Looking for the ultimate thermal weapon scope? Get ready to plunge deep into a fascinating exploration of the absolute bests on offer – the HIKMICRO Stellar SQ50 Pro and the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro. These two powerhouse thermal scopes are compared in terms of feature set and image quality, perfect for those desiring the finest for their weapon systems. An in-depth commentary offered by night vision and thermal expert, James McDermott, awaits, answering your curiosity on their price, quality, sensors, and magnification abilities.
The Stellar SQ50 Pro stands as a fierce contestant with its superior 640×512-12 micron pixel pitch sensor and smoother zoom. The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro, although pricier, boasts an array of color palettes and has a sensor 640×480 with a 17-micron pixel pitch. However, the Stellar’s superior sensor paired with its great value for money stands as an impressive contender. Though make no mistake, both remarkable scopes ace in enabling users to identify targets at momentous distances. Keep reading as we further delve into the Pros and Cons of these two marvels and their respective functionalities!
Overview of the HIKMICRO Stellar SQ50 Pro and Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro Thermal Weapon Scopes
You might be considering investing in a top-of-the-line thermal weapon scope and are unsure of which option to choose. In this article, we will take a closer look at two key contenders: the HIKMICRO Stellar SQ50 Pro and the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro. Both of these units have pros and cons in terms of price, quality, and the sensors inside. Compared by James McDermott from Optics Warehouse, these two top models are currently the best on the market.
Description of the HIKMICRO Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro is the crown jewel of the HIKMICRO line in terms of sensor quality. It sports a sensor resolution of 640×512, with a 12-micron pixel pitch which isn’t commonly found in many other thermal brands. It is fitted with a 30mm tube for attaching to your weapon of choice.
Description of the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro is the latest thermal weapon scope offering from Pulsar. It’s built into a traditional day scope format, and it carries a 640×480 sensor with a slightly wider 17-micron pixel pitch. Like the Stellar SQ50 Pro, it also comes with a 30mm tube system.
Sensor Specifications
Let’s delve deeper into the sensor specs of these two premium thermal weapon scopes.
Sensor description of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro comes furnished with a high-end 640×512 resolution with a competitive 12-micron pixel pitch. These attributes allow the Stellar SQ50 Pro to capture more light, translating to improved image quality and clarity even at impressive distances.
Sensor description of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
On the other hand, the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro packs a sensor resolution of 640×480 with a slightly greater 17-micron pixel pitch. Although this higher pixel pitch doesn’t capture as much light as the Stellar SQ50, it still produces high-quality night vision outputs.
Digital Magnification
When it comes to magnification, both units have slightly different specifications.
Digital magnification of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro offers adjustable digital magnification ranging from one to eight times optical starting at two and a half times. This feature enables you to zoom in and out with smooth precision while maintaining an optimal frame.
Digital magnification of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro provides a more extensive optical magnification, which varies from two to 16 times optical, with an additional one to eight times digital support. Though the zoom steps are a bit more jumpy, it still delivers sharp imaging.
Image Production
The produced images’ quality differs between the two models due to their different sensors and magnifications.
Image production quality of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro’s image production is highly commendable, especially when zoomed in. It offers a smoother zooming experience and sharper images at long distances. Its richer sensor also aids in bringing out crisp images.
Image production quality of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
Despite it being a bit more pixelated, the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro still delivers robust image production. This slight pixelation can be attributed to its 17-micron pixel pitch resulting in a slightly reduced light absorption.
Color Palette Options
Each model presents various color palettes to cater to different environments and lighting conditions.
Color palette options in the Stellar SQ50 Pro
While the Stellar SQ50 Pro offers a decent range of four different color palette options, these palettes are sufficient for most users, as changing palettes is generally an infrequent occurrence.
Color palette options in the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro boasts many more color palettes compared to the Stellar SQ50 Pro. This better color availability can be advantageous for those seeking extra customization options.
Setup and Reticle Profiles
Both these thermal scopes are user-friendly and are suited for various weapon systems.
Ease of setup and reticle profiles of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
Setting up the Stellar SQ50 Pro is straightforward, as indicated by the instructional videos made by Optics Warehouse on their website. The Stellar SQ50 Pro also provides multiple reticle profiles, enhancing its versatility.
Ease of setup and reticle profiles of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro is also simple to set up and like the Stellar SQ50 Pro, provides multiple reticle profiles, making it flexible for various weapon systems.
Price Comparison
The price of both units, while being on the higher end of the spectrum, is a key consideration for many.
Price of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro is priced at approximately 3,500 pounds. This is quite competitive given its lower micron pitch sensor and the features it offers.
Price of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro comes with a heftier price tag at around 4,300 to 4,400 pounds. This higher price might be associated with its broader range of features, such as the extra color palettes.
Sensor Comparison and Future Models
Both the Stellar SQ50 Pro and Thermion 2 XP50 Pro are best in class models from their respective companies. However, the Stellar SQ50 Pro’s sensor seems to perform better, as per McDermott’s analysis.
Comparing the sensors of Stellar SQ50 Pro and Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
While both devices have high-quality sensors, the Stellar SQ50’s 12-micron pixel pitch sensor seems to allow for more precise images, especially at long distances. The slightly wider 17-micron pixel pitch in the Thermion 2 XP50 provides high-quality vision but falls slightly short in head-to-head comparison with the Stellar SQ50.
Expectations for the Thermion2 XG50 Pro’s sensor
The future release of the Thermion2 XG50 Pro, equipped with a higher-quality sensor, will challenge Stellar’s prowess in this area. It will be insightful to compare these products once the XG50 Pro hits the market.
Range and Distance Capabilities
Both of these scopes excel when it comes to the range and distance capabilities.
Range and distance capabilities of the Stellar SQ50 Pro
The Stellar SQ50 Pro works remarkably well, providing clear images of targets that are far distances away. Targets like sheep at 800-900 meters away can still be spotted with this scope.
Range and distance capabilities of the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
Despite having a slightly larger pixel pitch, the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro still delivers commendable distance capabilities. It might not be as exact as the Stellar SQ50 at very far ranges, but it is still impressive.
Conclusion
Recap of the comparison between Stellar SQ50 Pro and Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
Our comparison of the HIKMICRO Stellar SQ50 Pro and Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro has highlighted many of the top features in these top-of-the-line models. While the Stellar SQ50 Pro excels in sensor specs, image quality, and price, the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro has more choices when it comes to color palettes, broader optical magnification range, and an equally easy setup.
Final remarks and recommendation
When buying either of these excellent thermal scopes, ask yourself what features are essential to your needs and budget. Both scopes provide great value in their respective areas. With the forthcoming release of the Thermion2 XG50 Pro fitted with a superior sensor, the competition will tighten even further. Regardless of the choice you make, you’re getting a high-quality thermal weapon scope, and your nocturnal hunting experience will be significantly improved.
