Yes they certainly looked good at the shooting show . In fact blown away , ok it was indoors in light but still looked fantastic and at the price we got told it will be a total game changer
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the Daily hi thread
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Please DO NOT discuss the use of optics/NV for HUNTING in this section. Any hunting related Optics questions should go in the hunting section.
Arken Optics brand new multi-spectral riflescope
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RussDouglas222
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Thanks Mick, we're meeting-up very soon to do both a man cave review, and a comparative review.
Indeedy, we can hardly wait!
Cheers. Russ
Is it April yet!
Time moves soo slow waiting for this smaller mag unit. Any updates on testing it guys?
Need a cheerleader @RussDouglas222?
Lol
Time moves soo slow waiting for this smaller mag unit. Any updates on testing it guys?
Need a cheerleader @RussDouglas222?
Lol
mealiejimmie
Now Deceased
Arken very kindly loaned GPC Bill has both a 3-12 and a multipspectral and we are hoping to get them zeroed this afternoon
Cheers
Bruce
Cheers
Bruce
RussDouglas222
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I have some test footage, as by now will Billy (@GPCBILL) too, plus Stuart of Vermin Control Scotland channel has the first (ratting) pest control footage in the can, so to speak...
The TNC225s Billy has / Stuart used are still pre-production prototypes (and as you know Arken are always looking to improve their products), so I'll/we'll check with them before revealing any footage -and a few of the upgrades they're already planning for the production units.
I'm already working on getting a ZHD520R / ZHD312R comparison video out over the next few days, so watch
my channel 
for more.
Thanks for your patience, cheers. Russ
The TNC225s Billy has / Stuart used are still pre-production prototypes (and as you know Arken are always looking to improve their products), so I'll/we'll check with them before revealing any footage -and a few of the upgrades they're already planning for the production units.
I'm already working on getting a ZHD520R / ZHD312R comparison video out over the next few days, so watch
my channel for more.Thanks for your patience, cheers. Russ
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RussDouglas222
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(nearly forgot), here's a pic Stuart shared on Instagram of the prototype multi-spectral Arken Optics TNC225 on his AirMaks Krait L... 
...and yes, it accounted for many rats!
(EagleVisionCam moderator doing the business up front).
Cheers. Russ
...and yes, it accounted for many rats!(EagleVisionCam moderator doing the business up front).
Cheers. Russ
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RussDouglas222
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Woohoo, guess what's arrived?!?
As they left the UK, the Arken Optics team kindly posted their second (fully functional) pre-production prototype TNC225R up to Scotland.
I received it today... guess what we'll be testing very soon?
Cheers. Russ
As they left the UK, the Arken Optics team kindly posted their second (fully functional) pre-production prototype TNC225R up to Scotland.
I received it today... guess what we'll be testing very soon?
Cheers. Russ
mealiejimmie
Now Deceased
@GPCBILL and I were out tonight doing some testing.
On the "Brucie Bonus" plate we had:
a. ARKEN TNC225 multi spectral scope (the other one that Arken kindly left with us)
b. Zulus 3-12 (again kindly left by Arken for us to test)
c. Zulus 5-20 belonging to Billy
d. Alpex 4k non LRF (courtesy of Blackwood Outdoors)
This was my first opportunity to try the TNC225 on "live" targets and see what the image was like in both optical and thermal.
There weren't many rabbits about but we found one at around 80m that very obligingly didn't move about too much so we could look at it with all the scopes and with three different IR illuminators - 850nm vcsel on the TNC225, 850nm LED in the 3-12 and 940nm vcsel in the 5-20
We were above the rabbit looking down on it and at 80m it would have been a pretty simple head shot using the thermal at x2 zoom (x6 total magnification)
Switching to optical obviously gave a much more detailed image.
Had we been level with the rabbit and had it been stationary and hunkered down in the grass I don't think a head shot would have been such a good idea, but it would have been a more detailed image in NV and shootable
We then watched a pair of rabbits at around the same range using thermal in the main screen and NV in the PiP and then NV on the main screen and thermal in the PiP.
The ability to switch between the optical and thermal images and have them both available to see at the same time was really great.
