Suggest a Night Vision Scope

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Fenian

Fenian

Member
Sep 26, 2018
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MA United States
Hey guys

Can you let me know what you recommend. I haven’t honestly a clue about night vision optics or scopes. Thermal vs digital vs IR etc

Here’s my situation. I am not looking for live recording, live broadcasting, I just want a good optic, and I’m not using this for rimfire, this is for air rifles only.

Also, I only need 50 yards or less. It’s really just for backyard pesting, small stuff, mice, rats, up to raccoons possibly. Nothing more.

If anything, it’s possible I’d consider a ballistic calculator or range finder but it’s not essential.

What do you suggest?

I am hearing there’s a lot of technical issues, firmware issues, etc with these night scopes, maybe that’s not fair or true for all.

What do you suggest?
While I don’t want to spend much, I also don’t want to waste money on crap that I will just get a bad experience with and have to buy again….

Ok, let me know your thoughts ;)
 
I prefer Thermal over NV. It makes locating and dispatching predators and nuisance animals a breeze. It's like they are holding up a neon sign saying I'm over here. With NV you can completely overlook critters amongst brush or cover unless you see them move. Not an issue in the open. The ability to take pics and video is nice but I rarely use it. I would suggest you purchase 384 resolution and up. The better the resolution the easier to ID your target. My go to thermal for nuisance animals is a AGM TS-25-384. It handles anything within 50yrds. I use it on a Leshiy2 and swap back and forth from scope to thermal depending on day or night. I also swap it over to a powder burner for larger predators at closer ranges. I have a Pulsar Thermion XP50 that works really well for longer ranges and is dedicated to a powder burner. For the money the AGM works well.

Edit: Don't put much stock in digital zoom. It gets pretty grainy fast. I usually limit it to the base magnification and first zoom step (maybe 2x-4x).
 
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I highly recommend the DNT Zulus NV scope! It's light weight and has the best clarity available on the market in a budget friendly NV Optic. I also recommend Tactical Panda as a vender. They have the best prices on the web!

www.tacpanda.com

ZHD520 - ZULUS HD 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope

Sensor Specifications Resolution: 1920x1080px Sensor Frame Rate: 60Hz Video Record Resolution: 1920x1080px Optical Specifications Digital Magnification: 5X – 20X Eye Relief 1.8 inches Display Specifications Type: Micro-OLED Display Resolution: 1920x1080px Frame Rate: 60Hz Battery Power...
www.tacpanda.com

The Zulus 520HD (5-20X) and 312HD (3-12X) are on sale for $339.99 and with code PANDA10 you get an additional 10% off. Hard to beat that price for the quality you get from DNT! I prefer the 520HD to the 312HD just because on the higher magnification when shooting small critters!
 
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FLgunner said:
I highly recommend the DNT Zulus NV scope! It's light weight and has the best clarity available on the market in a budget friendly NV Optic. I also recommend Tactical Panda as a vender. They have the best prices on the web!

www.tacpanda.com

ZHD520 - ZULUS HD 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope

Sensor Specifications Resolution: 1920x1080px Sensor Frame Rate: 60Hz Video Record Resolution: 1920x1080px Optical Specifications Digital Magnification: 5X – 20X Eye Relief 1.8 inches Display Specifications Type: Micro-OLED Display Resolution: 1920x1080px Frame Rate: 60Hz Battery Power...
www.tacpanda.com

The Zulus 520HD (5-20X) and 312HD (3-12X) are on sale for $339.99 and with code PANDA10 you get an additional 10% off. Hard to beat that price for the quality you get from DNT! I prefer the 520HD to the 312HD just because on the higher magnification when shooting small critters!
Click to expand...
Hey
Can I just ask, and I openly admit not knowing enough, but what’s the benefit of 3-12 versus 5-20?
Like I said it’s for small pesting up to 50 yards at night backyard.
Not for rimfire at all! Airgun only.

Second, is it just digital night vision or an infrared?
 
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blackdog899 said:
just received my 520 V2 , this after being very satisfied with the 312 V1.
Click to expand...
I had a look at the 3-12 to 5-20 comparison.

