Author: Daniel Y DNT Optics is a new player in the optics space. Most of their lineup focuses on night vision and thermal optics, but they also have a new traditional rifle scope. Known as TheOne, it is a first focal plane 7-35x56 scope designed for long-range use. I am always game for trying a new scope, and when DNT offered to let me try one out I agreed. Features TheOne scope has a 34mm main tube and a 56mm objective lens. This a large scope, with an overall length of 16 inches, and weighing in at 42 ounces. That’s just over 2.5 pounds. With the added weight of rings or a one-piece mount, that could easily be three pounds. DNT includes a throw lever for the magnification ring. It attaches with an Allen screw, and the appropriate wrench is included as well. I installed the throw lever before mounting the scope because I always prefer to have one on an optic. This is a nice value-add by DNT because a clamp-on throw lever is usually going to cost at least $20 or $30 more, and most shooters will want one. Anyone in the market for a scope with these features is probably considering the Arken EP-5 as well. It is a very comparable optic, and that is not a coincidence. The team at DNT Optics used to work at Arken, and the designs do have some overlap. If you compare them side-by-side, or look at the specification lists, there is clearly some shared DNA. The box Inside the box - the scope sits in a foam cutout, and the sun shade is slipped over the eyepiece with another piece of foam DNT Optics includes a throw lever, and a little sticker on the bottom of the scope that says Made in China Adding the sunshade makes TheOne even longer, but is nice to have on bright days. The illumination and parallax adjustment are both on the left side turret Two small screws hold on the throw lever Throw lever installed on the magnification ring Reticle Design The reticle design is an MRAD tree style, as has become standard for this kind of scope. DNT calls it the TOR reticle. I really like the added half-mil floating dots inside the grid. Each full mil of elevation has a horizontal line with 0.2 mil dots for wind holds. But in between each of those rows are floating dots, spaced 0.5 mil of elevation and windage from the surrounding lines. If you are holding 3 mil of elevation and 1 mil for wind, and the spotter says to “add a half” for wind or elevation, it is very easy to do so quickly. Reticle diagrams from DNT Optics Specifications Focal Plane: First FOV: 7x 16.66' @100 yds, 35x 3.34' @100 yds Tube Diameter: 34mm Minimum Parallax: 25 yards Length: 16 inches Weight: 42 ounces Eye Relief: 3.5 inches Recoil Rating: .50 BMG Illumination: Red, 6 Brightness Settings Waterproof: Yes Battery: CR2032 Purging Gas: Nitrogen Zeroing The zeroing process with TheOne scope works just about like any other scope. After quick boresighting, it was landing rounds on paper. As with any other scope, once I had a group it was a simple matter to dial in windage and elevation to move that group into the bullseye. It was a simple matter to make those adjustments because the tracking was consistent, both directionally and in the amount of movement from each click. The turrets set back easily to the zero position just by loosening the screws around the outside of the turret, turning it to zero, and retightening the screws. Once the scope was zeroed it was time to set the zero stop. Sometimes, setting scope zero stops is a chore or is more fiddly than it should be. Not so with TheOne. All you have to do is loosen the red set screw on the side of the turret, then tighten down the red screw on top of the turret until it stops. That screw keeps the turret from moving down below the zero point. Then simply retighten the set screw and it is done. The parallax does adjust down to 25 yards, so zeroing on an indoor range is still possible if necessary. This will also appeal to the rimfire crowd. Both indoors and outdoors, the parallax adjustment allowed for a nice clean image. One interesting design choice on TheOne is the windage turret zero location. Scopes with target turrets always have a mark on the tube that points to the turret to show how much windage or elevation is dialed in. That point is basically always in the middle of the tube, but on this scope that is not the case. The windage mark sits toward the top of the scope, making it easier to see the windage setting without getting off the gun as much. Note that the indicator on the windage turret is not in line with the main tube, it is offset vertically for easier viewing. In Action I don't have a .50 BMG to see if the recoil rating is correct (I know, this is the perfect excuse to get one), but I do have a .300 Win Mag. I had a bunch of reloaded ammo from prior powder and bullet tests that I needed to shoot up to use the brass for other things. A 220-grain bullet from the .300 WM does not produce anywhere near the same recoil as a .50, but it is still a hearty kick. Unsurprisingly, this did not cause any issues with the scope. Next, I moved it to my Mk12-ish AR. I test a lot of optics on that gun because it’s fun to shoot, has cheap ammo, is accurate, and looks good in pictures. This is not the kind of scope that would be most at home on a DMR but for review purposes it made