Pulsar thermal scopes deliver excellent image clarity, durable construction, and strong hunting performance. High-end Thermion 2 models use high-resolution European-made sensors for long-range detection, while entry-level Pulsar scopes offer strong value for short to mid-range use. Premium performance comes with a higher price.
What Makes the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL50 Stand Out
The technical prowess of the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL50 becomes evident when examining its core components. Unlike standard night vision devices, this thermal scope captures and processes heat signatures with remarkable precision, making it a standout option for serious hunters.
Thermal sensor and NETD rating explained
At the heart of this scope lies an uncooled a-Si Lynred thermal sensor with an impressive 1024×768 resolution and 12µm pixel pitch. But what truly sets it apart is the <35 mK NETD rating. NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) measures a thermal sensor’s sensitivity—essentially, how small of a temperature difference it can detect.
To put this in perspective, thermal sensitivity is rated on a scale where <25mK is considered excellent, <40mK great, and <50mK good. With the XL50’s <35mK rating, it falls firmly in the “great” category, allowing it to distinguish between objects with minimal temperature differences.
This sensitivity becomes crucial in challenging conditions. During fog, rain, or high humidity, when thermal contrast is low and objects have similar temperatures, a lower NETD helps you distinguish between different objects and see minor details. Furthermore, the XL50 features three sensor sensitivity amplification levels, enhancing its adaptability to various hunting environments.
High-resolution AMOLED display
The thermal data captured by the sensor would be useless without a quality display to view it. The XL50 features a 1024×768 HD AMOLED display that matches the sensor pixel-for-pixel, ensuring you see exactly what the sensor detects without loss of detail.
This premium display offers enhanced color rendering, power-saving capabilities, and high contrast. The quick-response characteristics provide clear, smooth images even when you’re on the move or hunting in cold conditions.
One feature I find particularly useful is the flexibility of eight different color palettes:
- White Hot, Black Hot, and Red Hot for detecting and identifying objects
- Rainbow and Ultramarine designed for target identification at greater distances
- Sepia, Violet, and Red Monochrome to reduce eye fatigue during extended observation periods
Each palette allows for custom adjustments to suit specific hunting scenarios, giving you unprecedented control over your viewing experience.
User Mode for custom image settings
The User Mode function is a practical feature that saves custom brightness and contrast settings in the device’s memory. Instead of readjusting settings each time you power up the scope, your optimal image quality is available immediately.
I’ve found this particularly valuable when switching between different hunting environments. As Italian hunter Riccardo Tamburini notes, “My personal settings are low contrast, around 2/20, and mid brightness (8/20) because I’m able to detect all the details in an animal using Black Hot palette”. This level of customization helps identify specific features like antlers during rut season or distinguish game from “fake targets” like rocks and stumps.
Setting up User Mode is straightforward—simply access the main menu, navigate to the User Mode icon (three vertical bars with empty circles), and press the Menu button to toggle the function. Once activated, any brightness and contrast adjustments are automatically saved for future use, even after powering off the thermal imager.
Key Features That Define Performance
Field performance separates good thermal optics from exceptional ones, and in my extensive testing of this pulsar thermal scope review, several key features consistently elevated the XL50 above its competitors.
Detection range and identification clarity
The Thermion 2 LRF XL50 boasts an impressive detection range of 2,300 yards, with some sources citing up to 2,500 yards. However, these numbers tell only part of the story. At maximum range, you’ll mainly see heat signatures as white dots. As you move closer—around 1,000-1,200 yards—you begin distinguishing animal sizes. The real magic happens within 500 yards, where the scope delivers remarkable image clarity for positive target identification.
This clarity comes from the scope’s exceptional NETD rating of <35 mK. NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) measures how sensitive the thermal sensor is to temperature variations—the lower this value, the better the device can detect minute heat differences between animals and their surroundings, especially crucial in fog, rain, or humid conditions.
