Pulsar Thermion XM38 Thermal Rifle Scope

Pulsar Thermion XM38 Thermal Rifle Scope

The Pulsar Thermion XM38 4.2-16.8x Thermal Riflescope was one of the first Thermion scopes offed by Pulsar in 2019, but it will be replaced by the Thermion XQ38 in 2020. It was a very popular thermal scope for coyote hunters because it offered a very good 4X image at a very good price.   The replacement scope, the Thermion XQ38, will have a base power of 2.5X instead of 4X.

Although the Thermion XM38 may not be perfect for hog hunting, it serves me well as you can see in the short video below.

UPDATE February, 2020Firmware 4.0: New observation mode and image quality improvements for XM series Axion and Thermion. Download the new firmware through Stream Vision, or for Axion Key models, directly from the Pulsar Website. Scroll down to read about the new features.

Pulsar Thermions for Hog Hunters

It seems that the majority of Pulsar’s customers prefer a base magnification lower than 4X. A scope with a lower base magnification is great on a thermal scope with a 640×480 core, or for hog hunters who shoot at close range. For coyote hunters, I think a scope with a 320 or 384 core needs a higher magnification of 4X for longer shots.

The main reason shooters want lower base magnification is because the scope has a wider and taller field of view. They give up the magnification to see more of the area they are hunting. A wider field of view makes it easier to take followup shots at a sounder of hogs when they are running in all directions. It is also much easier to hunt over feeders where you might only be 25 yards away from your target.

Pulsar Thermion for Coyote Hunters

Pulsar XP38 for coyote hunting
Pulsar Thermion XM38 – Best Choice For Coyote Hunting

The Pulsar Thermion XM38 is the perfect thermal scope for coyote hunters. For hunters who take long shots on coyotes and other predators, a 4X thermal scope with sharp resolution works very well. That is what the Pulsar Thermion XM38 provides at a medium price level. The Thermion XM38 provides about the same image at 4X, as the Thermion XP50 (@$5000) provides at 4X. The Thermion XP50’s 640×320 core provides an exceptional image at the 2X base power, but when it is zoomed to 4X, the resolution is cut in half.

For coyote hunting, I think the XM38 may be the best bang for your Buck$. The problem now is finding one before production is stopped.

One reason for the XM38 termination might be that their medium-priced, 12-micron scopes were so good that they were too much competition on the XP line of scopes. More likely, it is a standardization move, or the 12-micron cores are more expensive.

The base magnification of the new Thermion XQ38 coming in 2020 has a base power of 2.5X and uses a 388×284 17-micron core. I do not know if a 17-micron core can support 4x magnification. It seems to me if the new core would support a 4X magnification, the new Thermion XQ50 would be more than a half-power higher than the XQ38.

Another reason could be that the Thermion XM50 sold better than the XM38. Coyote hunters may prefer the even higher 5.5X base magnification. At any rate, Pulsar will be hard-pressed to fill all the orders for their thermal scopes in 2020. The demand for thermal scopes is higher than ever, and a change over of the Pulsar models will slow the supply until later in the year. The Flir departure will put a big hole in the market, and I do not think it can be filled by Pulsar or AGM this year.

Marketing changes quickly, and Pulsar may have missed an opportunity. They had no clue Flir was going to get out of the thermal scope market for hunters. The Thermion XM38 was the only competition for the Flir 536, and it was better in just about every way. Had they known the Flir 536 was dead, Pulsar might have stayed with the Thermion XM38.

Thermal Scope Demand High, Supply Low

I hope to review the new XQ series in the near future. Pulsar has new cores with better heat differentiation, so the image on the new scopes should be great. I do not know if the new sensors will be used in the XQ models, but I expect they will. If you want a thermal scope in the $2500-5000 range, you had better act quickly. If you want a Pulsar Thermion thermal scope or hand-held monocular like the Axion XM30S, call Jason at  Outdoor Legacy Gear at (877)350-1818 and get on the waiting list.

Pulsar Thermal Optics 2020

For more of Pulsar Thermal news for 2020 click here

Shop Pulsar Thermal Optics at Outdoor Legacy

To purchase a new Pulsar Thermal Optics or Night Vision Optics, visit Outdoor Legacy Gear website or call Jason Robertson at (877)350-1818. Jason will take the time to help you decide what thermal scanner or other night vision optic you need for your hunting needs.

For the latest news about Night Vision Optics, subscribe to the most informative shows on Youtube, the Late Night Vision Show and HansETX. Hosts Jason Roberts and Joel Miller will keep you up to date on Night Vision Optics and entertain you with some great hunting videos. Below is their podcast about the Pulsar Axion Thermal Monoculars.

Pulsar XM Series 4.0 Firmware Features

User mode – Firmware 4.0 we bring a fourth option the User mode. The new observation mode allows you to select and save your personal preferences based on pre-existing observation modes (Rocks, Forest, Identification), contrast and brightness settings. You can tweak each of the three settings. You can modify the user-mode through an easy selection of settings in the quick menu.

Enhancement of image quality and video recording quality – video processing algorithms were optimized to achieve an image with greater contrast, eliminate flickering and reduce noise.

New color options for reticles – For thermal riflescope Thermion XM new color combination options have been added: a black reticle with white a dot and a white reticle with a black dot.

Icon brightness settings – the range for the brightness of icons you see in the menu was increased, this allows to dim down the brightness even more, for comfortable viewing in conditions of a really dark night and increase it for those really bright days.

See our review of the Sightmark Wraith Digital Day or Night Vision Scope Here.

Pulsar Thermion XM38 Features

  • 320×240 resolution, 12um pixel pitch core
  • 1,850 yd detection range
  • 4x digital zoom – continuous zoom and 2x, 4x stepped zoom
  • Picture in picture digital zoom
  • Built-in Recording with recoil activation
  • Stream Vision app connects scope to a smart device
  • External power supply adaptable
  • 5 rifle profiles with 50 zero saves
  • 13 variable electronic reticles
  • One-shot zeroing with freeze function
  • White-hot/ black-hot viewing modes
  • High-resolution AMOLED display
  • Stadiametric rangefinder
  • Rock, forest, and identification viewing modes
  • IRIS technology increased recognition and detection software
  • Manual, automatic, and semi-automatic calibration modes
  • The defective pixel repair feature
  • Covered by the Pulsar 3 year Warranty

Pulsar Thermion XM38 Thermal Riflescope Specifications :

Color:Black
Magnification:4 – 16 x
Sensor Resolution:340×240 pixels
Display Resolution:1024×768 pixels
Refresh Rate:50 Hz
Resolution:1024 – 768
Reticle:Variable Electronic
Eye Relief:2 in
Adjustment Click Value:1/3 MOA
Field of View, Linear:30.3 ft at 100 yds
Field of View, Angle:5.8 degrees
Diopter Adjustment Range:-4 to +3 dpt
Focus Range:16 ft to infinity
Minimum Focus Distance:16 ft
Range of Detection:1700 m
Lens Material:Germanium
Digital:Yes
Battery Type:B-Pack Mini 18650 Li-Ion
Operating Temperature:-25 – 50 Celsius
Weather Resistance:Yes
Water Resistance Level:IP67
Water Resistant Mark:1 m
Length:394 in
Width:78 in
Height:64 in
Included Accessories:B-Pack Mini 18650 Li-Ion
Magnification Type:Variable