ATN Ultra Sight Digital Compact Red Dot? Opinions?

rnovi · March 1, 2006, 03:59 PM

Well, last night was an interesting day at the range. Both of my red-dots (cheapo Tasco's) "failed" under the recoil of a 180 grain .357 mag load from my 6" GP100. Pity that. So now I am in the market for a new Dot.

I checked out the C-More sights - the exposed lense really makes me nervous. I like the shrouded lenses more on the ATN and HoloSights. This will be a hunting firearm as well as a heavy use range pistol and will take some abuse. The ability of the sight to absorb and shrug off recoil is absolutely paramount.

Options:
ATN Ultra Sight Digital Compact: $140 shipped. I really like the size of this unit - it appears to be the smallest on the market and the price is right. However I haven't been able to find any substantial reviews on it that would indicate if it's a good unit or not.

Bushnell HoloSight: $250 shipped. Well, this one has a good reputation but I'm not too fond of the size (and the price is really starting to push it for me). It's a little bigger than I really want, but it would still fit in my highly customized (ie: cut with a soldering iron) Uncle Mike's holster.

EoTech 510: $340 shipped. The 510AA is really pushing the size envelope here at over 5" long so the standard N-cell 510 would have to do. I truly don't know if I really need the metal hood that protects the site as compared to the Bushnell. If this is the absolute holo-sight to go with, I can make the budget but it's gonna hurt a bit. It's the size that concerns me the most. It's no bigger than the RedDot I had on before though...

Other notes: The ATN claims a 22mm round lense (ie: 1" lense) while the Bushnell/Eotech claims a 1.25 wide x .75 high lense. I really don't know if this makes any difference.

I am open to any opinions here folks. I'd like to plunk my money down sooner than later (before the wife finds out about my stash!).

(PS: I did a search on both TFL and High Road and didn't find anything about the ATN's, hence my question.)

sjstill · March 2, 2006, 08:47 PM

Had a non-digital ATN on my AR15. Self destructed after two mags.

Try an OKO Reflex. Very rugged. Believe they even make a 'cage' for them, too.

Bushnell makes a low-profile Holosight, saw it in a recent Cabelas catalog. About the same $$ as the regular Holosight, but nice low profile.

darkvibe · March 2, 2006, 09:18 PM

My dad had an ATN on a .22 and i LOVED it. Unfortunately it died after a while. I know it's a broad estimate but it might have lasted about 1-2 years of shooting 1-2 nights a week with approx. 100 rounds per night.

I can't imagine the thing lasting long on a .357.

rnovi · March 3, 2006, 01:57 AM

Thanks for the info on the ATN stuff. I crossed it off the list and ended up ordering the basic N-Cell Bushnell Holosight. I just can't quite see needing the full blown Eotech steel cage military grade sight. I'm not quite that abusive! The AA version of the Holosight might be better from a battery perspective, but it's just too long for the pistol.

thanks for the info on ATN!

3 gun · March 3, 2006, 02:44 AM

I don't know anything about that red dot but I can steer you in the right direction. Take a look at the Millett SP line of red dots. They have 1" and 30mm sizes with 3 or 5 moa dots with 11 brightness settings. They also have a 30mm with 3, 5, 8 or 10 moa dots. They also make scope mounts and rings for most handguns, rifles and shotguns. Natchezss has then on sale for $80 to $90. I had the 1" 3 moa scope on an M1a until the mount failed. M1a's are known for breaking scopes but it couldn't break this one, I doubt your 357 will either. Good stuff, I just got a 30mm while they're on sale.

March 1, 2006, 03:59 PM	#1
rnovi Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 401	ATN Ultra Sight Digital Compact Red Dot? Opinions? Well, last night was an interesting day at the range. Both of my red-dots (cheapo Tasco's) "failed" under the recoil of a 180 grain .357 mag load from my 6" GP100. Pity that. So now I am in the market for a new Dot. I checked out the C-More sights - the exposed lense really makes me nervous. I like the shrouded lenses more on the ATN and HoloSights. This will be a hunting firearm as well as a heavy use range pistol and will take some abuse. The ability of the sight to absorb and shrug off recoil is absolutely paramount. Options: ATN Ultra Sight Digital Compact: $140 shipped. I really like the size of this unit - it appears to be the smallest on the market and the price is right. However I haven't been able to find any substantial reviews on it that would indicate if it's a good unit or not. Bushnell HoloSight: $250 shipped. Well, this one has a good reputation but I'm not too fond of the size (and the price is really starting to push it for me). It's a little bigger than I really want, but it would still fit in my highly customized (ie: cut with a soldering iron) Uncle Mike's holster. EoTech 510: $340 shipped. The 510AA is really pushing the size envelope here at over 5" long so the standard N-cell 510 would have to do. I truly don't know if I really need the metal hood that protects the site as compared to the Bushnell. If this is the absolute holo-sight to go with, I can make the budget but it's gonna hurt a bit. It's the size that concerns me the most. It's no bigger than the RedDot I had on before though... Other notes: The ATN claims a 22mm round lense (ie: 1" lense) while the Bushnell/Eotech claims a 1.25 wide x .75 high lense. I really don't know if this makes any difference. I am open to any opinions here folks. I'd like to plunk my money down sooner than later (before the wife finds out about my stash!). (PS: I did a search on both TFL and High Road and didn't find anything about the ATN's, hence my question.) __________________ Robert N. "Remember, Eagles may soar but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"

March 2, 2006, 08:47 PM	#2
sjstill Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 108	Had a non-digital ATN on my AR15. Self destructed after two mags. Try an OKO Reflex. Very rugged. Believe they even make a 'cage' for them, too. Bushnell makes a low-profile Holosight, saw it in a recent Cabelas catalog. About the same $$ as the regular Holosight, but nice low profile. __________________ My name is Steve, and I'm a Glockaholic. The primary target is what we call the thoracic triangle. Shots to this area tend to make people FDGB (“fall down go boom”).

March 3, 2006, 01:57 AM	#4
rnovi Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 401	Thanks for the info on the ATN stuff. I crossed it off the list and ended up ordering the basic N-Cell Bushnell Holosight. I just can't quite see needing the full blown Eotech steel cage military grade sight. I'm not quite that abusive! The AA version of the Holosight might be better from a battery perspective, but it's just too long for the pistol. thanks for the info on ATN! __________________ Robert N. "Remember, Eagles may soar but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"

March 3, 2006, 02:44 AM	#5
3 gun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 1999 Location: N41 24.283 W81 43.370 N.E.Ohio Posts: 561	I don't know anything about that red dot but I can steer you in the right direction. Take a look at the Millett SP line of red dots. They have 1" and 30mm sizes with 3 or 5 moa dots with 11 brightness settings. They also have a 30mm with 3, 5, 8 or 10 moa dots. They also make scope mounts and rings for most handguns, rifles and shotguns. Natchezss has then on sale for $80 to $90. I had the 1" 3 moa scope on an M1a until the mount failed. M1a's are known for breaking scopes but it couldn't break this one, I doubt your 357 will either. Good stuff, I just got a 30mm while they're on sale. __________________ Change you can believe in... Pre-65 US silver coins NRA RSO & Certified Instructor in rifle, pistol, shotgun. An unloaded pistol is a paperweight. Opportunity knocks..Trouble kicks down the door.

March 2, 2006, 09:18 PM	#3
darkvibe Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2005 Posts: 104	My dad had an ATN on a .22 and i LOVED it. Unfortunately it died after a while. I know it's a broad estimate but it might have lasted about 1-2 years of shooting 1-2 nights a week with approx. 100 rounds per night. I can't imagine the thing lasting long on a .357.