I like the scope of the 5-20 but I can see how you may not have good field of view up close, but I don’t think I’ll be shooting under 10 yards, it would be in the 10-50 yard range, so I’m wondering what to get.

Also, is there a Zulu V2 in the thermal capability range?
Is it a lot more money? Is it worth it?
 
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FLgunner said:
I highly recommend the DNT Zulus NV scope! It's light weight and has the best clarity available on the market in a budget friendly NV Optic. I also recommend Tactical Panda as a vender. They have the best prices on the web!

www.tacpanda.com

ZHD520 - ZULUS HD 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope

Sensor Specifications Resolution: 1920x1080px Sensor Frame Rate: 60Hz Video Record Resolution: 1920x1080px Optical Specifications Digital Magnification: 5X – 20X Eye Relief 1.8 inches Display Specifications Type: Micro-OLED Display Resolution: 1920x1080px Frame Rate: 60Hz Battery Power...
www.tacpanda.com

The Zulus 520HD (5-20X) and 312HD (3-12X) are on sale for $339.99 and with code PANDA10 you get an additional 10% off. Hard to beat that price for the quality you get from DNT! I prefer the 520HD to the 312HD just because on the higher magnification when shooting small critters!
Click to expand...
Thanks for this suggestion, I’m looking at the V2 version, before I pull the trigger what are you looking at $ wise for the thermal options?

I’m assuming you pick these because it’s much easier to spot something glowing in the dark like The Predator
 
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Fenian said:
Why choose 5-20 over 3-12 I don’t honestly know the reasons why
Click to expand...
Basically it is because of digital magnification and the screen clarity you see (digitizing/pixilating the image on the screen). Starting with too much magnification at close range does not allow for quick target acquisition. Also, if you like using them at the higher magnification, then a higher base magnification will give a better resolution when cranked up higher.
 
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Here is what I posted in another thread about the new DNT Zulus V2:

I got my Zulus V2 Friday and set it up yesterday. Not sure I'm a fan of the built in memory. I did the firmware update and then received a memory card error (with no way to swap it for a good one) and it wouldn't record. Luckily, I was able to clear it by rebooting the scope and it all seems to be working well now, but what happens if it fails in the future? I like the new menu system, but not sure why they had to flip-flop all the controls on the top of the scope, it makes it confusing when you have a couple Zulus V1's and know where the buttons are and what they do! I haven't compared the video recordings yet, but I don't really notice a big difference with the internal view. I'm not sure it's worth the extra $100 for the V2.

Another oddity... The 21700 batteries that come with it are just a tad narrower than the 21700 batteries sold on Amazon. I have ordered two separate sets of 21700 batteries and both sets won't fit in the battery compartment of the Zulus V2. So, if these batteries that came with the V2 die, you may be out of luck ordering replacements from anywhere but DNT! And, if the memory dies or gets corrupt, and it's outside the warranty, it may be an expense to replace it if it has to be sent in to do so. The one positive I found, it does connect to my phone a lot better than the V1, but so far that's the only real improvement I'm seeing... I kind of regret getting the V2, and I wish I had just spent the few dollars more and gotten the V1 LRF model.

Zulus non lrf

There’s just something about this presentation of the Zulus. I can‘t seem to put my finger on it… I like the new model, but can't afford it. Maintenance costs are probably overwhelming.
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com

I have 2 Zulus 520HD V1 scopes, 1 312HD V1, 520HD-LRF V1 and 1 520HD V2. IMHO, the best one is the 520HD-LRF V1. Best bang for the buck is the 520HD V1 @ just over $300!

To address your question about the 520HD over the 312HD, If I were shooting larger prey and longer distances, the 312HD would be great for its greater field of view. But for shooting rats and mice at 50 yards or less (which is primarily what I do), the 520HD is perfect! I rarely use zoom power over 7.5X and the sight view is very crisp and clear. Also, if you choose to record a video of your shot, it will be clearer at the lower magnifications. So, essentially the more you zoom in, the more degraded the view do to pixelation. None of these scopes use optical zoom, only digital zoom, so the higher the zoom power, the lower the resolution. For this reason, shooting a rat at 5 power is going to be way clearer on the 520HD than 5 power on the 312HD scope. I hope this helps.
 
