Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO Thermal Rifle Scope

The Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO is the long-reach option in Pulsar's 384-sensor Thermion 2 PRO riflescope lineup. It takes the same proven thermal core as the Thermion 2 XQ35 PRO and pairs it with a larger 50mm germanium objective, pushing detection range out to 1,900 yards and giving you a tighter optical zoom range better suited to open-country predator work. If your shots are happening past 200 yards on fields, food plots, or pasture rather than inside brush, this is the Thermion 2 to be looking at.

What Makes the XQ50 PRO Different

The defining spec on this scope is the 50mm objective lens. A larger objective gathers more thermal energy, which means longer detection range, more usable image at distance, and better separation between a target animal and the background at the edge of your range. That's where the XQ50 PRO's 1,900-yard detection number comes from — versus 1,400 yards on the 35mm XQ35 PRO using the same sensor.

The tradeoff is field of view and weight bias. At 3x base magnification (versus 2.5x on the XQ35 PRO), the XQ50 PRO gives you a narrower scanning window, which is ideal if you already know where the animal is going to come from but less useful if you need to sweep wide tree lines or close-in cover. Pick the XQ50 PRO when distance matters more than scan speed.

Like every PRO-designated Thermion 2, the XQ50 PRO uses Pulsar's upgraded ≤25 mK NETD sensor. Lower NETD means sharper thermal contrast, especially in humid or marginal weather when ambient temperature and animal body heat start to read closer together on less sensitive sensors.

Key Specs

• Thermal sensor: 384 × 288 px
• Display: 1024 × 768 AMOLED
• Objective lens: 50mm germanium
• Magnification: 3x – 12x (digital zoom over base optical)
• Pixel pitch: 17 µm
• NETD: ≤25 mK
• Refresh rate: 50 Hz
• Detection range: 1,900 yards
• Battery life: Up to 7 hours
• Weight: 2.0 lb

Who This Scope Is For

• Open-country coyote hunters working past 200 yards across fields, pasture, or food plots
• Predator hunters who need longer detection range than the XQ35 PRO offers
• Hog hunters running stand setups in open terrain rather than tight brush
• Property owners managing predators across larger acreage where targets show up at distance
• Hunters upgrading from a smaller objective scope who want more reach on the same Pulsar platform

If you're shooting consistently inside 200 yards or you need a wider field of view to scan brush and tight cover, the Thermion 2 XQ35 PRO is the better pick. If you want everything this scope offers plus integrated laser rangefinding for precision dialing at distance, step up to the Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 PRO.

How It Compares to the Rest of the Thermion 2 Lineup

The XQ50 PRO sits between the compact XQ35 PRO and the LRF-equipped XQ50 PRO inside Pulsar's 384-sensor Thermion 2 PRO series. Step down to the Thermion 2 XQ35 PRO if your shots stay inside coyote-call distance and you want a wider field of view with a lighter front end. Step up to the Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 PRO if you want the same 50mm reach plus onboard laser rangefinding — the most common upgrade for hunters dialing precision shots past 300 yards.

What's in the Box

• Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO Thermal Rifle Scope
• APS3 rechargeable battery pack
• USB cable
• Carrying case
• Lens cleaning cloth
• User manual and warranty card

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Thermion 2 XQ35 PRO and XQ50 PRO? Same 384 sensor, same ≤25 mK NETD, same display, same battery. The difference is the objective lens and the magnification range. The XQ50 PRO has a 50mm objective and 3–12x magnification, giving you 1,900-yard detection range. The XQ35 PRO has a 35mm objective and 2.5–10x magnification, giving you 1,400-yard detection range and a wider field of view for close-to-mid range work.

Is the Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO good for long-range coyote hunting? Yes, within the limits of a 384 sensor. The 50mm objective and 1,900-yard detection range give you the reach to spot heat signatures at distance, but identification range — where you can confirm the target species before squeezing the trigger — is shorter. On a 384-sensor scope at this magnification, expect reliable ID inside 400–500 yards.

Does the Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO have a built-in rangefinder? No. If you need onboard laser rangefinding for precision dialing at distance, step up to the Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 PRO — same sensor, same objective, with an integrated LRF.

What's the detection range vs. identification range? Detection range (1,900 yards on this scope) is the distance at which the scope registers a heat signature as something present — not what species it is. Identification range, where you can confirm species and make an ethical shot decision, is significantly shorter — typically inside 400–500 yards on a 384-sensor scope.

What battery does the XQ50 PRO use, and is it rechargeable? It uses Pulsar's APS3 rechargeable battery pack. The unit ships with one battery; many hunters buy a second so they can swap mid-night without recharging.

Is the Thermion 2 XQ50 PRO waterproof? It's rated IPX7 — meaning it'll survive heavy rain and brief submersion. It is not designed for sustained underwater use.