This is the product that you save your pennies for if you want to see in the dark – 8 assorted color palettes, 8! The sensor is a whopping 1024×768 which simply means it is a clearer image with a wider field of view, which makes the cheap(er) 384s’ look obsolete. The price is high yes, but this is the tool all night hunters need to use! The in-built Laser Range Finder is a product unto itself and quite easy to use. I detached the unit to be a range finder and spotting thermal so as not to lift my full set up. You can have 10 preloaded reticles so quick-detaching off one and onto another is a breeze. Its also Waterproof, just amazing.
First, the product:
The new Thermion stands out from the crowd primarily with its excellent HD image quality and powerful sensor capabilities. It is perfect for long-distance shooters and for observation with a wide field of view. The HD sensor resolution maintains optimal image quality even at high zoom levels. With the help of new advanced image processing algorithms, Thermion 2 LRF XL50 offers great opportunities for long-range observation in diverse weather conditions. Thermion 2 LRF XL50 – the new premium standard.
The Good
The processor in the XL50 is excellent. Without going into physics and hacking, the 1024×768 @ 12 microns is like looking through a high-quality scope glass. I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity at 3.5x zoom and even at 5x. Pixels start to get in the way at longer range and at different color palettes. If you saw my last review, I could see the Plover clearer this time around.
The optional color palettes were a nice touch. When I turned it on, the screen filled in a deep purple, which was not as cool as the band. I found my feet in White Hot and found it extremely easy to spot differing temperatures, distinct species and even judge size.
The push of a button gave me access to a laser range finder which I think is a game changer. With a range of up to 800m (about the height of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world) and seemingly high accuracy, my confidence rose immediately with that gauge aiding my decisions and aim.
Did I mention the 2 batteries with life indicators?
What about the countdown to refreshing the screen, did I mention that?
Oh, and it’s waterproof…
The Bad
It’s hard for me to find anything to write in here that I found ‘bad.’ I have left various unnecessary color palettes for the Ugly. Can’t fault the weight, for what you are getting its solid sure, but it is acceptable at 1.03kg. The price is up there yes, as a serious piece of kit, you are putting out some dosh but any night hunter I have met has the “buy once, cry once” mentality and knows what they are in for. Still, $20 is $20 and the cost of living is a big deal at the moment. If I had the money though, no brainer.
The Ugly
I don’t understand why you need Red monochrome, Rainbow, Ultramarine, Violet, or Sepia as color options. As above I mentioned that I turned it on, blasted by purple then changed it quickly to what happened to be red monochrome (maybe?), and felt I was looking at the surface of the sun during a heatwave, rushing to change the color back to something less obnoxious. I tried the others; I really did but this novice just didn’t get it. White Hot and Black Hot were more than sufficient, Red Hot was a nice differentiator, but the others felt unnecessary.
Realistically the only thing I didn’t like, was the lost space in a circular eye piece looking at a rectangular screen. The eye relief is great, surprisingly, but there is a lot of black space in your view. Its a thermal though so you’re looking through a screen.
Overall
I’ve been spoiled with trialing the top of the range, everything else feels second best. I’ll have to try some thermal binoculars next to see if they’re any better because these really are worth the money. Get on YouTube, watch the in-field videos, it will show you exactly how this changes the game, then go buy one.
The Details
| Sensor | 1024×768 @ 12 µm (NETD <35 mK) |
| Objective lens | F50 / 1.0 |
| Magnification, x | 1.75 – 14 |
| Field of view (HxV), degrees / m@100m | 14×10.5 / 24.6×18.4 |
| Detection range, m | 2300 |
| Sensor | |
| Type | uncooled |
| Resolution, pixels | 1024×768 |
| Pixel pitch, µm | 12 |
| NETD, mK | 35 |
| Frame rate, Hz | 50 |
| Optics | |
| Objective lens | F50 / 1.0 |
| Magnification, x | 1.75 – 14 |
| Field of view (HxV), degrees / m @ 100 m | 14×10.5 / 24.6×18.4 |
| Eye relief, mm | 50 |
| Display | |
| Type | AMOLED |
| Resolution, pixels | 1024×768 |
| Range Performance | |
| Detection range, m | 2300 |
| Laser Rangefinder | |
| Safety class for laser equipment according to IEC 60825-1:2014 | 1 |
| Wavelength, nm | 905 |
| Max. measuring range, m | 800 |
| Measurement accuracy, m | ± 1 |
| Reticle | |
| Click value, H/V, mm at 100 m | 24 – 1.75х, 12 – 3.5х, 6 – 7х, 3 – 14х |
| Click range, H/V, mm at 100 m | 4800 / 4800 |
| Number of preloaded reticles | 10 |
| Video Recorder | |
| Video / photo resolution, pixel | 1024×768 |
| Video / photo format | .mp4 / .jpg |
| Built-in memory, GB | 64 |
| Wi-Fi | |
| Wireless Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (WPA) |
| Frequency, GHz | 2.4 / 5 |
| Bluetooth | |
| Wireless Protocol | BLE 4.2 |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.15.1 |
| Frequency, GHz | 2.4 |
| Environmental Characteristics | |
| Degree of protection, IP code (IEC60529) | IPХ7 (waterproof) |
| Operating temperature range, °С | -25 – +50 |
| Connections and Compatibilities | |
| Max. recoil power on rifled weapon (Eo), Joules | 6000 |
| Shock resistance on the smooth-bore rifles, caliber | 12 |
| Compatible mounts | Standard 30 mm rings |
| Supported Application | Stream Vision 2, Stream Vision Ballistics |
| Power Supply | |
| Output voltage, V | 3.0 – 4.2 |
| Battery type | Dual Li-Ion B-Pack Mini Power System: 2 A·h Changeable Battery (external) / 4.9 A·h Battery (internal) |
| Capacity, mAh | 2000 (external) + 4900 (internal) |
| Operating time on battery pack (at t=22°C), h * | 7 |
| External power supply, V | 5V, 9V (USB Type-C Power Delivery) |
| Weight & Size | |
| Body material | Aluminum alloy |
| Dimensions, mm | 426×78.5×94.5 |
| Weight, kg | 1.03 |
