Falcon Dark DK-2L NV (Sytong HT-70) - An economical Zulus/Alpex alternative

[takbok]

I've had my eye on the Sytong HT-70 for a while as they get good reviews. I waited long enough to buy one that Sytong has now rebranded it as Falcon Dark DK-2L.

Shop Falcon DARK DK-2L Night Vision Rifle Scope | Free Shipping

Falcon DARK DK-2L night vision scope with laser rangefinder, high-res display, and ballistics calculator—compact, versatile, and built for precision shooting and Free Shipping!

eastangliaoptics.co.uk

I had great service from Sam at East Anglia Optics. He answered a few questions very promptly. I received it the next day after ordering.

Weight is 770g with rail and 18650 battery.

 

[takbok]

Some pictures from this evening 50m - 500m. Most at 20x magnification, except for couple closer ones. The LRF distance is showing at bottom left of pics. I haven't touched any focus adjustment in-between taking these pics.

 

[takbok]

 

[takbok]

Pro's:

1. Simple to use.
2. Good LRF - was picking up over 1000m today. When LRF switched on it constantly ranges and displays holdover until you freeze it a distance you choose.
3. Good 850nm torch, toggle through 5 brightness levels. Seems to work up to 300m+ (will add some pictures when I get out at night again)

Con's:

1. Simple menu for all adjustments is only accessed through scope, not app (App is only for photos & videos).
2. Zeroing profiles aren't numbered, just displayed in a list with zero distance and X,Y coordinates.
3. BC profiles, I think there are 5 numbered A-E. Each time you switch between profiles you need to toggle through all the ballistic data and select save.

Video recording is done by a 3 seconds button press to start and stop. It didn't work when I first used it but I reformatted my micro SD card and got it working after that. The video icon when videoing shows letters RAV, but I can't find any other mention of this. I will have to check next time I shoot if there is automatic recoil activated video.

Build quality feels good. The picatinny mount is nice and sturdy. I suspect that the mount is 0 MOA from having to adjust the Y values 50-60 clicks up on the scope for both my .22 and 6mm.

I'm really happy with this scope for the money. It's very easy to use, has a clear picture, and the objective focus is set and forget unless you have to focus on something at say 20m.

I shot a roe buck up close at last light the first evening I got it. I'll report back on longer range and night performance in due course.

That's all for now. I couldn't find much info online so thought I'd add a bit here.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

I'd recommend the Zulus, not these... They tortured me for about 12 month to sell there products, I never entertained them... They have changed the name from Sytong to Falcon due to getting caught with there pants down selling to Russia... the DNT Zulus is SO much better, design, software and performance..

 

[Smellydog]

Are not pulsar made in Belarus? Putin's buddy?

 

[jall55]

Are not pulsar made in Belarus? Putin's buddy?

Latvia and Lithuania i believe SD

 

[takbok]

I'd recommend the Zulus, not these... They tortured me for about 12 month to sell there products, I never entertained them... They have changed the name from Sytong to Falcon due to getting caught with there pants down selling to Russia... the DNT Zulus is SO much better, design, software and performance..

Great impartial advice from a DNT retailer.

I've tried a Zulus and they're not for me.

There is no moral high ground when buying Chinese products.

 

[nf-fuse]

Regardless of which is best it's only £40 cheaper than the Zulus.

 

[takbok]

Regardless of which is best it's only £40 cheaper than the Zulus.

It's very similar to the Zulus. I just happen to prefer the Falcon so it's a win for me.

 

[Flash G 74]

It's very similar to the Zulus. I just happen to prefer the Falcon so it's a win for me.

Hello, Well done, Keep us posted on how it goes,

 

[beanieboy]

I bought a Strong HT60 last year for £200 just to stick on a wee .22lr. The image is very good well beyond range and the onboard IR is outstanding. Still prefer my Vulpine MK3 on my other rifles, but the wee Strong was a steal at a couple of hundred quid.

 

[sauer]

There is no moral high ground when buying Chinese prproducts.

