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Night Vision DNT Hydra HS635

5RWill

5RWill

Optics Fiend
Full Member
Minuteman
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    • Oct 15, 2009
    6,602
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    Mississippi
    #1
    So just picked up a DNT hydra the 640 unit. Just curious what the overall impression is on the unit. The one comparison I’ve seen with the RH25 it was impressively similar for half the cost. I’m coming from a pulsar XQ38 from 4 years ago or so i let go so im curious if its going to be a tremendous jump in quality. I’m gonna throw it on the mk12 mod H
     
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    #4
    Also looking forward to seeing a review. Possibly purchasing a 635 in the near future

    I’m assuming (I’ve never used a clip on) that when you use as a clip on you’re limited to the lowest magnification. Since you’re just looking at a tv screen more or less. Or can you zoom in the thermal and have it be usable?
     
    Last edited:
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    #5
    I got my hydra hs635 last week. It’s pretty good for the money. I put it on my 204 as a standalone. It’s better than my hogster 35 384. Easy to use the menu buttons. I haven’t seen any coyotes yet but I saw a deer at 400 yards the other night and could ID it easily.
    IMG_3474.jpeg
     
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    #6
    SteveC said:
    I got my hydra hs635 last week. It’s pretty good for the money. I put it on my 204 as a standalone. It’s better than my hogster 35 384. Easy to use the menu buttons. I haven’t seen any coyotes yet but I saw a deer at 400 yards the other night and could ID it easily.
    View attachment 8723283
    Click to expand...
    Yeah I’m hoping it’s adequate for clip on performance
     
    #7
    SteveC said:
    I got my hydra hs635 last week. It’s pretty good for the money. I put it on my 204 as a standalone. It’s better than my hogster 35 384. Easy to use the menu buttons. I haven’t seen any coyotes yet but I saw a deer at 400 yards the other night and could ID it easily.
    Click to expand...
    Is that screenshot 400?
     
    #16
    5RWill said:


    Here’s a comparison and 4MR is gonna do one as well
    Click to expand...

    That DNT compares way better than I would have thought given a $3,000 price difference. If these are reliable and durable, then they make a very strong case for a first/budget thermal. I don't have thermal, but at that performance and price, I am tempted to give it a try.
     
    Last edited:
    #17
    I’m looking to get into thermal for clip on use and I’ve been eyeballing this one. May be a stupid question so forgive my ignorance.
    Can you have multiple collimation settings in this unit if you were using on more than one rifle? So when you switch onto a different rifle you’ve already got the saved collimation setting for both? I understand you’d still be susceptible to POI shift just from removal and reinstall alone and want to verify zero regardless but seems like that’d be a nice feature and save some time when using a good ADM mount and more than one rifle. I didn’t see this info on the website or the couple videos I saw.
     
    #21
    dgheriani said:
    In the 4MR vid at one point he has it in front of a 6-36 G3 Razor but doesn't ever really mention use with a larger mag scope.
    Click to expand...
    I’m just going off personal experience out back and what the dnt videos say. Ideally would love to use it with more mag. But i feel like anything above 4x is pushing it. And it’s primarily why i picked up a Steiner 2-12x42 for the mod H.
     
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    #23
    How long have the Hydras been out? Does anyone know what the return rate is like? Or just how many functional issues people have experienced and mentioned online?

    How would it compare to something like the Luchs for 2k on eurooptic?
     
    #24
    I think approaching 8 months.

    I just got back from the range. Maybe there are settings i could tweak. Got it sighted in which on a hot day in Louisiana took some rounds.

    Maybe it’s just not collimated properly but 4x is about the limit of what i could use as i said before. I ran it to 300 with limited success. 100 it’s dead on. Zerod the Steiner to 300. Moving to 100-300 required some change in focus on the dnt.

    Overall it’s usable to 300. Looking at the mount from the top down it almost looks a little canted right like it’s not totally inline with the Steiner. Maybe i can tweak it more. Or maybe my pri rail isn’t inline with the swan sleeve.
     
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    #25
    5RWill said:
    I think approaching 8 months.

    I just got back from the range. Maybe there are settings i could tweak. Got it sighted in which on a hot day in Louisiana took some rounds.

    Maybe it’s just not collimated properly but 4x is about the limit of what i could use as i said before. I ran it to 300 with limited success. 100 it’s dead on. Zerod the Steiner to 300. Moving to 100-300 required some change in focus on the dnt.

    Overall it’s usable to 300. Looking at the mount from the top down it almost looks a little canted right like it’s not totally inline with the Steiner. Maybe i can tweak it more. Or maybe my pri rail isn’t inline with the swan sleeve.
    Click to expand...
    How about some more updates on your experience with the DNT. I'm seriously wanting to drop some coin on one , but would appreciate some non-paid feedback on this unit 1st.
     
    #26
    ironman56 said:
    How about some more updates on your experience with the DNT. I'm seriously wanting to drop some coin on one , but would appreciate some non-paid feedback on this unit 1st.
    Click to expand...
    I haven’t been out with it again. Residency and life at the moment don’t allow me much free time. I’ll probably rezero with the new mount and i plan to take it out Labor Day weekend at the end of August.
     
