Rifle Scopes DNT 7-35x56 FFP Riflescopes

[XP1K]

Finally got mine out yesterday afternoon and again in the evening. For the money spent I'm pretty pleased with it. Shot it on my 700 chambered in the late great 30hate. Only got out to 500 yards. Heavy overcast in south Texas this weekend. Shooting partner had a 7-35x atacr on his 300winmag and before I formed an opinion of the DNT vs the NF I handed it to him to focus and compare to his NF.
He was pretty impressed with it and had a hard time favoring one over the other.

But, as others have observed, as the day wore on and the sun faded, the DNT started to struggle over 20x-25x. 20 was doable. 25 was starting to get dark. 15-20x was good right up to just being too dark to shoot period.

I'm going to shoot it on the 308 a little more and then it will probably move to my winmag. overall I'm happy with it for it's intended purpose. I really like the reticle. Between the DNT, my xtr3, and the ebr7c in my vortex, I prefer the DNT.

 

[TheBigCountry]

This scope has caught my eye big time….

So it’s a rebranded arken 7-35 with better glass and reticle?

 

[carbonbased]

This scope has caught my eye big time….

So it’s a rebranded arken 7-35 with better glass and reticle?

Yep

 

[carbonbased]

This scope has caught my eye big time….

So it’s a rebranded arken 7-35 with better glass and reticle?

If it said Tasco on its side I’d buy it just for that and slap it on an AI.

 

[TheBigCountry]

If it said Tasco on its side I’d buy it just for that and slap it on an AI.

Ima find a way to make one magically appear for my Daisy Red Ryder

 

[wade2big]

I don’t think it’s better than the Arken 7-35. I have both. It just has a different reticle. Pick one.

 

[FuhQ]

This scope has caught my eye big time….

So it’s a rebranded arken 7-35 with better glass and reticle?

Basically, yes...

 

[FuhQ]

I don’t think it’s better than the Arken 7-35. I have both. It just has a different reticle. Pick one.

Everyone, including the OEM that makes both of them in the same plant, says the DNT has higher quality glass than what they put in the Arkens. I'd trust the mfg on that one, having owned 5 Arkens, and them all being less than impressive optically...

 

[FuhQ]

Took mine to the range today, and my eyes were finally cooperating, so I could finally get an honest look through it and spend some good time behind it... The glass is MUCH better than any of my Arkens I've owned. In bright conditions, it's VERY clear up until about 25x, then it starts to degrade accordingly the higher in mag you go. But that's common (and should be expected) with budget optics. And I still love the TOR MIL reticle. The glass in my Burris XTR-3i 5.5-30x56 is still noticeably sharper at max mag, but I'd say that overall IQ and brightness is not that far off. For $600 I honestly don't think you'll beat it, and I'd definitely buy more of these, before I'd buy another Arken. Just my $0.02.

Had 2 other guys look through it and shoot through it today, and both were shocked I told them it was a $600 scope. Neither had ever heard of DNT before, neither had ever shot my rifle before, and neither had ever shot a 6.5CM at 300 yards before, and both nailed the 3" gong @ 300 yards first shot.

 

[wade2big]

So far I think only two of us posting have both the Arken and DNT 7-35 in their hands. One says the DNT is better while the other says it’s a wash. Keep in mind that anyone else that doesn’t have both but is recommending one over the other is talking out their ass.

 

[Im2bent]

@Rob01 has both?

 

[Rob01]

@Rob01 has both?

I will Wednesday if UPS comes through lol I can’t wait to put them together but not expecting one to really be much different from the other. Side by side will be interesting.

 

[wooferocau]

Had 2 other guys look through it and shoot through it today, and both were shocked I told them it was a $600 scope.

Had a similar reaction from several others who came out to a shoot on my range a few days ago.
We had alot of glass ( some VERY pricey) in use on various rifles.
All performed great.....but when it was ask the price of the DNT....a couple flat out wouldn't believe it !! They were astonished.
Fired 70rounds through the HTI 50bmg on this day....still no issues with the DNT mounted on it.

 

[db2000]

So far I think only two of us posting have both the Arken and DNT 7-35 in their hands. One says the DNT is better while the other says it’s a wash. Keep in mind that anyone else that doesn’t have both but is recommending one over the other is talking out their ass.

I’m watching this dumpster fire and confused. Are you posting comments and deleting them or changing them? I’ve read 2 or 3 from you in this same position but the others are gone? Maybe I’m missing something.

 

[wade2big]

I’m watching this dumpster fire and confused. Are you posting comments and deleting them or changing them? I’ve read 2 or 3 from you in this same position but the others are gone? Maybe I’m missing something.

Magic.

I edited then deleted.

