Chris Redlich on a thermal gamechanger
It’s incredible that the basic scope invention from the 1800s was considered state-of-the-art by those fortunate enough to own one. Fast-forward to the present day and we have scopes featuring more technology than the world’s early computers, including the Thermion 2 LRF XG50 by Pulsar.
So let me try to explain as painlessly as possible the difference between a standard riflescope and its thermal imaging cousin. The former relies on glass lenses to transmit the target image clearly to the shooter’s eye. The quality of glass and lens coatings make the difference between a good and bad image and generally, higher-end manufacturers will deliver a better image due to their attention to processing and finer tolerances.
Thermal scopes on the other hand, although having familiar objective and ocular lenses, rely on electronics to reproduce an image of the target and its surroundings, enhanced by varying heat signatures. And don’t get me started on ‘microbolometers’ as when that word caught my eye in the user manual, I needed a headache tablet.
Yet I challenge you to research how they work and, like me, you’ll probably better understand the science behind a thermal image capture. Like a digital camera, a thermal image is also made up of electronically generated pixels displayed on a screen in the rear of the device, derived from the enormous amount of information gathered by the unit’s thermal sensor up front.
Higher thermal resolution results in greater clarity and definition of image. The 640 x 480 grid of microbolometers on the XG50 and XP50 thermal sensor, amount to a whopping 307,200 individual data-gathering receptors, providing razor-sharp detail to the viewed image. By comparison, a thermal sensor with only 384 x 288 resolution has a less detailed final image.
Sharing the same external dimensions, Pulsar have two scopes with a class-leading 640 x 480 resolution sensors. Put simply, they’re designed for different applications, hence have different base magnification and varying zoom specs with the XG50 on 3x and XP50 on 2x magnification.
Electronic jargon aside, this means the XP50 with its wider field of view (FOV) is better suited to close-terrain hunting in poor weather, while the XG50 with its higher zoom but lower FOV is more suited long-range shooting in open country. Just as well as the rifle I initially chose to test the scope happened to be my varmint-hunting Remington 700 in 22.250 Rem.
Additionally the review scope is the LRF (laser rangefinder) model which is not only an advantage for long-range varmint hunting but, combined with its ballistic calculator integrated to the scope’s electronic processor, enables correct holdover for your custom ammo. Powering all this technology are two rechargeable batteries.
Deceptively but cleverly the target-style elevation turret does nothing more than house a removable battery for external charging. The 3 o’clock (normally windage) turret holds an integral backup battery and removing its turret cap reveals the USB charging port. The turret caps provide a waterproof seal, protecting the vital power supply and while the top battery is removable, both can be charged simultaneously via the supplied cord and charging port.
The port is positioned perfectly for boosting ‘on the run,’ with top-up charging easily done by connecting to my vehicle’s USB outlet. Alternatively, the XG50 comes with a dual charger for external charging of its removable battery. So if the elevation and windage turrets are used for batteries, how do we make scope adjustments? What normally would be a parallax adjustment (side focus) dial is the Thermion scope’s ‘key’ to unlocking its feature-filled menu. Pressing the 9 o’clock dial’s centre button reveals a plethora of functions covering image colour selection, 10 reticle choices, time and date change, brightness control and zeroing adjustment, to name but a few.
Additionally, a function touch pad on top of the ocular housing enables easy one-touch operation for video recording, range-finding and zoom, settings operated by the touch pad then viewed through the head-up display (HUD). Interestingly and beneficial, a sub-display within the HUD enables alternate zoom imaging and range-finding features to be displayed as required. On either side of the objective bell are ambidextrous thumb dials which, when rotated, fine-tune the thermal images.
Measuring 375mm and weighing just on 1kg, there’s only marginal difference between a target-style scope sharing the same 50mm objective and 30mm aluminium main tube. A hard-wearing black satin finish provides a protective and non-reflective coating to all metallic surfaces. As expected, the review scope with LRF capability varies from the standard model with a large housing over the objective bell. Despite its size, Pulsar have done a good job of streamlining the laser rangefinder lens unit to as small as possible, with the added advantage of having an LRF offsetting any concerns on appearance.
A ballistics calculator via Bluetooth selection and Pulsar’s ‘Vision Stream’ app on your smartphone improves the shooter’s ability, by providing detailed holdover corrections for individual cartridges. Furthermore, all images and filming can be remotely viewed on your device using the app.
