Thinking about getting one how is the daytime performance for shooting groups compared to good optical scopes.
DNT Zulus 5-20 daytime performance
- Thread starter Jigheadworm
- Start date
I currently have two air rifles, both have Zulus scopes on them. I mainly shoot during the day.
I have a couple glass scopes sitting on a shelf.
I have a couple glass scopes sitting on a shelf.
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I have used conventional scopes and crosshairs from 6 to 36 power shooting rimfire and centerfire benchrest. I enjoy using the Zulus with the LRF on my .22 M3, mostly shooting 50 and 70 yard targets, and occasional rabbits and ground squirrels. I'm pleasantly surprised with the quality and ease of use with this digital scope.
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Here's one of a "miss" during the day. Its the 3x12 with the microphone on. I went back and re-zeroed after the miss and it's back on target now! That squirrel got hit at 57 yards the next day, but I didn't record it!
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I haven't shot past 50 yards yet with mine at the range. Anyone able to fill me in on the picture (like pellet holes) at 100?
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I'll get you one here in a little bit. I will say the picture from the scope is better than the downloaded videos.
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Here you go. Gave me a reason to weld up a new stand. 
Cold shots. You can see the elevation work in.
Cold shots. You can see the elevation work in.Upvote 0
So it's hard to see I guess..Here you go. Gave me a reason to weld up a new stand.
View attachment 514797
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100Y shoot and see are your friends. I don't like comparing to other companies but it has been the best day image I have tested over the years.
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Depends on what you are shooting. The 3x12 is better for sub 75 yards and the 5x20 is better for 75+ yards, IMHO. There is a cross-over with both. I use the 3x12 for primarily pesting at 50 yards and less and it's outstanding. Easy to use the scope to find your target. The 5x20 is better for getting a fuller zoomed in picture before your shot, but harder to locate initially and the 3x power. YMMV.
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I think the Zulus is a great digital for the money but it’s not nearly as clear decent glass. It is pixelated at higher magnification. Maybe it would be better if the lighting is perfect? As far as a hunting scope, especially with the LRF, it would be hard to beat. But target shooting at distance with higher magnification isn’t really what’s it’s made for in my opinion.
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When your looking throgh the scope, the image is extremly sharp and clear.
When your watching the video, there is a loss of clarity.
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Don’t take my post wrong. I think my Zulus 5-20 is a great scope, I like it a lot, but it’s more geared toward hunting. The image is really nice. But the OP asked opinions on how it compares to good optical scopes for group shooting. I took that to mean good glass scopes. I’ve shot it out to 101 yards at paper and closer on small game. It scopes just fine but isn’t as clear at distance and higher magnification as glass when shooting targets. It’s grainy especially when the light isn’t really good.
This is just my opinion, clarity and use is subjective like many other things.
This is just my opinion, clarity and use is subjective like many other things.
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Just got a 5-20 Zulus and I think it is going to do ok my main use is primarily for night. Shot a couple of groups at 50yds and it seemed to do fine definitely not a replacement for a quality glass scope for daytime use but plenty good for plinking and hunting.
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No experience with zulus but I myself was highly disappointed in digital daytime performance of the one leaf nv400. Have 3 Blackhound scopes and they blow the digital out of the water in clarity as soon as you hit the zoom on a digital scope at all. No comparison. I seem to be a minority though. Most people love them. I would never get another for primary daytime use for sure. I wouldn’t recommend one especially if you like to print small groups on paper at more than about 30 yards.
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Hits the nail on the head with clarity and lighting. My one leaf in the woods with varying levels of light (shadows) is like a digital camera that is always just a little off not optimal. Maybe a better way to explain is that a digital camera when looked through just never looks as good as the naked eye. Digital
scopes are the same, decent regular glass looks much more close to the naked eye even zoomed in at high magnification. Something digital cannot even think about doing.
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My main reason is some night hunting for coyotes and rats I hope it is repeatable changing it off and on . Something with thermal probably would have been better but It is only going to see limited use.
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