The thermal was able to detect heat from rabbits at over 300 yards and from roe deer at over 700 yards. Obviously you can't identify an animal at that range, but knowing the ground and knowing what is typically found on it and where, gives you a pretty good idea of what you are looking at
We watched a thermal target at 228m and when we switched to NV it was confirmed as a roe deer and could have been shot with the scope in NV mode
Unfortunately, despite or best efforts at recording on the TNC225, and it telling us it was recording, there were no video files with anything on them when Billy checked later
Please bear in mind that the TNC225 we were using tonight and the one that Russ received today, are pre-production models and I can be certain that Arken will not release this product until this issue is resolved
One thing I did appreciate tonight was that the control buttons are now on an angled plate facing the user, making it much easier to see and operate the buttons or to find them in darkness
We noticed that in very low light (it was cloudy and no moon visible) the NV image without any IR was significantly brighter on the 3-12 than on the 5-20, and was as good as the Alpex 4k in these conditions
The diameter of the objective lens on the 3-12 is the same diameter as on the 5-20, but the shorter focal length of the 3-12 lens results in it getting more light onto the sensor.
In fact we found that when using either of the vcsel IRs it was easy to white out the 3-12, but that it never whited out when using it's own LED IR
We also noted that the LRF splash on the 3-12 was much less bright (but perfectly usable) on the 3-12
Looking at the LRF splash from the 5-20 on the 3-12 was like looking at some sort of space laser
The 3-12 is definitely more light sensitive than the 5-20 and I think it will be a cracking scope for rats, rabbits and squirrels with air rifle and rabbits with a rimfire
IMHO. It will also do fine on smaller centrefires like 22 hornet and even 222REM for foxes out to around 150 yards
beyond that is really 5-20 territory
Cheers
Bruce
On the "Brucie Bonus" plate we had:
a. ARKEN TNC225 multi spectral scope (the other one that Arken kindly left with us)
b. Zulus 3-12 (again kindly left by Arken for us to test)
c. Zulus 5-20 belonging to Billy
d. Alpex 4k non LRF (courtesy of Blackwood Outdoors)
This was my first opportunity to try the TNC225 on "live" targets and see what the image was like in both optical and thermal.
There weren't many rabbits about but we found one at around 80m that very obligingly didn't move about too much so we could look at it with all the scopes and with three different IR illuminators - 850nm vcsel on the TNC225, 850nm LED in the 3-12 and 940nm vcsel in the 5-20
We were above the rabbit looking down on it and at 80m it would have been a pretty simple head shot using the thermal at x2 zoom (x6 total magnification)
Switching to optical obviously gave a much more detailed image.
Had we been level with the rabbit and had it been stationary and hunkered down in the grass I don't think a head shot would have been such a good idea, but it would have been a more detailed image in NV and shootable
We then watched a pair of rabbits at around the same range using thermal in the main screen and NV in the PiP and then NV on the main screen and thermal in the PiP.
The ability to switch between the optical and thermal images and have them both available to see at the same time was really great.
The thermal was able to detect heat from rabbits at over 300 yards and from roe deer at over 700 yards. Obviously you can't identify an animal at that range, but knowing the ground and knowing what is typically found on it and where, gives you a pretty good idea of what you are looking at
We watched a thermal target at 228m and when we switched to NV it was confirmed as a roe deer and could have been shot with the scope in NV mode
Unfortunately, despite or best efforts at recording on the TNC225, and it telling us it was recording, there were no video files with anything on them when Billy checked later
Please bear in mind that the TNC225 we were using tonight and the one that Russ received today, are pre-production models and I can be certain that Arken will not release this product until this issue is resolved
One thing I did appreciate tonight was that the control buttons are now on an angled plate facing the user, making it much easier to see and operate the buttons or to find them in darkness
We noticed that in very low light (it was cloudy and no moon visible) the NV image without any IR was significantly brighter on the 3-12 than on the 5-20, and was as good as the Alpex 4k in these conditions
The diameter of the objective lens on the 3-12 is the same diameter as on the 5-20, but the shorter focal length of the 3-12 lens results in it getting more light onto the sensor.
