Thermal binoculars

[DamaDaz]

If it helps, I was recently after a thermal monocular as an addition to my swaro glass, purely for spotting, with the Swaros then used to id. I tried a few at the shooting show. Before I went, I convinced myself that the NocPix h35r with lrf was what I was going to buy. However, that was until I got both in the hand. For me, the new HikMicro Condor 2.0 won hands down on ergonomics. Yes the NocPix might have a bigger display, but for me, the feel of the Condor and that focus scroll wheel, more than made up for the smaller eye display.

With regards to Binos. I did not want to get rid of my actual glass for deer identification so did not want to go down the thermal only bino route.

 

[Jeff8861]

Nocpix quest pity they weren't multi spectral I'll stick with the Habroks

 

[palo]

I was the opposite to DamaDaz .
I was looking for a thermal spotter
I went to the show mainly to look at the hik condor 2.0 and the nocpix h35r .
I was leaning towards the condor but after handling both I preferred the nocpix.
It just shows that you really need to handle these things before making a decision.
I like using my Leica binos when stalking so I'd rather a spotter than another pair of binos.

 

[DamaDaz]

I was the opposite to DamaDaz .
I was looking for a thermal spotter
I went to the show mainly to look at the hik condor 2.0 and the nocpix h35r .
I was leaning towards the condor but after handling both I preferred the nocpix.
It just shows that you really need to handle these things before making a decision.
I like using my Leica binos when stalking so I'd rather a spotter than another pair of binos.

100%! The shooting show was invaluable for me in that regard too. Not sure I would have got my hands on both otherwise. A lot of these devices are quite similar these days and will all spot deer (if that’s what your spotting), have similar warranties etc. it then cones down to ergonomics in my opinion

 

[Hanechdene]

Pulsar don’t get a mention, any reason?

Have they fallen behind?

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Pulsar don’t get a mention, any reason?

Have they fallen behind?

I sort of see pulsar as more expensive for a lesser spec.
That is just my thoughts based on nothing factual.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Make	Model		Display	Price	Mag		Run time	Battery
Hik	Condor 2	CQ50L	640x480 sensor. 1920x1080 Oled Display	£2,400.00​	2.7-21.6	operate single handed	6.5​	21700 battery
		CQ35L	640x480 sensor. 1920x1080 Oled Display	£2,100.00​	1.9-15.2	operate single handed	6.5​	21700 battery
	Falcon	FQ50L	640x480 sensor. 1920x1080 Oled Display	£2,650.00​	2.7-21	operate single handed	6.5​	21700 battery
HIK	Habrook 4k	HE25L	269x192 thermal. 3840x2160 day night sensor	£1,200.00​	5.5-22	NV is very short range			3 year warranty
	Habrok	HQ50L	640x480 sensor 3840x2160 day night sensor	£3,200.00​	5.5-22			dedicated battery pack	3 year warranty
Nocpix	Quest (Bino)	L35R	384-288 sensor 1920-1200 Amoled Display	£1,699.00​	5.0-20	Thermal only		internal battery and 18650	4 year warranty
Nocpix	Quest (Bino)	H35R	640x512 sensor 1920-1200 Amoled Display	£2,299.00​	3.0-24			internal battery and 18650	4 year warranty
Nocpix	Quest (Bino)	H50R	640x512 sensor 1920-1200 Amoled Display	£2,699.00​	4.0-32			internal battery and 18650	4 year warranty
Nocpix	Vista	S50R	1280x1024 sensor 2560x2560 Amoled Display	£4,000.00​	2.0-40	On/Off button in wrong place	11​		4 year warranty
Nocpix	Vista	H50R	640x480 sensor. 2560x2560 Amoled Display	£2,600.00​	4.0-40	On/Off button in wrong place	11​	bespoke battery pack
	Vista	H35R	640x480 sensor. 2560x2560 Amoled Display	£2,200.00​	3.0-28	On/Off button in wrong place	11​	bespoke battery pack
ATN	Blazehunter	635LRF		£1,669.00​	2.5-20	Not at show so couldn’t play	7​	18650 I think	3 years
		650LRF	640x512 sensor 1440x1080	£1,800.00​	3.5-28	Not at show so couldn’t play	7​	18650 I think

In case you can’t tell, I am in the market to buy something.
So my observations from playing at the show.
1: I wanted a range finder.
2: 640 min spec.
3: I would prefer low base mag but it Needs to be a decent image up around 12 to 16mag

Atn were not there so I couldn’t try to see what they are like
Nocpix vista, didn’t like where the on/off button is. I switched it off a couple of times. Hik, have done a better job with the button at the side.
Hik monoculars, really like the focus button position. A lot.
Hik binos, they really need to figure out how to focus both channels using one button or ring. I kept focusing the wrong one. (First world issue I know)
Nocpix Quest bino, I like the internal battery and an 18650 as well so you can hot switch if needed. Obviously, not at the show so didn’t get to stroke them.