    #27
    ironman56 said:
    How about some more updates on your experience with the DNT. I'm seriously wanting to drop some coin on one , but would appreciate some non-paid feedback on this unit 1st.
    Click to expand...
    I have had mine for about a month now and am very happy with it. I have not used it as a clip on, only a stand alone. I have been hunting with it a few times but haven’t seen any coyotes yet. I always hunt the same 80 acres right behind my house. The battery life is good. I have had a hogster 35 384 for 4 years and the Hydra has a much better image

     
    Last edited:
    #28
    Thanks to both of you for the response, might just pull the trigger on one this week. The only experience I have with thermal is the sightmark mini 384x288 ,I've had it for about a year, never mounted on a weapon ,just used as a scanner, will probably continue to use that way and mount the DNT on a AR 300blk out, I'm thinking the price ain't going to stay this low much longer so I better jump on it, all the reviews have been positive, especially for the price point.
     
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    #29
    ironman56 said:
    Thanks to both of you for the response, might just pull the trigger on one this week. The only experience I have with thermal is the sightmark mini 384x288 ,I've had it for about a year, never mounted on a weapon ,just used as a scanner, will probably continue to use that way and mount the DNT on a AR 300blk out, I'm thinking the price ain't going to stay this low much longer so I better jump on it, all the reviews have been positive, especially for the price point.
    Click to expand...
    I’ve had the hydra 635 for about a year
    For the money

    As a clip on
    Stand alone
    And used on a tripod for observation

    It is solid

    No regrets
     
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    #31
    I have a 320 resolution from my FLIR PTQ136
    The Hydra 640 is literally two times better specially out to range. You can really see heat signatures with the lower resolution device but with the hydra I’ve been able to see stuff out to 1000 or beyond. And get shots on target
     
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    #32
    To be clear, the 320 works really well out that distance you can definitely see heat signatures. The difference is actually being able to see what it is in id’ing 100% so I think the 384 is gonna lack resolution for long range positive identification of what it is you’re seeing where is the 640 is going to be able to give you a better idea of exactly what you’re looking at.
     
    #41
    Since the tb630lrf is on the way. Relegated the hydra to my brothers 16” mid length. 70gr tsx at 2630. 33yd zero should be dead on at 200yds according to AB quantum.

    Definitely benefits from an LVPO. Was sitting in comfortably at 3x on the PA SLx1-6. Sighting in for clip ons sucks though I’ll admit. Took me about 15rds
    IMG_3623.jpeg
     
    #42
    5RWill said:
    Since the tb630lrf is on the way. Relegated the hydra to my brothers 16” mid length. 70gr tsx at 2630. 33yd zero should be dead on at 200yds according to AB quantum.

    Definitely benefits from an LVPO. Was sitting in comfortably at 3x on the PA SLx1-6. Sighting in for clip ons sucks though I’ll admit. Took me about 15rds
    View attachment 8744732
    Click to expand...
    What mount are you using for the hydra?
     
    #45
    Zebulon said:
    Thank you
    Click to expand...
    www.customnightvision.com

    American Defense Manufacturing ADM Cantilever QD Mount for DNT Hydra, Thermnight and Zulus HD - Model 6251 - Custom Night Vision

    The ADM 6251 Mount is a versatile, American-made QD mount designed specifically for the DNT Thermnight, Hydra Series and ZULUS HD V1 and V2. The Cantilever style allows multiple mounting positions for optimal placement and eye relief. It has a 1.54" centerline height that allows flexible setup...
    www.customnightvision.com www.customnightvision.com



    This one in particular so you don’t get the wrong one.
     
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    #46
    5RWill said:
    www.customnightvision.com

    American Defense Manufacturing ADM Cantilever QD Mount for DNT Hydra, Thermnight and Zulus HD - Model 6251 - Custom Night Vision

    The ADM 6251 Mount is a versatile, American-made QD mount designed specifically for the DNT Thermnight, Hydra Series and ZULUS HD V1 and V2. The Cantilever style allows multiple mounting positions for optimal placement and eye relief. It has a 1.54" centerline height that allows flexible setup...
    www.customnightvision.com www.customnightvision.com



    This one in particular so you don’t get the wrong one.
    Click to expand...

    Wish I had seen this before I ordered the AMD 170-S , oh well it'll work for a bolt gun , witch is what I'll use it on 1st , got a ruger American ranch gen2 in 300blk on the short list.
     
    #47
    ironman56 said:
    Wish I had seen this before I ordered the AMD 170-S , oh well it'll work for a bolt gun , witch is what I'll use it on 1st , got a ruger American ranch gen2 in 300blk on the short list.
    Click to expand...
    I’ve got an older adm 170-s that wouldn’t fit. And then did the same as you ordered one for the hydra. So i feel you. I’m just gonna keep one of em. Inevitably I’ll convert another Harris to QD at some point so not a total waste. My FAST riser on the other hand i have no use for
     
    #48
    5RWill said:
    I’ve got an older adm 170-s that wouldn’t fit. And then did the same as you ordered one for the hydra. So i feel you. I’m just gonna keep one of em. Inevitably I’ll convert another Harris to QD at some point so not a total waste. My FAST riser on the other hand i have no use for
    Click to expand...
    Hadn't thought about that,can always use a bipod mount on a AR , thanks for the info.
     
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