Pulsar Axion Compact XG30 Thermal Imager

The Pulsar Axion Compact XG30 thermal imaging monocular combines a 640 × 480 sensor with a compact magnesium alloy body for handheld wildlife observation. Its 2x starting magnification and broad field of view suit searching woodland edges, field boundaries and mixed terrain, with digital zoom available for closer inspection once a heat signature is located.

Key features

• 640 × 480, 12µm thermal sensor for detailed observation in a pocket-sized device.
• 30mm f/1.2 objective lens with 2–16x total magnification.
• Picture-in-Picture displays a magnified inset while retaining the surrounding scene.
• Adjustable image processing and nine colour palettes with current firmware.
• IPX7 waterproof housing and a removable APS3 rechargeable battery.
• Photo and video recording with audio, 64GB storage and Stream Vision 2 connectivity.

Wide-field viewing for searching and scanning

At its 2x starting magnification, the XG30 provides a 14.6° horizontal field of view, covering 25.6m at 100m. This helps you survey your surroundings and follow movement while keeping more of the scene visible.

The 30mm f/1.2 objective lens provides a quoted detection range of up to 1,300m for a deer-sized object. This describes detection; identifying an animal depends on its size, distance and the observation conditions.

Digital zoom extends total magnification to 16x, with smooth adjustment and stepped settings for changing the view.

640 × 480 thermal sensor

The European-made Lynred sensor has a 12µm pixel pitch and a sensor NETD of less than 40mK. System NETD, incorporating image processing, is less than 25mK. Thermal sensitivity helps distinguish small temperature differences between a subject and its background.

Thermal imaging requires no additional illumination, allowing observation by day and night. A 50Hz frame rate supports viewing moving subjects and scanning across the landscape.

Picture-in-Picture and image adjustment

Picture-in-Picture places a magnified image in a separate window while the main scene remains visible at base magnification. You can therefore examine a subject more closely while retaining the wider view.

Normal, High and Ultra sensitivity enhancement settings provide different levels of thermal image processing. Brightness, contrast and a smoothing filter offer further adjustment as the appearance of the subject and surroundings changes.

The 640 × 400 AMOLED display supports nine colour palettes with current firmware, including White Hot, Black Hot and Green. User Mode saves selected brightness and contrast settings, while display dimming and adjustable interface brightness help you set up the view for observation in darkness.

Compact handling and waterproof construction

The magnesium alloy housing measures 144 × 41 × 69mm and weighs approximately 310g with the battery installed. Its pocket-sized format makes it convenient to carry between observation points, while a rubberised strip along the underside assists grip.

Separate objective and eyepiece focusing controls let you focus on the scene and adjust the display to your eyes. The IPX7 waterproof rating supports use in wet weather, and a 1/4-inch mounting connection provides an option for tripod-supported observation.

Rechargeable and replaceable APS3 battery

The supplied APS3 lithium-ion battery provides up to seven hours of operation at 22°C. Actual endurance varies with temperature and use of functions such as Wi-Fi and recording.

Recharge the battery inside the monocular through USB-C, or exchange it for a separately purchased spare during longer outings. The XG30 also supports an external 5V power supply. Display Off keeps the device ready between observations, with automatic shutdown providing additional power management.

Record observations and connect to Stream Vision 2

Capture still photographs and video with sound directly to the 64GB internal memory. Recordings can be downloaded for reviewing sightings, keeping an observation record or sharing afterwards.

Stream Vision 2 connects a compatible Android or iOS smartphone or tablet over Wi-Fi. Use the app for live viewing, remote control, downloading files and installing firmware updates. Both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands are supported.

Current firmware also supports video streaming through USB-C.

Stadiametric distance estimation

The stadiametric rangefinder estimates distance using an object's apparent size and a known reference height. Adjust the on-screen markers around the subject to obtain an approximate distance, using the predefined hare, boar or deer references as appropriate.

Compare with similar Pulsar monoculars

Axion Compact XG30 or Axion XQ30 Pro?