In fact we found that when using either of the vcsel IRs it was easy to white out the 3-12, but that it never whited out when using it's own LED IR
We also noted that the LRF splash on the 3-12 was much less bright (but perfectly usable) on the 3-12
Looking at the LRF splash from the 5-20 on the 3-12 was like looking at some sort of space laser
The 3-12 is definitely more light sensitive than the 5-20 and I think it will be a cracking scope for rats, rabbits and squirrels with air rifle and rabbits with a rimfire
IMHO. It will also do fine on smaller centrefires like 22 hornet and even 222REM for foxes out to around 150 yards
beyond that is really 5-20 territory
Cheers
Bruce
GPCBILL
Super member
Excellent write up Bruce.@GPCBILL and I were out tonight doing some testing.
On the "Brucie Bonus" plate we had:
a. ARKEN TNC225 multi spectral scope (the other one that Arken kindly left with us)
b. Zulus 3-12 (again kindly left by Arken for us to test)
c. Zulus 5-20 belonging to Billy
d. Alpex 4k non LRF (courtesy of Blackwood Outdoors)
This was my first opportunity to try the TNC225 on "live" targets and see what the image was like in both optical and thermal.
There weren't many rabbits about but we found one at around 80m that very obligingly didn't move about too much so we could look at it with all the scopes and with three different IR illuminators - 850nm vcsel on the TNC225, 850nm LED in the 3-12 and 940nm vcsel in the 5-20
We were above the rabbit looking down on it and at 80m it would have been a pretty simple head shot using the thermal at x2 zoom (x6 total magnification)
Switching to optical obviously gave a much more detailed image.
Had we been level with the rabbit and had it been stationary and hunkered down in the grass I don't think a head shot would have been such a good idea, but it would have been a more detailed image in NV and shootable
We then watched a pair of rabbits at around the same range using thermal in the main screen and NV in the PiP and then NV on the main screen and thermal in the PiP.
The ability to switch between the optical and thermal images and have them both available to see at the same time was really great.
The thermal was able to detect heat from rabbits at over 300 yards and from roe deer at over 700 yards. Obviously you can't identify an animal at that range, but knowing the ground and knowing what is typically found on it and where, gives you a pretty good idea of what you are looking at
We watched a thermal target at 228m and when we switched to NV it was confirmed as a roe deer and could have been shot with the scope in NV mode
Unfortunately, despite or best efforts at recording on the TNC225, and it telling us it was recording, there were no video files with anything on them when Billy checked later
Please bear in mind that the TNC225 we were using tonight and the one that Russ received today, are pre-production models and I can be certain that Arken will not release this product until this issue is resolved
One thing I did appreciate tonight was that the control buttons are now on an angled plate facing the user, making it much easier to see and operate the buttons or to find them in darkness
We noticed that in very low light (it was cloudy and no moon visible) the NV image without any IR was significantly brighter on the 3-12 than on the 5-20, and was as good as the Alpex 4k in these conditions
The diameter of the objective lens on the 3-12 is the same diameter as on the 5-20, but the shorter focal length of the 3-12 lens results in it getting more light onto the sensor.
In fact we found that when using either of the vcsel IRs it was easy to white out the 3-12, but that it never whited out when using it's own LED IR
We also noted that the LRF splash on the 3-12 was much less bright (but perfectly usable) on the 3-12
Looking at the LRF splash from the 5-20 on the 3-12 was like looking at some sort of space laser
The 3-12 is definitely more light sensitive than the 5-20 and I think it will be a cracking scope for rats, rabbits and squirrels with air rifle and rabbits with a rimfire
IMHO. It will also do fine on smaller centrefires like 22 hornet and even 222REM for foxes out to around 150 yards
beyond that is really 5-20 territory
Cheers
Bruce
Following on from the TNC225R nor recording I sent Arken a message explaining the issue.
We had a video call at 6.30 this morning going over what happened and a new firmware was sent over for me to test.
As the unit I have was working at the BSS as well as afterward the conclusion we have is the recording function was corrupted with the updated English version which was applied in the man cave.
I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Cheers
Billy
pcppestcontrol
Well-known member
Great to be getting more info about these new scopes, big thankyou to you guys or taking the time to test & share your thoughts on them. I'm sure there are lots on here looking forward to hearing more & viewing test footage.
