Hydra, A Multi-Function Thermal

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.