sense. I used it on an indoor range for zeroing, and outdoors from 30 yards out to 600. At all distances and in all lighting conditions it provided a clear image and useful eyebox. The glass quality and monstrous lenses made it easy to spot splash on targets and off of them (not that any of us would ever admit to missing a shot). On both rifles, the scope provided a great eyebox. Even at maximum power, it is not too hard to get a good image clear of scope shadow. As will happen with any scope, the image is darker at high magnification than at low magnification. But it is still usable! I also tried some close range transition drills on 7x to see how it ran as a DMR scope, and while it worked, the weight and narrower field of view that is a necessary part of a 7x bottom end worked against it. This scope would be more at home on a bolt gun, or possibly a semiauto .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor, than a 5.56 rifle. One thing DNT nailed with this scope is the turret clicks. They are crisp, easy to count by feel, easy to hear, and hard to dial the wrong amount. This is one feature that feels like it is from a drastically more expensive scope. DNT scores a 10 out of 10 on the clicks. I was able to briefly shoot TheOne side-by-side with an Arken EP-5, and while they were very similar there are a couple of differences. The glass quality in TheOne seemed a little better to my eye, and the aforementioned turret clicks were more definite and tactile. Scope Image Taking pictures through a rifle scope is never a perfect representation of what it actually looks like to the naked eye. I still like to include them in reviews because it is the best representation of what it looks like to be behind the scope without actually being there. So take these pictures with a grain of salt. Don’t zoom way in to try and make judgments on clarity, these pictures will not hold up on that level. Glass clarity and image quality can be measured in a lab, but most of us can only offer subjective impressions and observations. I would rate the glass in DNT’s TheOne scope as very good. The phrase “just as good” has become a running joke on the internet because people love saying that less expensive items are just as good as more expensive competitors. That is rarely, if ever, the case. This scope retails for around $650 when purchased directly from DNT. The glass quality is extremely impressive for the money. It does not outclass scopes that cost two, three, or four times as much. Those scopes really show their worth in the worst conditions, like hunting at first and last light, or after being dropped down the side of a mountain. But for a scope like this, which you’d be insane to haul into the backcountry, those are not things that matter too much. This is not to say that the image is bad in low light. It is not. But it lacks a certain “pop” that the premium scopes offer when looking for things like deer and elk in the first minutes of legal shooting light. But a perspective check is warranted here. Ten years ago this would have been a $1,000 scope, or possibly more. 20 years ago a scope like this, with a first focal plane reticle and turrets and a reticle both calibrated in milliradians was not a category of optic that really existed, let alone retailing at a price point like this. We truly have it good to have scopes like this on the market at affordable prices. In this series of pictures, the target is a 10-inch coffin at just over 200 yards. Minimum magnification Image at 18x Image at 18x with illumination turned on Image at 35x Image at 35x with illumination turned on Conclusion DNT Optics packed a lot of features and quality into TheOne 7-35x56 FFP scope. All of those features and big lenses mean that TheOne is a hefty scope. But the glass quality is good, and the clicks are what other manufacturers should strive to put on their scopes. This is a compelling option if you want to shoot long range without breaking the bank, or are getting into a competition like NRL 22. Don’t get this scope if you are setting up a rifle that you plan to carry long distances, or for a rifle that is light enough that the weight of this scope would throw it out of balance. The right match for this scope is something like a heavy .308 bolt gun, or maybe a .338 Lapua that you shoot on the range during business hours. It felt much more at home on a hefty .300 Win Mag than a DMR. The reticle, crisp image, and consistent tracking are all tailored to shooting at distance. DNT did a great job with TheOne 7-35x56 scope. It looks and clicks like a more expensive scope, and as long as you don’t have to carry it too far, it is a great value.   https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/tfb-review-dnt-optics-theone-7-35x56-mrad-scope-44817193

