So, recently upgraded from a Pard 008LRF to a DS35 70 LRF and thought I'd share my thoughts to help others when deciding on their next / first NV.
To start, I've had an original 008 LRF for years now and have used it multiple times a week, and have loved it. This was my introduction to NV and it has served me well. It's accounted for more foxes than I care to imagine and has been invaluable to me. Despite this praise I have had a few issues with the set up. For one, the mounting is pants, and resulted in having to re-zero more often than I'd like. Losing zero almost felt random and I could be a couple of MOA out sometimes, bang on others. Secondly, having to have the additional IR is a faff. It's a brilliant piece of kit and really adds to the capability of the unit, but it's something else to forget and to have to switch on and off. Faff basically. Lastly, and this may be just me, but shooting over 180 yards with this unit was a no no. I just did not have the image quality needed.
Enter the DS35. On the box it seemed to fix my three issues.. robust mounting, no need for add on IR and better image. After reading as much literature I could, and seeing Russ and Bruce's first thoughts video on the unit, I thought f**k it I'll preordered it from Ian @ Blackwood Outdoors. I've never pre-ordered anything in my life, I very much like to get others opinions on stuff first then make a judgement, & not be the guinea pig. I had been considering a C50 or Alpex, but I valued the LRF way too much to lose it. I don't care what anyone says, I can't tell if a fox is 200 yards or 300 yards in the pitch black. I also liked the fact the PARD had a higher base mag than the C50 and Alpex, which suited my foxing needs better.
After some hassle with DPD delivering it to a pickup locker, me going to fetch it excitedly, punching in the code only for the locker to open its door to me, empty.... it arrived the day after, phew. Skipping the boring bits I got it on the rifle and zeroed it like you would any other digital NV scope, I got cracking.
First thing I noticed is the mounted IR is actually ridiculously good, and all you need. The image attached is with the feeder at 200 yards, with the unit on IR3 and on between flood and focused on 5.6 mag. To me, that's a clear image and way clearer than what I was getting with the 008 + Sirius XLT. Image out to 350 is good enough to ID a fox. This meant I left the Sirius XLT in the LR as there was no need at all. The IR may eat batteries, but if you use the unit on standby until you need it like I do, theres really no issue. Having the convenience to flick one button and have everything on a big bonus.
The second thing I noticed was the round screen / centre shift zero. It was a far better "experience" than looking through at a rectangle screen with a reticule that was slighlty off centre, felt more "natural". The FOV may be narrower but it seemed easier to get on target as the traditional circular image and centred reticule hones you onto your target way quicker. Before I was trying to find my target then find my reticule. Just seemed more natural, for me.
Thirdly I found the image out to 200 yards way clearer than what I'd experienced previously. At 11.2 mag on the DS35 I found Charlie to be way more shootable than at 13 mag on the 008. I felt way more confident, but perhaps that just me.
Lastly, the LRF button is way easier to find than on the previous model. No switching the IR or Laser on by mistake. Call me lazy but I like to have the knowledge the range I'm shooting at at night, over a large flat field it's difficult for me to estimate.
Other than the above there's the obvious fact it's mounted like a traditional scope which filled me with way more confidence than the previous mounting. Also the star track enterprise set up of the IR and LRF. Although it doesn't look amazing, it's way easier on the eye in person and is WAY easier on the eye than an 008 with a fat IR on the side!!! I did think it might catch on my jacket but alas it hasn't yet. Stuff like WIFI and ballistic calculators are a novelty for me and really is of no consequence to how I use the unit. Look elsewhere for opinions on these!
I've shot 4 foxes in 2 outings with this scope now, so these are only my initial thoughts, but as someone who uses this type of kit regularly I thought I may be able to share something of some use to others... In summary, it's a functional, easy to use scope that requires no additional IR at all. I have no idea how it performs vs the Alpex or C50 for foxing, never used them, Bruce is way more qualified anyway. Its an upgrade on my 008 for sure. What I can say is I don't need any more image quality at all, and as a tool it seems to work very well indeed for me.
Very happy with my purchase, thanks Ian!
P.S. Anyone looking for an 008 LRF and Irlightbuilds Sirius XLT, I may have some up for sale....