Color palettes and reticle options
The XL50 offers eight color palettes, each serving specific hunting situations:
- White Hot, Black Hot, and Red Hot: Optimal for initial object detection
- Rainbow and Ultramarine: Enhanced recognition and identification at distance
- Red Monochrome, Sepia, and Violet: Designed for extended nighttime observation with reduced eye strain
Moreover, the flexibility to switch between these modes allows for quick adaptation as conditions change throughout your hunt. For instance, White Hot provides excellent contrast between warm and cold objects, yet Black Hot often performs better when hunting in very hot environments where the ground emits substantial infrared energy.
Regarding aiming precision, the XL50 includes ten different reticle shapes with nine color options. This combination offers 90 possible configurations to match your specific hunting conditions. The reticle catalog includes both scalable and non-scalable options, with detailed MOA measurements for accurate shot placement.
Integrated laser rangefinder and ballistic calculator
The built-in laser rangefinder measures distances up to 800 meters with exceptional accuracy. This integration is seamless—the emitter and receiver share a single optical channel while maintaining a slim design profile.
What truly sets this system apart is its connection to the sophisticated ballistic calculator. After measuring distance, the internal algorithm calculates the suggested point of aim for accurate long-range shooting. Through the Stream Vision Ballistics app, you can create custom profiles for your specific ammunition and rifle combination, taking into account temperature, humidity, and air pressure for maximum precision.
Picture-in-picture mode for precision aiming
Perhaps the most practical feature for actual hunting scenarios is the picture-in-picture (PIP) mode. This function displays a high-precision zeroing frame in the top portion of the display, occupying only 10% of the total area. The result is a magnified view of your target alongside the wider field of view.
First thing to remember with PIP mode is how it fundamentally changes target acquisition. You can scan on low magnification while simultaneously seeing targets at higher magnification, eliminating the tedious process of manually zooming in and out when spotting potential game. Subsequently, this enhances situational awareness by allowing you to monitor your broader surroundings without losing focus on your primary target.
Real-World Hunting Experience with the XL50
Taking the XL50 into the field reveals capabilities that specifications alone cannot convey. In practice, this pulsar thermal scope truly proves its worth when faced with real-world hunting conditions that challenge lesser optics.
Performance in open fields and wooded terrain
The first night out with the Thermion 2 LRF XL50 demonstrated its exceptional field performance. Despite dense foliage that would typically obscure game, the scope maintained sharp and clear imaging, allowing me to detect wildlife through heavy vegetation.
On an evening scan across open fields, I spotted a magnificent red deer at impressive distances. The thermal imaging sensor’s ability to detect even slight heat signatures made locating game significantly easier across various terrains.
One hunter’s experience in Texas highlights this capability: “Later in the night, we were running along a clear-cut for a gas pipeline when we saw some heat signatures at about 800 yards”. This demonstrates the scope’s practical advantage in both wide-open spaces and tighter wooded environments.
Target identification in fog and humidity
Though thermal imaging excels in darkness, challenging weather conditions provide the true test. In dense fog, when trees beyond 50 meters disappeared to the naked eye, the XL50 still provided recognizable images of animals at 300-400 meters.
Rain and humidity present greater challenges than fog, as one expert notes: “Rain is more challenging in general. It is not just about the sensor’s performance, but everything around… It is loud, so you cannot rely on that sense too much”.
The scope’s <35mK NETD rating proves crucial here. The lower this value, the more sensitive the thermal sensor is to temperature variations, allowing it to detect minute heat differences even when moisture absorbs infrared energy. Nevertheless, extremely heavy rainfall can still reduce detection range by 30-50%.
Notably, the laser rangefinder works flawlessly in most conditions unless there’s fog or rain directly interfering with its beam. As one hunter remarked, “If you haven’t used a laser rangefinder for your thermal, it’s time to begin. Estimating distances is hard enough with standard optics, and in the dark, nothing gets easier”.
Battery life during extended hunts
For long nights in the field, battery performance becomes as important as optical clarity. The XL50 features a dual Li-ion power system with a 4.9Ah internal battery and a 2Ah external battery. This combination delivers up to 10 hours of continuous operation on a single charge.
Most impressively, during real-world testing, the scope’s battery consistently lasted through entire hunting sessions without requiring recharging. If that duration isn’t sufficient, external USB-C power sources can extend field time even further.