Choosing the right night vision technology can be confusing due to the many options available. The two most popular types are thermal imaging and infrared (IR) night vision. While both allow visibility in darkness, they work differently and have distinct advantages and ideal applications. Here’s a brief overview to guide your decision. What is Thermal Imaging? Thermal imaging detects the heat given off by objects. Everything, people, animals, and trees—emits heat. Thermal sensors pick up this heat and show it as an image, usually in shades of white, black, or colors representing different temperatures. The hotter an object is, the brighter it looks on a thermal image. This makes thermal imaging great for finding warm objects against cooler backgrounds, like spotting a deer in a field at night. Pros of Thermal Imaging - Works in Total Darkness: Since thermal sensors detect heat, they don’t need any light to work. This makes them perfect for complete darkness or low-light environments. - Easily Detects Animals and People: Animals and humans stand out clearly against the cooler landscape, even if they’re hiding behind bushes or in shadows. - Long Range: Thermal can detect heat from far away, making it effective for spotting animals or people at a distance. - Obscured Views: Thermal can penetrate (to a degree) visual barriers such as smoke, fog, and light foliage cover, allowing for better target detection than is possible with just light-enhancement. Cons of Thermal Imaging - Lack of Detail: Thermal images don’t offer quite the same image clarity, so it can be harder to identify exactly what you’re seeing. For example, it might be easy to spot an animal, but hard to tell if it’s a coyote or a dog. - Higher Cost: Thermal imaging devices tend to be more expensive than IR night vision devices, which can be a factor if you’re on a budget. - Not Ideal for Close-Range Work: Thermal isn’t as effective for close-up observation. If you’re looking for something nearby, you might be better off with IR night vision. - Cannot See Through Glass: Thermal devices can detect targets at a distance but may not provide positive identification. Performance can also be reduced by moisture, such as dense fog or rain. Best Uses for Thermal Imaging Thermal imaging is best suited for spotting animals or people at a distance. It’s ideal for hunting, search-and-rescue missions, and security applications, especially in conditions where total darkness or camouflage may hide targets. What is IR Night Vision? Infrared (IR) night vision technology works differently. Rather than detecting heat, IR night vision amplifies whatever ambient light is present in the environment (like starlight or moonlight) to create a visible image. In complete darkness, IR night vision devices use an infrared illuminator (torch) to shine light that is invisible to the human eye but visible to the device. This reflected light is what the device picks up, making the surroundings appear brighter and clearer. Pros of IR Night Vision - Detailed Images in Low Light: IR night vision provides a clear, detailed image, allowing you to see more specific features, like identifying the type of animal or person you’re observing. - Works Well at Close Range: Because it shows finer detail, IR night vision is great for short- to medium-range applications, where you need to see clear features. - More Affordable: IR devices are generally less expensive than thermal, making them a good choice for casual users or those on a budget. Cons of IR Night Vision  - Requires Some Light (or an IR Illuminator): IR night vision works best in low light and may need an illuminator to work in complete darkness. - Visible Glow from the Illuminator: Although the IR light itself isn’t visible to humans or animals, the device may emit a faint red glow, which can give away your position if you’re trying to stay hidden. Best Uses for IR Night Vision IR night vision is well-suited for short- to medium-range applications where identifying details is important. It’s a great choice for home security, close-range surveillance, and wildlife observation, especially in areas with some ambient light, like a backyard or near a campsite. Choosing Between Thermal and IR Night Vision When deciding between thermal and IR night vision, think about how you plan to use the device. Here’s a quick guide to help: - Choose Thermal Imaging if: You need to detect the presence of people, animals, or warm objects over long distances in total darkness or hidden environments. Thermal is the best choice for hunting, nighttime exploration over large areas, and security monitoring where camouflaged or hidden objects may be a concern. - Choose IR Night Vision if: You’re looking to see details at close range, especially in environments with some ambient light. IR night vision is great for observing wildlife, checking for activity around your property, or exploring places where you can be close to what you’re viewing. Final Thoughts Thermal imaging and infrared (IR) night vision offer unique advantages, depending on your needs. If you want to quickly spot a target from a distance, go for thermal imaging. For identifying details at closer range, choose IR night vision Scope. Both technologies enhance nighttime visibility, making exploration and security easier. Choose wisely to maximize your nighttime adventures. This is why we developed the ThermNight line of optics, giving the user an all-in-one unit that offers the widest range of use across multiple lighting conditions. Whether it’s pitch black, foggy, a wide open field, or underbrush, the ThermNight allows the user to scan for, locate, and positively identify their target by having both thermal and IR spectrums at their fingertips.

