In the ever-evolving world of hunting optics, Pulsar has once again pushed the boundaries with their latest offering – the Digisight Ultra N450 Digital Night Vision Riflescope. Released in 2021, this scope promises to revolutionize nighttime hunting and shooting experiences. As an avid hunter and optics enthusiast, I’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test this scope over the past few months, and I’m excited to share my insights with you.
Design and Specifications
The Digisight Ultra N450 is built on a standard 30mm tube, making it compatible with a wide range of mounting options. This design choice addresses a common issue faced by hunters – the challenge of setting up night vision capabilities on bolt-action rifles. The scope boasts impressive specifications, including a magnification range of 4.5-18x, a 40mm objective lens, and a generous 50mm eye relief. The field of view ranges from 32.7 to 18.6 feet at 100 yards, providing ample situational awareness even in low-light conditions.
One of the standout features of the N450 is its high-resolution 1280×720 sensor paired with a crisp 1024×768 AMOLED display. This combination delivers exceptional image quality, crucial for accurate target identification and ethical shot placement in challenging lighting conditions.
Improved Design Elements
Pulsar has made several key improvements to the N450 compared to its predecessor, the N355. The ocular end has been redesigned with an enhanced rubber-cupped eyepiece shield, providing better comfort and light seal during extended use. The objective lens cover now features a larger 10mm aperture, a significant upgrade from the previous pinhole design. This change strikes a better balance between daytime depth-of-field and nighttime light gathering capabilities.
The included IR illuminator, mounted on the left side of the scope, is now attached via a quick-release lever and covers the Weaver mount. This design change not only improves the scope’s aesthetics but also allows for easier removal or replacement of the illuminator if needed.
Battery System and Power Management
One of the most impressive aspects of the Digisight Ultra N450 is its innovative dual battery system. The scope utilizes an internal, non-removable APS3 battery in conjunction with a detachable, rechargeable APS2 battery. During my testing, I was consistently able to achieve 6+ hours of continuous use on a single charge, even in temperatures reaching 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The scope’s power management is equally impressive. In one test, I ran the scope for six uninterrupted hours, including five hours with the IR illuminator on its brightest setting, without any internal changes or recording. This level of battery performance surpasses even some of Pulsar’s thermal scopes using similar systems.
For hunters planning extended outings, the ability to quickly swap out the external APS2 battery is a game-changer. Additionally, the scope is compatible with USB power banks, further extending its potential runtime in the field.
Image Quality and Night Vision Performance
The heart of any night vision scope is its ability to provide clear, usable images in low-light conditions, and the Digisight Ultra N450 excels in this regard. The scope utilizes Pulsar’s proprietary SumLight software, which employs advanced algorithms to enhance light sensitivity while preserving image quality.
In practice, this translates to impressive performance across a range of lighting conditions. Even without the IR illuminator activated, the scope provides clear images at dusk, leveraging ambient light to boost visibility. With just a quarter moon, I was able to clearly discern features like deer feeders, cattle, and tree lines.
The included IR illuminator proves more than adequate for most hunting scenarios, providing clear target identification out to about 200 yards. For those requiring even more range, the scope is compatible with more powerful external IR illuminators, such as the Sniper Hog Illuminator.
Hunting Experience and Usability
Taking the Digisight Ultra N450 into the field reveals its true potential. The scope transforms nighttime hunting, opening up a world of wildlife activity that was previously hidden in darkness. The 4x base magnification provides a wide field of view, crucial for initial target acquisition, while the ability to zoom up to 18x allows for precise shot placement at extended ranges.
The scope’s controls are intuitively laid out and easy to operate, even in complete darkness. The core functions – power, recording, and magnification – are conveniently located on top near the eyepiece. The left side of the scope houses a control knob for adjusting brightness, contrast, and reticle settings, as well as navigating the menu system.
One standout feature is the picture-in-picture display, which provides an enlarged view in the top 10% of the screen. This feature allows hunters to maintain situational awareness with the wider field of view while simultaneously having a magnified image for precise aiming. As you increase magnification, the picture-in-picture window automatically enlarges, maintaining its usefulness throughout the zoom range.
The scope offers five rifle profiles with ten zero saves per profile, providing ample flexibility for use across multiple firearms or loading configurations. The one-shot zero function simplifies the sighting-in process, allowing you to quickly adjust your point of aim after taking a single shot.
Reticle options are plentiful, with ten different designs available in eight colors. This level of customization ensures that you can optimize your sight picture for various hunting scenarios and personal preferences.
Video Recording and Connectivity
A feature that sets the Digisight Ultra N450 apart from many traditional scopes is its built-in video recording capability. The scope can capture both still images and video (with audio) directly to its 16GB of internal storage. This functionality is perfect for documenting hunts, reviewing shot placement, or sharing experiences with fellow hunters.
The scope’s WiFi connectivity further enhances its versatility, allowing you to stream the scope’s view directly to a smartphone or tablet. This can be particularly useful for instructional purposes or when spotting for another shooter.
Daytime Performance
While the Digisight Ultra N450 is primarily designed for low-light and nighttime use, it’s worth noting its daytime capabilities. Unlike some digital night vision scopes, such as the Sightmark Wraith with its full-color daytime mode, the N450 operates in black and white during daylight hours.
The included dust cap features a small center lens that helps manage excessive light and maintain image clarity in bright conditions. While it may not replace a dedicated daytime scope for most hunters, it does provide the flexibility to use the same optic for both day and night hunting if needed.
Comparisons and Value
When considering the Digisight Ultra N450, it’s natural to compare it to other options on the market. In terms of image quality and feature set, it competes favorably with scopes costing significantly more. The combination of clear optics, long battery life, and advanced features like video recording and WiFi connectivity make it an excellent value proposition.
Compared to traditional night vision scopes, the N450 offers several advantages. The digital sensor provides consistent performance without the risk of damage from bright light exposure that can affect traditional image intensifier tubes. The ability to easily update the scope’s software also means that its capabilities can potentially be expanded over time.
Conclusion
The Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 Digital Night Vision Riflescope represents a significant advancement in nighttime hunting technology. Its combination of clear optics, long battery life, intuitive controls, and advanced features make it a versatile and powerful tool for any serious hunter or shooting enthusiast.
While it may require some adjustment for those accustomed to traditional optics, the benefits it provides in low-light conditions are undeniable. The ability to clearly identify targets, make ethical shots, and record your experiences adds a new dimension to nighttime hunting.
Whether you’re pursuing hogs, predators, or other nocturnal game, the Digisight Ultra N450 will expand your hunting opportunities and increase your chances of success. Its robust construction and weather-resistant design ensure that it will stand up to the rigors of field use, making it a worthwhile investment for years to come.
For hunters looking to extend their time in the field and take advantage of the unique opportunities that night hunting provides, the Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 is an excellent choice. It effectively bridges the gap between traditional hunting scopes and more expensive thermal optics, offering a compelling mix of performance and value.
As night hunting regulations continue to evolve across the country, having a capable and reliable night vision optic like the Digisight Ultra N450 in your arsenal can open up new hunting opportunities and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned night hunter or just beginning to explore after-dark pursuits, this scope deserves serious consideration. It has certainly earned its place as a permanent fixture in my own hunting kit, and I suspect many other hunters will feel the same once they experience its capabilities firsthand.