{"id":156616,"date":"2022-06-06T11:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T15:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=156616"},"modified":"2025-10-31T06:42:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T11:42:37","slug":"hunt365-killer-thermal-scope-full-review-of-the-pulsar-thermion-2-xp50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-killer-thermal-scope-full-review-of-the-pulsar-thermion-2-xp50\/","title":{"rendered":"Killer Thermal Scope: Full Review of the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Killer
The new Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After running the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 for around 6 months through many nights out in the field, I will share some of the features and my experiences with this optic. First, the Gen 2 Thermion is new for 2021 and is an upgrade over the Gen 1 by utilizing a less than 25 mK thermal sensor and fast F\/1.0 aperture germanium optics with better heat energy transmissivity values. This results in a clearer image with more contrast and less noise. These Gen 2\u2019s replace the first Gen optics while remaining the same price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, when it comes to the detection of animals, thermal is king. While there are many applications and benefits thermal can provide, I will stick more to the specs of this optic and how it performs. Listed below are some of the features unique to the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Highly sensitive thermal imaging sensor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Extreme Detection Range 1800\u043c (2000 Yds)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Fast Aperture f1.0 Germanium Optics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Variable Digital Zoom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Recoil Rated up to .375 H&H 12-Gauge and 9.3×64<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Mounts on Standard 30mm Scope Rings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Instant Start-up<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Rugged Reliable All-Metal Housing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 IPX7 Waterproof Rated<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Zeroing Profiles Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Customizable Reticle Options<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Full-Color HD AMOLED Display<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Video and Still-Photo Recording<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Picture-in-Picture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Various Color Palettes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Stream Vision App Supported<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Upgradable Functional<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 User-Friendly Controls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 B-Pack Mini Combined Power System<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Killer
Picture was taken by the Thermion 2 XP50<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Thermion mounts up on standard 30mm scope rings while touting rugged reliability coming from its aluminum housing. The construction meets IPX7 waterproof standards for being submerged under 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. While I have never dunked my complete Thermion underwater, I have been hunting in the rain many times without issue. Utilizing a 17\u03bcm pixel pitch with the microbolometer, and 1024\u00d7768 AMOLED display, the Thermion 2 XP50 provides the clarity you need for detection and identification out in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the preference of form factor is based on opinion, I have been a huge fan of the Thermion taking the shape of a traditional day optic. Thermals come in all shapes and sizes, and some are shaped like bricks, but the Pulsar Thermions maintain a thinner and not-as-tall overall footprint. The Thermion 2 XP50 is long coming in at 16.22 inches, but it is more than manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Killer
Overall profile identical to traditional glass optics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also find the controls for this scope intuitive and easy to use. Featuring only 4 buttons, even in the darkness of night, it is easy to do what you need to do. From powering up the optic to zooming in, recording, or even adjusting reticles or color pallets on the fly, the Thermion is quick to figure out and utilize how you see fit. The picture below was taken after shooting a pig from about 15 yards away. Some buddies and I were waiting and scanning with night vision when we heard a faint sound off in the brush. After not detecting any animals or movements visually with NV, I scanned with my Thermion, and low and behold there was a pig only 15 yards away in the tall brush. Being able to detect its heat radiating through the weeds, this thermal picked up what NV could not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Killer
308 making quick work of this wild pig<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to thermal, it is not a \u201cone unit fits all\u201d kind of deal. Many different factors will play into what will work best for you. Do you want higher base magnification for clearer images at further distances, or would you prefer a wider field of view? Want onboard recording? What about WiFi for streaming what you see to an iPad for everyone in the group to see? There are different models for varying needs, but the main thing people care about is price vs clarity. The Thermion 2 XP50 is very impressive and clear. Pulsar states that this optic features an upgraded \u201c640×480 microbolometer sensor detects extremely slight variations in heat signatures up to 1968 yards away \u2013 the Thermion 2 XP50 then delivers these highly-contrasted images on an immaculate 1024×768 AMOLED display. In addition to massive detection range and outstanding image quality, the Thermion 2 XP50 features a true 50mm objective lens and NETD <25mK \u2014for higher object and background resolution\u2014plus 2-16x digital magnification, enabling target acquisition in virtually any environmental conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shown below is a video I made compiling a bunch of different footage from just looking at cows to shooting a pile of wild pigs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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