Pulsar Axion Thermal Monoculars: Pocket-Sized Thermal for Scouting and Night Hunting

The Pulsar Axion family of thermal monoculars is built around one idea: serious thermal performance in a truly pocket-sized package. With fast-start electronics, high-sensitivity sensors, and rugged magnesium housings, Axion units like the XQ19, Axion 2 XG35, and XQ30 Pro give hunters and landowners a compact way to scan fields, timber, or property lines without hauling a bulky optic.

If you need a dedicated riflescope instead of a handheld, explore our thermal riflescopes. For a binocular viewing experience, check out our Merger thermal binoculars. Users who want to add thermal to existing glass should visit our thermal attachments.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Axion Monocular

The Axion lineup covers everything from ultra-compact short-range scanners to high-resolution long-range spotters. Choosing the right model comes down to how far you need to detect heat, how compact you want the unit to be, and whether maximum image detail is worth the extra investment.

Sensor Resolution and NETD

Axion XQ19 – 384×288 @ 17 µm with very low NETD, ideal for mid-range detection in real hunting conditions. Axion XQ30 Pro – 384×288 @ 17 µm with improved sensitivity and optics for stronger reach and contrast. Axion 2 XG35 – 640×480 @ 12 µm for higher detail, better digital zoom, and stronger long-range performance.

Magnification and Field of View

The Axion XQ19 offers a 1.5–6x range and a wide field of view. It’s built for close work—timber, stalking, and scanning while you move through thick cover. The XQ30 Pro bumps that up to 2–8x, giving you a little more reach for open fields, pastures, and longer sightlines. The Axion 2 XG35 stretches to 2.5–20x, letting you scan comfortably at low power and then zoom in hard when you need long-range detail.

Detection Range

Axion XQ19 – Spots heat signatures out to about 820 yards, plenty for most night hunts. Axion XQ30 Pro – Reaches roughly 1,150 yards, giving you more time to react when animals enter the field. Axion 2 XG35 – Pushes detection to around 1,900 yards, ideal for big country, long fence lines, and wide-open ground.

Housing, Size, and Weight

Every Axion is built to be easy to use with one hand and compact enough to carry everywhere. The XQ19 and XQ30 Pro are true “pocket” thermals—small, light, and quick to deploy. The Axion 2 XG35 is still pocketable but adds a tougher build and a larger lens for more long-range capability.

Power, Recording, and Connectivity

Axion units run on Pulsar’s APS battery packs, giving you hours of runtime with the option to swap batteries in seconds. Most models include photo/video recording, built-in memory, and Wi-Fi through the Stream Vision 2 app—handy for saving footage, reviewing a stalk, or streaming your view to a phone or tablet.

Functions of Axion Thermal Monoculars

Axion monoculars are built to do three things: pick up heat fast, stay out of your way, and hold up to real use. They don’t rely on visible light, so they reveal animals, people, and obstacles that disappear in shadows or brush. Their compact size means you actually bring them with you—walking to the stand, checking a feeder, or making a quick sweep along a fence line. It's thermal capability you’ll use every day, not just when you remember to pack it.

• Fast, one-handed scanning with ergonomics designed for use in gloves and bad weather.
• High-sensitivity microbolometers that pick up subtle heat differences in fog, rain, and high humidity.
• Multiple color palettes to tailor contrast to terrain and temperature.
• Onboard recording and Wi-Fi so you can capture and share encounters or review patterns later.
• Rugged, weather-resistant housings built to handle field abuse, cold, and rain.

Axion Model Comparison

Extended Use Cases

Night Hunting and Predator Control

• Use the Axion XQ19 or XQ30 Pro to scan fields and feeders before raising a rifle.
• Deploy the Axion 2 XG35 for spotting coyotes, hogs, or foxes at the outer edge of shooting distance.
• Record encounters to study animal behavior and refine stand locations over time.

Mobile Scouting and Travel

• Carry an Axion in your jacket or pack for quick checks around camp or the truck.
• Use compact Axion units on out-of-state hunts or trips where space and weight matter.
• Scan trails, crossings, and tree lines during midday to see where animals are bedding or moving.

Land Management and Security

• Walk fence lines at night and spot wildlife, trespassers, or livestock without visible light.
• Use long-range Axion 2 XG35 variants to monitor large fields from a single vantage point.
• Document activity patterns for planning food plots, feeder placement, or security improvements.

Tips for Optimizing Your Axion Monocular

• Start on the lowest magnification to maximize field of view, then zoom only when you need detail.
• Refocus frequently – thermal sharpness depends heavily on precise focus at different distances.
• Try several color palettes in your actual hunting conditions; what works in open fields may not be ideal in timber.
• Keep the objective and eyepiece lenses clean; even light smudges reduce contrast and detection range.
• Carry a spare APS battery if you plan to scout all night, and enable power-saving features when glassing from a fixed position.

Additional Resources & Guides

• Pulsar’s New Compact Powerful Axion XG30 Monocular
• Pulsar Axion XQ30 Pro: The Answer Is Yes
• Pulsar Axion XM30S Thermal Monocular

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