ATN BinoX-HD 4-16x Binocular Review: Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary

ATN BinoX-HD 4-16x Binocular Review
Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary
August 22, 2016

For years I have envied those with enough money to buy high end night vision devices and have the ability to explore the dark without spooking all the wildlife. The envy started after I got my first taste about 25 years ago with my first night vision monocular. Actually, the quality of that Gen 1 monocular sucked, but it was good enough to let me enjoy some adventures after dark and have a little fun. Since then I have been waiting for the price of good night vision to reach a point where it is affordable to the average Joe and I think that time has arrived. Last year I purchased one of ATN's (American Technologies Network) X-Sight HD Day & Night Riflescopes and performed an eight part review on the riflescope and have loved it. I installed the X-Sight on my Ruger SR-556VT rifle and this setup has helped me deal with some pesky problems over this past year. The one thing I quickly learn about this rifle setup was that scanning for wildlife with a heavy rifle and scope can wear you out and I started to understand the value of having a quality set of night vision binoculars or monocular. It just so happens that last year ATN also started producing a pair of binoculars called their BinoX-HD 4-16x Digital Binoculars and I was able to get one to review. Since ATN does an amazing job advertising their products at their website, I grabbed the image below as my lead in to this review and to entice you to take a look at their website.

Figure 1

Currently ATN only offers one version of the BinoX binoculars which are listed as 4-16x zoom range and have an MSRP of $479. At the time of this review you can find these on Amazon.com for $458 with free shipping for Prime members. When you are searching for a pair of BinoX binoculars, you might get a little confused because ATN also makes a couple of thermal binoculars that look very similar to the digital binoculars except they have a red accent on the main body of the binoculars instead of the gray as shown above.

If you are not familiar with the BinoX product, you might be asking yourself what makes it so great. Basically ATN has taken a binocular platform, integrated an HD video camera, GPS with all the associated features, Wi-Fi interface capability, both night & day viewing capabilities and integrated a IR illuminator for night time use. They have done all this and given you ability to sync your BinoX with a smart device (phone or tablet, Android or Apple) to allow you to view what your BinoX sees directly through your smart device and also control various features of the BinoX through your smart device. If you take a look at their features further below it is hard not to say to yourself... "impressive." For a person reviewing the BinoX, it can be a little intimidating deciding on where to start and how much to show. For me, this review will be one of my standard multi-part reviews and I will focus on the basic features and those features that I feel consumers will use the most.

During my reviews I like to compare my results to the manufacturer's claims where possible so the following text in colored italics was taken directly from the ATN website on 7/30/16 and gives their Overview, Key Features and Specifications for the ATN BinoX-HD 4-16x Digital Binoculars. The , and are my way to keep up with details that I have covered in this review with either photos, commentary or both.

Overview

ATN is proud to announce their new addition the Smart HD Optics line of devices, with the all new BinoX-HD line of digital binoculars.
The BinoX-HD binoculars are the world's most advanced digital binoculars, featuring state of the art technology and optics, combined with a convenient and easy to use user interface, all running at 1ghz on the brand new Obsidian Core processor.
Such a high speed processor allows these binoculars to achieve tasks and operations never before even considered for a pair of binoculars, such as geo tagging, state of the art image stabilization, and a smooth E-zoom feature which allows for magnification of anywhere between 4-16x, all at the touch of a button.
In addition, the BinoX-HD features a night vision mode which allows them to function at any time, in any place, day or night.
They also feature a MicroSD slot, and the ability to record video, and take pictures, and either save them to a card, or to export them via a built in micro USB port, and a micro HDMI port.
The BinoX-HD binoculars are the binoculars for the 21st century.

Key Features

DAY & NIGHT - The Bino-X HD puts your world in crystal clear view, day or night, with its unique daytime view and night vision mode.
OBSIDIAN CORE & UI - Built using the most cutting-edge technologies known, the Bino-X HD Obsidian Core, an integral computer, offers you the fastest and most powerful processor around. Boasts lightning fast speed and lag-free performance. Speed and high-resolution are at your command with just the touch of a button.
VIDEO RECORDING - Its advanced image processing delivers high-quality images and videos with unrivaled resolution and quality.
- 4× Optical + 16× Digital Zoom
- 1920×1080 Full HD
- Image Stabilization
- The Bino-X full HD recording system takes still images and HD video letting you share your latest adventures with your buddies at the lodge or your family back home. All you need to do is connect to an HD TV to relive your adventure in stunning HD detail.
SMART HD CHANNEL - We make it easier than ever to capture and share your videos with your friends and family back home and online.
SMOOTH ZOOM - The Bino-X HD Smooth Zoom feature allows you a seamless distraction-free zoom that feels so natural — you’ll forget you’re even looking through binoculars.
ERGONOMICS - The Bino-X HD’s ergonomically designed housing and eyepiece feels refined, luxurious and relaxing allowing you to use it all day and all night without grip or eye fatigue.
GYROSCOPE - Improve ability to smoothly spot game by activating the built-in gyroscope & image stabilization! Steady your view and make the experience a lot of more fun!
E-COMPASS - 3D magnetometer sensor creates a handy electronic compass inside your rifle scope, while continuously tracking the precise direction you are looking at!
GPS & ALTIMETER
- Geo-tag your location and monitor your ascent and descent with the altimeter
- Know where you are going and where you’ve been with the Bino-X’s built-in GPS device
- The electronic compass helps you navigate, whether you are on the move or stationary
INTUITIVE USER INTERFACE - The interface is designed to make set up and use easy and intuitive. Shortcut menus facilitate access to your most frequent commands. All the important scales of the 3D rotation are displayed at the edge of the screen so as to not interfere with your vision.
WiFi MODULE - Share your adventures immediately with the Bino-X HD WiFi module. Quickly connect the binocular to a smartphone or tablet using our iOS and Android app. You and your friend or family member can simultaneously experience that epic vista or together spot that trophy buck standing on a distant ridgeline.
WEATHER RESISTANCE - Your next adventure is calling you. Don’t let rain, snow or mud stop you. The Bino-X HD is tough like you are and has a weather resistant housing made for the rugged outdoors and extreme conditions it calls home.