Regards
Mick
Regards
Mick
GPCBILL
Super member
I can confirm the recording function is now working after the update on the prototype TNC225R I have.
Cheers
Billy
RussDouglas222
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I've just been out recording some daylight footage on Stonehaven harbour, with the TNC225 on the left and my ZHD520R on the right...
Next I'll endeavor to record similar at night around the paddocks, hopefully to show some warm rabbits and horses with decent contrast against the fields, ideally well after the sun's gone down.
Cheers. Russ
- Focusing on objects from short range out to several miles.
- Ranging with both from a few hundred metres down to 10m (minimum LRF range for both).
- Both were in daylight mode, and the TNC's thermal in white-hot mode.
- Recorded some seabirds and a few distant folk.
- Recorded audio on both for comparison, I'll use whichever's clearer in my video edit.
Next I'll endeavor to record similar at night around the paddocks, hopefully to show some warm rabbits and horses with decent contrast against the fields, ideally well after the sun's gone down.
Cheers. Russ
Top mam mate...can't wait to see the footage.
Pls link it here when it's up mate. I have the watch thread alert. I'm sure a lot of us have.
I also did the survey by arken and put down I wish they did the 640 thermal sensor and added a few quid more than sticking with the lower end sensor. I can't wait for the multispectral to be out but I can't help think they are just missing out on a trick here.
I was thinking I would pay an extra £500 max over the £1.2k for the multi with the 640 sensor. So £1700 compared to pards multispectral with the 640 sensor at £2k and change...arkens day/NV and other bits are better or equal to it iirc. So just the thermal sensor is the difference. I'll check again and compare the specs properly but it was just a thought that crossed my mind at the time. I haven't put the research in...so I could be wrong.
Basically...Even if they added £500 to the price they'd still beat the competition if all the other specs are the same.
Then again this could just be the meds yapping....
Anyway....really looking forward to see the multispectrals videos.
Cheers Billy, Russ & Bruce.
Pls link it here when it's up mate. I have the watch thread alert. I'm sure a lot of us have.
I also did the survey by arken and put down I wish they did the 640 thermal sensor and added a few quid more than sticking with the lower end sensor. I can't wait for the multispectral to be out but I can't help think they are just missing out on a trick here.
I was thinking I would pay an extra £500 max over the £1.2k for the multi with the 640 sensor. So £1700 compared to pards multispectral with the 640 sensor at £2k and change...arkens day/NV and other bits are better or equal to it iirc. So just the thermal sensor is the difference. I'll check again and compare the specs properly but it was just a thought that crossed my mind at the time. I haven't put the research in...so I could be wrong.
Basically...Even if they added £500 to the price they'd still beat the competition if all the other specs are the same.
Then again this could just be the meds yapping....
Anyway....really looking forward to see the multispectrals videos.
Cheers Billy, Russ & Bruce.
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mealiejimmie
Now Deceased
I think you're missing the point of the TNC225
It's not designed to be a thermal scope for long range shooting
It's designed to DETECT long range targets which can then be identified using the optical/NV channel and. for short range targets, maybe up to 100m, the thermal can be used to spot. identify and shoot, but beyond that, thermal is doing the spotting and the optical/NV is doing the shooting
IMHO the primary market for the Arken TNC225 are air rifle and rimfire shooters because at the typical ranges they shoot, both the thermal and optical/NV channels can be used to take the shot
In comparison, the PARD multi spectral scopes are:
TD32-70 with a 12 micron 384x288 sensor and 35mm lens - price £2124
TD62-70 with a 12 micron 640x512 sensor and 45mm lens - price £3074
Basically, the 384 sensor model is double the price of the Arken and the 640 sensor model is three times the price of the Arken
While a significant number of people will be willing and able to pay around £1100 for the Arken, most of them would not be willing to pay double or triple that amount just to get a better thermal image when the Arken can already provide a usable thermal image to shoot short range targets and to detect longer range targets that can be shot using the optical/NV channel
Cheers
Bruce
It's not designed to be a thermal scope for long range shooting
It's designed to DETECT long range targets which can then be identified using the optical/NV channel and. for short range targets, maybe up to 100m, the thermal can be used to spot. identify and shoot, but beyond that, thermal is doing the spotting and the optical/NV is doing the shooting
IMHO the primary market for the Arken TNC225 are air rifle and rimfire shooters because at the typical ranges they shoot, both the thermal and optical/NV channels can be used to take the shot
In comparison, the PARD multi spectral scopes are:
TD32-70 with a 12 micron 384x288 sensor and 35mm lens - price £2124
TD62-70 with a 12 micron 640x512 sensor and 45mm lens - price £3074
Basically, the 384 sensor model is double the price of the Arken and the 640 sensor model is three times the price of the Arken
While a significant number of people will be willing and able to pay around £1100 for the Arken, most of them would not be willing to pay double or triple that amount just to get a better thermal image when the Arken can already provide a usable thermal image to shoot short range targets and to detect longer range targets that can be shot using the optical/NV channel
Cheers
Bruce
Yeah, that makes sense mate.