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Fenian said:
Hey
Can I just ask, and I openly admit not knowing enough, but what’s the benefit of 3-12 versus 5-20?
Like I said it’s for small pesting up to 50 yards at night backyard.
Not for rimfire at all! Airgun only.

Second, is it just digital night vision or an infrared?
Click to expand...
As stated above, the 5-20 will give better resolution at lower magnification, meaning if shooting rats at 50 yards, little of no magnification is needed to get good shot placement, but a 3-12 would need some magnification, which will degrade the resolution of your sight picture and video if you are recording the shot. The Zulus have built-in IR that works very well out to around 75 yards, so you shouldn't need an additional IR Lamp.
 
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FLgunner said:
Here is what I posted in another thread about the new DNT Zulus V2:

I got my Zulus V2 Friday and set it up yesterday. Not sure I'm a fan of the built in memory. I did the firmware update and then received a memory card error (with no way to swap it for a good one) and it wouldn't record. Luckily, I was able to clear it by rebooting the scope and it all seems to be working well now, but what happens if it fails in the future? I like the new menu system, but not sure why they had to flip-flop all the controls on the top of the scope, it makes it confusing when you have a couple Zulus V1's and know where the buttons are and what they do! I haven't compared the video recordings yet, but I don't really notice a big difference with the internal view. I'm not sure it's worth the extra $100 for the V2.

Another oddity... The 21700 batteries that come with it are just a tad narrower than the 21700 batteries sold on Amazon. I have ordered two separate sets of 21700 batteries and both sets won't fit in the battery compartment of the Zulus V2. So, if these batteries that came with the V2 die, you may be out of luck ordering replacements from anywhere but DNT! And, if the memory dies or gets corrupt, and it's outside the warranty, it may be an expense to replace it if it has to be sent in to do so. The one positive I found, it does connect to my phone a lot better than the V1, but so far that's the only real improvement I'm seeing... I kind of regret getting the V2, and I wish I had just spent the few dollars more and gotten the V1 LRF model.

Zulus non lrf

There’s just something about this presentation of the Zulus. I can‘t seem to put my finger on it… I like the new model, but can't afford it. Maintenance costs are probably overwhelming.
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com

I have 2 Zulus 520HD V1 scopes, 1 312HD V1, 520HD-LRF V1 and 1 520HD V2. IMHO, the best one is the 520HD-LRF V1. Best bang for the buck is the 520HD V1 @ just over $300!

To address your question about the 520HD over the 312HD, If I were shooting larger prey and longer distances, the 312HD would be great for its greater field of view. But for shooting rats and mice at 50 yards or less (which is primarily what I do), the 520HD is perfect! I rarely use zoom power over 7.5X and the sight view is very crisp and clear. Also, if you choose to record a video of your shot, it will be clearer at the lower magnifications. So, essentially the more you zoom in, the more degraded the view do to pixelation. None of these scopes use optical zoom, only digital zoom, so the higher the zoom power, the lower the resolution. For this reason, shooting a rat at 5 power is going to be way clearer on the 520HD than 5 power on the 312HD scope. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
This is great thank you. So what is the benefit of the V1 LRF model?

Is there a Zulu V1 type option that has thermal? Or does that get into major money, like is it that much of an upgrade?
 
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Fenian said:
This is great thank you. So what is the benefit of the V1 LRF model?

Is there a Zulu V1 type option that has thermal? Or does that get into major money, like is it that much of an upgrade?
Click to expand...
The benefit of the V1 LRF is the cost. A V2 non-LRF is around $423, a V1 LRF is around $468. A V2 LRF will run over $600. The benefit of LRF is the automatic adjustment of the retinal at different distances. I can zero at 35 yards (my target distance) and then laser range a rat at 50 yards and not have to worry about figuring the hold over, I just place the reticule right where I want the pellet to hit and squeeze the trigger!

