Best Thermal Monocular of 2021 – Get Instant Results Now!

Pulsar is one of the most renowned brands in thermal imaging & hunting gear market. Their high-quality products and impeccable approach to manufacturing established them as a leader in the space.

Their Helion line of thermal monoculars was always a well-recognized and well-received by buyers, and for a reason; they simply outperformed others, regardless if the product is used for hunting, surveillance, or search & rescue.

The latest Pulsar Helion XP50 2.5-20x42mm is a crown jewel of Pulsar’s manufacturing & approach to modern thermal imaging devices. It comes jam-packed with features, it’s solid as a rock, rigid and waterproof, while being decently light and very convenient to use.

Besides the 1800-yard detection range, 50Hz refresh rate is something that Pulsar products consider as a standard, and this feature really brings the fluid performance which is essential to precise usage & results at high distances.

Combined with the integrated accelerometer, stadiametric rangefinder, 640x480 resolution with 17 µm details and a frost-resistant display, and a big, easy-removable battery you get the clear picture about this product’s quality.

When talking about a product in this price range, you want all the tech gizmos to accompany the ruggedness & sheer quality, and Helion XP50 delivers. You get high-quality video recording & streaming, image recording of course, 8 color palettes to choose based on the environment and time of the day, and intuitive Stream Vision mobile app to enhance the control.

But, as always, it’s not all sunshine & rainbows with XP50. The above-mentioned app is both iOS & Android friendly, but it lags & behaves quite strangely on the latter. (We didn’t test on iOS yet) Furthermore, you can’t access certain functions if you don’t use a mobile app, such as delayed snapshots.

Final Verdict

Simply said, there’s no perfect product. But for a thermal monocular, Pulsar Helion XP50 2.5-20x42mm is really quite close. If you’re in the market for a high-quality thermal monocular and have money to spend, this is the one to get.

First off, the Axion XM30 is extremely compact, which weighs exactly, about 10.6 ounces. Thus, you can hang it around the neck or put it in your pocket at ease. The size is also comfortable for handling and gripping with your hand.

Secondly, this monocular is made of magnesium alloy to ensure high structural ruggedness and rigidity. Even better, the case is IPX7 waterproof. Such protection will lengthen the lifespan of the optics.

In terms of vision, Pulsar Axion XM30 supports a super-wide detection range: 1,300 yards with 12um px pitch core, a 50Hz refresh rate, a central resolution of 320 by 240, and an HD Amoled display at 1024 by 768-pixel resolution.

Plus, there are three high magnification powers, from 4x to 16px. The objective lens is Germanium. You can expect to scan and identify wild animals within 1,300 yards.

Also, multiple color viewing modes are available rather than only the black-hot or white-hot palettes in traditional models. Thus, you can optimize your vision into wildlife. Exciting enough, all buttons and settings are right at hand. You can shoot still pictures, record videos, or even stream those videos via the Stream Vision app.

Good as the monocular is, there are still some flaws to improve. For example, the button is somewhat small to distinguish while you are wearing a glove. In addition, the device heats up quickly while running.

Final Verdict

All in all, Pulsar Axion XM30 Thermal Monocular is too good to be true at its price category. The thermal optics performance is excellent, and the construction is high-quality.

First of all, FLIR Scout TK thermal monocular stands out due to its compact size, which makes it easy to store. Whether you are hiking through the woods or surveying your property, you can easily carry this monocular around since it only weighs 170g.

It packs hi-tech specs that boost the performance in poorly lit environments. This is one of the best cheap thermal monoculars on the market.

Scout TK thermal monocular is ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

It allows you to spot hidden prey by switching to monochrome mode letting you distinguish the hot whites and cold blacks in any environment. This improves visibility in low-lit environments significantly, allowing you to spot the prey better.

A built-in InstaAlert Feature facilitates quick spotting of prey in your hunting missions. The range, however, isn’t boast-worthy; quite the contrary, everything after 25-50 yards is basically unusable. Still, considering the price, it’s ok - you get what you pay for.

The multiple-color settings are a good addition to this setup, and are appreciated; still, don’t expect much from them.

FLIR Scout TK operates on Li-Ion rechargeable batteries that can give you 5 hours of undeterred surveillance. This feature is a bit exaggerated by the manufacturer, as this device won’t last as much. Furthermore, the battery can’t be user-replaced, so you have to carry a charger around, making it not as compatible.

Final Verdict

This is a handy little monocular, which can fulfill its purpose, which is short-range viewing & yard security. Its low price is one of its main pros, and it should be treated as such. Even it doesn’t have a plethora of functions or a long-lasting battery, it still brings value to the right person. And quite easily, you can be that person.

Starting with the best the ATN OTS-HD 640 has to offer, and its e-zoom settings come into play.

