Pulsar’s new Thermion XG50 thermal riflescope was among several new products showcased at Athlon Outdoors’ annual writer Rendezvous in Driggs, Idaho.
Mounted on a bolt-action rifle, the Thermion XG50 didn’t look much different from a gaggle of day scopes up and down the firing line.
Tagged as the PR maven for Pulsar, as well as its sister company, Sightmark, former Marine Kevin Reese shared a rundown of the new thermal riflescope. “The Thermion XG50 has a 3-24 magnification range with a 42mm objective lens,” Reese said. “It features a 640 core sensor with a 12 micron pixel pitch. We’re the only one in the industry to offer a 640-12 sensor. It actually has a VAE sensor and a proprietary with built in video and Wi-Fi. It also has an external lithium battery and also an internal lithium battery that will give it an extra hour-and-a-half of run time.
Thermal scope shoots video, too
“We also have a USB connector under the other turret that lets you hook up and download video. You can also use our Stream Vision app to stream data wirelessly to your smart phone or tablet. You can also connect it wirelessly to your smart phone or tablet so you can view what’s in the viewfinder simultaneously.”
Providing some pretty heady, state-of-the-art design and the latest in advanced technological innovations, the Pulsar Thermion XG50 delivers some premium thermal imaging, but with a difference. It’s built using a traditional-style aircraft-grade 30mm tube, so it’s got a more familiar profile… and mounts like your traditional day scope.
Cutting edge sensor
Thermion thermal riflescopes are available with their flagship 640×480 microbolometer sensor resolution with a 17 micron pixel size. This is a cutting-edge thermal imaging riflescope for professional hunters who value tradition and seek technological superiority.
This writer didn’t exactly take a hammer to the Thermion XG50 during use, but it feels pretty bomb proof in its construction. It’s got an aluminum tube, and offers a removable rubber eye cup to reduce reflections.
Find critters at more than a mile
The Thermion’s high-quality germanium optics coupled with an advanced thermal imaging sensor ensure and unprecedented detection range of up to 2,400 yards in complete darkness, according to manufacturer’s claims.
Newly-developed electronics that the Thermion XG50 runs on allows the unit to start almost instantly, and certainly faster that other thermal optics this writer has used. Quick start-up saves battery power and increases run time. The optic can be carried in the off mode and rapidly activated when a shot opportunity arises.
It’s all about the algorithms. The Thermion’s Image Boost Technology uses software algorithms designed to increase imaging clarity and overall image detail. It yields a sharper, more detailed field of view while enhancing objects. That makes it easier to clearly identify what’s in the crosshairs.
The Thermion is pretty tough, too. Rated for up to 6,000 Joules means it can handle a .375 H&H Magnum or a 12 gauge without shaking its electronic innards to pieces.
New model, more magnification
The XG50 isn’t the first Pulsar in their lineup this writer has lined up a pig or ‘yote in its crosshairs. The XG50, and its predecessor the XP50, offers 2X optical magnification. The difference between the two units is that the XP50 has a digital magnification range between 1X and 8X, while the XG50 offers a 3-12X. When you double the top end of the digital range at the 2X setting, it takes it to the new power max of 24X. When increasing the magnification on the XG50, choices abound; 3X, 6X, 12X and 24X.
A bit of history on Pulsar’s thermal optics notes that the XP50 was an upgrade and physically redesigned version of the Trail lineup of thermal riflescopes. Pulsar kept the 640×480 sensor resolution from the Trail, and also included rechargeable batteries, one-shot zero, picture in picture and on-board recording. The XP50 transitions to its traditional day scope profile, which is retained in the XG50.
Another super-cool feature on the XG50 is Bluetooth synch. The display its synchs to a smart phone. Using an earlier Trail model, the Bluetooth sync was so precise that I was able to hold a rifle steady with my eyes closed while Athlon’s Editorial Director, Nino Bosaz, gave me voice command adjustments while he stood behind me and watched the video output on a phone. Once he had me lined up with the target he gave the “fire,” command and we were rewarded with a resounding clang at 100 yards. After recovering from recoil, he repeated the necessary hold adjustments until the target was reacquired. Shot after shot, we teamed up to hammer steel.
Works with your smart phone
The Pulsar Trail XG50’s Stream Vision app connects scope to smart device. To go along with it, it has an integrated high definition video and sound recorder. While hog hunting at night it’s possible for more than the shooter to view the action in real time, sharing the thrill. Video recording allows for later playback. The Wi-Fi sync also makes transferring recorded files, adjusting settings and upgrading firmware a snap.
The Thermion’s other new features compared to the older Trail include a new battery style that loads in the top turret, and it’s compatible with 30mm scope rings. The Thermion keeps all the Trail’s firmware features, but adds crisper color reticles in green, black, red or white.
The Thermion’s memory allows saving three individual firearm and ammunition zeroing setups at five different distances, using different reticles. That’s extremely useful if you are shooting a cartridge like the 300 AAC Blackout. One zero setup can be specified for subsonic loads and another for hypersonic ammo. This can make a big difference, since point of impact will probably be more than 12 inches apart for between subs and supers at 100 yards. The farther you get the more pronounced the difference.
The Thermion was the first Pulsar with reticles that can be used to scale similar to MIL dots in a day scope. Pick one of the ranging reticles, use it in 1X mode and you’ll find that it corresponds with MOA values that match up to deer-sized or coyote-sized targets.
The PIP mode, or Picture-in-Picture, can help fine tune aiming. It provides a magnified image of the center of the crosshairs in the top 1/10th of the display area. You can simultaneously view the PIP and normal field of view.
Integrated video and still image recording in MPEG-4 and .jpg formats allows the Thermion XG50 to share thermal action easily. The onboard 16-GB memory stores thousands of photos or hours of video, and it handles recoil without a hiccup.
The Thermion survives heavy rainfall, snow or other precipitation. IPX7 waterproof-rated for protection. The Thermion runs flawlessly, even after submersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Not only can it handle water, it works in temperatures from -13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Its frost-resistant AMOLED display will keep working in a wide range of temperatures.
Pulsar listened to their customers when they upgraded to the XG50. They took consumer feedback on their previous thermal optics and incorporated tweaks and upgrades to make it more user-friendly. The easy-to-read status bar at the bottom of the display shows intuitive icons and alpha-numeric feedback. Know the status of the unit instantly while keeping the crosshairs on game.
Another consumer-driven tweak to the XG50 is its display-off mode. In a night hunting situation the viewing reticle produced a light signature that can spook game. A press of a button powers off the display without interrupting other operating functions, like the sync to other devices. The unit’s display powers back up fast once game appears.
The Thermion XG50’s warranty lasts for 3 years after purchase. Pulsar earned a great reputation for being responsive to customers who need help or advice. And, with a price tag that hovers around $5K — since the XP50 sells for that amount when you can find one – you get what you pay for in the end. Previous versions of the XG50 have been in high demand, so we expect this unit to sell well.
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