Thermal scopes/DNT/Hydra HS225
    DNT Hydra HS225 thermal scope

    DNT

    Hydra HS225

    256-class sensor25 mm lens

    This sensor and lens combination favors identifying animals farther away, trading a broad scanning view for a narrower view of distant targets. Its 19.0 oz mounted weight and 5.5-hour listed runtime are worth weighing together for longer nights. Compare current offers and the alternatives below to see what a change in price buys you.

    HuntGrade Score

    47.1#6 of 7in this category
    Image
    41
    Handling
    78
    Warranty
    46
    Score breakdown

    Key specs

    Resolution
    256×192 px
    Hog ID
    228 yd
    Field of view
    7.0°
    Weight
    19.0 oz
    $800Best price
    8 in-stock sellers

    Side by side

    Compare alternatives.

    Compare price, image performance, and handling to see which tradeoffs suit your hunting. Start with these alternatives, or compare any scope in the full lineup.

    Compare specs.

    DNT Hydra HS225 compared with RIX STORM S2 compared with DNT Hydra HS219 — key specifications
    Scope
    This scopeDNT Hydra HS22525625 mm3×
    Similar setupRIX STORM S225625 mm3.5×
    Lower priceDNT Hydra HS21925619 mm2×
    At a glance
    Best price$800$799$700, advantage
    HuntGrade Score47.148.2, advantage47.2
    Overall rank#154 of 155#148 of 155, advantage#153 of 155
    Image
    Image score41.441.441.5, advantage
    Resolution256×192256×192256×192
    Objective lens25mm, largest lens25mm, largest lens19mm
    Field of view7.0°7.0°9.3°, widest field of view
    Identification228 yd, advantage228 yd, advantage173 yd
    Handling
    Handling score78.179.2, advantage78.0
    Mounted weight19 oz (estimated)14 oz, advantage19 oz (estimated)
    Runtime~5.5 hrs, advantage~5 hrs~5.5 hrs, advantage
    Laser rangefinderNoNoNo
    Warranty
    Warranty score46.064.0, advantage46.0
    Term2 years3 years, advantage2 years
    TransferableYesYesYes

    The reasoning

    What earns its score.

    See how each specification contributes to the Hydra HS225’s Image, Handling, and Warranty scores, and how those combine into its HuntGrade Score.

    DNT Hydra HS225

    DNT Hydra HS225

    256×192 sensor · 25 mm lens · 12 µm

    ImageImage41.4× 80% weight
    HandlingHandling78.1× 15% weight
    WarrantyWarranty46.0× 5% weight
    HuntGrade Score47.1

    Image

    41.4 pts
    Sensor resolution10.0 pts256×19250% of Image
    Animal detail80.7 pts228 yd ID15% of Image
    Field of view59.8 pts7.0° horizontal FOV15% of Image
    Sensitivity80.0 pts25 mK10% of Image
    Optics90.0 ptsf/15% of Image
    Screen57.5 pts1024×768 · 50 Hz5% of Image

    Handling

    78.1 pts
    Mounted weight89.0 pts19.0 oz60% of Handling
    Battery life42.0 pts5.5 hours20% of Handling
    Water resistance95.0 ptsIP6710% of Handling
    Eye relief68.0 pts65 mm10% of Handling

    Warranty

    46.0 pts
    Electronics coverage40.0 pts2 years90% of Warranty
    Transferability100.0 ptsTransferable10% of Warranty
    Explore the full methodology

    Behind the scope

    Get to know DNT.

    See where the Hydra HS225 fits in DNT’s lineup. Explore the product families, compare configurations and prices, and learn about the company behind the scope.

    2 families · In-stock price ranges

    This scope’s family
    DNT Hydra HS225

    Hydra

    6 scopes

    One optic for a scope, clip-on or handheld. The simpler Hydra option without ranging.

    $700–$2,199
    View all 6 scopes
    DNT Hydra LRF HS650R

    Hydra LRF

    4 scopes

    Hydra’s scope, clip-on and handheld setup, with built-in ranging and ballistic tools.

    $900–$2,200
    View all 4 scopes

    Choose the sensor, lens and rangefinder.

    The lineup uses 256×192, 384×288 and 640×512 sensors with 12 µm pixels and 1024×768 displays. Lens size and base magnification vary by scope. The LRF versions include a laser rangefinder and ballistic calculator.

    Standard coverage, with a registration extension.

    DNT lists two years of standard warranty coverage for its 256×192 and 384×288 Hydra scopes, extending to three years after registration. Its 640×512 scopes have three years as standard, extending to five.

    Explore DNT

    Explore the families, compare prices with similar scopes, and learn about the company behind them.

    Buying options

    Where to buy.

    See how prices differ for the Hydra HS225, and what each seller offers for the money.

    Buying insights

    Compare listed prices, then weigh each seller’s shipping and return policies.

    Best price
    $800
    Median price
    $800
    MSRP
    $1,100
    In-stock sellers
    8

    Compare sellers

    Prices and seller terms verified October 2026. HuntGrade may earn an affiliate commission. How we make money

    Scroll across for policies, prices and seller links.

    In-stock buying options for DNT Hydra HS225
    Seller Shipping Returns Price Seller links
    MidwayUSAFree shipping over $100
    Ships same dayOrder by 1:00 PM CT
    		90-day returns$800Lowest priceVisit seller
    OpticsPlanetFree shipping over $49
    Ships in 1–2 business days
    		30-day returns$800Lowest priceVisit seller
    Night Vision UniverseFree shipping
    Ships in 1–5 business days
    		15-day returns$800Lowest priceVisit seller
    Camera Land NYCalculated at checkout15-day returns$800Lowest priceVisit seller
    Predator Hunter OutdoorsFree shipping on thermal and night vision products
    Ships in 1–3 business days
    		7-day returns$800Lowest priceVisit seller