There are a lot of people who are quick to throw a decent scope in with the best of the best.
However, to be one of the best of the best scopes around, it must set itself apart from the rest.
Bering Optics threw their years of experience and knowledge into the D-740 Gen 3+ series.
The result?
Unparalleled night vision performance.
Those are strong words, but with a closer look, you’ll recognize this as the high-quality night vision scope it is.
Update: Unfortunately, the Bering Optics D740 Gen 3+ scope appears to have been discontinued. For more great options when it comes to night vision scopes, check out this roundup.
Quick Overview...
What We Like: Gen 3+ Autogating
What We Don’t Like: Price
Best Uses: Night Shooting, Tactical Use, Hunting, Scouting, Varmint Control, Professional Use, Law Enforcement, Standalone Scope, Mid to Long-Range Detection, Extended Use
- IIT: Gen 3+
- Magnification: 4x
- FOV: 9-degrees
- Resolution: 64-72 lp/mm
- Eye Relief: 45 mm
- Color Modes: Green Phosphor
- Battery: 100 hours
- Dimensions: 9.3 x 3.8 x 3.1”/2.13 lbs
Our Verdict: Surprisingly, it’s not the most expensive Gen 3+ scope around, but it’s outfitted with features that would imply that it should be. It’s definitely one of our favorites because it’s a performer and the brand is transparent about its expected performance. It’s a very worthy buy if you only get one shot to buy Gen 3.
Who is the Bering Optics D-740 Gen 3+ Unfilmed Best Suited to?
If you’re looking for the cheapest night vision worth buying, we’re sad to inform you that you’re in the wrong place. If you thought you could afford Gen 3 on a limited budget, that is a pipe dream.
But if you have more than a few thousand dollars to spend within the rankings of the top Gen 3 night vision scopes, it must be with Bering Optics.
The D-740 Gen 3+ scope has tech that is beyond just standard Gen 3. It has the lot. If you didn’t know better, you’d call it a Gen 4 scope.
It doesn’t matter if you have professional requirements, hog hunting night vision demands, or a SHTF prepping list, this scope is made to perform, provide results, and last for multiple nights and hunts ahead. It’ll more than satisfy your must-have requirements.
How Does the Bering Optics D-740 Gen 3+ Unfilmed Perform?
Flawless. It’s tough to give an NVD such high praise, but if there’s a scope that deserves it, it’s the D-740. Bering Optics really made something special and have made it available to both law enforcement and civilians alike.
Not only is it Gen 3, but it has autogating, does without the ion barrier film, has a manual gain control, holds zero, and lasts forever (not literally) with one set of batteries. Is 100 hours of continuous use enough?
With a nice, long focal length of 110 mm, large objective lens, high resolution, and a highly sensitive photocathode, imaging quality is exceptional and long-range detection can be achieved. The scope can detect a 6-foot tall target at 630 yards and recognize at 435 yards in ¼ moonlight. With cloud coverage, the numbers drop to still an impressive 520-yard detection and 330-yard recognition ranges.
The D-740 Gen 3+ Unfilmed doesn’t claim to be anything more than what it is. While the manufacturer may not be bragging out loud about it, the scope’s features speak for itself. Do you recognize superior quality when you see it?
Features & Benefits
Gen 3+ Autogating
Most manufacturers trying to push product and marketing would term this Gen 4 night vision. But those who know a little bit more than just generic information would know that there is no official Gen 4 classification.
But to justly set the D-740 apart from a generic Gen 3 NV IIT (is there such a thing?) is to mention its unfilmed or filmless tube with autogating.
What is autogating? This means the system rapidly turns on and off to maintain imaging quality during dynamic and sudden bright light conditions. Normally, excessive bright light would damage the IIT. But an autogated scope can reduce strain on the IIT produced by high illumination while still functioning at operating voltage. Imaging is not only maintained, but also improved.
Filmless Night Vision
Micro-channel plates have an ion barrier film, and most manufacturers don’t inform the buyer that this ion barrier film is responsible for 50% (approx.) or more electron (light) loss that would otherwise be converted into an electronic signal to provide an image. However, removing the ion barrier film resulted in a fragile tube that did not hold up to dependable use required by the U.S. military. Hence, the failed Gen 4 classification.
