Best hand held thermal at present?

FirstBlood · May 14, 2026

Yes everyone is aware the OP wants hand held hence if you read my previous post I recommend the Telos XL50 LRF ! but the point you’ve drawn or arguing is HIK versus Pulsar now regardless of model !that’s a different story so i clearly pointed out my experience with My XL60 and the other Pulsar products I have for years being “in my opinion” the best I’ve found , the XL60 has to date the best sensors HD screen etc however your trying to state a fact in that quote “half the price and better image I’m afraid” that’s not true only you opinion not fact!
This forum is full of opinions and the OP can make there own mind up after all helpful information is put to them , not someone who is offended because they don’t like pulsar and are saying pretty much write off the whole brand because of a battery issue , HIK have had many issues but we won’t go there !
I’ll tell my friend he must be imagining the jitter then shall I ?,he’s ****ed at the issue after spending a lot of money and the fact your rep lives near by is good for you maybe he can sort the issue my friend is having as it’s real alright .
Wasn’t meant to offend HIk lovers as I said but clearly I have upset one , but we’ll agree to disagree on this one then and leave it there .

Emilio · May 14, 2026

FirstBlood said:
Yes everyone is aware the OP wants hand held hence if you read my previous post I recommend the Telos XL50 LRF ! but the point you’ve drawn or arguing is HIK versus Pulsar now regardless of model !that’s a different story so i clearly pointed out my experience with My XL60 and the other Pulsar products I have for years being “in my opinion” the best I’ve found , the XL60 has to date the best sensors HD screen etc however your trying to state a fact in that quote “half the price and better image I’m afraid” that’s not true only you opinion not fact!
This forum is full of opinions and the OP can make there own mind up after all helpful information is put to them , not someone who is offended because they don’t like pulsar and are saying pretty much write off the whole brand because of a battery issue , HIK have had many issues but we won’t go there !
I’ll tell my friend he must be imagining the jitter then shall I ?,he’s ****ed at the issue after spending a lot of money and the fact your rep lives near by is good for you maybe he can sort the issue my friend is having as it’s real alright .
Wasn’t meant to offend HIk lovers as I said but clearly I have upset one , but we’ll agree to disagree on this one then and leave it there .

Pulsar does not have the best sensors, they are behind other brands like rix en nocpix. With the xt they may catch up, but are late to the party anyway.

I wonder who en when the next step up will be released, before the end of year would not suprise me and then Pulsar are trailing again.
Hik 640 is nice, no jitter in my wifes spotter what so ever Pulsars 1024 should be better, but software is also a big factor. The1280 from Nox is insane from what I have seen.

Coming weekend we'll be comparing a lot of brands so curious what the current status is, but I would be very supprised if Pulsar comes out on top.

homer · May 14, 2026

Just came across the pulsar lumion! Seems to be marketed more for wildlife wachers than shooters. Dont seem to do an lrf option. Never heard of them before. Anyone know much about them?

Rural Management Services · May 14, 2026

homer said:
Just came across the pulsar lumion! Seems to be marketed more for wildlife wachers than shooters. Dont seem to do an lrf option. Never heard of them before. Anyone know much about them?

Pulsar have brands for hunting, wildlife and also law enforcement fire etc. All the same kit just different colours.

Blackwood Outdoors · May 14, 2026

Binoculars the Habrok HX60L are the best thermal image and optical currently, but they're big brutes.

HikMicro Habrok Pro HX60LS Multi Spectral Thermal Binoculars

The new Hik Micro Habrok Pro HX60LS thermal binoculars feature a <18mk 1280px resolution thermal sensor and 4K resolution optical sensor and LRF system. Model number HX60LS.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Best thermal ony binoculars and best single hand focus system by far for the £££ Quest H35R

NocPix Quest H35R Thermal Binoculars

The NocPix Quest H35R thermal binoculars feature a 12 micron full 640x512 resolution <15mk sensor, 35mm lens and inbuilt inline LRF system.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Monoculars value for money with performance. NocPix Lumi H35R or the new HikMicro Lynx 3.0 LQ35

NocPix Lumi H35R Thermal Monocular

The compact NocPix Lumi H35R thermal monocular features a 12 micron 640X512 resolution <18mk sensor, in a compact design, with inbuilt 800m LRF System.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

HikMicro Lynx LQ35 3.0 Thermal Monocular

HikMicro Lynx 3.0 LQ35 with 640×512 sensor, 35mm F1.0 lens, HSIS imaging, 1.9× base magnification and 1800m detection range.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Higher end monoculars I prefer the older style images like on these models.

Thermtec Wild 650L Thermal Monocular

The Thermtec Wild 650L thermal monocular offers superior clarity and precision for outdoor enthusiasts, perfect for hunting and wildlife observation in any conditions.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Pulsar Telos XL50 Thermal Monocular

The Pulsar Telos XL50 incorporates a HD resolution 12 micron 1024px sensor and all new design that incorporates a rugged upgradable housing.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Obviously there's lots out there all at different price points, so needs and budget affect everything..

