Photography:
Edgaras Marozas
Estimated read time: 5 min.
Recently, we’ve introduced the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro and Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XQ35 Pro – two super handy thermal imagers that can easily fit in your pocket. They are also the first compact monoculars by Pulsar that feature high thermal sensitivity – <25 mK NETD. As with any new device, we were curious to find out what hunters thought about it after using it in the field for a few months. Now, we’re pleased to share their reviews.
Hunter's review
Small but powerful
The most observable feature of the Axion line is its compactness – barely weighing anything, it fits comfortably in your hand, making it a go-to device for hunters on the move. Jón Rúnar Guðjónsson, an Icelander living in Denmark who spends lots of time hunting in Sweden, says the compactness is what makes the Axion series his favorite: “They fit in almost every pocket and fulfill the purpose of thermal imaging.”
Christian Rysgaard, a Danish hunter, is, too, a fan of the Axion series. “Over time, I have probably tested every single model of the Pulsar Axion series – from the Axion XM30 Key to Axion 2 XG35. The design and handiness have been my absolute favorite for pack-and-go thermal units and set a very high bar for competitors to match.”
It’s our R&D department that’s responsible for the aforementioned design, but the small weight is mostly achieved through the magnesium alloy housing. Not only is it light and sturdy, but it also helps to effectively remove the heat from electronics, thus increasing the consistency of the device’s operation during long-term observation.
Miniature body, great sensitivity
Compactness aside, the main reason we’re here is the upgraded Axion’s sensor. The XQ35 Pro model comes with a 384×288 pix. @ 17 µm thermal sensor which has a surprisingly high thermal sensitivity – it amounts to NETD <25 mK. In practice, this means that the new Axion will be able to capture much finer heat differences between objects than its predecessors, therefore providing you with a more informative image than ever before.
Joel Henrysson, a hunter from Sweden, admits to having been surprised by this: “The first thing I noticed was how extremely powerful it is for such a small unit!”
Of course, it is not just the sensor that is responsible for the image. Axion has a fast aperture lens with high infrared transmission which, too, helps with the quality as it is able to capture finer heat signals.
Finally, the latest proprietary image processing algorithms, together with three sensitivity amplification levels, fine brightness and contrast adjustments, and a Smoothing filter, allow you to adjust the Axion’s parameters according to your needs in each particular situation.
Over time, I have probably tested every single model of the Pulsar Axion series. The design and handiness have been my absolute favorite for pack-and-go thermal units and set a very high bar for competitors to match.
Christian Rysgaard
Hunter's review
The wide feature list
As observant readers will have noticed, there are two models of the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro: one with, the other without the LRF. A built-in laser rangefinder is optional, but it will offer you accurate distance readings up to 1 kilometer in two modes: single-time measurement or continuous scanning.
It is certainly a useful feature to have, as judging distances, especially in the dark, can be challenging. And yet, whether to go for it or not, depends completely on your preferred hunting type.
“For my particular use, I specifically prefer the version without a laser range finder, because the slim fit in an ordinary pocket is more important than the added feature of knowing the distance to an animal. I specifically ended up with the Axion 2 XQ35 Pro due to the very high temperature sensitivity in relation to the price and the size of the unit,” explains Christian.
I specifically ended up with the Axion 2 XQ35 Pro due to the very high temperature sensitivity in relation to the price and the size of the unit.
Christian Rysgaard
Hunter's review
While the LRF is a highly practical feature, Axion 2 XQ35 Pro contains many that are as useful as they are fun. One of the most popular functions is photo and video recording. It’s easy to access and lets you preserve some of the greatest memories. As Joel put it, “In general, Axion is very user-friendly. But I like the fast option to record, by pushing the ”down” button twice.” And yes, that’s all you need to do – push one button twice, and the recording starts.
And once you’re ready to share the footage, the Stream Vision 2 app will allow you to do it quickly and simply. You can either download the images to your gallery or share them directly through social media or various messages. The app also allows you to transmit the image from your Axion to the screen of your smartphone in real-time, download the latest updates or get the latest news, and enjoy remote control of your device.
It’s perfect for using at the feeders. These spots are usually at the range of 50-70 meters from the tower and at that distance, the 25mK 384x288 sensor does a very good job.
Jón Rúnar Guðjónsson
Multiple using options
Due to local regulations and preferred types of hunts, both Joel and Jón Rúnar use their Axions for wild boar hunts. Plus, Joel believes “it will be perfect for this summer’s crop protection”. Jón Rúnar says “it’s perfect for using at the feeders or snack places, as I call them. These spots are usually at the range of 50-70 meters from the tower and at that distance, the 25mK 384×288 sensor does a very good job.”
But these are far from the only options for the use of the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro. When asked whom he’d recommend the device to, Joel is quick: “Basically anyone actually! It’s so versatile and you can fit it into almost every pocket and bring it with you everywhere, making it a perfect spotter for every occasion.”
Not a hunter? Not a problem! “Everyone who would like to have a little more recognition about what life goes on in the surroundings would benefit from Axion. It’s a great help to see if there is something alive in the bushes, trees, or on the field. For birdwatchers, farmers, and, of course, hunters, where the regulations allow, this is a very good tool to get a better understanding of your surroundings,” assures Jón Rúnar.
And Christian, a long-term Axion user, is also sharing some practical tips: “For cold nighttime stalking, I use the Red Hot color mode. This gives easy and quick detection capabilities and opportunities to use the rifle sight for identification. For daytime use with many objects of higher temperatures, I switch to the White Hot color palette and rely on movement and animal outlines for detection.” There are six more palettes to choose from, and thus we’re sure you’ll find one for each situation.
To summarize the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro, you don’t need many words. In fact, we’ll take the liberty and use those of Jón Rúnar: “It’s a compact and lightweight eye-opener.” If this sounds like something you could make use of, then it’s time to visit your local Pulsar dealer.
Before purchasing any night or thermal vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local legislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events. If you wish to learn more about export and sales restriction policy, please visit the following link: Export and Sales Restriction Policy.