640x512 2-16x reads cold winter fields and warm summer brush. Season-by-season picks.