 

[FuhQ]

The second part of your post is just as irrelevant now as it was the last 5 times you compared the arkens you have with the newer 7-35 model that you’ve never touched. It’s about the same as a man using a Vortex diamond back model while claiming the Razor he’s never used somehow is similar. Get both in your hands and then compare them. Doing it beforehand is dishonest even if unintentional. You may draw the same conclusion as you do now but at least it wouldn’t be made up.

I didn't compare it to the Arken 7-35... Everyone else in here who has one has... Comparing the DNT to the Gen1 EP5 and EPL4's is a fair comparison, being that the EP5 and EPL4 are all around the same MSRP price, and I've actually spent lots of time looking through them.

You can get your panties in a wad if you want to, but acting indignant over a budget scope (unless you have monetary stock in either company) is pretty weak.

 

[FuhQ]

He keeps deleting his posts again... The magic of retardation...

 

[FearlessMagpie]

Both the Arken and DNT 7-35 sell for $600. You are basically saying the lower tier arkens aren’t as good as the DNT 7-35 therefore you conclude the DNT is better than the comparable Arken 7-35. It’s weird.

Even if the optical performance is the same, DNT still has much better reticle design, full reticle illumination and offset windage indicator.

I also prefer the turret design and fonts on DNT


Edit: I should be able to compare my DNT to my club mate’s EP5GenII next Sunday

 

[71firebird400]

Even if the optical performance is the same, DNT still has much better reticle design, full reticle illumination and offset windage indicator.

I also prefer the turret design and fonts on DNT


Edit: I should be able to compare my DNT to my club mate’s EP5GenII next Sunday

I reached out to DNT about the difference between their scope and the Arken. They mentioned the reticle design, offset windage indicator and throw lever design. They made zero mention of any difference in the glass quality. Interesting for them to leave that off the list and my suspicion is that like all “value” scopes there is a variance in individual examples and quite frankly it’s all so subjective that it’s hard to know.

 

[wooferocau]

Having compared the DNT to the "Aussie" DNT/Arken and also the Arken with the VPR ( US) reticle ...the DNT does have slightly improved optical clarity.
If anyone wants to compare...look at and object that is silhouetted with a bright background ...the "Arken" has a sort of halo effect...the DNT has none.
The samples i have looked through .. being 2 DNT , 2 "Aussie" DNT/Arken and a "US" Arken .
The bloke who designed the "TOR/MPR" reticle has said that DNT version was designed with the aim of an increase in optical clarity ...

 

[FuhQ]

Having compared the DNT to the "Aussie" DNT/Arken and also the Arken with the VPR ( US) reticle ...the DNT does have slightly improved optical clarity.
If anyone wants to compare...look at and object that is silhouetted with a bright background ...the "Arken" has a sort of halo effect...the DNT has none.
The samples i have looked through .. being 2 DNT , 2 "Aussie" DNT/Arken and a "US" Arken .
The bloke who designed the "TOR/MPR" reticle has said that DNT version was designed with the aim of an increase in optical clarity ...

I guess Arken never fixed this issue. That was a HUGE problem I noticed with all of my Gen1 Arkens including both EP5 5-25x56 scopes that I had. It was like a purplish/bluish halo haze, especially on lighter backgrounds. My two EPL4's had this same CA phenomenon. I reckon they never corrected that if you say that your Gen2 7-35 still has it. The DNT has not shown any of that from my 3 full-afternoon range trips so far, including different weather and brightness conditions.

 

[wooferocau]

It was like a purplish/bluish halo haze, especially on lighter backgrounds.

Yep....that's the effect...

 

[Rock Chucker]

wooferocau said:
The only Kahles i still have is the older 624i ... its fairly good at lower light levels, but still degrades.

To be truthful ALL my S&B,s other than the 6-36 don't fair well in low light either.

My TT 5-25 is excellent....and the new 7-35 even better..



Maybe you can publish a list of all the glass you currently own for us poors

 

[eamars]

The DNT is finally mounted with the little cut.

 

[FuhQ]

Yep....that's the effect...

I think some peoples eyes are just easier to pickup on it than others, because lots of folks seem to not see it looking through the same scopes. Either that, or maybe they haven’t trained their eyes to look for it, so they just don’t even notice it?

 

[Kadams1563]

Ordered two more of the 7-35’s as two of my buddies wanted one for their .22 builds and one for a .223

Both of these guys have NF 7-35’s, premiers, and Tangets.

They both agreed for the money they never thought it would be as good as it is. For a daytime match good weather shooter these are awesome.

They both were very impressed by mine and said screw it I want one to so they can spend time with it and see how it stacks up over time.

 

[Kickin45]

Got my DNT on Wednesday.
Don’t have it mounted yet, but took it to work with me yesterday.

Looking at the cityscape, I could make out buildings, birds, people. Able to read license plates on cars that weren’t moving on i5. They were 553yds away.

