Habrok question

[Roonster]

A question for the Habrok users…

Are they good enough to be used as a replacement for good glass binoculars?

Do you use the LRF much? Are they accurate & repeatable?

I’m trying to get my head around which binocular/thermal/LRF configuration would work best for me. Is there an argument for keeping all your devices separate?

Do you think a Habrok & Alpex would work well together?

 

[artschool]

everyone is going to have their own view on this one.

habroks are just brilliant as saving faffing between thermal spotter and binos but they are not as pleasant as looking through good glass.

 

[wytonpjs]

For most of last year, my LL go-to was the low-spec Habroks and the Alpex 4k LRF. I always want to visually id/age/sex animals so use Leica binos during the day and a Telos XP590 as my spotter. Initially, the Habroks were useless above 11x until Hik brought in the image stabilization which made the 22x useable. Despite both being 4k, they are not a patch on good glass and I came to despise having to use sub-standard optics during the normal day. I have found my solution to the Alpex to be using a Thunder 3 thermal clip-on for that last hour. There still the issue of my Leica binos giving up too early so I'm going to give the Draco D635s a try, again, only for those times when I cannot rely on glass.

I know this combo works well for some, especially if you are predominately a FL/LL shooter, but for me, Habroks and Alpex were too much a shortfall during normal daylight hours. JMOFWIW

 

[Shootgun]

Not as clear as good glass, but better at long range identification.
22x with image stabilization is a game changer.

 

[slider]

I ditched my glass shortly after I bought my HE25L'S
I would never claim they are as good as glass but for me the combination of everything in one unit works and is worth the compromise.
I do use the LRF regularly.

 

[timbrayford]

I use the habrok/alpex combination , nowhere near as good during daylight hours and pretty much useless during heavy rain, but in gloomy winter woodlands or overcast dawn and dusk, just when the deer come out, far superior. On several occasions with conventional glass I've foregone a shot because despite seeing a deer I haven't been able to determine that it's a suitable cull animal.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I also use the Habroks/Alpex combination. They are not as good as glass. But, in saying that, I have sold my Swarovski scope and Leica binos, the binos had a rangefinder function as well.
For the type of shooting I do, they are great. I can spot with thermal, switch to bino mode and I am already looking where I need to be. I use all the functions on the Habroks. I am unlikely to go back to separate glass and thermal, ever.
I am a recreational stalker, not a pro.
They are the future and will only get better over time, you have to decide if it is good enough for your type of shooting.

I used separate binos and thermal for about 5 years. Having them all combined, in one package is an awful lot easier.
The only issue is that if you have an electronic issue or forget to charge your battery, then you are fooked. So that is the case for separated items.
Realistically, the failure rate is going to be so low, that it is likely to never affect you.
I will be interested to see what all the other manufacturers come out with over the next year or so as I believe that the Hadbroks, as an example, are real game changer in the type of kit we use and every other company will be coming out with their own versions. If they don’t they will just lose sales.
Nb, I really like the recording function on the scopes. It means I can check a shot after and see what went wrong or right.
The above, of course, is just my opinion.

 

[Roonster]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts & experiences, guys!

 

[old keeper]

I've had Habroks since they first appeared, and wouldn't be without them. However, although perfectly usable in daylight, they certainly are not up to glass standard. At night, though, they are absolutely brilliant; that's why I have them.

 

[Triumph_Dave]

I switched from carrying glass binoculars, rangefinder and pulsar thermal spotter to reduce carrying weight and for an upgrade on the thermal. Went for the Habrok Pro HQ50L, tried the Habrok range out at the Gamefair in the summer. I use all the functions the Habroks provides and although I have the bigger Habroks in size, it is still less weight and bulk than carrying three seperate items. My only regret is the issues I have experienced with the Habroks from new and the poor attitude for warranty from new.. HikMicro UK are now also completely out of the Habrok rubber eyecups and presently cannot say when more stock will arrive. Mine have fallen off twice and partly come off twice, also had other more major issues. When the Habroks work they are good.. as others have said they are not upto glass standards, but the day image is more than good enough.. its a bit like comparing a TV display compared to what yr own eyes see.

 

[Rural Management Services]

A question for the Habrok users…

Are they good enough to be used as a replacement for good glass binoculars?

Do you use the LRF much? Are they accurate & repeatable?

I’m trying to get my head around which binocular/thermal/LRF configuration would work best for me. Is there an argument for keeping all your devices separate?