Thermals are a lot more expensive! I had a cheaper one (just under $1000) and it was a lower resolution. It was great at finding critters in the dark, but often they were too blurry to make out what they were. I could generally tell by their size, but they just looked like a small orange ball against a black background. I like to record my shots and the resolution of the DNT NV is very clear to the point you can see the pellet flying through the air and impacting the target. A lot of people like Thermal and if I could afford a higher resolution $2000 - $3000 Thermal, I might also, but the DNT Zulus works great for my needs! Also, small critter's eyes shine bright when hit with the IR lamp, so the whole critter may not glow orange like with a Thermal, but their glowing eyes will give them away very quickly!
 
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FLgunner said:
The benefit of the V1 LRF is the cost. A V2 non-LRF is around $423, a V1 LRF is around $468. A V2 LRF will run over $600. The benefit of LRF is the automatic adjustment of the retinal at different distances. I can zero at 35 yards (my target distance) and then laser range a rat at 50 yards and not have to worry about figuring the hold over, I just place the reticule right where I want the pellet to hit and squeeze the trigger!

Thermals are a lot more expensive! I had a cheaper one (just under $1000) and it was a lower resolution. It was great at finding critters in the dark, but often they were too blurry to make out what they were. I could generally tell by their size, but they just looked like a small orange ball against a black background. I like to record my shots and the resolution of the DNT NV is very clear to the point you can see the pellet flying through the air and impacting the target. A lot of people like Thermal and if I could afford a higher resolution $2000 - $3000 Thermal, I might also, but the DNT Zulus works great for my needs! Also, small critter's eyes shine bright when hit with the IR lamp, so the whole critter may not glow orange like with a Thermal, but their glowing eyes will give them away very quickly!
Click to expand...

Thank you, this explains things brilliantly!
Is the LRF a ballistic calculator? Like do I have to input FPS velocity, weight, ballistic coefficient and scope-bore measurement, or is it automatic ?

Lastly, I’m going to trust you on this, but should I do the V1 LRF or V2 LRF?
I think the 5-20 is the better option for me, even if I’m shooting in the 15-50 yard range
 
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Yes, to get the best results from the LRF function, it's best to enter all ballistic information into the Ballistics calculator. There are videos on YT that do a good job of explaining how and what info is actually needed.


I have no experience with the V2 LRF, but from what I've seen on YT and read, it sounds like it's the same as the LRF function on the V1. I have already posted my thoughts on the differences between the V1 and V2 and how I feel about them. If I were to get another, I would probably get a V1 LRF and save the extra cash for something else. The differences to me, just don't justify the added cost at this point. Having said that, I have no idea how support will be for the V1 going forward, but I hope DNT does not abandon all us loyal V1 owners just because they came out with a V2!
 
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Here is a video that talks about the differences between the V1 and V2. Keep in mind this is a YT Influencer who was probably sent this scope free of charge, so to ensure he keeps receiving freebies to review, he's probably not going to be as harsh as someone who spent their hard earned cash on the thing! But, from the perspective of learning the differences between the two, he does a pretty good job...

 
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FLgunner said:
I highly recommend the DNT Zulus NV scope! It's light weight and has the best clarity available on the market in a budget friendly NV Optic. I also recommend Tactical Panda as a vender. They have the best prices on the web!

www.tacpanda.com

ZHD520 - ZULUS HD 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope

Sensor Specifications Resolution: 1920x1080px Sensor Frame Rate: 60Hz Video Record Resolution: 1920x1080px Optical Specifications Digital Magnification: 5X – 20X Eye Relief 1.8 inches Display Specifications Type: Micro-OLED Display Resolution: 1920x1080px Frame Rate: 60Hz Battery Power...
www.tacpanda.com

The Zulus 520HD (5-20X) and 312HD (3-12X) are on sale for $339.99 and with code PANDA10 you get an additional 10% off. Hard to beat that price for the quality you get from DNT! I prefer the 520HD to the 312HD just because on the higher magnification when shooting small critters!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendation. I just put in an order and look forward to trying the 520HD out. It will be my first digital optic.
 
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