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Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF Digital Night Vision Scope Review


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What takes a digital night vision scope to the next level?

A fully operational built-in laser rangefinder.

This is the difference between the DS Ultra LRF and DS Ultra series.

Not only do you have excellent imaging, accuracy, and digital perks in one package, but you also combine another essential feature into the platform – range.

This could very well put the Digisight Ultra N450 LRF at the top of the ultimate night vision scope rankings among digital models.

Want to know what you’re in for with this scope? Check it out.

Update: Unfortunately Pulsar have discontinued the Digisight Ultra N450 LRF scope. For more great options when it comes to night vision scopes, check out our list of the top NV devices here or check out the current range of Pulsar night vision devices here.

Quick Overview...

What We Like: LRF

What We Don’t Like: Feature-packed

Best Uses: Night Shooting, Day Shooting, Tactical Use, Hunting, Scouting, Varmint Control, Digital NV, Close to Mid-Range Detection

  • Sensor: CMOS 1280x720
  • Magnification: 4.5-18x (4x zoom)
  • FOV: 10.9 x 8.2 m/100 m
  • Display Resolution: 1024 x 768
  • Eye Relief: 50 mm
  • Color Modes: Black/White
  • Battery: 4-8 hours
  • Dimensions: 14.6 x 5.59 x 2.9”/2.42 lbs
Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF Digital NV Scope Review
Image Credit - Pulsar NV

Our Verdict: If you’re after the best type of digital night vision scope there is, look no further. The Pulsar Digisight Ultra LRF models have it all. With digital features and ultimate recoil resistance, this is truly a night vision scope that covers all its bases. With this scope, you can do it all and more.

Who is the Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF Best Suited to?

There are those who like the extra tech and specs and those who don’t. Those who consider digital perks non-essential should look to a simplified digital scope like the ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x. Why spend more for features you will never use?

However, if you’re going to spend more for the best of what digital has to offer, you should expect it all. That’s what the DS Ultra N450 aims to do – provide everything from recording, live stream, WiFi, rangefinding, and digital scope features.

If you’re the type of hunter that has the patience to learn it all and put it out there on social media so that others can witness your nighttime escapades, this is the scope for you.

How Does the Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF Perform?

YouTube video

The DS (Digisight) Ultra LRF is not to be confused with the DS Ultra series. The LRF series indicates that these models have the laser rangefinder feature whereas the DS Ultra does not. Furthermore, the N450 and N455 designations indicate that they are identical in features save for the extra 50 meters in detection range of the N450 versus the N455.

So, the N450 LRF is the crème de la crème for the series. It has all the extra perks that proves it’s a good gadget for field use, but it also has the necessities that makes it a highly accurate rifle scope for nighttime use for extended ranges.

From updated software algorithms and a high-res sensor to high recoil resistance and increased reticle range, the Digisight Ultra LRF is a high-performing scope indeed. If you want all the bells and whistles from digital night vision – you can have it.

Features & Benefits

Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF Digital NV Scope Side On
Image Credit - Pulsar NV

LRF

While you may be accustomed to the stadiametric rangefinder feature included with many digital NV rifle scopes, this is different. Pulsar equips their LRF versions with a fully operational laser rangefinder.

It has line of sight, scan, and angle compensation measuring modes that makes it usable and effective in various terrains, unpredictable and changing environments, and ensures an accurate measurement every time.

The N450 and N455 LRF scopes can provide laser ranges on targets up to 1000 m give or take 1 m accuracy. This is quite impressive for a built-in rangefinder feature and eliminates the need to carry an external one out in the field.

Made to be Weapon-Mounted

There are plenty of NV scopes that are designed to be “scopes” but can barely tolerate recoil and shock. The mount is poorly made or only one zero (which is the norm) is available. As a digital scope, it does have an advantage of providing more than one zero. In fact, this Pulsar model allows for the user to save up to 50 zeros – that’s 10 zeros for the same rifle, so five profiles can be used for different cartridges or rifles. Switch between weapon systems and no need to re-zero (after initial zeroing).

The other thing about the Digisight Ultra is its recoil resistance. It’s rated to handle up to 6000 joules which is plenty of resistance for high caliber rifles. If a .308 is rated to deliver approximately 3500 joules of energy, then imagine the possibilities – 30.06, 9.3x64, 375 H&H, 444 Marlin, 12 gauge, etc.

Needless to say, the Pulsar Digisight Ultra LRF has one of the most impressive recoil resistance ratings among the best night vision scopes available – not just digital but all NV scopes.

Imaging Quality

buttons on the Digisight N450 LRF Digital NV Scope
Image Credit - Pulsar NV

There’s debate between digital VS IIT night vision. Which is better? Well, they’re different. Digital can be used in both day and night conditions with the benefit of having digital features, but Gen 2 IITs and above often produce better night vision detection and imaging quality without use of an IR to gain distance and detail.