On initial inspection you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed on accessing and operating the scope’s features, so I decided to spare myself anxiety afield by familiarising first at home. To my delight, the supplied quick-start user guide explained everything this ‘tech-challenged’ shooter needed to get going and once out bush I had the confidence to start sighting.
Range and field testing
Made in Lithuania, next door to my late great parent’s homeland of Latvia, the Thermion 2 XG50 looks and feels every bit the high-quality product most have come to expect from European manufacturers. I’ve tested other thermal brands but Pulsar’s products appear superior in build and image quality. This was evident on my first outing during zeroing, as the thermal image in afternoon sun at the range surpassed all expectations of thinking the scope wouldn’t be as clear in daylight.
A common misconception with thermals is they’re night devices only but that’s not so, as the Thermion 2 is as much at home detecting game during daylight as it is in the dark. Unlike night-vision optics, the advantage a thermal provides is the ability to capture an animal’s heat signature, something the naked eye isn’t capable of. So if a thermal optic identifies a quarry’s heat signature, how do we find zero on a paper target? Pulsar supply disposable self-sticking (2MOA) heat pads which adhere to the target and, before long, I aimed for the pads and fired my first shot. Identifying my hit on the target I then calculated adjustments as normal.
Entering the zeroing functions through the 9 o’clock turret button then revealed an illuminated zeroing cross and, while retaining the main reticle on target centre, I shifted the little cross to my point of impact on the target. I hit the zeroise function and the scope automatically saved the coordinates and recalibrated the reticle to zero. Importantly, other zeroise coordinates can be saved to the scope for transferring to different rifles.
Sounds complicated but it’s not and with each adjustment click worth 1.5cm/100m it didn’t take long to sight-in. In fact it took just a few 55-grain Sierras to find zero, with my confirmatory group landing a satisfying sub-MOA on the heat pad. Of the 10 reticles available the X50i and M56Fi styles appealed to me most for varmint shooting and, while the Thermion 2 has a choice of eight image colours, Red Monochrome and White Hot became my favourites. Now the LRF XG50 was sighted-in I had the confidence required to embark on my first night hunt.
I didn’t have long to wait (a few minutes actually) before I walked off into the night, shooting sticks in hand to seek my first nocturnal ferals. The Telos XG50 monocular was used to detect game first and, just a few hundred metres from where I’d sighted-in the rifle, a feral cat’s heat signature alerted me to my first target. Unfortunately, fumbling with the sticks enabled the cat to retain one of its nine lives although a hare wasn’t so lucky. Now better prepared, I watched it dart back and forth through the scope and at 85m it stopped long enough for a clean headshot.
Not a bad result considering I’d ticked off a range and field test within a couple of hours and, despite being early days, I was hooked and far from finished. A couple of weeks later next to my range, a curious wild boar surprisingly grunted his displeasure at us being there. With rifle in hand and son Carl manning the Telos monocular, we closed the gap on foot and crossed paths with the porker. Filming the hunt through the scope, the big fella was moving and as soon as he presented for a second, the 22.250 ended his breeding days with a shoulder shot at 62m.
Despite the LRF being capable of ranging distances out to 800m, it wasn’t needed for the close shot but a couple of days later Carl capitalised on the XG50’s ability. Clearly identifiable through the scope, he filmed and waited for a hare to stop as it neared 400m. A momentary rest at 372m allowed him to whack it with one shot, reinforcing the reliable and accurate long-range credentials of the scope.
The same night also saw the demise of three sizeable pigs which were destroying a farmer’s crop. The XG50 has an eye-watering thermal detection range of 2300m and after watching the 20-plus mob walk in from some distance, it was pleasing to remove a few of the mature ones, including a 100kg sow taken at 133m.
Conclusion
Technology can either be embraced or rejected and despite my ignorance of many recent advances, I have to admit thermal imaging has its place in the shooting world for pest control. I wouldn’t personally stalk a trophy deer with thermal imagers, but optics like the Pulsar Thermion 2 XG are a real gamechanger for those looking to control feral animals which have exploded in numbers recently.
In fact, farmer friends nearby bought two Thermion 2 scopes to help with vermin control, further proving their worth to those making a living from the land. Considering the Euro-made XG50 has high quality lenses, laser rangefinder and loads of electronic features, it’s not surprising the price reflects a premium product (ask your dealer). Proudly distributed by TSA Outdoors, Pulsar products come with a three-year manufacturing warranty. More at www.tsaoutdoors.com.au