Pulsar thermion picture quality ?

Alan D

New member
Why do the videos look so blurry and picture definition look so poor ? I looked through a XM 38 at local pawn shop here and it just looks poor to me . My Pulsar Apex XQ 50 is sold has much better image quality than new Thermion scopes . I am so glad I did not order new Thermion scope . I like my Hogster R much better and it is compact and easy to carry .It has great range also . I just mounted Hogster R on small caliber hunting rifle and look foward to shooting a few varmints with it . will give a review once I do . thx! Mark
 
Alan,

There are several reasons. It is actually similar on the Flir PTS536 and 736 scopes.

#1) Base Magnification: Being a 12 micron scope, increases the base/native magnification. 4.2x on the XM38 compared to 2.1x on the Trail XQ38. The PTS536 is 4x as well. This impacts more of the background image than it does the image of the animal.

#2) 12 micron - 320 cores. Many manufacturers went to 12 micron - 320 cores because it allows more mag with less lens size. Since the Germanium lens is the most expensive part of the scope, it allows them to be very competitive with pricing. 320 core vs 384 or 640 has less resolution.

#3) Objective Size: With the smaller lenses necessary to get higher base magnification, leads to more of a struggle with overall image and impact due to humidity.

These are three factors. I can say, for sure on the PTS536, although the base image doesn't look as good as the Hogster for instance or the Trail or Apex XQ series, animal detail is very good.

The Thermion XP series has.a much better image. 17 micron 640 core.

The next step up which is 640x480 in 12 micron will be the sweet spot eventually as it already is for Trijicon and N-Vision. However, for those looking for higher base mag, the 12 micron 320 scopes work well. Those looking for a wider FOV, will be better served with the 17 micron scopes (like the Hogster) or going to a 12 micron 640 scope.
 
I have made some really long shots on Hogs with my Flir PTS 536 , Not sure I would be able to that with Pulsar XM 50 .
 
I rolled a coyote at 240 the other night and another just past 200 with xm38. Not sure if you would consider that a long shot.. but it was really effortless with no wind utilizing the picture in picture. I think the higher base mag at 4x may fuz the picture a hair.. my xm30 axion has a slightly smoother image at its base magnification of 2.5x.

I honestly cant see a higher resolution optic increasing my effective range, i do think it would help me distinguish between a long legged male fox and a coyote past 100 yds. The higher res would certainly increase fov, which is limited on the thermion xm38.
 
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