Summary
If you want to have the best field shooting experience, regardless of the weather conditions, then the Pulsar Thermion XG50 Thermal Riflescope is a great option.
The Pulsar XG50 is features tough aluminum housing that is ergonomically designed. It is lightweight, compact, user-friendly, and portable.
The XG50 uses a BAE sensor with an impressive 640x480 resolution and a pixel size of 12 microns.
This riflescope provides exceptional clarity and has a detection range of up to 2,400 yards. With the 1024x768 AMOLED display, you can view precise details of the target at all times.
This Pulsar thermal scope has a variable magnification ranging from 3x to 24x and a digital zoom of 8x. There are five rifle profiles and 13 variable electronic reticles available on this optic. Also, the XG50 provides multiple color palettes for a customized display.
The 30mm scope body is compatible with all traditional 30mm rings. Its onboard recording capability allows you to record your adventure videos and store them on a 16GB internal memory.
And with features like USB connectivity and Wi-Fi support, you can easily transfer your data to a smartphone or laptop.
Some unique features of the Thermion XG50 include picture-in-picture and defective-pixel repair, so you can enjoy peak performance every time.
The XG50 is IPX7 waterproof and is suitable for all weather conditions, and a 3-year warranty also backs it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sturdy and durable aluminum build
- Handy and easy to use
- High detection range
- Large LED display to view results conveniently
- Impressive image resolution
- Instant start-up and accurate results
- Variable digital zoom to view target at significant distances
- Waterproof housing to run flawlessly in all weather conditions
- USB connectivity to easily share videos and images
- Good storage capacity of 16GB
- Suitable for hunting hog, varmints, and other big games
Cons
- Slow WiFi to phone connection
- Complex instruction manual
Unique Features
The Pulsar Thermion XG50 Thermal Riflescope is suitable for every modern shooter because of its high-end features that include:
Premium Aluminum Build
The exterior of this riflescope is made using premium aluminum. The sturdy construction makes the riflescope highly durable and capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions on the field without compromising on performance.
Waterproof
This thermal riflescope is IPX7 waterproof, so you can use it even under rough weather conditions. It is protected from heavy rainfall, snow, and other precipitation. The riflescope is also dust-proof and can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Compact and lightweight
The aluminum build makes the riflescope sturdy yet lightweight (only 2 pounds). It is not only easy to handle, but the scope’s compact size makes it easy for you to carry it around without any hassle.
Sensor Resolution
The Pulsar riflescope is equipped with a BAE sensor and features a 640x480 microbolometer resolution to provide exceptional clarity. With the 12-micron pixel size, the device delivers superb image quality under any condition. This increases your chances of hitting the target!
Field of View
This riflescope features an 8.8° field of view to allow you to view larger landscapes through the lens. It is 46.2 feet at 100 yards and 15.4 m at 100 meters.
Variable Magnification
Another great feature of the XG50 is the variable magnification that ranges from 3x to 24x. The 8x digital zoom is available in both continuous zoom and 2x, 4x, 8x stepped zoom. It allows an optimum and customized field of view to suit your needs.
High shock resistance
The Pulsar riflescope boasts high shock resistance, considering it can handle high-powered firearm recoil up to .375-cal. Thanks to the 30mm scope body, this thermal device is compatible with all 30 mm rings, so you can mount the optic onto your rifle of choice.
AMOLED Display
The Pulsar XG50 features a 1024x768 AMOLED display that provides enhanced clarity. With such a resolution, a shooter can clearly see detailed images of the target. It also offers different viewing modes for rocks, forests, and other terrain identification.
There are also eight different color palettes for customized display options. These include White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot, Rainbow, and Ultramarine for highlighting intense hot spots. Violet, Sepia, and Red Monochrome are suitable for reducing eye fatigue over an extended observation period.
Variable electronic reticles
You will find more than ten variable electronic reticles on the XG50, including seven non-scalable reticles and three scalable reticles.
The non-scalable reticles are X50i, C50i, X54i, H50i, D50i, T54i, and M58i. They work accurately when either the picture-in-picture feature is activated or magnification is set to the minimum.
Contrary to this, the three scalable reticles include one X51Fi-300 and two Mil-Dot reticles (M56Fi and M57Fi).
User-friendly Interface
On top of such exceptional features, the Pulsar XG50 also comes with a user-friendly interface. The alphanumeric, icon-driven status bar at the bottom of the display is very easy to read.