FirstBlood · May 14, 2026

Blackwood Outdoors said:
Binoculars the Habrok HX60L are the best thermal image and optical currently, but they're big brutes.

HikMicro Habrok Pro HX60LS Multi Spectral Thermal Binoculars

The new Hik Micro Habrok Pro HX60LS thermal binoculars feature a <18mk 1280px resolution thermal sensor and 4K resolution optical sensor and LRF system. Model number HX60LS.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Best thermal ony binoculars and best single hand focus system by far for the £££ Quest H35R

NocPix Quest H35R Thermal Binoculars

The NocPix Quest H35R thermal binoculars feature a 12 micron full 640x512 resolution <15mk sensor, 35mm lens and inbuilt inline LRF system.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Monoculars value for money with performance. NocPix Lumi H35R or the new HikMicro Lynx 3.0 LQ35

NocPix Lumi H35R Thermal Monocular

The compact NocPix Lumi H35R thermal monocular features a 12 micron 640X512 resolution <18mk sensor, in a compact design, with inbuilt 800m LRF System.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

HikMicro Lynx LQ35 3.0 Thermal Monocular

HikMicro Lynx 3.0 LQ35 with 640×512 sensor, 35mm F1.0 lens, HSIS imaging, 1.9× base magnification and 1800m detection range.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Higher end monoculars I prefer the older style images like on these models.

Thermtec Wild 650L Thermal Monocular

The Thermtec Wild 650L thermal monocular offers superior clarity and precision for outdoor enthusiasts, perfect for hunting and wildlife observation in any conditions.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Pulsar Telos XL50 Thermal Monocular

The Pulsar Telos XL50 incorporates a HD resolution 12 micron 1024px sensor and all new design that incorporates a rugged upgradable housing.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Obviously there's lots out there all at different price points, so needs and budget affect everything..

Bit of a “Mixed Bag “ there then ! But is good food for thought ,as everyone has there “opinion”on what looks best for there eyes , suits there budget and some devices are just more user friendly to them , some supposedly better sensors will look better to some people than others and how are the executed in the final product , some HIK devices look hideous in my opinion especially the “ Star Trek” scope one you tuber called it !go with what “You” like best . Nuff said ..I’m off to drop a fox at 300yrd with my Pulsar XL60 worked the other night .
All the best .

Blackwood Outdoors · Friday at 12:04 AM

FirstBlood said:
Bit of a “Mixed Bag “ there then ! But is good food for thought ,as everyone has there “opinion”on what looks best for there eyes , suits there budget and some devices are just more user friendly to them , some supposedly better sensors will look better to some people than others and how are the executed in the final product , some HIK devices look hideous in my opinion especially the “ Star Trek” scope one you tuber called it !go with what “You” like best . Nuff said ..I’m off to drop a fox at 300yrd with my Pulsar XL60 worked the other night .
All the best .

Great scopes with solid build..

highland stalker · Friday at 7:19 PM

Lots of opinions but I don't see a clear winner.
Following with interest as I am also in the market for a new thermal monocular.
I have had several Pulsars to date with very few issues and the units have been worked fairly hard. I think I would take a bit of persuasion to go to another brand for my next purchase.

dlz90 · Friday at 7:26 PM

highland stalker said:
Lots of opinions but I don't see a clear winner.
Following with interest as I am also in the market for a new thermal monocular.
I have had several Pulsars to date with very few issues and the units have been worked fairly hard. I think I would take a bit of persuasion to go to another brand for my next purchase.

That's because there is and never be a one size fits all winner in any device, be it digital or thermal you pay your money and be happy,

We are all happy at least for a while, then the newest bestest unit is released and we all well almost all, have to have it, in the end it's the manufacturer who's the real winner.

D

Domer · Tuesday at 11:08 PM

Another vote for the telos XL50. Easy to use, fantastic performance which makes identifying quarry easier. Yes it’s heavy but it feels like a quality item unlike some others and you can upgrade if really think you need to.

Leemc1970 · Tuesday at 11:43 PM

homer said:
Its been a while since I purchased a hand held thermal, and i know tech gets updated very quickly, so atm, whats the opinions on the best hand held thermal with lrf?
Important points for myself are:
Lrf
Large display
Clarity
Range

There’s no right or wrong choices at the moment … depending on your budget obviously. I use NOCPIX , but also have some Hicmicro stuff too ! I’ve just recently upgraded an old Hicmicro Lynx 19 pro to a new 3.0 35mm version!! Its brilliant… you can pick up a 19 mm for around £800 I believe

Best hand held thermal at present?

FirstBlood

Active Member

Emilio

Well-Known Member

homer

Well-Known Member

Rural Management Services

Well-Known Member

Blackwood Outdoors

Well-Known Member