It enables the device to focus on very distant objects; HD 640 has the power to increase its magnification from a meager 2.5x to a massive 28x (depending on which version of the monocular you buy).

What’s more, since this unit runs on 4 AA batteries, it provides a considerable runtime of 8 hours on a single charge. ATN OTS-HD 640 comes with an upgradable firmware - that means you can update its antivirus at will.

The firmwares is making this device so potent; it is suitable for a wide array of environments due to its 3D gyroscope and E-compass features. While the 3D gyroscope – by reducing hand shake – stabilizes the image and provides crisp, sharp images, the E-compass feature lets you navigate your way.

More importantly, as we found out during our testing, using this product is effortless. ATN OTS-HD 640 has separate buttons for power switch, zoom increase/decrease plus a toggle as well. Equally impressive is the Smart Rangefinder feature, which allows this device to measure distances accurately.

Next comes the E-zoom feature which gives it the freedom to focus on distant objects, but not at the cost of clarity - this monocular provides the crispiest zoomed output on the market.

Turning our attention to the high-end features of this model, and its connectivity features come into play; Wi-Fi streaming mode, Bluetooth connectivity ensure synergy with modern devices which enrich the experience significantly.

Speaking of experience, the following ATN companion app is iOS & Android compatible, making this device even more straightforward & intuitive to use.

Final Verdict

Granted, the field of view of this model isn’t that large. But it isn’t on the smaller side, too. In fact, in this price range, not many thermal monoculars could rival the features of the ATN. It is a modern, high-quality monocular that will make you a better hunter, guaranteed.

If you’re looking for an all-around thermal monocular, you’ve come to the right place. After seeing what this product is capable of, you’ll hardly stay unbiased. Here’s the FLIR Systems Scion OTM.

As you probably know, some of the leading names in the hunting gear industry are ATN and Pulsar, but FLIR is right there next to them. They excel at dishing out premium products that are expensive but undoubtedly worth it, and this right here is one of them.

Before going into the specifics, let’s talk a bit about its design and use. It’s a handheld monocular set with an ergonomic look and beautiful design to it. It’s simplistic, comes in green and grey for camouflage purposes, and it’s relatively compact. All in all, it’s an excellent addition to your overall hunting set.

When it comes to the thermal imaging software, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll get a crystal-clear view of your prey within the viewing distance. The clarity is truly unique, and you can even calibrate the thermal palette with ease in the user-friendly menu.

Of course, this type of premium device will not leave you without some crafty additions. Firstly, it’s equipped with the latest WiFi and Bluetooth settings, enabling you to easily upload and transfer the data you record to your mobile or computer device.

It also comes with an accelerometer and compass, which is a huge bonus considering you won’t have to use your phone in cases where you require absolute focus and stability. All the data you need is relayed to the OLED display.

What’s incredible is that all these features do not drain the battery as one would think. If it’s used non-stop from the top, it’ll last you up to 4-5 hours. Essentially, that’s more than average for thermal monoculars.

The only hiccup is the price, which is truly an investment of sorts. However, if you choose to invest, you won’t regret a thing.

The next monocular comes from Armasight, a manufacturer known for creating stable and durable products. As it turns out, this is also one of them. Here’s the Prometheus 336 3-12x50 Thermal Imaging Monocular.

Since we’re calling it one of the best thermal monoculars, what is it that makes it the best? Let’s talk about its build first. This model’s been manufactured with military applications in mind, which is why durability is the number one feature that makes this monocular stand out.

The entire monocular is a bit hefty, but it’s still ergonomic in its use. It’s made from aircraft aluminum alloy, and it passed the IP67 rating, meaning it’s waterproof and has advanced protection from fall damage.

In terms of specifications, there’s no doubting it - you’re in for a treat with this bad boy. As we could see, the Armasight thermal imaging software has proven to be one of the best on the market due to the clear distinction it creates in its visual rendering.

Whichever obstacle you have in the way, this software will let you see through it, even at a 500-yard distance.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget to mention that it has an integrated recording system that enables you to take videos and later rewatch them on a larger screen. Another great feature is the digital zoom that not all monoculars have. It’s available in 1x, 2x, and 4x without losing much of the quality as the picture enhances.

Due to lower resolution, which rests at 336x256, your image won’t be as clear as it would be with some thermal imaging riflescopes, but it does offer you a 30 Hz refresh rate, which is absolutely applicable for this type of resolution.

All in all, it’s a great device with an array of applications and not just military or hunting. If you’re not bothered by its size and heftiness, you should definitely try it because you won’t be disappointed. It’s a quality purchase without a doubt!

What is it that separates the Flir Scout III from other models in this review? For starters, its 1200-yard detection range (600-yard is its most effective zone), 640x480 LED screen and 240x180 thermal resolution – combined to give you high-quality detection.

