Common problem

One of the most common complaints about the ATN X-Sight digital day/night scope is that the objective lense focus ring can be hard to turn.

On both of the X-Sights that ATN sent for review I found that the focus ring is really stiff the first time it is turned, but seems to loosen up and turn a little easier for a few minutes. The stiff X-Sight focus ring can be annoying when using just the ATN X-Sight by itself for shooting during daylight hours.

However, when using the ATN X-Sight Night Vision function an IR illuminator is required. ATN provides an IR illuminator which can be attached to a picatinny rail on the left side of the ATN X-Sight housing. Unfortunately, the position of the IR illuminator blocks the focus ring for a right handed shooter that wants to keep their right hand covering the trigger and adjust the X-Sight focus ring with their left hand. Many predator hunters opt for a brighter, but larger aftermarket IR illuminator, which makes it all but impossible to reach the X-Sight focus ring with the support hand.

Cheap DIY solution

A popular solution common with traditional scopes is the addition of an external ring to the zoom and/or focus ring to give the operator more leverage and make turning the ring easier. Many folks buy a “breakaway nylon coaster” for fishing for about $20 – $30 from fishing supply shops online. The “coaster” is sometimes in the $5-10 range with high shipping fees driving up the total price. I recently saw what appears to be the exact same product, but branded and sold as a clamp for securing sewage lines on RVs selling for less than $7 with free 2 day shipping via Amazon Prime (Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial )

Here it is:

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Simply slide the clamp over the focus ring with the tightening mechanism oriented vertically or canted towards the IR illuminator, tighten the clamp so that it won’t slip, and trim off any excess.

With the clamp in place you will have more leverage to turn the stiff ATN X-Sight focus ring. This is our favorite sort of DIY upgrade… cheap and easy!

What is the ATN X-Sight?

The ATN X-Sight offers a fantastic value for a digital rifle scope with features that traditional rifle scopes can’t begin to match. ATN offers the X-Sight in two versions, differing only in the optical magnification. Here are links to each X-Sight version on Amazon.com:

We will post a full review of the ATN X-Sight soon.