Pulsar Axion XQ30 Pro
The Axion series of thermal monoculars are Pulsar’s compact and convenient option for those who do not need the highest specifications offered by the Helion or Telos series. To look at they all appear very similar, however the thermal specifications of these monoculars are very different and each is suited to a particular purpose and budget.
The XQ30 Pro is the best option for anybody looking for an entry level thermal monocular. It has an upgraded 384 х 288 and 12µm core thermal sensor, which compared with its predecessor affords a greatly improved resolution. The NETD value has been reduced to <25mK and while this is sufficient for most purposes, you may want to consider a more advanced model if you are looking for very small differences in temperature.
We’ve tested the XQ30 Pro in a range of different wildlife monitoring scenarios and found that it is:
- Excellent for observing a range of different sized mammals from hedgehogs to red deer.
- Excellent for monitoring den boxes and bird boxes out to approximately 30m
- Good for observing large sized birds at close to medium range (e.g. geese)
- Good for observing medium sized birds at closer ranges (e.g. blackbirds)
- More challenging to use for observing small mammals (e.g. mice, bats) and small birds (e.g. robin). Although the scope is capable of picking up smaller heat signals, the image clarity appears poorest for small species. If you want a scope that observe smaller animals with greater clarity, consider the Axion 2 XG35.
The Axion XQ30 Pro features three new sensitivity settings (normal, high, and ultra) for adjustable brightness and contrast. In practice these settings can greatly help when working in poor weather conditions like fog, humidity, and heavy precipitation.
The detection range for the XQ30 Pro is 1050m, the base magnification is 2x, it has a digital zoom of up to 8x, and the 30mm lens offers an increased field of view of 13.3°. These are good optics for an entry level monocular. In practice, however, the working detection range is likely to be lower in most circumstances. For larger mammals in good weather conditions, the stated detection ranges are accurate. For smaller heat signatures, in more cluttered environments or in poorer weather conditions, the useful working distance is closer to a few hundred metres.
The XQ30 Pro comes with the same great features as the other Axions. The start-up is instant, meaning you can quickly use it when in the field. It has a Picture in Picture function which allows you to zoom in on a secondary image on the screen whilst still maintaining your field of view. It comes with the standard 8 thermal colour pallets.
It can record video at a resolution of 528 х 400, which is saved on an internal 16GB memory. We found in practice that the quality of the picture on the XQ30 Pro is better when looking through the viewfinder than what you will see on recorded clips, so you may need to consider more advanced models such as the Axion XG35 or Helion and Telos if you want to use this for primarily recording.
It has a WiFi module that allows you to view a livestream from the camera and adjust its settings on the free Stream Vision 2 app.
The lightweight, ultra compact and rugged magnesium alloy housing makes it easy to carry around in any standard-sized pocket and its ergonomic design means it will fit perfectly in your hand. The IPX7 waterproof rating protects the device from snow, heavy rainfall or other precipitation. It can even survive water submersion up to 1m for 30 minutes.
Its easily interchangeable APS3 battery can power the monocular for approximately 8 hours of continuous use.
The Axion XQ30 Pro comes with a three year warranty, the rechargeable battery comes with one year.