Do you think a Habrok & Alpex would work well together?

Thread 'HIK Habrok HQ35 4K Review'

Aug 24, 2025

Following on from previous reviews of HIK Habrok products, I thought I’d give an update on their latest release. While it’s technically a new product, it’s actually the love child of two existing ones. The HQ35 4K is the optical channel from the HE25, and the thermal channel is from the first-generation HQ35.

Now, even though it’s basically two existing products, it’s the best of both worlds. For the first time, the Habrok is a viable product for deer stalkers.

The first-generation Habrok had decent thermal and an all-in-one format, but the optical channel was poor and didn’t allow me to...

• Rural Management Services
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Equipment & Accessories

• 

 

[Jh1986]

I've got the entry level ones and I absolutely love them. I think I will be upgrading for the better FOV, possibly the Draco when they come out and I see some reviews.

The outstanding feature is the fact that when you find a heat source, with one button you are looking at a clear image of the target. My biggest issue with my old pulsar and binocular combo, was trying to reacquire when switching to optics.

That's now a thing of the past, as is trying to juggle thermal, bins, sticks, all in your hands or on various lanyards.

To be brutally honest, whilst not as clear as glass, if you cannot ID with 4k Habroks then what's wrong with your eyes

 

[wytonpjs]

I've got the entry level ones and I absolutely love them. I think I will be upgrading for the better FOV, possibly the Draco when they come out and I see some reviews.

The outstanding feature is the fact that when you find a heat source, with one button you are looking at a clear image of the target. My biggest issue with my old pulsar and binocular combo, was trying to reacquire when switching to optics.

That's now a thing of the past, as is trying to juggle thermal, bins, sticks, all in your hands or on various lanyards.

To be brutally honest, whilst not as clear as glass, if you cannot ID with 4k Habroks then what's wrong with your eyes

Nothing, according to the optician I still have 20/20.

I could ID with my Habroks, I just prefer using glass when I can. I do agree completely with you though on the ability to toggle between optical;/thermal being a game changer in locating animals.

I've ordered a pair of the Draco D635s as a replacement - we'll see if they are any nicer to live with.

 

[JosephKelly]

Is the thermal function in the Habroks as good as a stand alone thermal device. I have a Pulsar XQ35 and it’s incredibly unreliable so just want to know if the thermal function in Habrok is just as good

 

[Jh1986]

Is the thermal function in the Habroks as good as a stand alone thermal device. I have a Pulsar XQ35 and it’s incredibly unreliable so just want to know if the thermal function in Habrok is just as good

Mine has been absolutely faultless

 

[Rural Management Services]

Is the thermal function in the Habroks as good as a stand alone thermal device. I have a Pulsar XQ35 and it’s incredibly unreliable so just want to know if the thermal function in Habrok is just as good

Depends on which Habrok. HE25 no, HH35 (first generation) about the same, all the others better than an XQ35.

 

[slider]

Is the thermal function in the Habroks as good as a stand alone thermal device. I have a Pulsar XQ35 and it’s incredibly unreliable so just want to know if the thermal function in Habrok is just as good

I had a Pulsar Axion XQ 35 before my HE25L Habroks.
No the thermal is not as high resolution but it is high enough for my needs.

 

[ahenry34]

Would love to share my two cents on this question.

I used to always stalk with a guide who would use the thermal, I would follow up with traditional glass to get my bearings before taking aim.

When I started going out solo I thought it would be easy to incorporate the use of a thermal with my existing set up but unfortunately you’d need about 4 hands. Holding sticks, rifle sliding off your shoulder, binos and thermal add in a LRF your pockets are full and your carrying so much stuff

It is an undeniable truth that no digital scope will rival glass at 8x or 10x magnification

But compromising some clarity at 11x (middle magnification on habroks) is a fair trade off to have everything in one hand

LFR is great, 4.3-22x zoom is great, I have 25s and thermal Chanel is sufficient to spot an animal if I was buying again I would get 35s but not for the increased sensor I would primarily want a wider field of view.

At low light they are incredible and don’t forget they also have night vision with incorporated IR

I will attach two images I took on them on Saturday in pitch black

the rest are to give you an idea of clarity at different magnifications. I enjoy them so much I find myself going out without the rifle a lot more

 

[ahenry34]

More

 

[ahenry34]

Sika 800m away pitch black through thermal and night vision