Hikmicro Stellar SQ50 image quality

[StevieD]

Been wanting to try one of these for a while and very impressed so far, needless to say my old NV gear is now pretty much redundant! Some test images below (bolt removed for all but the rabbits).. The sheep are snapped on the mountain side at x2 x4 and x8, I ranged the sheep in the crosshairs in the x8 pic at 249 yards, so expect you could comfortably ID and shoot fox to that distant plus. Tbh it’s a shame I cannot post video here, as the stills honestly don’t do this scope justice! @20-250

 

[Rake Aboot]

Yup
Mine amazed me as wel.

 

[palo]

A couple of mates of mine went to see that exact same model last night as one of them was going to order one but they were disappointed in the quality of the image.
They said the cheaper pulsar thermon xq50 was better.
Must try and get a look through one myself. I have a hik spotter and its great

 

[mealiejimmy]

Your pics illustrate very well one of the things I really like about the HIK thermal scopes
When the reticle colour is set to white, every pixel that makes up the reticle will switch between white and black so that there is maximum contrast between the reticle and the background
We've "christened" this the "sparkle" reticle
It's quite possible that someone would think that the XQ50 image is better than the HIK, particularly if that person has been using pulsar thermals previously and has become accustomed to the Pulsar image presentation - which is quite different from the HIK image presentation
In summary HIK (and the other Chinese manufacturers) tend to go for a high brightness, high contrast image that I would describe as "punchy"
This is good on a spotter because the high contrast makes detecting potential targets easier.
The downside is that there is not much target detail - the target often appearing simply as a black or white blob
By comparison, the Pulsar image much duller because it is lower contrast and brightness and always appears to me as though I am looking at it through a thin net curtain. However Pulsar thermals typically produce images of target animals with more detail

Cheers

Bruce

 

[20-250]

Thanks to the OP for sharing. Having owned a Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro, I have to say that anyone who says the image from a Thermion XQ50 is better than this is lying or too busy with their guide dog to form an accurate opinion, palo.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Thanks to the OP for sharing. Having owned a Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro, I have to say that anyone who says the image from a Thermion XQ50 is better than this is lying or too busy with their guide dog to form an accurate opinion, palo.

Owning both Thermion Pro and SQ50, I can confirm the Thermion Pro is substantially better than an SQ50 in poor weather and renders the full scene detail including all terrain..

In good weather conditions the SQ50 being 12 micron has a detection range edge and is obviously higher resolution, so will produce a nice image, although white hot is not as good, black hot is the best palette in Hik models...

 

[20-250]

I won't get into too much of a peeing contest, Ian, but the Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro is in no way a scope suitable for shooting relatively small targets such as foxes at anything other than relatively short range. The image becomes too blocky or indistinct when magnified.

 

[palo]

Thanks to the OP for sharing. Having owned a Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro, I have to say that anyone who says the image from a Thermion XQ50 is better than this is lying or too busy with their guide dog to form an accurate opinion, palo.

One of these guys is using thermal gear for a long time and has the thermion xp50 pro and the telos spotter. The other guy has good experience with thermal kit as well. The guy selling the units agreed with them.
Maybe the unit was faulty or conditions weren't right .

 

[StevieD]

Thanks all, I’ll always bow down to superior knowledge and my experience of Pulsar I have to say is limited to a first gen Axion LRF spotter and a C50. That said, I picked up the SQ50 open boxed for £2100 so absolutely no complaints from me in terms of bang for buck or performance so far, more than suits my hunting environment and ranges (HMR and LR currently), but I also think this would also work comfortably out to those longer distances (200 yds plus) as I’ve tried to example (these were shaky snaps off of sticks and again don’t really do it full justice).
Having had a look through this initially, you really need to get it out in the field to fully appreciate the image quality, the detail of the surroundings and target out to distance is in my opinion superb (black hot as Ian said, the best palette, where I’d always preferred white hot on the Pulsar).
I can’t comment on hands on experience with the XQ50 pro, but viewing video comparisons done between the XP50 and SQ50 (which are more aligned spec wise), the arguments appeared to be as divisive as this post and the differences marginal (again we’re talking videos which will always be subjective), but you also have the £1400 price difference to consider between those units and at this spec the rules of diminishing returns start to apply. What I would also say having now had hands on experience of both operating menus, is that I prefer Hik’s, seems more intuitive and easier to use in my opinion. Battery life is also fantastic and like the emergency spare option if needed approach.
Thanks Bruce, had actually watched your and Russ’s review before pulling the trigger on this and agree, the ‘sparkle’ reticle is absolutely superb !

 

[cutty sark]

Been using an sq50 pro for about six months now, fantastic scope, and the side wheel for increasing/ decreasing magnification is sublime, as for clarity, detection range, they are as good as my accolades, if not better.

 

[StevieD]

My Mrs wanted this one for the family album, minus the cross hair! (Again no bolt or ammo anywhere near the rifle before anyone asks!)

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

I won't get into too much of a peeing contest, Ian, but the Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro is in no way a scope suitable for shooting relatively small targets such as foxes at anything other than relatively short range. The image becomes too blocky or indistinct when magnified.

Really so how much real world distance does going from 17 micron to 12 micron portray in a fox , on an equal focal length system at 200yds. So your saying one is blocky and indistinct and one is great …one is suitable for small targets and the other not ..

Is it aye …

The build and function is a wide margin apart also.

