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1/23/2026 10:14:28 AM EDT
It's less than $800 on Amazon. Worth it at that price?

I know the specs are kinda dated, but that's a pretty low price to get into a thermal clip-on that I'll rarely use.
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
1/23/2026 12:08:05 PM EDT
[#1]
Check out dnt optics.
They run 10-% off
15% off if military.
256/384/512 versions
1/23/2026 12:09:35 PM EDT
[#2]
https://us.dntoptics.com/products/hs219-hydra-256x192-19mm-multi-function-thermal-scope-standalone-scope-clip-on-handheld-monocular

Non lrf under 700 with coupons
1/23/2026 12:10:07 PM EDT
[#3]
https://us.dntoptics.com/products/hs219-hydra-256x192-19mm-multi-function-thermal-scope-standalone-scope-clip-on-handheld-monocular

Non lrf under 700 with coupons
1/23/2026 12:13:52 PM EDT
[#4]
Any thermal is better than no thermal.
I survived the cockpocalypse of 11/21/2012.
Bacon grease, the Muslim approved .mil lubricant.
1/23/2026 2:06:35 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By zoe17:
Any thermal is better than no thermal.
View Quote

That's kind of my opinion, too.

I'd like some practical experiences with it to see if it hits that price:performance ratio sweet spot below an RH25 (which is way out of my price range).
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
1/23/2026 2:29:43 PM EDT
[#6]
Armsunlimited has the rl25v2 for $2299
1/23/2026 4:06:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Originally Posted By jhoule:
Armsunlimited has the rl25v2 for $2299
View Quote

Price range is $1k, give or take a hundred bucks.
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
1/23/2026 5:35:43 PM EDT
[#8]
https://us.dntoptics.com/products/hs325-hydra-384x288-25mm-multi-function-thermal-scope-standalone-scope-clip-on-handheld-monocular

For the top end of your range. Hydra non lrf. If you use the 15-% mil discount.
1/23/2026 7:27:54 PM EDT
[#9]
I've had my Rattler 256 for a couple years now. I use it as a handheld, and it's been worth the money. I can sport pronghorn at 900 yards, and that's good enough for me.
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988

"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
1/26/2026 2:31:51 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 11boomboom:

Price range is $1k, give or take a hundred bucks.
View Quote


Not a bad deal, I know guys that use it for closeup hog hunting, they like it and it does the job.

If you are looking for a budget thermal then I have seen decent reviews on the 640 One Leaf MARS MT1000LRF.

Personally, I would save a bit more and get a 384x256 from AGM, Nocpix, or DNT.
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." - Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd President of the U.S.
1/28/2026 10:42:27 PM EDT
[#11]
I have one, and shots on say a deer size target at 200 is kind of the limit. Past that its more a blob than a target, could I hit the blob yes but not ethical.
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
1/29/2026 12:48:05 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Originally Posted By StaccatoC2:
I have one, and shots on say a deer size target at 200 is kind of the limit. Past that its more a blob than a target, could I hit the blob yes but not ethical.
View Quote

That's good to know.

It's the resolution, right? So the 256 is the limiting factor there?
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
1/30/2026 10:43:52 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 11boomboom:

That's good to know.

It's the resolution, right? So the 256 is the limiting factor there?
View Quote


Yes and no. The lower res units typically have a slightly greater base mag to make up for the lower res.

The 19-256 is a base mag of 3.5, the 25-384 is 2x. So the wider field of the low magnification level kind of equals them out some. Zoom out a 25-384 to 4x and its will have an effective res that is similar to the 19-256.

Until you get to the 640 levels, yes resolution will be your limit for range.
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
1/30/2026 11:05:29 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By StaccatoC2:


Yes and no. The lower res units typically have a slightly greater base mag to make up for the lower res.

The 19-256 is a base mag of 3.5, the 25-384 is 2x. So the wider field of the low magnification level kind of equals them out some. Zoom out a 25-384 to 4x and its will have an effective res that is similar to the 19-256.

Until you get to the 640 levels, yes resolution will be your limit for range.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By StaccatoC2:
Originally Posted By 11boomboom:

That's good to know.

It's the resolution, right? So the 256 is the limiting factor there?


Yes and no. The lower res units typically have a slightly greater base mag to make up for the lower res.

The 19-256 is a base mag of 3.5, the 25-384 is 2x. So the wider field of the low magnification level kind of equals them out some. Zoom out a 25-384 to 4x and its will have an effective res that is similar to the 19-256.

Until you get to the 640 levels, yes resolution will be your limit for range.

Sweet. Thanks for that explanation.
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
2/1/2026 2:47:59 PM EDT
[#15]
I have the c version.

I really like it. Either scanning or in front of an acog. Also looks good in front of my 2.5-10 vortex pst.

Its my only thermal and im sure if I looked through a 3k dollar one I wouldn't be as impressed.

Im sure down in tx your ranges are probably longer. Up here i can tell the difference between a deer and a horse at 300 yards. That was a stretch to even see due to hills and trees.

I guess if I was scanning across a lake i might not know what I was looking at if it was a 4 legged animal but people still look like people at 500+ while looking out at guys ice fishing.

Do Good
Be Dangerous
Live Free
2/1/2026 4:34:35 PM EDT
[#16]
Attached File
Do Good
Be Dangerous
Live Free
2/1/2026 6:39:15 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History

That's good to know and I'd predominantly be using it on front of my TA31 Acog, 2-10x36 Credo and 4-14x44 PA.

Nice rifle.
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
2/1/2026 10:51:28 PM EDT
[#18]
Oh I did not realize we were talking about the clip on. I thought we were talking about the scope.

Just because I looked here is a deer about 175 yards away thru my scope black hot.

Attached File
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
2/1/2026 10:53:55 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By StaccatoC2:
Oh I did not realize we were talking about the clip on. I thought we were talking about the scope.

Just because I looked here is a deer about 175 yards away thru my scope black hot.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/497353/855_png-3706242.JPG
View Quote

Thick woods at night?
Why is the sky blue?
What makes the green grass grow?
2/2/2026 3:05:16 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 11boomboom:

Thick woods at night?
View Quote


Yes
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli

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