To start, I've had an original 008 LRF for years now and have used it multiple times a week, and have loved it. This was my introduction to NV and it has served me well. It's accounted for more foxes than I care to imagine and has been invaluable to me. Despite this praise I have had a few issues with the set up. For one, the mounting is pants, and resulted in having to re-zero more often than I'd like. Losing zero almost felt random and I could be a couple of MOA out sometimes, bang on others. Secondly, having to have the additional IR is a faff. It's a brilliant piece of kit and really adds to the capability of the unit, but it's something else to forget and to have to switch on and off. Faff basically. Lastly, and this may be just me, but shooting over 180 yards with this unit was a no no. I just did not have the image quality needed.
Enter the DS35. On the box it seemed to fix my three issues.. robust mounting, no need for add on IR and better image. After reading as much literature I could, and seeing Russ and Bruce's first thoughts video on the unit, I thought f**k it I'll preordered it from Ian @ Blackwood Outdoors. I've never pre-ordered anything in my life, I very much like to get others opinions on stuff first then make a judgement, & not be the guinea pig. I had been considering a C50 or Alpex, but I valued the LRF way too much to lose it. I don't care what anyone says, I can't tell if a fox is 200 yards or 300 yards in the pitch black. I also liked the fact the PARD had a higher base mag than the C50 and Alpex, which suited my foxing needs better.
After some hassle with DPD delivering it to a pickup locker, me going to fetch it excitedly, punching in the code only for the locker to open its door to me, empty.... it arrived the day after, phew. Skipping the boring bits I got it on the rifle and zeroed it like you would any other digital NV scope, I got cracking.
First thing I noticed is the mounted IR is actually ridiculously good, and all you need. The image attached is with the feeder at 200 yards, with the unit on IR3 and on between flood and focused on 5.6 mag. To me, that's a clear image and way clearer than what I was getting with the 008 + Sirius XLT. Image out to 350 is good enough to ID a fox. This meant I left the Sirius XLT in the LR as there was no need at all. The IR may eat batteries, but if you use the unit on standby until you need it like I do, theres really no issue. Having the convenience to flick one button and have everything on a big bonus.
The second thing I noticed was the round screen / centre shift zero. It was a far better "experience" than looking through at a rectangle screen with a reticule that was slighlty off centre, felt more "natural". The FOV may be narrower but it seemed easier to get on target as the traditional circular image and centred reticule hones you onto your target way quicker. Before I was trying to find my target then find my reticule. Just seemed more natural, for me.
Thirdly I found the image out to 200 yards way clearer than what I'd experienced previously. At 11.2 mag on the DS35 I found Charlie to be way more shootable than at 13 mag on the 008. I felt way more confident, but perhaps that just me.
Lastly, the LRF button is way easier to find than on the previous model. No switching the IR or Laser on by mistake. Call me lazy but I like to have the knowledge the range I'm shooting at at night, over a large flat field it's difficult for me to estimate.
Other than the above there's the obvious fact it's mounted like a traditional scope which filled me with way more confidence than the previous mounting. Also the star track enterprise set up of the IR and LRF. Although it doesn't look amazing, it's way easier on the eye in person and is WAY easier on the eye than an 008 with a fat IR on the side!!! I did think it might catch on my jacket but alas it hasn't yet. Stuff like WIFI and ballistic calculators are a novelty for me and really is of no consequence to how I use the unit. Look elsewhere for opinions on these!
I've shot 4 foxes in 2 outings with this scope now, so these are only my initial thoughts, but as someone who uses this type of kit regularly I thought I may be able to share something of some use to others... In summary, it's a functional, easy to use scope that requires no additional IR at all. I have no idea how it performs vs the Alpex or C50 for foxing, never used them, Bruce is way more qualified anyway. Its an upgrade on my 008 for sure. What I can say is I don't need any more image quality at all, and as a tool it seems to work very well indeed for me.
Very happy with my purchase, thanks Ian!
P.S. Anyone looking for an 008 LRF and Irlightbuilds Sirius XLT, I may have some up for sale....
Bruce said that the FOV is 2.5 m at 50 m, or 5m at 100 m. He also said that the "actual" magnification will be closer to 7 mag, not 5.6 mag. For perspective, the S&B Klassic 8x56 has a FOV of 5m @ 100m. My basic NV mind so far has it like this... more FOV, less base mag... more base mag, less FOV. The NV gods giveth with one hand taketh with the other. Summary is finiding stuff in an NV scope is always a PITA in some situations, & although the FOV of the DS35 is slightly narrower than the 008, I dont think its a deal braker considering the several other benefits, and doubt it would lose you any foxes.