More recently, unfilmed/filmless tubes have been made stronger and more effective, and Bering Optics have manufactured the D-470 as proof. Without the ion barrier and autogating, it provides excellent performance, incredibly detailed and clean imaging, and is noticeably less prone to blooming, halo, image softening, and edge darkening.
Scope Features
As a dedicated rifle scope, you must know about its ability to hold zero, accuracy, and adjustments. The scope has a mil-dot reticle with the user option to choose between red on green or amber on green. While the reticle is mil-dot, its elevation and windage turrets provide ¼ MOA adjustments.
The scope is rated to be recoil-proof up to 50 BMG. Well, that’s what the word is, but it’s likely that this will be mounted to a medium caliber rifle and is guaranteed to hold zero up to 7.62x51mm NATO/.308.
The D-740 also has manual gain – a key indicator of top-shelf quality. Manual gain allows the user to manually adjust the gain, or the brightness, especially when conditions are changing. This helps to improve visibility, identification, and clarity when needed. You are essentially adjusting brightness to adapt to the environment and conditions.
For an unfilmed tube, the scope sure is tough. Not only is it great for holding zero and handling recoil, it’s nitrogen-purged to protect the scope from internal fogging and it’s dustproof and waterproof.
Long-Lasting Battery life
IIT tubes are well known to last a long time on a single power source before needing replacement. The D-740 goes far beyond. It requires 2x AA batteries and provides continuous use for up to 100 hours. Granted, this is without use of the IR illuminator, but it’s still extremely impressive for night vision. This speaks to high-end quality of the overall system.
There is still something to be aware of though. An optic is only effective in extreme temperatures as the power source allows. While the unit is rated to operate at -40 to 122-degrees F, the AA batteries are not. Battery type, manufacturer, and quality can affect the operating time of the device. In extreme climates, performance and operating time decreases – that’s the norm.
Limitations
Price
No one likes the price points of NVDs. The price points of Gen 3 scopes bring even more complaint to the table, but it is what it is. Gen 3 night vision is not cheap and neither is the D-740.
But, for a scope of this quality – unfilmed, manual gain, autogating, 100-hour battery life, and its durability, it’s a scope worth buying. In comparison to similar Gen 3 scopes, it’s actually more affordable than its alternatives.
Popular Questions
The D-740 scope comes with a standard M1913 Picatinny rail mount system, carrying pouch, batteries, photo adapter, objective lens cap, lens cloth, and instruction manual. A hard case is not included
The D-740 Gen 3 scope by Bering Optics has a built-in 75mW IR illuminator that provides effective range up to 82 yards.
Being Optics is a Texas, US-based company that designs and manufactures their own line of night vision products.
It’s reported that Bering Optics acquires parts from international sources but assembles their products in the USA.
The Bering Optics D-740 Gen 3+ Unfilmed scope is not covered under the brand’s Limited Lifetime warranty. Because it is a night vision product, it’s limited to a term. While most of their scopes are covered for 2 years, the Gen 3 tubes come with a 3-year warranty.
Gen 3 is typically reserved for military and law enforcement applications although it is available to civilians. Civilians for all sorts of reasons require Gen 3 quality. Hunters must have positive identification on targets to ensure they’re complying with legal and ethical regulations. The better the visibility, the more confidence you have in identifying targets. This type of imaging quality is essential for NVD users and is what Gen 3 tubes provide.
Conclusion
As you can see, this is no ordinary Gen 3 scope. It’s the best of the best. It’s hard not say we told you so, but we really did.
The D-740 is from a reputable brand, has high-end Gen 3+ features, and it’s priced better than its competition.
Have more questions?
Get clued-in with our FAQ for explanations on night vision features. You’ll soon understand why Gen 3 costs so much.
Update: Unfortunately, the Bering Optics D740 Gen 3+ scope appears to have been discontinued. For more great options when it comes to night vision scopes, check out this roundup.
Further Reading