Thermal only,
Nocpix is slightly more expensive and slightly better display than Hik Condor and Falcon. Would I notice? That is something for the experts to answer.
The main interesting point for me is, would a thermal bino be better than a thermal monocular. A lot of people say they do not suffer eyestain from the binos.

Lastly, if I was looking at the Habrooks, it would be the 50. Tried the 25, sent it back. As I have said, if only used for deerstalking, then great price and great kit. But I use it foxing as well. The 50 uses a dedicated battery pack.

I am still no further forward to make a decision.

The ATN Blaze Model is actually manufactured by Pixfra and the identical model is called the Arc Pro, these are a lower RRP, so if you get chance check this model also...

If the Vista power button being on the top like 99% of other monoculars puts you off , then your pretty fussy . Considering the Vista has best in class 2560px eye display no other monocular has, 4 year warranty and 1280px option that again no other monocular has.... I think your missing the benefits a lot...

Yes single hand focus is a good feature for sure, , i.e the Wild and Condor/Falcon 2.0 ..you can find yourself constantly trying to focus for perfection a little too much..

The Habrok is a good unit, one design improvement for me would be to put the thermal channel on the left side, as if your right handed you use your left hand to focus, most of the time people use the thermal channel so to have to grip and focus with the right hand and focus with the right, can be a little unnatural ...

Thermal binoculars offer a better viewing experience for me and much less eyestrain than monocular models if used for extended periods of time..

If you go for a Habrok, for me the HX60L model offers the best of everything, FOV, detection range and resolution... It's worth saving for over the other models just for pure usability at close and long range..

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

I sort of see pulsar as more expensive for a lesser spec.
That is just my thoughts based on nothing factual.

Merger XL and XT models have a very natural image, even at long ranges... We sell a lot of the new XT models, some don't look at the price and just want the great image quality and design.

 

[si_b1979]

Don't forget that base magnification and field of view will have a big bearing on your choice. If you are predominantly woodland stalking and scanning with the thermal binos, you will want a relatively low base magnification. I have found that 2.5x is just about right. Anything much more than that, you'll find yourself missing lots or having to scan way to much up and down, left and right.

I have Pulsar Merger XL50 and Habrok Pro HL60. Much prefer the thermal image of the Pulsar, but the versatility of the Habroks with 4k digital viewing means they are the go to, especially for stalking, so I don't have to carry a pair of glass binos as well..

 

[Hanechdene]

Don't forget that base magnification and field of view will have a big bearing on your choice. If you are predominantly woodland stalking and scanning with the thermal binos, you will want a relatively low base magnification. I have found that 2.5x is just about right. Anything much more than that, you'll find yourself missing lots or having to scan way to much up and down, left and right.

I have Pulsar Merger XL50 and Habrok Pro HL60. Much prefer the thermal image of the Pulsar, but the versatility of the Habroks with 4k digital viewing means they are the go to, especially for stalking, so I don't have to carry a pair of glass binos as well..

Which one gives you the the clearest/ sharpest image when it is wet?

 

[sy247]

Pulsar manufacture in Europe. They are going to be more expensive than a product manufactured in the Far East. I like the Pulsar design, ergonomics and build quality.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Pulsar manufacture in Europe. They are going to be more expensive than a product manufactured in the Far East. I like the Pulsar design, ergonomics and build quality.

A massive plus point to consider with Pulsar, is they are still offering repairs on Quantum models even after a decade from initial release... it would be interesting to see if everyone else involved in manufacturing will allow this much longevity of their product lines...

 

[si_b1979]

Which one gives you the the clearest/ sharpest image when it is wet?

Very little in it, but because the Habrok HL60’s image processing really seem to force the contract to highlight hot objects, it JUST edges the Merger XL50s.

 

[Hanechdene]

Thank you

Wish I had the time to go to the show and see them……

 

[Hanechdene]

Is anyone using the Hikmicro Habrok pro HX60L and if so, can you clearly identify the sex of deer with it?

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Is anyone using the Hikmicro Habrok pro HX60L and if so, can you clearly identify the sex of deer with it?

Yes and so far, yes.

 

[Ajax]

Is anyone using the Hikmicro Habrok pro HX60L and if so, can you clearly identify the sex of deer with it?

Had no problems so far.

 

[Hanechdene]

Thank you.

What sort of distances are you many using it at?