 

[20-250]

Whatever.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Thanks all, I’ll always bow down to superior knowledge and my experience of Pulsar I have to say is limited to a first gen Axion LRF spotter and a C50. That said, I picked up the SQ50 open boxed for £2100 so absolutely no complaints from me in terms of bang for buck or performance so far, more than suits my hunting environment and ranges (HMR and LR currently), but I also think this would also work comfortably out to those longer distances (200 yds plus) as I’ve tried to example (these were shaky snaps off of sticks and again don’t really do it full justice).
Having had a look through this initially, you really need to get it out in the field to fully appreciate the image quality, the detail of the surroundings and target out to distance is in my opinion superb (black hot as Ian said, the best palette, where I’d always preferred white hot on the Pulsar).
I can’t comment on hands on experience with the XQ50 pro, but viewing video comparisons done between the XP50 and SQ50 (which are more aligned spec wise), the arguments appeared to be as divisive as this post and the differences marginal (again we’re talking videos which will always be subjective), but you also have the £1400 price difference to consider between those units and at this spec the rules of diminishing returns start to apply. What I would also say having now had hands on experience of both operating menus, is that I prefer Hik’s, seems more intuitive and easier to use in my opinion. Battery life is also fantastic and like the emergency spare option if needed approach.
Thanks Bruce, had actually watched your and Russ’s review before pulling the trigger on this and agree, the ‘sparkle’ reticle is absolutely superb !

The SQ50 is a good scope for the money , considering you’re getting a 640 resolution for under £3k. Black hot is by far and away the best palette .. on a good night black hot is great..they are good value for sure ..

If I had to pick any negatives it would be , poor weather performance and the location of the menu button on the side, the button is not recessed which makes it very easy to be pushed if the rifle is on a sling on your back or laid down, then you can accidentally change menu settings and profiles , plus fixed battery system with only 1hr CR123 external battery option that gives 1hr .

For the price you paid a bargain ..so a good buy .

The Thunder 2.0 TQ50 is well worth a look too at £2499.99 with a better poor weather performance sensor, much better changeable battery system and scaled PIP in a much lighter weight design .

I’ve got a few hours of footage shooting rats and rabbits with one , I’ll upload for viewing …

Also mountains of SQ50 footage for anyone interested ..

 

[cjs66]

I’ve got a SQ50 and to my eye, white hot is my favourite, but I do scroll through them in different weather conditions. I have to agree with Ian on the left hand menu button, far too sensitive and many a time with rifle been slung on shoulder or even on the passenger seat it’s been pressed accidentally. It should be more lockable but in what way
Great scope for the money though, sure I got mine through Ian on one of his special deals

cjs

 

[StevieD]

I’ve got a SQ50 and to my eye, white hot is my favourite, but I do scroll through them in different weather conditions. I have to agree with Ian on the left hand menu button, far too sensitive and many a time with rifle been slung on shoulder or even on the passenger seat it’s been pressed accidentally. It should be more lockable but in what way
Great scope for the money though, sure I got mine through Ian on one of his special deals

cjs

Thanks for the heads up on that, I’ll keep an eye on that - I actually use a large neoprene scope cover for when slung walking out up the hill side , then whip off when needed which hopefully will help avoid but good to know.

 

[cjs66]

Thanks for the heads up on that, I’ll keep an eye on that - I actually use a large neoprene scope cover for when slung walking out up the hill side , then whip off when needed which hopefully will help avoid but good to know.

I’ve never tried but if you put the scope onto standby it may help. I just make sure the menu is nowhere near the ret option because I have had it change the ret to a different rifle set up. Only noticed as I know what ret goes with what rifle. Mine goes on my .22, .204 and .22/250. There may be better and more expensive options but, it’s all I need. I’ve a 22 Hornet with an old Ward thermal with the big 75mm lense and that’s great too, I think it’s my favourite set up.

cjs

 

[StevieD]

I’ve never tried but if you put the scope onto standby it may help. I just make sure the menu is nowhere near the ret option because I have had it change the ret to a different rifle set up. Only noticed as I know what ret goes with what rifle. Mine goes on my .22, .204 and .22/250. There may be better and more expensive options but, it’s all I need. I’ve a 22 Hornet with an old Ward thermal with the big 75mm lense and that’s great too, I think it’s my favourite set up.

cjs

Yes standby is pretty slick and would do it, won’t power on via the menu button but I’ll definitely watch for that, thanks. Agreed, better and more expensive options out there for sure, but same, more than enough for what I need. Don’t agree as others have said that build and function are miles apart from Pulsar, I think (perhaps the menu button sensitivity aside) that the build quality and function is pretty solid. Comparing to my C50, both are good, although recently had a brand new replacement C50 sent to me due to a gritty focus ring and battery fault. I’ve just about to put in for a cf variation, specifically for fox and probably .223, but heard good things about the .22 Hornet capabilities.

 

[andybrock]

I’ve had a SQ50 for a good while now, personally I think Hik dropped a bollock with the latest firmware update when they’ve made all the good reticles with a red centre + I found black hot is the best palette but that centre red cross gets lost as it’s either the wrong colour or it’s not bright enough, it’s still a fantastic scope.

 

[BLUEROLL]

I’ve had a SQ50 for a good while now, personally I think Hik dropped a bollock with the latest firmware update when they’ve made all the good reticles with a red centre + I found black hot is the best palette but that centre red cross gets lost as it’s either the wrong colour or it’s not bright enough, it’s still a fantastic scope.

I agree with you about the last Firmware update and its affect on the reticles, but am only judging by the youtube footage. To me it looks like they have also made the single dot and + too big, as a result I have not done the firmware update. Alas I may sell mine as I now have a Duo XP55.