Well no moral high fround in pretty much anything you'll buy electrical....pretty much everything wilk have Chinese components in it I'd wager ....from your digital NV to your mobile phone or your tv

Paul

 

[Smellydog]

I bought a Strong HT60 last year for £200 just to stick on a wee .22lr. The image is very good well beyond range and the onboard IR is outstanding. Still prefer my Vulpine MK3 on my other rifles, but the wee Strong was a steal at a couple of hundred quid.

I've had one for years now and they are very good.

 

[Nocturnal Kiwi]

I'd recommend the Zulus, not these... They tortured me for about 12 month to sell there products, I never entertained them... They have changed the name from Sytong to Falcon due to getting caught with there pants down selling to Russia... the DNT Zulus is SO much better, design, software and performance..

As someone who has tested both side by side they both have their pros and cons.
The Zulus has better low light capability, better day time resolution
The Sytong / Falcon is stronger build (far lower return rate too). The Falcon has much greater depth of view requiring less focusing.
At night time they are pretty much same in regards to resolution.
The Zulus has a wide screen format display. The Falcon more a 4:3 ratio. The Zulus more natural with colours. The Falcon more vibrant. We found customers when first looking through both devices were more drawn to the Falcon. I like the tethered battery cap of the Falcon. I prefer the aesthetics and the operating system of the Zulus.

I think it’s ignorant to write off Falcon. I'm currently testing a prototype Falcon 640x512 50mm multispectral. Testing it alongside the Thermnight 335. The Falcon destroys the thermnight on the thermal channel. Possibly thinking unfair comparison, but the Falcon is similar or lower price so will be its competitor in the multispectral market.

In regards to the Falcon brand they have dropped the 384 sensor and will only be doing 256, 640 and 1280. They made this call as they have moved away from HIK sensors to their own allowing them to build 640 products for the same price as the 384's. It will be interesting to see how they are received in the UK.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

As someone who has tested both side by side they both have their pros and cons.
The Zulus has better low light capability, better day time resolution
The Sytong / Falcon is stronger build (far lower return rate too). The Falcon has much greater depth of view requiring less focusing.
At night time they are pretty much same in regards to resolution.
The Zulus has a wide screen format display. The Falcon more a 4:3 ratio. The Zulus more natural with colours. The Falcon more vibrant. We found customers when first looking through both devices were more drawn to the Falcon. I like the tethered battery cap of the Falcon. I prefer the aesthetics and the operating system of the Zulus.

I think it’s ignorant to write off Falcon. I'm currently testing a prototype Falcon 640x512 50mm multispectral. Testing it alongside the Thermnight 335. The Falcon destroys the thermnight on the thermal channel. Possibly thinking unfair comparison, but the Falcon is similar or lower price so will be its competitor in the multispectral market.

In regards to the Falcon brand they have dropped the 384 sensor and will only be doing 256, 640 and 1280. They made this call as they have moved away from HIK sensors to their own allowing them to build 640 products for the same price as the 384's. It will be interesting to see how they are received in the UK.

A lot of manufacturers are now producing 640 at the same price as 384 sensors... My chinese friends have implied this will be apparent more and more now...the likes of Pard and DNT use HikMicro thermal sensors... only a few main players produce there own sensors, that being Pixfra, HikMicro, Guide and NocPix , the others use Chinese UNI sensors... Lynred are used by Pulsar.

As far as Sytong, I used to sell them, they were not as good as Pard, they had to be HEAVILY discounted to sell in the UK market, the displays were inferior in comparison to Pard, although they used VCSEL IR and copied the Pard designs.. Now rebranded to Falcon. They have no established focal point in the UK and if I wished to purchase tomorow I could, but I don't as there are better products, with UK bases now supplying directly and dealing with warranty in the UK.

Back to the thermal comment, your comparing a 384px 35mm lens thermal against a 640px 50mm lens thermal and it has a better image , so yes it will be better , but even if a lower price, they have mount everest to climb before they can sell in even meagre quantites here...

I've been doing this a long time and using these products first hand... yes there ok and work, they all do !!! If these were mind blowing good and better than the competition in the UK market, I would be shouting about it..but there just another bang average chinese clone....

 

[takbok]

 

[takbok]

Couple vids from the Cheapex 2k last week.