With that in mind, the DS Ultra N450 LRF performs better than expected. It has a high-res CMOS 1280x720 sensor with SumLight technology. It’s a software sensitivity enhancement algorithm that provides enhanced sensitivity to night conditions. Software works to improve imaging while reducing pixilation to provide consistent quality in passive mode (without IR) in ambient light conditions. Kick on the detachable 850 nm IR illuminator with three power levels to gain more clarity or distance.

Speaking of distance, you can see up to 550 m in the dark with the N450 which is plenty for rabbit, fox, and coyote hunting. If conditions are ideal, you may be able to stretch that distance.

Stream Vision

The N450 LRF is compatible with Pulsar’s Stream Vision app. This means that your scope can connect to WiFi through your smart phone or tablet and settings can be activated through the app. This would replace the wireless or wired remote control function that is available with some night vision scopes.

You can also transfer photos and videos wirelessly, and stream recordings live to a social media platform.

While these digital features sound great for those who are willing to mess with them during a hunt, it’s really a non-essential feature. But for those who must have it all, the N450 LRF has it all – more power to you.

Digital Scope Features

Again, due to the nature of this scope, it has digital scope features you can take advantage of. You have multiple reticle patterns, reticle colors, and scalable and non-scalable reticles to choose from – options, options.

Thanks to the scalable reticles, you can maintain accurate bullet drop regardless of magnification for all distances. You have 4x zoom from 4.5x magnification, and PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode that is a feature that makes this purchase more than worth it. It’s like looking at a zoomed-in 10% of the field of view (FOV) with your crosshairs on the target while you still maintain eyes on the rest of the FOV. This is a favorite feature of the masses.

To make things even fancier, you have a side incline sensor that can tell when steep cant and angles affect accuracy. An elevation angle sensor will automatically shut down the scope sensing that it is in a non-operable position.

Limitations

Digisight N450 LRF Day Night Scope
Image Credit - Pulsar NV

Feature-Packed

For what you’re paying for this digital scope, you should expect all the bells and whistles – and you get it. If you expect to use all its features, you must be prepared to go through the learning curve of having such a device. You’ll need to learn to zero with the scope, how to quickly make scope and display adjustments, and how to move through the menu settings for recording, streaming, rangefinder, and all the other features available to you.

This amounts to a steep learning curve. If you consider these features to be non-essential, then a scaled-down digital model may be a better alternative. Consider the ATN X-Sight LTV or the Yukon Sightline N450S that both tone it down on the digital perks, and of course, cost. 

Popular Questions

How Long does the Battery Last on the Pulsar Digisight Ultra LRF Scope?

Unfortunately, battery life is poor but is within the expected range for a digital night vision scope. The DNV B-Pack is removeable and rechargeable and provides approximately 4-8 hours of operation. An external battery bank can be used but must be purchased separately.

Does the Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF have a Color Display for Day?

The Digisight Ultra LRF scopes do not have a color display for daytime use. It has only one grayscale display that is akin to black/white NV that is used for both daytime and nighttime use.

Is the DS Ultra N450 LRF Good for Hunting?

The Pulsar DS Ultra LRF scope is excellent for hunting. You can use popular hunting cartridges including those with vigorous recoil for large game hunting or for coyote and hog hunting. It’s also well-designed for use as a night vision scope for AR-15 systems.

What is the Difference Between the Digisight Ultra LRF N450 & N455?

The two Digisight Ultra LRF scopes are identical in specs and features. The only difference lies in the IR illuminator. The N450 has a long-range 850 nm IR illuminator that can provide up to 550 m detection. The N455 has an invisible 940 nm IR illuminator that can provide up to 500 m detection.

Conclusion

The Digisight Ultra LRF night vision scopes are expensive for digital night vision. However, if you want it all – it’ll cost you more.

Besides, you’re also combining three types of equipment into one – video recording unit, laser rangefinder, and night vision rifle scope. It’s an all-in-one package.

If you’re settling for digital because you don’t think you can afford at least a Gen 2 IIT, you’d be wrong. The AGM Comanche-22 is a clip-on, the AGM Wolverine 4 NL3 is a standalone Gen 2 scope, and the ATN PS28-2 clip-on are all within the same price points of the DS Ultra LRF.

Update: Unfortunately Pulsar have discontinued the Digisight Ultra N450 LRF scope. For more great options when it comes to night vision scopes, check out our list of the top NV devices here or check out the current range of Pulsar night vision devices here.

Further Reading

Photo of author

Simon Cuthbert - Founder

Simon is an avid outdoor enthusiast and the founder of Target Tamers. He is passionate about bringing you the most up to date, accurate & understandable information on sports optics of all kinds and for all applications. Simon has contributed to notable publications online and teaches beginners the technical side of optics through his extensive library of optics guides.

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