And the internal menu items and options are displayed on a gradient substrate for easy operation. This allows you to adjust different settings without losing sight of the target.
Picture-in-Picture
Another prominent feature of the Pulsar XG50 is the picture-in-picture that provides a magnified image of the reticle area at the top of the display to improve the shooter’s accuracy.
Since it occupies only 1/10th part of the display area, the field of view remains unobstructed.
Built-in video recording
The Pulsar XG50 allows you to record videos of your thrilling adventure to show them later to your friends and family. It has a 16 GB internal memory to store all your videos and images for later use.
Wi-Fi Connectivity and Mobile-Friendliness
This riflescope supports USB connectivity to allow you to share images and videos on your laptop. You can also connect it to your smartphone and tablets through WiFi and seamlessly transfer data.
Stream Vision Technology
With the Stream Vision Technology, the riflescope allows you to stream live footage to YouTube. Plus, you have the full remote control capability over the riflescope via your smartphone or other connected devices.
Battery
The Pulsar Thermion XG50 runs using 2 APS rechargeable batteries that can last for over 7 hours once fully charged. You may need to carry a spare pair of batteries for a full day of hunting.
Accessories
Apart from the Pulsar XG50 thermal riflescope, the package includes two rechargeable batteries, a battery charger, the main charger, a USB cable, a quick-start guide, a cleaning cloth, and a hard case for safe storage.
Comparison With The XP Trail 2
The Pulsar XG50 and Trail 2 are both standard day scopes.
Both of them feature variable magnification with a detailed 640x480 pixel resolution and use variable electronic reticles to meet certain hunting needs.
They are both IPX7 waterproof and come with built-in video recording capability.
However, one of the significant differences between these scopes is that the Pulsar Trail 2 is incorporated with Laser Range Finder, which makes it suitable for professionals. And, the Trail 2 is relatively more expensive than the Pulsar XG50.
So, the final choice comes down to personal needs and preferences.
Issues & Concerns
While The Pulsar XG50 has much to offer, there are some concerns and issues related to it as well. These include:
Slow WiFi
As mentioned above, this riflescope supports WiFi connectivity to download videos to your smartphone wirelessly. However, the WiFi connection is slow, so you may need to wait a little longer for complete data transfer.
Poor instruction manual
The package comes with a quick-start guide to help you set up the riflescope. However, many users complain about the instruction manual being complex and difficult to understand.
Care and Maintenance
With proper care and maintenance, you can expect the Pulsar riflescope to serve you in the long run. Some things to remember are:
- Clean the body and lens after every use with the cleaning cloth included in the package
- Do not use abrasive chemicals for cleaning
- Store the riflescope in the hard case provided in the package
- Keep the riflescope in a well-ventilated space for prolonged storage
- Try to recharge the batteries using only the charger provided
Warranty
Pulsar guarantees that the XG50 is free from defects for three years. The warranty covers defects in materials and craftsmanship.
There is also a 1-year warranty on the rechargeable batteries. However, it is essential to show a purchase receipt or warranty card to avail of the warranty.
- Brand: Pulsar
- Model: XG50
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Backlit and wide LCD display
- Dimensions: 16 x 3 x 3 inches
- Material: Aluminum
- Type: Handheld
- Color: Black
- Power Supply: Battery-powered
- Battery Type: APS 2 rechargeable batteries
- Battery life: 7+ hours
- Digital Zoom: 24 x
- Thermal sensor: BAE
- Microbolometer Resolution: 640×480 pixels
- Pixel: 12 micron
- Detection Range: 2400 yards
- Objective lens: 42 mm
- Lens focus: 50 mm
- Frame rate: 50 Hz
- Field of view: 8.8° (46.2 feet at 100 yards)
- Magnification: 3-24 x
- Digital Zoom: 2x/ 4x/ 8x
- Eye Relief: 2 inches (50 mm)
- Windage and elevation adjustment range: 103 MOA
- Operating Temperature: -13° F to 122° F
- Display: AMOLED
- Display resolution: 1024x768 pixels
- Internal recording: Yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes
- Electronic Reticles: 13
- Color Palettes: 8
- USB connectivity: Yes
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- Image format: MPEG-4, JPG
Where to Buy
If you are interested in buying this Pulsar Thermion XG50 thermal riflescope for your next hunt, you can buy one from Amazon or OpticsPlanet.