The Pulsar Axion XQ30 Pro also starts at 2x magnification, but uses a 384 × 288 thermal sensor and extends to 8x. The XG30 offers higher sensor resolution, a slightly wider horizontal field of view and a longer quoted detection range: 1,300m compared with 1,050m.

Recording capacity also differs, with 64GB in the XG30 and 16GB in the XQ30 Pro. The XQ30 Pro has a lower published system NETD of less than 20mK, compared with less than 25mK for the XG30, so thermal sensitivity is another consideration alongside resolution and field of view.

Axion Compact XG30 or Axion Compact XG35?

The Pulsar Axion Compact XG35 uses the same thermal sensor resolution but pairs it with a 35mm f/1.0 lens, 2.5–20x magnification and a quoted detection range of 1,750m. Its 12.5° horizontal field of view is narrower than the XG30’s 14.6° view.

Choose the XG30 when you prioritise a broader starting view for searching and scanning. Consider the XG35 when a more magnified initial view and longer-range detection are more useful for your usual observation ground.

Specifications

Thermal sensor and optics

• Sensor type: uncooled microbolometer.
• Sensor resolution: 640 × 480 pixels.
• Pixel pitch: 12µm.
• Sensor NETD: <40mK.
• System NETD: <25mK.
• Frame rate: 50Hz.
• Objective lens: 30mm f/1.2.
• Base optical magnification: 2x.
• Total magnification range: 2–16x.
• Digital zoom: up to 8x, with smooth adjustment and stepped settings.
• Angular field of view, horizontal × vertical: 14.6° × 9.2°.
• Linear field of view at 100m, horizontal × vertical: 25.6 × 16m.
• Minimum observation distance: 5m.
• Quoted detection range: up to 1,300m for a deer-sized object.
• Eye relief: 14mm.
• Exit pupil diameter: 4mm.
• Eyepiece dioptre adjustment: −5 to +4.

Display and observation functions

• Display type: AMOLED.
• Display resolution: 640 × 400 pixels.
• Viewing function: Picture-in-Picture.
• Colour palettes with current firmware: White Hot, Black Hot, Green, Red Hot, Red Monochrome, Rainbow, Ultramarine, Violet and Sepia.
• Sensitivity enhancement settings: Normal, High and Ultra.
• Image controls: brightness, contrast, smoothing filter and User Mode.
• Calibration modes: manual, semi-automatic and automatic.
• Rangefinding: stadiametric distance estimation using reference object sizes.
• Additional functions: display dimming, adjustable interface brightness, Display Off, automatic shutdown and defective pixel repair.

Recording and connectivity

• Recording: still photographs and video with audio.
• Still photograph resolution: 960 × 600 pixels.
• Internal storage: 64GB.
• File formats: JPG photographs and MP4 video.
• Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
• Wi-Fi standard: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac.
• Supported app: Stream Vision 2 for Android and iOS.
• Connection: USB Type-C.
• USB video streaming: supported with current firmware.
• Firmware updates: supported through Stream Vision 2.

Power, construction and dimensions

• Battery: removable APS3 rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
• Battery capacity: 3,200mAh.
• Nominal battery voltage: 3.7V.
• Device operating voltage: 3–4.2V.
• Quoted battery endurance: up to seven hours at 22°C, depending on functions used.
• Charging connection: USB Type-C.
• External power: 5V through USB Type-C.
• Housing: magnesium alloy.
• Protection rating: IPX7.
• Mounting connection: 1/4-inch.
• Dimensions: 144 × 41 × 69mm.
• Weight without battery: approximately 250g.
• Weight with battery: approximately 310g.

Included in the box

• Pulsar Axion Compact XG30 thermal imaging monocular.
• APS3 rechargeable battery.
• Power adaptor.
• USB Type-C cable with USB Type-A adaptor.
• Carrying case.
• Hand strap.
• Lens-cleaning cloth.
• Quick user manual and warranty sheet.