"Best Night Vision Scope for the Money": What Real Shooters Are Saying About the DNT ZULUS HD Series
When you spend serious time in the field, your gear has to perform. That's why a growing number of hunters, night shooters, and outdoor content creators are switching to the DNT ZULUS HD Series, a smart digital day/night vision scope built for clarity, speed, and results.
We asked real users how the ZULUS has performed in their world. Here is what they had to say.
"Better Than Some High-dollar Cameras."– Tyron Schmidt (@H.A.B. Outdoors)
When darkness falls, most optics lose clarity—but not the ZULUS HD series. Users consistently report crisp, detailed images even under minimal moonlight.
"The low-light video is incredible. It's better than some high-quality cameras. If you don't believe me, just check it out," says Tyron Schmidt, an outdoor content creator and seasoned hunter. "That low-light vision is my favorite. It's second to none—better than any night vision gear I've used, whether scopes, binos, or monoculars. The night vision is incredible. It's better than some high-dollar cameras I've seen."
Daniel Overman, an outdoor enthusiast, feels the same: "Moneywise, why spend $450 on just a camera when you get all this for the same price?"
Powered by an advanced Sony STARVIS 2 sensor and integrated IR illuminator, the ZULUS delivers sharp, dependable visibility in total darkness. When your eyes see nothing, it still sees everything.
"I didn't even open the manual." – Daniel Overman (@Broke Boy's Manifesto)
Daniel isn't new to optics. He's an avid outdoorsman who hunts regularly and documents his experiences on video. His go-to setup is an AR-15 paired with .22LR ammunition for short- to mid-range shooting. Mounting the ZULUS HD 3-12X digital night vision scope (ZHD312) on his rifle fits his needs perfectly—lightweight, rugged, and ideal for 100–300 yard engagements.
Like many other experienced shooters, he is no stranger to digital systems, but also no fan of overcomplicated tech.
"It's pretty straightforward… I learned how to sight it in and operate it without even using the manual."
For someone with hundreds of hours behind the glass, that says a lot.
"This Scope Zeros Itself!" – Buck Pear (@Combat Ready)
Daniel's quick start was made possible by the ZULUS one-shot zero system, an advantage also highlighted by firearm enthusiast and professional reviewer Buck Pear. On his YouTube channel, where he tests a wide range of firearms and optics, the ZULUS HD 5X20 model (ZHD520) stood out to him.
"Click the power button, freeze the image, drag your reticle to the point of impact, and boom—the next shot is zeroed," Buck explains.
"This Thing is Tiny." – Tyron Schmidt (@H.A.B. Outdoors)
As a crossbow hunter, Tyron Schmidt tested the ZHD520R extensively on crossbows at close to mid-range distances, and also took it beyond 400 yards with rifles. With plenty of night hunts under his belt, he prefers lightweight, all-in-one gear. After trying many night vision scopes over the years, the ZHD520R is now his new favorite.
"The ZULUS is literally half the length of my other scopes. This thing is tiny... I love how light and compact the ZULUS is. No extra IR light to carry, no battery packs dangling around. Just mount and go," says Tyron.
Unlike bulky digital scopes of the past that often paired with massive IR lights and fuzzy sensors, the ZULUS HD is compact, sleek, and impressively powerful. "I expected this thing to be long as all get-out, and it's not. That's where the beauty is." John Mullally (@KB32 Tactical), a seasoned tactical shooter and reviewer, agrees.
This compact size allows for quicker shouldering and less fatigue during long stalks, without sacrificing tech.
"It works awesome once you tune it, and you can actually use that ballistic calculator to get the right coefficient which took me forever to figure out," Tyron adds.
Even models packed with advanced features like a built-in ballistic calculator (BC) and laser rangefinder (LRF) measure no more than 8 inches in length.
"Decorated Like a Christmas Tree—But It Works." – Daniel Overman (@Broke Boy's Manifesto)
Reticle and color choice matter in the field, especially in haze, glare, or shadows. ZULUS offers six reticle styles and five color modes, so shooters can adapt to their eyes and environment.
"I like switching between the white and the yellow. They also have green, red, and black, but this reticle here is my favorite because it's literally decorated like a Christmas tree." Daniel laughs.
These color choices are more than cosmetic. White can pop in shaded timber, while yellow may offer better contrast in hazy conditions or reduce eye fatigue during extended sessions. It's personalization with real purpose.
"Long Shot, But We Did It." – Buck Pear (@Combat Ready)
Using a Custom Aero Precision M5 6.5 Creedmoor with the ZHD520R, Buck tested long-range shooting at 1,000 yards. The result? A satisfying bullseye.
"1,000 yards with the DNT Zulus digital scope — got it. Just check that out. We were shooting way up there, basically at the end of that dirt road — that's as far as the zoom goes. Long shot, but we did it." Buck says on his video.
"It Just Records By Itself." – Daniel Overman (@Broke Boy's Manifesto)
For hunters and trainers who want to capture the moment without distraction, the ZULUS HD features Recoil Activated Video (RAV)—automatically saving footage from before and after each shot.
"If you're a hunter, you can set your camera up to automatically film when you take shots. You don't have to worry about turning on your recorder or remembering it, or taking the precious time it takes to actually turn on the camera. It's just going to pick up your footage for you, and then you can watch it later." Daniel says.
Whether you're building content or memories, ZULUS makes post-shot review effortless.
Built for All Shooters, Priced for More
The ZULUS HD Series offers four models—from streamlined to fully loaded with laser rangefinders and ballistic calculators:
● ZHD520R – Top-tier with Laser Rangefinder (LRF) and Ballistic Calculator (BC)
● ZHD520 – Same sharp optics, no LRF/BC
● ZHD312R – Compact, feature-packed with LRF and BC
● ZHD312 – Lightweight and capable
Whether you're fine-tuning at the range or scanning open terrain, there’s a ZULUS for your style. "This is one of the coolest electronic optics I've ever seen," says John Mullally.
Starting at just $394.99 and topping out at $615.99, ZULUS HD gives you pro-grade features at honest pricing, plus stackable discounts for even more value.
The ZULUS HD Series has already changed how shooters see in the dark. On July 2, a new chapter begins. Built on everything that made the original great, and refined by real-world feedback, the ZULUS HD V2 is almost here.
Get ready to own the night again.
Explore the ZULUS HD Series: https://us.dntoptics.com/collections/night-vision