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Whether you're a hunter tracking elusive game or a security professional monitoring a dark perimeter, a thermal imaging monocular is an indispensable tool for seeing in the dark. However, choosing the right thermal imager can be a lot of work, given the many different features available. In this article, we'll cut through the thermal imaging jargon and get straight to the detail.
Pulsar is a leading optics brand based in Europe. They develop and manufacture scopes offering thermal, day and night vision and are a trusted supplier among hunters, mariners, nature research observers, security industries and mountain rescuers. We've conducted a head-to-head comparison between two of Pulsar’s most popular heat-vision products: the Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 and the Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro.
This latest offering from Pulsar is their most sensitive thermal monocular yet, sensitive to temperature differences of less than 18mK (0.018oC). Even in rain, fog or complete darkness, owners of the Telos LRF XP50 will have a clear, detailed view of any warm object.
The Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 is a thermal imaging monocular that boasts high sensitivity and adjustability. It offers a variety of features that make it a powerful tool for different applications:
Users can manually adjust the Pulsar Telos’s sensitivity to improve image quality in challenging observation conditions, and to avoid depleting the battery unnecessarily. It also comes with a range of brightness and contrast settings for visual customization.
This thermal imager can detect heat from long distances beyond the range of standard thermal imagers, and the built-in laser rangefinder enables accurate long-range measurements up to 1 kilometre.
The Telos LRF features intuitive zoom and focus rings, similar to those on professional cameras. The zoom ring is a new addition, allowing for simple image magnification. The control buttons and adjustable hand strap are designed to be comfortable for both left- and right-handed users.
The Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 has a highly adaptable user interface that allows users to rearrange menu items and customize button functions.
The Telos range by Pulsar is set to be an industry first: upgradable thermal imaging monoculars with NETD thermal sensitivity of under 18mK. With this extreme sensitivity and future-proof technology, this range is intended to remain high quality and relevant even as software improves. This makes Telos a cost-effective investment for the long term.
The Telos LRF XP50 is the debut of this concept and will be followed by a version without the LRF and a number of models with different sensors in 2024
This model has 2x to 20x variable magnification via the powerful F50/1.0 objective lens to give you a great view of objects from up to 1800m away, even in complete darkness. The Helion 2 PRO has a high thermal sensitivity, a large field of view and great internal storage for video and images.
With a refresh rate of up to 50 Hz, the Helion 2 PRO displays movement smoothly by refreshing the image frequently. This means you can pan across a scene without experiencing lag or stuttering images.
You can record and store footage locally using this thermal imager, thanks to its high memory capacity. Alternatively, you can connect the imager to a smartphone via the Stream Vision or Stream Vision 2 apps. This enables you to view the display remotely and even control the monocular from your phone.
The Helion 2 has a long battery life, enabling over 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge.
The Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 PRO can withstand a wide range of temperatures from -25 to +50 °C, making it suitable for use in extreme environments.
The Helion Series benefits from a thermal sensitivity of <25mK, a pixel pitch of 17 microns, detection ranges of 1350-1800m and a 640x480 AMOLED viewfinder display. These features produce long-range, HD thermal imaging and seriously clear detail from heat signatures alone. The XP models have interchangeable germanium lenses, and all models come with a quick-change, rechargeable IPS5 battery pack.
When comparing products from the same manufacturer, we can see that they have similar features and both operate at a high level. We’ve lined up the specifications one to one so that you can quickly see the pros and cons of each model.
By comparing these two Pulsar thermal imagers, we can see that they are very similar in many ways. They share the same wide field of view, high-resolution AMOLED display, and the same long-range detection ability of 1800m. To choose between the Telos and Helion 2 models, the devil is in the detail.
The Pulsar Helion is slightly smaller and lighter than the Telos, with a magnesium alloy body and only a single rechargeable battery pack. Helion’s benefits include a built-in memory capacity for up to 8 hours of video or 100,000 photos, where Telos stores all data remotely via the Stream Vision 2 app. Helion is able to work with both Stream Vision and Stream Vision 2, so this difference is really about options.
The Helion 2 XP50 Pro offers twice the magnification of the Telos, with 2.5x-20x magnification and 8x digital zoom increments. It can also operate in hotter temperatures, up to 50oC, whereas the Telos is only operational up to 40oC.
However, these may not together outweigh the superior NETD rating of the Telos XP50. This rating refers to the Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference. The Telos’ thermal core sensitivity is rated sub-18mK NETD, their most sensitive yet, and means it can detect temperature differences of less than 18mK or 0.018oC. This provides a much more detailed thermal image than that of the Helion, which is only sensitive to 25mK.
The Pulsar Telos XP50 is also equipped with a laser rangefinder capable of measuring distances up to 1000m, so you can understand precisely how close you are to objects in your field of view. When compared to Helion’s analogue staidametric reticle, this is far more accurate and easy to use.
As a trusted Pulsar supplier, Scott Country stock a range of Pulsar monocular and binocular optics, including handheld thermal imagers, thermal riflescopes and thermal imaging add-ons. You can find Pulsar products on our online store and find the right thermal imager for you.
If you’re excited about the new Pulsar Telos product line, you can get your hands on the debut Telos monocular, the Telos LRF XP50, online at Scott Country with finance available.
As new technical upgrades are released, you can upgrade your monocular so that you always have the most recent thermal imaging technology available. All Telos models will have a thermal sensitivity below 18mK, providing a clear image of details such as fur, grass and branches. Stay tuned to find out when new Pulsar Telos models are released in 2024.
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Product specifications listed throughout are subject to manufacturers changes without notice.
