Making the decision to see the world through thermal doesn’t necessarily involve all-night predator excursions with elaborate nocturnal setups and rifle systems. While all this is fun (and extremely addicting!), there are many uses and applications for a thermal monocular. Today we’re going to take a look at the Telos LRF XL50 from Pulsar.
There is a common misconception that thermal and night vision are interchangeable. They’re not. Thermal imaging is a digital language that detects temperature disparities in objects, regardless of the time of day. The user can render how this looks by managing the settings in their thermal device. It is a game of contrast that is more or less fun depending on ambient temperature and intended purpose. For example, coyote hunting in Northern Michigan in mid-January is both cold and fun!
Night vision, by comparison, is a conversion technology that gathers and concentrates minimal amounts of available light to render a visible image to the human eye. Some devices use infrared emitters to reflect light off of subjects to enhance the viewing experience in cases of extremely minimal ambient light. This is not something that can be utilized other than in nocturnal situations.
For many people who have never considered a thermal purchase, I want to walk through some purposes of thermal monocular technology that are both useful and fun! They’re also a gateway to full-scale thermal setups and a drastic improvement to your night life.
I dove into the thermal world last year. The first time I saw a monocular, I was a little nonplussed. What’s the point? I’ve got a thermal scope on my rifle, why do I need this? Just like with food, however, I’ll try everything once. Here’s what I came up with.
Hunting. This is the obvious one. Your rifle with a thermal scope (which hopefully says “Pulsar” on it) is in the truck rack or the corner of the blind. The monocular is your “glassing” tool. Like a spotting scope or binos, it gives you the ability to scan, zoom, and focus. This particular unit has an 8x digital zoom adjusted by a ring forward of the inlaid rubber controls.
One feature that makes this unit particularly entertaining is the video capture capability. While you’re watching assorted critters, you can record the antics for future viewing.
Tracking. This is an absolute game-changer for post-hunt purposes – whether thermally harvested or not. I’ve personally used this unit multiple times for “after the shot” confirmation. Even vitals-hit animals can still cover a surprising amount of ground fueled by adrenaline. When you pair that with thick cover and the dark, prompt recovery isn’t always a sure thing. Thanks to my Telos LRF XL50, much of the guesswork is eliminated.
I was able to use this unit while in Texas last year to confirm the location of a recently shot hog. The solid 150-yard shot was in the vitals, but the animal took a detour into some thick brush in the dark before going down. With the XL50 in hand, I was able to scan the brush, locate the downed hog, and watch for movement. Due to the incredibly impressive imaging capabilities, I could detect the lack of respirations indicating it was safe to go in and recover.
Pest Management. One of the perks of single-chick living is having to take care of my own mouse problems should they arise. Thanks to the XL50, I was able to locate (via heat loss) the point of entry for my rodent rivals and resolve the problem.
Tying into my mouse problem, I was also able to pinpoint a few areas of inefficiency in my home. Using the XL50, I identified and remedied a handful of doors, windows, and outlets that were lacking proper sealing performance. From predator hunting to moderating propane consumption, thermals are both fun and useful!
We’ve figured out that thermals can check a lot of boxes besides population management. What are some features that make the Telos LRF XL50 a great addition to your gear bag?
Resolution
With thermal imaging, resolution is the name of the game. In our heavy digital/visual age, this is an automatic value builder. The XL50 boasts a 1024 x 768 resolution with an 8X zoom (2.5-20).
Another number that is of equal importance is the NETD classification. This stands for Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference. This number is critical in thermals because it defines what and how well the unit can see. This unit has an NETD of 40 MK (millikelvins).
Let’s talk user interface. The navigation and menu are simple to use to achieve the desired color palette and contrast, as well as to start/stop recording. The four buttons are identifiable by touch as well as vision, making night location a breeze.
The focus, zoom, and reticle focus are accessible and easy to identify. The zoom ring is pretty stiff and is challenging in gloves. All others function with ease.
Battery Life
The XL50 exhibits impressive battery life. Our Northern Michigan sub-zero winter definitely impacted battery life per set. Under normal(ish) temps, a single charge would last through the night with standard use.
From Predators to Propane Savings and Beyond!
So, what’s the bottom line? Whether a dedicated predator hunter, a traditional hunter seeking assistance in recovery outcomes, a homeowner in search of energy savings, or simply someone looking for a fun toy with which to watch critters, the Telos LRF XL50 from Pulsar warrants a second look.
For more information, check out:
https://pulsarnv.com/products/telos-lrf-xl50-thermal-monocular
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