Originally published on M.D. Creekmore’s Substack, this review covers the DNT Optics HYDRA HS210M’s design, features, and practical uses. We thank M.D. Creekmore for sharing his insights and experience.
What DNT has essentially done is take their larger HYDRA and make it smaller, more compact, and lighter. That’s something I really like because, while the older model works great, I’ve always thought it was a little on the heavy side.
I’ve used the new HS210M and mounted it on one of my rifles to see how it looked and felt. I haven’t sighted it in yet, so I’m not going to pretend I’ve done extensive testing with it, but my first impressions are very positive. The smaller size and reduced weight make a noticeable difference, and I definitely prefer it over the larger version in that respect.
You can see the new model and check the current pricing on the DNT Optics HYDRA HS210M product page.
Build Quality and Design
One thing I’ve noticed about the DNT optics I’ve used is that they’re well-made. The HS210M isn’t some cheap plastic gadget. It feels solid and well-built, which is something I always look for when buying equipment, especially equipment that might be needed in an emergency.
The HS210M uses removable rechargeable batteries, and DNT included two batteries and a charger with mine. I like that arrangement because you can keep one battery charged while using the other. If you’re planning to use something like this as part of your emergency preparedness equipment, having removable batteries is a definite advantage.
The battery compartment is simple to access, and changing batteries is straightforward.
Another feature I like is the mounting arrangement. Besides the mount attached to the optic, there’s another mounting option that makes it easy to attach and remove the unit from a rifle. That gives you the flexibility to switch between compatible optics without making a major project out of it.
And that’s one of the things I like about the HYDRA series in general. You’re not necessarily limited to using it as a rifle optic. You can also use it as a handheld thermal viewer, which opens up quite a few other possibilities.
Why I Prefer Thermal Over Regular Night Vision
I’ve used both thermal optics and night vision, and personally, I think thermal has some major advantages, especially when you’re trying to detect people or animals after dark.
Regular night vision works by amplifying available light or using infrared illumination, depending on the type. It can work very well, but there are situations where something can be difficult to see, especially if it’s partially concealed by weeds, brush, or other vegetation.
Thermal works differently. It detects infrared radiation associated with temperature differences, allowing you to see the heat signatures of people, animals, and other objects.
For example, I’ve looked through thermal optics at night and spotted rabbits, squirrels, deer, and other animals that I might never have noticed otherwise. Even when an animal is partially hidden in weeds or brush, you can sometimes pick up the heat from whatever part of its body is exposed.
Now, thermal isn’t magic. You can’t look straight through a solid tree, wall, or other solid obstruction and see someone standing on the other side. But if part of a person or animal is exposed through gaps in the vegetation, there’s a good chance you’ll notice the heat signature.
That’s one reason I think thermal can be more effective than the night vision equipment I’ve personally used when detecting people or animals outdoors.
A Real-Life Example: Protecting My Chickens
I’ve already had an experience with my older DNT HYDRA that demonstrated just how useful thermal equipment can be around a rural property.
One night, I decided to step out onto my back porch and look around the chicken coop. I had the larger HYDRA mounted on a Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 rifle, and I figured I’d take a look to see whether anything was moving around down there.
As it turned out, my timing couldn’t have been better.
When I looked through the thermal optic, I spotted a possum moving around the chicken coop. I watched it make its way around the structure until it finally found a way inside. As soon as it got in, it headed straight toward the chickens where they were roosting.
I was able to shoot the possum before it got to the chickens, saving them from what could have been a pretty bad situation.
Without the thermal optic, I probably wouldn’t have even known the possum was there. If I’d gone outside with a regular flashlight, there’s a good chance it would have hidden or moved away before I spotted it.
That experience really showed me how valuable a thermal optic can be when you’re trying to protect livestock or poultry from predators at night.
To be clear, that happened with my older HYDRA, not the new HS210M. But it demonstrates the kind of practical use that makes me appreciate having this equipment.
Thermal Optics for Home and Property Security
If you’re into preparedness and self-reliance, I think having the ability to detect people or animals around your property after dark is a major advantage.
