This Pulsar Thermion XQ50 Review is still in progress but I want to keep you informed as I use this great new scope from Pulsar. I think the Pulsar Thermion XQ50 3.5-14x Thermal Riflescope is the best new thermal riflescope from Pulsar in 2020. The Themion XQ50 is the perfect all-around scope for coyote/hog hunters and now it is on my 6.5 Grendel. I think the Thermion XQ50 has all the features a hunter could ask for in a medium-priced thermal optic. The image quality plus the 3.5X base power is going to make it Pulsar’s best seller for the year.
The new Thermion XQ series should give hunters a better scope selection suited to the type of hunting they do. The XQ38 will give hog hunters or hunters in wooded areas a perfect 2.5X base power and wide field of view. The Thermion XQ50 with 3.5X base power will be just the ticket for coyote hunters and those who hunt large fields and may need the extra magnification for long shots.
The Thermion XQ50 is not actually an XM series replacement (the Thermion XM50 is still available), but a new scope a lot of hunters have been asking for. A base power of 3.5X, a new thermal core, and a large Germanium objective lens combine for an excellent thermal optic. Although it does not have the premium 640×480 thermal core of the Pulsar XP series, it does have an improved thermal core that is knocking on the XP’s door. The XQ50 has a 384×288, 17-micron thermal core with new “Image Boost” technology that reduces the Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) for better image quality.
Although this new Pulsar scope is not a 3.5 power XP50 with a 640×480 core that coyote hunters have been waiting for, it does have a great image. The quality of the image will let you zoom the power for longer shots using the picture-in-picture feature available on all Thermion & Trail LRF scopes. I think the new Pulsar XQ50 is the best combination scope yet for close-in hunting situations and open fields for longer shots.
“I expect the Thermion XQ50 to outsell the XM50 by two to one.”
The image boost technology helps the thermal core to improve the NETD rating to <40Mk, which is about the best available in thermal hunting optics. The NETD rating provides improved heat differentiation for improved image quality.
Other features include, 16GB of internal storage for internal video and audio recording and still image capture, Picture in Picture function, StreamVision smartphone app, a full-color AMOLED display that allows for multiple color palettes, as well as the traditional “black hot” and “white hot”, multiple color reticle options, up to an 8x digital zoom and an IPX7 fully waterproof rating. Thermion thermal riflescopes are rated for high recoil calibers up to and including the .375 H&H, 9.3×64, and 12ga shotguns.
The Thermion XQ50 is powered with an internal battery (3000 mAh) and a replaceable Pulsar APS2 (2000 mAh) rechargeable battery. The built-in battery is housed in the tube and the other replaceable battery is located in a battery compartment where the elevation turret is normally located on a conventional scope. When the replaceable battery is completely discharged, the riflescope switches automatically to the built-in battery. The replaceable battery can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds. If all battery power is exhausted, the scope can be powered from an external source via a mini-USB port on the side of the scope. A longer life Pulsar APS3 battery may also be used in all Thermions and can be ordered separately. Current prices for the APS2/3 rechargeable batteries packs are $99-$119.
The battery life of the Thermion XQ50 during our bench testing was very good. For the test, I turned it on and let it run without any interruptions. The temperature was about 70 degrees. The scope ran for over 5 straight hours on a single charge. My spare rechargeable APS3 battery lasted for over 3 hours.
On my last hunt we were out about 3.5 hours and made five stands of about 40 minutes each. I did several videos and powered down when in the truck moving to new stands. Starting at about 10 PM and hunting until 1:30 AM. The XQ50 switched from the external APS3 to the internal battery during my last stand.
Pulsar Thermion XQ50 Hunting
The Thermion XQ50 is great for hunting coyotes and hogs. My first hunt was for hogs in tall grass, and the XQ50 did a great job. I was able to locate hogs in high grass and then work in close for a good shot.
The second hunt was a pre-dawn hunt with heavy humidity. I am still working on the best settings for the XQ50 for those times with less than perfect conditions. I was hunting in very humid weather following rain showers the night before. I think the brightness was a little high on the second video.
I thought the little one got away, but I found him thanks to my AGM TM35-384 thermal monocular.
The Pulsar Thermion XQ50 has a noticeably wider field of view than the Thermion XM38 I have been hunting with this year. With a little less magnification and a 42mm objective, the XQ50 gives you a lot more viewing area than the XM38. The XM38 had a field of view of about 30 feet at 100 meters and the XQ50 field of view is 42 feet at 100 meters. The total square feet of the viewing area at 100 meters for the XQ50 is double the area of the XM38.
Give Me The Power of the Thermion XQ50
The new Thermion XQ38 that will debut this summer will have a 2.5X base power and is more comparable to the Pulsar Trial XQ38 than the Thermion XM38 which had a base power of 4X. The new Thermion XQ38 will have a little wider field of view (56 feet) at 100 meters than the XQ50, a difference of 14 feet. Hunting in close at 50 meters cuts it down to only 7 feet difference. When you are shooting out past 100 yards and small pigs are running wild after the first shot, trying to shoot with only 2.5X is difficult. Trying to shoot a coyote hung up past 100 yards is also a difficult task, even with 3.5X magnification. I had rather have the greater magnification of the XQ50 and give up that extra few feet of view in close. If you primarily hunt in wooded areas, the Thermion XQ38 may be a better choice, but for me, the Thermion XQ50 is about perfect.
I will hopefully have a coyote hunting video soon. Please come back for more adventures with the Pulsar XQ50. We are just getting started.
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Specifications for Pulsar Thermion XQ50
| Color: | Black |
| Magnification: | 3.5 – 14 x |
| Objective Lens Diameter: | 42 mm |
| Tube Diameter: | 30 mm |
| Display Resolution: | 1024×768 pixels |
| Refresh Rate: | 50 Hz |
| Resolution: | 384×288 pixels |
| Eye Relief: | 50 mm |
| Field of View, Linear: | 42 ft at 100 meters |
| Range of Detection: | 2000 yds |
| Battery Type: | Lithium |
| Battery Life: | 5 Hours |
| Water Resistance Level: | IPX-7 |
| Length: | 3.1 in |
| Width: | 15.8 in |
| Height: | 3.2 in |
| Weight: | 31.7 oz |
Thermal Scope Demand High, Supply Low
I am writing this in May of 2020. Right now, the Themion XQ50 is arriving at dealers very slowly. The Themion XQ38 has not started shipping from Pulsar to dealers yet. A few Axion XM30S monoculars are tricking in. If you want a Pulsar Thermion thermal scope or hand-held monocular like the Thermin XQ38 or Axion XM30S, call Jason at Outdoor Legacy Gear at (877)350-1818 and get on the waiting list. The Thermion XQ38 is pre-selling like hotcakes, so call Janson to pre-order yours for $100 deposit.
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.
Also please visit Outdoor Legacy on Youtube and HansETX for great hunting videos and thermal optic reviews.
If you’re looking for great reviews and commentary on the latest in the night vision and thermal industry be sure to tune into The Late Night Vision Show, a weekly podcast hosted by Jason Robertson and HansETX.