Furthermore, the Flir Scout III comes with a refresh rate of 30Hz which produces a crisp image. That said, it isn’t the market leader in this aspect, as Pulsar goes as far as to offer 50 Hz refresh rate in some of their similarly priced models.

Moving on, this product provides a magnification factor of 2x and 4x and provides three different zoom settings in both 2x and 4x. Have in mind that these are provided by software, not hardware.

It also gives you the freedom to choose from a wide range of detection palettes including White Hot, Black Hot, Insta Alert and Graded Fire). This is a decent feature set, as it proves to be one of the key-performing factors in hunting in low visibility.

Scout III-240 provides two operation modes to give you the best picture for your environment. These include the E-zoom and color palettes described above. Have in mind that the E-zoom is a tech naming for an electronic (software) magnification, as this model doesn’t have a real zoom.

Battery timing is another strong feature of this model. For, despite weighing a paltry 12 ounces, its manufacturer has managed to find space to pack this unit with a market-favorite Li-ion battery. That decision has paid dividends as this model comes with a 5-hour battery timing.

Final Verdict

Thanks to its increased resolution, compact design and a plethora of useful features, the Flir Scout III 240 is undoubtedly one of the best middle-class thermal monoculars out there. Go for this model if you aren’t deterred by its price tag.

Another excellent thermal monocular produced by FLIR. This time, we introduce you to a multiple-purpose monocular. It works as an optical device to capture objects from great distances. Or, you can mount this monocular into helmet mounts or head mounts, firearms, or additional equipment to record things.

To do so, this FLIR Breach PTQ136 features a durable construction of polymer, rated with an IPX7 waterproof body. It is also compact to be concealed in a pocket. Even when you attach the mini-rail mount, the total weight is just around 7 to 7.5 ounces.

The image through this monocular is exceptionally clear. There is a 320 by 356 micro-bolometer 60Hz rate, along with a built-in FLIR Boson thermal electromagnetic spectrum. Such specifications feature a more precise image despite a narrow detection range.

Specifically, the device comes in 7 visual schemes, including Black Hot, White Hot, Iron bow, Rainbow HC, Sepia, Outdoor Alerts, and the Arctic. Such a wide range of color options makes it easy to detect and record onboard. Most impressively, the FLIR monocular can detect IR signatures as small as pests if they are in the range.

1280 by 960 display of Quad-VGA FLCO supports output for digital videos by using the USB connection available on the shell. This display screen is brightly vivid without having to use an eyecup or additional accessories.

However, do not expect to get an astounding view in low light environments such as in a dense forest or grassland. This optical tool fails to recognize bland images where there is a similar spectrum of IR light.

When it comes to the power source, this FLIR Breach is powered by a CR-123A battery. Thus, it lasts for 4 hours without recording. You can also charge the tool with external devices through the Type-C connection.

Final Verdict

Although the FLIR Breach monocular is a bit more expensive, it is still worth buying thanks to the quality construction and multi-purpose designs and functions. Give it a try, and you will see.

This monocular belongs to ATN’s range of thermal imaging cameras which boast of an OTS-HD Obsidian core processor. The hi-tech processor makes the monocular super fast and less lagging whether it's closing in on your prey or recording the entire experience.

ATN OTS HD 384 thermal monocular features a compact lightweight design. Most of the inbuilt functions are controlled by a touch of a button. The monocular also comes with smart features to increase accuracy and reduce guessing while hunting.

A built-in smart rangefinder allows you to bracket your target with two clicks and a shift of the scope. The reticle automatically adjusts to provide an accurate point of impact. In addition, a smooth zoom feature helps you close in on your subject with minimal lag.

The ATN OTS HD 384 also comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features. It connects to a smartphone or tablet via convenient ATN Obsidian mobile app. This allows you to connect to an even bigger screen and view the action both on the scope and mobile device.

You can take HD images or record HD videos on the ATN OTS 384 thermal monocular. It has a 1080p video recording capacity while the obsidian core processor facilitates fast image capturing in hunting action.

Speaking of fast image capturing, the device does come with sub-par refresh rate compared with other top-notch features. This means that a bit quicker movement will result in blurry, shaky footage. Same goes with magnification - everything beyond 50 yards will start to get pixelated & grainy.

Furthermore, ATN’s customer support is not really effective - if you happen to deal with them, expect very pleasant conversation, but very long waiting times. Worth noticing when purchasing a product in this price range.

Final Verdict

Even before you look at its other features, the presence of a built-in smart rangefinder and a smooth zoom feature elevates the utility of this model to a higher level. Considering its flaws (which are minor, but noticeable) ATN OTS HD 384 is a quite good purchasing decision regardless in which position you’re in.