You might live out in the country like I do, where there aren’t streetlights everywhere and it gets pretty dark at night. Being able to step outside and scan the property with a handheld thermal viewer can help you see things that would otherwise go unnoticed.
If someone is walking around your property after dark, a thermal optic may help you spot their heat signature, even when ordinary lighting conditions make them difficult to see.
Of course, thermal equipment has limitations. Heavy vegetation, solid objects, weather conditions, and the temperature of the surroundings can all affect what you’re able to detect.
Still, I consider it a useful addition to a home security and preparedness setup. It provides another way to observe what’s going on around your property without having to rely entirely on flashlights or conventional night vision.
Another Use You Might Not Have Thought About
Something else I’ve done with thermal equipment is check my house for possible heat loss.
You can go outside when there’s a good temperature difference between the inside and outside of your home and look around the doors, windows, roof, and other areas where heat might be escaping.
A thermal optic can sometimes reveal temperature differences that suggest missing insulation, air leaks, or other issues worth investigating.
I’ve done this around my own house, and it’s an interesting way to look for potential problems.
Now, a rifle-mounted thermal optic isn’t a replacement for a proper home energy audit or a dedicated thermal inspection camera, and not every warm spot means you’ve found an insulation problem. However, it can give you some clues about areas that might need attention.
If you find and correct significant heat loss, you might even save some money on your heating bills. Depending on how much energy your home is wasting, those savings could add up over time.
It’s just another potential use for equipment that most people probably associate only with hunting or security.
Is a Thermal Optic Worth Having for Preparedness?
I’ve been involved in preparedness and self-reliance for most of my life, and I’ve always believed that having the right equipment can make a big difference when things go wrong.
Of course, your priorities should be food, water, shelter, and the other necessities. I’m certainly not suggesting someone should spend money on an expensive thermal optic while neglecting those basics.
But once you’ve taken care of the essentials, I think thermal equipment is worth considering, particularly if you live in a rural area, keep livestock, or want another way to monitor your property.
Beyond security, thermal can also be useful for locating animals, checking for predators, and observing wildlife after dark. In a genuine long-term survival emergency, equipment that improves your ability to locate animals could potentially be valuable for obtaining food where doing so is lawful.
And unlike many pieces of preparedness equipment that sit on a shelf until something goes wrong, a thermal viewer is something you can actually put to use around your property right now.
That’s part of what makes it appealing to me.
What I Don’t Like About the HS210M
I always try to be fair when reviewing a product, whether a company sent it to me or I bought it with my own money.
So far, I haven’t found anything about the new HS210M that I particularly dislike. But I’ve also not had it long enough to give a complete long-term evaluation.
The biggest drawback with thermal optics in general is the cost. Good thermal equipment isn’t inexpensive, and it’s not something everybody can justify buying.
Also, while the smaller size and lighter weight are definite improvements over my older model, I still need to spend more time using the HS210M before I can say how it compares in every other respect.
I haven’t sighted it in yet, and I haven’t tested its accuracy or how well it maintains zero over time.
Those are things I would want to evaluate before making any claims about its long-term performance as a rifle optic.
My Final Thoughts on the DNT Optics HYDRA HS210M
Overall, I really like the new HYDRA HS210M. Of the DNT optics I currently own, I think this one is my favorite so far, mainly because of its compact size, lighter weight, and solid construction.
My older HYDRA has performed very well, and I’ve already seen firsthand how useful thermal equipment can be around my property. The new HS210M takes many of the things I liked about that model and puts them into a smaller package that I find more convenient.
I’m not going to bore you by copying every technical specification from the manufacturer’s website. You can read all that information yourself if you’re interested. I’d rather tell you what I’ve actually experienced with the equipment and why I think it’s useful.
Based on what I’ve seen so far, I can recommend taking a look at the HS210M if you’re in the market for a compact thermal optic.
For current pricing, full specifications, and more information, visit the DNT Optics HYDRA HS210M official product page. You can also visit the DNT Optics website to see their other thermal and night vision equipment.