The best test was spotting a crane and operator 837yds away. I peered into his tinted cab and could see him taking bites of his sandwich in between pulling levers.
My buddy showed up and looked through it. He is a HUUUGE NF fan. That’s all he uses. His exact words were, “How much did you pay for this?” (my answer) “Damn that is a lot of scope for that price. I think I just found my .22 trainer scope!”


Not mounted and on a stock, was not easy to look through at 35X. However, I’ll say that this example I have, looked very clear at 30X. Beyond that it was very difficult to steady the eyebox just holding it.

Turrets are distinct and there’s no chance of running 2 or 3 clicks on accident. Also there’s no perceived slop between clicks. I will say this, although the clicks are positive and very audible, they feel kinda “hollow”. I don’t know how else to describe it. My buddy said I’m a snob

So far I’m very happy with the scope initially. I’ll throw it in an American Defense mount and on the DT. Then throw some 6.5 and some 300 PRC down it and see what happens.

I’ve got 100 rounds of PRC 245’s loaded up that should be a good test for it.

 

[Rob01]

I will say this, although the clicks are positive and very audible, they feel kinda “hollow”. I don’t know how else to describe it. My buddy said I’m a snob

I know what you are saying and I think it comes from the way the turret is made as the Arkens kind of feel/sound the same to me. It's a larger turret and the walls are thin so I think that is what gives it that sound.

 

[FuhQ]

I know what you are saying and I think it comes from the way the turret is made as the Arkens kind of feel/sound the same to me. It's a larger turret and the walls are thin so I think that is what gives it that sound.

I agree. The only issue I don’t understand why they can’t seem to fix (both DNT & Arken) is the large amount of obvious spring-back in the turrets? Every other company seems to be able to avoid/eliminate it. What about the turret design is causing it to not be fixed? Is it because the size of the ball & detent gaps are so large between clicks that it just naturally makes that sound?

 

[Rob01]

I agree. The only issue I don’t understand why they can’t seem to fix (both DNT & Arken) is the large amount of obvious spring-back in the turrets? Every other company seems to be able to avoid/eliminate it. What about the turret design is causing it to not be fixed? Is it because the size of the ball & detent gaps are so large between clicks that it just naturally makes that sound?

What do you mean when you say spring back? The sound or turret movement?

 

[FuhQ]

What do you mean when you say spring back? The sound or turret movement?

The hollow extra click sound you hear after you let go of the turret after moving it. But It’s caused from excess turret detent play. It’s like a really fast double-click sound. You hear the main click when you move the turret, but when you let go of it, you hear a small secondary clicking sound, when the turret detent falls into the valley locking itself into place. Basically it’s turret overtravel, then it sets itself into the groove when you let go of it.

 

[Rob01]

The hollow extra click sound you hear after you let go of the turret after moving it. But It’s caused from excess turret detent play. It’s like a really fast double-click sound. You hear the main click when you move the turret, but when you let go of it, you hear a small secondary clicking sound, when the turret detent falls into the valley locking itself into place. Basically it’s turret overtravel, then it sets itself into the groove when you let go of it.

Never noticed anything like that. It goes click into the groove and I hear a little hollow sound at the exact same time but I believe that comes from thin turret walls and being like an echo chamber. Never heard a double click.

 

[db2000]

I think some peoples eyes are just easier to pickup on it than others, because lots of folks seem to not see it looking through the same scopes. Either that, or maybe they haven’t trained their eyes to look for it, so they just don’t even notice it?

I think some of both.

 

[FuhQ]

I think some of both.

And I think I’ve figured out a lot of the budget optics overhyping…

I think a whole lot of folks have never even looked through, or spent any real amount of time behind high-end glass, and their eyes really can’t tell enough difference in them, because they just simply don’t know the difference. And all they know is that it looks exponentially clearer and vivid and brighter than their Tascos, Monarchs, and VX-3 they’ve had for 30 years. And they would be correct, because technology has come an extremely long way since those scopes were made.

So when they make claims like, “It’s a $600 Nightforce…” to them the Arken/DNT probably honestly does look just as good as a Nightforce, simply because they have limited experience behind the high end scope, or simply don’t know any better.

 

[FuhQ]

Never noticed anything like that. It goes click into the groove and I hear a little hollow sound at the exact same time but I believe that comes from thin turret walls and being like an echo chamber. Never heard a double click.

Yes, that little hollow echo sound is what is known as “spring-back”. Someone on here made a video of it on an Arken a few years back, and posted it on YouTube. You can probably search and find it.

 

[Rob01]

Yes, that little hollow echo sound is what is known as “spring-back”. Someone on here made a video of it on an Arken a few years back, and posted it on YouTube. You can probably search and find it.

But it's not when I take my hand off the turret like you are describing. It's as it is dialed. A tinking sound versus a clunking sound. Probably just from cheaper manufacture of turret but as long as it tracks it could ring whatever it wants. LOL

Always heard spring back described as the turret feel and action. Not sound.