The new DNT OPTICS Hydra is a multi-function thermal sight. Using feedback and our experience with the ZULUS and TherNight, we are not offering a thermal sight that can do it all. You can use it as a stand alone weapon sight or as a handheld monocular but you can also use it as a thermal clip-on for use with LPVO and low magnification prism sights. Hydra As A Scope, Clip-On, & Monocular The Hydra uses the same mounts as our ZULUS and ThermNight scopes. However due to its multi-function nature, we are developing a QD mount system for the Hydra scopes. That way you can easily dismount it for handheld use or clip-on use. Other thermal sights that claim to be a clip on and thermal weapon sight usually have some compromise like short eye relief making them less ideal for stand alone weapon use. Not the case with the Hydra. The Hydra series uses a large eyepiece with a very large and forgiving eye box. It has a longer eye relief than our ZULUS and ThermNight scopes, 65 mm compared to 45 mm. That is a 2.5 inch eye relief, making it more comfortable to shoot with especially if you are using higher calibers with more recoil. For use as a clip-on you can use it with LPVO and low magnification prism sights. We recommend using the lower half of your magnification range on your LPVO. 4x magnification is the highest we recommend you use with the Hydra. If you go higher, you are zooming in on the pixels of the OLED screen and your image will not look as good. When you use the Hydra as a clip-on you will need to adjust the eyepiece diopter to your day optic. Do not turn on Clip-On Mode, so you can see the reticle in your day optic sight picture. Rotate the diopter of the Hydra until the reticle is as sharp looking as possible. There is a menu setting, the first one actually, to enable “Clip-On Mode”. This reduces the size of the menu system so you can see it in the sight picture of your day optic. When Clip-On Mode is enabled it also changes the zeroing system. In Clip-On Mode, the on screen reticle is disabled. No sense in having a reticle when your day scope already has one. Since the Hydra was designed based on our previous success with the ZULUS and ThermNight, the Hydra will have a similar menu system and one shot zero. When using the Hydra as a stand alone weapon sight, zeroing is just like the ZULUS and ThermNight. If you are using the Hydra as a clip-on, the process is a little different. You need to zero the Hydra to your day optic. First, remove the Hydra if it is mounted to your gun. Assuming your day optic is zeroed, place your gun on a bench looking down range. Use a bipod and rear bag or shooting rest. You want to keep your gun as steady as possible. Now carefully place the Hydra in front of your day optic while looking through your day optic. If your arms are not long enough to do this, look through your day optic and pay attention to where your reticle is pointed at, so when you mount the Hydra, you want to see where the image shifted compared to your day optic sight picture. While remembering where your day optic is pointed at, adjust the thermal image position by moving the x and y values so the thermal image lines up with your day optic. Depending on your day optic, you may need to remove the Hydra to properly see the menu system, but once you are changing the thermal image position, make sure you mount the Hydra back to check your progress. Hydra Series Of Scopes There will be five different Hydra scopes, four upon launch with one coming soon. We will be offering Hydras with 256, 384 and 640 resolution sensors. The HS225 will be the entry level Hydra with a 256 thermal sensor and 25 mm objective lens. It will have a magnification range of 3-12x. For our 384 Hydras they will be offered with a 25 mm and 35 mm objective. The HS325 will have a lower magnification, 2-8x while the HS335 will be 2.5-10x. The HS335 will be available a little bit later as we are making sure it is good to go out of the box. But our 640 Hydras will be available at launch and there will be an HS635 with 35 mm objective and a bigger 50 mm objective on the HS650. The HS635 will have a magnification range of 1.5-6, making it perfect for scanning game while the HS650 will have a magnification range of 2-8. Super Resolution: AI Enhanced Image Algorithm We are very excited about our proprietary AI enhanced image algorithm for the Hydra series of scopes. When activated, Super Resolution will boost the performance of the thermal image making it more clear and crisp. This performance boost makes our thermal image look like a higher resolution thermal. Our Hydra HS225 have fooled people in thinking it was a 384 thermal. Another benefit of Super Resolution is in our 384 and 640 core Hydra scopes. It helps to reduce distortion when you use digital zoom. Hydra Coming Soon The Hydra scopes will be available this coming December, just in time for the holidays. So stay tuned to get yourself, or a loved one, something nice. You will love what you see.

DNT Optics proudly presents the TheOne 7-35x56, a state-of-the-art long-range rifle scope designed for precision shooters and hunters delivering unparalleled clarity and precision tracking. Designed with a 56mm objective lens and a 34mm scope tube, TheOne 7-35x56 provides superior light transmission and field-of-view, making it the ultimate tool for long-range target acquisition in any environment. Japanese ED-X Glass guarantees exceptional clarity and color fidelity, ensuring users experience crisp, high-contrast images, even in challenging lighting conditions. The scope features a First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, available in either MOA or MIL, allowing the reticle to scale with magnification for precise holdovers and ranging at any zoom level. Whether you’re adjusting for distance or wind, TheOne's 0.1 MRAD or 0.25 MOA turrets provide precision adjustments, with zero-stop to ensure reliable and repeatable returns to your original zero. TheOne also boasts advanced features such as a 45-degree offset windage adjustment dial for easy legibility and an illuminated reticle with off positions between each brightness setting, giving shooters the flexibility to preserve battery life without losing their ideal setting in low-light conditions. Built to perform in any environment,  TheOne 7-35x56 is nitrogen-purged for fog and waterproofing, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, making it a reliable choice in any climate. The TheOne 7-35x56 scope is now available at select dealers and through the us.dntoptics.com website, with an MSRP of $699.99. DNT Optics (Day Night Technologies) is committed to delivering premium optical solutions for hunters, and sport shooters, from the avid enthusiast to the armed professional. With a focus on performance and innovation, we are dedicated to enhancing every shooter’s experience by offering state-of-the-art technologies and best-in-class optical clarity.