How far can it see in the dark?

The built-in IR illuminator works best at close to medium range, roughly within a few dozen yards. Beyond that the image dims and gets noisy. It is not a long-range thermal or Gen 3 optical unit.

Is the 8X zoom real optical zoom?

No. The lens is 4X optical; the 8X is digital, which crops and enlarges the image. Expect the picture to soften as you zoom in.

Does it come with a memory card?

The slot supports Micro SD cards from 4GB to 32GB, but a card is not included. Add one to record photos and video.

Can I use it in daylight?

Yes. The 4X optical view works in normal light, and the IR illuminator is for low light and darkness. Do not point the IR at people up close.

It runs on a built-in rechargeable battery. Charge it before a long night out, since IR use drains it faster.

Is it better than optical night vision binoculars?

It is cheaper and lets you record and view on a screen. Optical night vision gives a sharper, brighter image over longer distances but costs far more and usually does not record.