Tbh, I haven't really looked at the pard multispectral yet, compared them or anything like i said in the previous post. I didn't even know there was 2 mate, lol. I just recalled the 640 sensor and the 2k price. Looks like I got both mixed up.
Was waiting till I feel better but cheers bud, it does look like great value for money.
Just waiting now for the preorder to come up...
mealiejimmie
Now Deceased
Further to our testing session with the TNV225 on Monday night, here are a couple of stills grabbed from the short video clips Billy manage to record.
Hopefully these will give people some idea of what the TNC225 can do (and can't do)
The rabbits in the first two stills are at 88m and the roe deer in the third still is at 228m
At base mag on both thermal and NV. This is how I would see the scope working best. Detect the target(s) with thermal and see them in the PiP to confirm what they are.
Then switch to NV for the shot
Or, if desired, increase the mag to maximum for the shot
At base mag on both thermal and NV. The thermal image at this distance is not strong, but still visible and the deer would definitely be shootable
Cheers
Bruce
Hopefully these will give people some idea of what the TNC225 can do (and can't do)
The rabbits in the first two stills are at 88m and the roe deer in the third still is at 228m
At base mag on both thermal and NV. This is how I would see the scope working best. Detect the target(s) with thermal and see them in the PiP to confirm what they are.
Then switch to NV for the shot
Or, if desired, increase the mag to maximum for the shot
At base mag on both thermal and NV. The thermal image at this distance is not strong, but still visible and the deer would definitely be shootable
Cheers
Bruce
RussDouglas222
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Awesome, thanks for the explanation for everyone Bruce. 
RussDouglas222
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Good afternoon all, great news everyone...
Although the retail version of the brand-new Arken ThermNight TNC225R's image quality will be better than that of this pre-production Prototype I have from their stand at the British Shooting Show, I've now been given permission to share some footage, so was out in the garden two days ago and on our access road yesterday (among the sabre-toothed midges)...
...and am just uploading the first (daylight) multi-spectral demo video to YouTube.
This will go live ASAP, perhaps even this evening - on my channel: RussDouglas222
Although it's almost the summer equinox (AKA the longest day / shortest night), I'll be back out this week to get some footage overnight (in better thermal condition), to share that with you in a few days.
Thanks in advance for watching. Cheers. Russ
Although the retail version of the brand-new Arken ThermNight TNC225R's image quality will be better than that of this pre-production Prototype I have from their stand at the British Shooting Show, I've now been given permission to share some footage, so was out in the garden two days ago and on our access road yesterday (among the sabre-toothed midges)...
...and am just uploading the first (daylight) multi-spectral demo video to YouTube.
This will go live ASAP, perhaps even this evening - on my channel: RussDouglas222
Although it's almost the summer equinox (AKA the longest day / shortest night), I'll be back out this week to get some footage overnight (in better thermal condition), to share that with you in a few days.
Thanks in advance for watching. Cheers. Russ
RussDouglas222
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YouTube have decided to limit this 'first footage' multi-spectral TNC225R daylight video as 'gun-related content' (yes despite the scope being on a Picatinny rail on a tripod) 
, so it'll earn me nowt from views, but here it is for your teaser delectation...
Remember the retail version will be better image quality (day, night and thermal) -than this pre-production prototype.
Thanks for watching, cheers. Russ
Thanks for watching, cheers. Russ
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