Specifications

Sensor: HD 1080p ATN L130 Sensor
Magnification: 4 - 16 X
Field of View @ 1000 yards: 220 ft
Angle of view: 6 °
Objective lens: 65 mm this refers to the equivalent focal length and not lens diameter
Micro display: 960x540 x 2
Core: ATN Obsidian
System Resolution: 90 lp/mm
Focus range: 10 ft - ∞ 28 inches to ∞
Eye relief: 10 - 30 mm
Interpupillary adjustment range: 60 - 70 mm
IR illuminator range: 300 yards
IP rating: Weather resistant
Video Record Resolution: 1080p at 30 fps
Microphone: Yes
MicroSD card: From 4 to 64 GB
Micro USB: External Battery Pack
Micro HDMI: Yes
WiFi (Streaming, Gallery & Controls): iOS & Android
GPS (Geotagging, Elevation, etc.): Yes
3D Gyroscope: Yes - GS3
3D Accelerometer: Yes
3D Magnetometer: Yes
E-Compass: Yes
Smooth Zoom: Yes
Battery life (Li-ion): 6 - 8 hours
Battery pack (16000 mAh) life (OPTIONAL): 22+ hours
Battery type: (3) CR123
Dimensions: 8.2" x 5" x 2.3"/208 mm x 127 mm x 59 mm
Weight: 1.75 lbs review unit weighed in at 1.9 lbs with the batteries included
Warranty: Two years
MSRP: $479

This review is broken down into multiple parts with this page providing links to each part along with an overall summary of the specifications, pros and cons, and my final "bottom line" comments. Make sure you take time to checkout the other parts of the review because they contain many photos and lots of commentary. Also, there is an extreme amount of detail in those parts which is not covered on this page.

As you read these Pros and Cons below, keep in mind that it is hard to keep my particular preferences from creeping in the equation. Therefore, it is important that you take the time to look at the other parts of this review so you can decide yourself on items which may be more of a personal preference.

Pros:

The binoculars have a good balance in your hands and the coated surfaces have a good texture. All the focus adjustments have about the right amount of resistance and shouldn't bump off focus by accident.
The BinoX provides good night vision quality and a great value price. I'm still impressed each time I look through the BinoX at night and see the crisp and clear images.
The IR illuminator is integrated into the binoculars which allows you the simplicity of a single item to take to the field.
At a MSRP of $479, they are a great value considering how capable they are in the night vision mode.

Pro/Con/Comment (you decide)?:

ATN states that there is between 10mm to 30mm of eye relief. I find it to be closer to the 10mm number because with glasses I must have the eye piece pressed up against my eyeglass lens and I'm still not getting 100% of the field of view. For those who have good eyesight, wear contact lenses or only require a simple diopter correction, the eye relief is adequate. For those who must still wear glasses while using the BinoX, you will be a little frustrated, but eventually you get the hang of reduced field of view. This is one of those comments where I call it like I see it, but your options to go elsewhere for day/night binoculars at this price are limited (if any), so the eye relief is something you learn to live with.
ATN only gives you a Quick Start Guide and not a detailed Instruction Manual. I would have thought that something as sophisticated as this device would come with a pretty thorough instruction manual. The reason ATN doesn't provide a detailed printed manual is that they continually enhance the features of this device with firmware updates (embedded software that makes the device run). For example, today's menu systems for the BinoX are completely different than their original release. ATN does have an online Instruction Manual where they keep instructions current with the latest firmware updates.
The illuminator seems to runs off the batteries installed inside the BinoX and will not run off an external USB power bank alone, but hooking a power bank will significantly reduce the drain on your batteries.
If you are planning to use the Wi-Fi feature in the field, you will probably have greatest satisfaction if you stick with batteries for the greatest reliability of streaming your images.

Cons:

One thing I don't like about the top of the unit is the location of the mic. I find myself accidentally putting my finger over the mic during exciting moments and losing the audio.
I actually had two units to compare and one thing that I didn't like on one of the units was that the battery cover seemed to flex and and not seat securely. It never popped off, but it was something that you notice because the battery cover area is where you also grip the BinoX when in use. The battery cover on the other unit felt solid.

Bottom Line:

I have been using the BinoX HD Day/Night Digital Binoculars for about 6 months and feel these are great night vision binoculars that allow you the ability to take photos and video of your night adventures. They are a great value and a "must have" for those people scanning large areas at night and don't want to shoulder their rifle with a night vision scope the entire time. They are also great to have for those living in rural areas for watching your local wildlife at night. The Wi-Fi feature is a plus which allows your friends to also see what you are scanning. As with any device with as many features as the BinoX, you need to figure out what are the most important features and master them to ensure you maximize your adventure. I know these comments are focused on the night vision aspect of the BinoX and feel that most likely the night vision feature is the main reason someone would purchase the binoculars. Having now owned a pair, the BinoX sets a high bar with value and performance and I cannot imagine being without night vision binoculars on my next night hunt.

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