 

[db2000]

Someone posted a response from Arken or DNT regarding the difference in either the US EP 7-35 and Aussie 7-35 OR the DNT that stated one had brass internals and one had SS iirc. A couple other things too that haven’t been mentioned recently it seemed. Maybe it was reticle and throw. Turret gnurling clearly differs also.

 

[carbonbased]

gnurling

 

[carbonbased]

I mean, it’s both a funny misspelling and how the word should probably be spelled.

Knurling is just a weird word.

 

[db2000]

I mean, it’s both a funny misspelling and how the word should probably be spelled.

Knurling is just a weird word.

It’s a hybrid of knurled and gnarled.
DNT paid me to come up with that. I’ve actually bought up all their stock and going to sell them in the PX for $1599, which is what they’re actually worth because of the X-ED Jap glass. I’ve got business partner that showed me the idea.

 

[wooferocau]

And I think I’ve figured out a lot of the budget optics overhyping…

I think a whole lot of folks have never even looked through, or spent any real amount of time behind high-end glass, and their eyes really can’t tell enough difference in them, because they just simply don’t know the difference. And all they know is that it looks exponentially clearer and vivid and brighter than their Tascos, Monarchs, and VX-3 they’ve had for 30 years. And they would be correct, because technology has come an extremely long way since those scopes were made.

So when they make claims like, “It’s a $600 Nightforce…” to them the Arken/DNT probably honestly does look just as good as a Nightforce, simply because they have limited experience behind the high end scope, or simply don’t know any better.

Speaking of High End Glass...

 

[Im2bent]

It’s a hybrid of knurled and gnarled.
DNT paid me to come up with that. I’ve actually bought up all their stock and going to sell them in the PX for $1599, which is what they’re actually worth because of the X-ED Jap glass. I’ve got business partner that showed me the idea.

Will you take a tenth of a flip?

 

[wooferocau]

Bit off topic ...but..

Interesting thing when comparing the Tangent 7-35 / ZCO 8-40 / NF 7-35 / S&B 6-36.

The NF 7-35 trails at the rear..

Up to 30x the TT wins .... closely followed by S&B then ZCO ...Once you go 30x and above , you are literally splitting hairs between the 3!!

 

[0724/1030]

I have had both the Arken and DNT side by side for about a week now. I see no discernible differences between them apart from the obvious. Controls all have the same feel, fit, and function. Glass quality also appears to be identical, which aligns with what Arken/DNT has previously stated. Pick your preferred reticle and go shoot.

 

[Rob01]

Got out today with the DNT and Arken to do a side by side. The glass in the DNT is better as in clearer and crisper image even in some mirage compared to the Arken in my one of each comparison. The Arken is not bad though for it's price range and actually better than my Bushnell Match Pro ED. I had a buddy of mine that was there take a look through both and compare them for his eyes and he agreed that the DNT did have better glass. Ergonomically they are basically the same scope. Both reticles will work for holds. I like the DNT has more illumination though.

I did also take the DNT to 1000 yards today on my 6mm ARC AR and it was hitting and I hit too smaller targets at 900 yards also. Mirage had gotten really bad though by the time we got to the 1000 yard range it was tough to see hits. Only shot the Arken out to the 550 yard range.

All in all both are good deals at $599 for what you get.

 

[wooferocau]

Got out today with the DNT and Arken to do a side by side. The glass in the DNT is better as in clearer and crisper image even in some mirage compared to the Arken in my one of each comparison. The Arken is not bad though for it's price range and actually better than my Bushnell Match Pro ED. I had a buddy of mine that was there take a look through both and compare them for his eyes and he agreed that the DNT did have better glass. Ergonomically they are basically the same scope. Both reticles will work for holds. I like the DNT has more illumination though.

I did also take the DNT to 1000 yards today on my 6mm ARC AR and it was hitting and I hit too smaller targets at 900 yards also. Mirage had gotten really bad though by the time we got to the 1000 yard range it was tough to see hits. Only shot the Arken out to the 550 yard range.

All in all both are good deals at $599 for what you get.

From my own comparisons .. I agree !!

 

[eamars]

I made a 3d printable scope cap for DNT735 scopes.

https://github.com/eamars/PrintableScopeCover

 

[FuhQ]

@eamars Will these caps be for sale? Some of us don't have 3D printers. LOL

 

[eamars]

@eamars Will these caps be for sale? Some of us don't have 3D printers. LOL

Unfortunately no. I can print a few for free if anyone is in New Zealand.

 

[db2000]

MKM has caps. Not cheap but great quality and supports a small business. Here the correct sizes for DNT 7-35.
IMO it’s easier to search and order on a PC than iPhone. Just fyi.
***Note the 1.725” EYEPIECE cap is listed way down under “Objective” caps.