The dual-battery design offers another practical advantage: when swapping the removable battery in complete darkness, you never lose power since the internal battery maintains operation. This prevents losing your position or having to recalibrate in the middle of a hunt.
Though battery life may decrease slightly in extreme cold (a normal characteristic of all lithium batteries), the overall power management system remains reliable across various hunting conditions. For optimal longevity, it’s recommended to store batteries at 50-80% charge rather than fully depleted or charged.
User Experience and Setup
Setting up and operating the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL50 offers a refreshingly familiar experience compared to conventional optics, yet with advanced capabilities that practically eliminate common thermal scope frustrations.
Mounting with standard 30mm rings
The Thermion’s classic daytime scope appearance isn’t just for esthetics—its 30mm aluminum alloy housing provides genuine mounting flexibility. This traditional design allows for installation using standard 30mm scope rings or single-piece mounts. For optimal results, I recommend using high-quality rings compatible with your specific rifle.
When mounting, position the scope to achieve comfortable eye relief, install it as low as possible without contacting the barrel, and tighten ring screws to a maximum of 22.1 inch-pounds. A torque wrench proves invaluable here to avoid damaging the housing. Additionally, the included magnetic eyecup enhances camouflage by preventing display light spillover.
Control layout and remote usability
The control interface features strategically placed buttons for essential functions along with a rotatable controller on the left side. Certainly, one of the most practical additions is the included wireless Bluetooth remote control that completely duplicates all standard functions.
This remote offers excellent ergonomics with customized buttons and encoder for fine adjustments. I’ve found it particularly valuable during extended hunts as it allows operation without shifting position or disturbing your sight picture.
Recording and file transfer options
With 64GB of internal memory, the XL50 can store thousands of photos and many hours of video footage. One-touch recording makes capturing memorable moments effortless while maintaining focus on your hunt.
Regarding file transfers, multiple options exist:
- Connect directly to a computer via the included USB cable
- Transfer wirelessly through the Stream Vision 2 app
- Store content in the 16GB cloud storage provided to registered users
The Stream Vision 2 app enhances functionality by enabling wireless device updates, real-time image transmission to smartphones, remote control of digital functions, and social media sharing. Furthermore, the app lets you control features without touching the scope, minimizing movement that could cause shaky footage.
Pros, Cons, and Who Should Buy It
After extensive field testing in this pulsar thermal scope review, I’ve reached some definitive conclusions about who should invest in the XL50.
Advantages for serious night hunters
The Thermion 2 LRF XL50 excels primarily through its exceptional HD thermal capability combined with an integrated laser rangefinder and advanced ballistic software. Throughout testing, this integration proved invaluable—knowing exact target distance is crucial for ethical hunting, particularly in challenging light conditions. The dual battery system offers 7-10 hours of operation, with the built-in battery maintaining power during field swaps. Above all, the scope’s IPX7 waterproof rating ensures reliability even in high humidity and rainfall.
Limitations and price considerations
Admittedly, the most significant barrier is cost—expect to invest around $8,000 plus applicable taxes. Granted, setup requires patience, especially with the ballistic calculator which demands precise rifle-specific data. As one professional hunter noted, “You need to spend time making sure the information you add is correct”. The scope’s base magnification starts at 1.75x, which might require adjustment for some hunting styles.
Best use cases for the XL50
This thermal rifle scope is clearly designed for professional hunters and serious pest controllers. In fact, with changing regulations in places like Scotland now permitting thermal use for deer management, the XL50 offers the perfect tool for such specialized applications. The scope particularly shines for western predator hunting scenarios.
Conclusion
The Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL50 stands as a remarkable achievement in thermal optics technology. Throughout my field testing, this scope consistently delivered exceptional performance across various hunting scenarios. The combination of a high-resolution sensor, premium AMOLED display, and advanced features like the integrated laser rangefinder makes this device truly stand out from other thermal scopes on the market.
What impressed me most was the scope’s versatility. Whether scanning open fields or navigating dense forests, the XL50 provided clear, detailed thermal images that made game detection possible at distances previously thought impractical. Additionally, the customizable color palettes and reticle options allowed me to adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions.
