Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular

The Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular is Pulsar’s new premium thermal monocular. The Telos series will replace the tried and true Helion series of thermal monoculars. From first glance you can see the form factor has changed. The Telos has a new streamlined design, available laser rangefinder option and new controls. There are also more changes inside the new Telos Thermal Monocular series. It has been totally redesigned with features never before available in thermal optics.

The Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocularis not a riflescope. It is a thermal monocular used for observation, target detection, and target identification. It is basically a very rugged thermal camera used for night hunting, search and rescue operations, and security. Hunters use thermal monoculars for finding wildlife at night, security personnel use it for observation, and rescue teams use it for searching for lost people.

Pulsar Thermal Monoculars are recognized industry-wide as one of the best thermal monoculars on the market, and no doubt, the new Telos XP50 will continue to lead the pack. Thanks to Jason Robertson, owner of Outdoor Legacy Gear, we had the opportunity to put the new Telos LRF XP50 to the test in the field. Let’s take a look at the features of the new Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 2.5x-10x Thermal Monocular.

Upgradeable Thermal Optics

The Telos XP50 introduces the first in a line of upgradeable thermal optics from Pulsar. In Pulsar’s words, it is “designed to remain timeless”. The Telos XP50 will offer users the ability to upgrade technical components. You will be able to upgrade to a higher resolution sensor and display, more efficient and functional electronics, or equip the thermal imaging device with a laser rangefinder.

It offers users a more affordable way to upgrade their Telos monoculars. Instead of having to buy a complete new monocular, you could have your Telos upgraded. For example, your Telos XQ50 could be upgraded to a Telos XP50 for less than the cost of a new monocular.

Pulsar just released the a new super high resolution Thermion XL50 rifle scope with a 1024×768 sensor, so I am hoping to see them offer an upgrade to a XL50 processor for the Telos in the near future. Since the greatest expense for any thermal is the germanium lens, a processor upgrade may be very affordable.

Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular Features

The heart of the Telos XP50 is Pulsar's fantastic 640×480 resolution 17 μm micro-bolometric sensor for highly detailed imaging. The new thermal core’s Noise-Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) <18 mk rating is about the lowest available in any commercially available thermal monocular.

The low NETD rating means it has better heat separation between all the objects in view for a sharper image. It also has a high-resolution Super AMOLED 1024×768 display screen and a 50mm f1.0 fast aperture germanium objective lens. Together these features give you amazing image quality.

If you are familiar with the Helion 2 XP50 Pro, the image is very much the same. I would say the image is among the best I have seen on any 640×480 thermal optic. In the hands of an experienced hunter, coyotes can be identified at 450-500 yards.

The new Telos also gives you the option of a laser range finder (LRF). The LRF feature was not available on Pulsar Helion’s, so this is a major step forward for their Premium line of Pulsar hand-held monoculars. The Telos XQ and XG models will also be available with with the LRF option.

Pulsar has lowered the digital zoom to 4X the base magnification, making the magnification range 2.5-10X. This is a more usable range than the Helion XP50's 2.5-20X. Even better, zooming the magnification is no longer done with a button that doubles the magnification each time it is pressed. Each time you double the magnification, you cut the resolution in half.

There is now a second ring behind the objective lens focus ring that lets you adjust the magnification in small increments. For instance you can zoom from 2.5X up to 3.5X instead of jumping from 2.5X to 5X. The benefit is that you can increase the magnification a little higher without cutting the resolution in half.The zoom ring is also easier to use in the dark or when you are wearing gloves. 

New Pulsar 5-year warranty

All Pulsar Thermal Optics sold after January 1, 2024 now have a 5-year warranty.  This is good news for hunters, especially now that The Pulsar Telos series of monoculars can be upgraded.

8 Color Palettes

Take advantage of color palettes with purpose. Most people think several different palette colors are a waste and only use white hot or black hot for scanning. Pulsar’s 8 color palettes actually have a purpose. They allow the user observe the field of view more effectively, allowing them to optimize the unit for specific tasks as well as react to changing observation conditions. White Hot, Black Hot and Red Hot are optimal for object detection, Rainbow and Ultramarine help increase chances for recognition & identification. Red Monochrome, Sepia and Violet are most suitable for long observation in the night.

3 Sensitivity Amplification Levels

The Telos XP50 has three sensitivity levels: normal, high, and ultra, that can be adjusted to match the conditions during the hunt. The level is displayed at the bottom of the screen and can be quickly changed using the quick menu. Each of the levels can be adjusted for different brightness and contrast levels.

The Normal, High, Ultra  sensitivity enhancement features are the latest in software algorithm offerings from Pulsar that enhance the quality of detection and object recognition, regardless of observation conditions. When the temperature contrast decreases due to conditions such as fog, precipitation or high humidity, increasing the amplification level can optimize the image picture.

New Battery Pack

The Telos uses an LPS 7i Li-Ion battery pack. This is a new Pulsar rechargeable battery pack made specifically for the Telos. Unlike the Helion battery pack, the LPS 7i battery pack fits inside the body of the Telos and these batteries are not interchangeable. Run time for the battery is up to 8 hours. Cold temperatures will cut that time to around 6 hours. There is a power port for external power that can be used during the hunt or for recharging the battery pack. Extra batteries are $129. At present, there are no larger batteries compatible with the Telos.

Built-in Video Recorder With 64GB Internal Memory

The Telos has a built-in video recorder. The increased 64GB internal memory of the Telos can store hours of video and tens of thousands of photos. One touch of a button is enough to take a photo of an interesting scene or start recording video.

Contrary to popular belief, some higher priced thermal optics on the market only have 8GB of memory, so it is a pretty big deal if you record all your hunts, or need the video for for security purposes.

IMPORTANT: You should know a great thing about Pulsar scopes and monoculars is that starting a video recording is faster than any other brand of thermal optics. Press the record button for one second and it starts recording. Other brands of thermal optics require you to hold the button for 3 or 4 seconds to start a recording.

Four seconds can seem like a life time when you spot a coyote charging the call and you want to get him on video. It is not as important on a monocular as a rifle scope when hunting, but if you are using a monocular for law enforcement observation, it could be critical.

Stream Vision 2. Wi-Fi Wntegration With IOS and Android Devices

Built-in Wi-Fi connects the Telos to Android and iOS smartphones via the Stream Vision 2 mobile application. This opens up a wide range of options including wireless device software updates, real-time image transmission from the device to the smartphone screen, publication on social media of photo and video content captured by the device or transfer to messengers, remote control of digital device functions and access to the latest news from Pulsar. Moreover, registered users receive 16 GB of cloud storage for photos and videos recorded with the device.

Dual Wi-Fi Waveband Support 2.4 / 5 GHz

In Telos thermal imagers, the standard smartphone connection frequency range via a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channel is complemented with an effective 5 GHz range. The 5 GHz connection offers better bandwidth, a faster data transfer rate, noise immunity and improved connection stability, resulting in more productive and easier operation of the thermal imager with a smartphone.

Durable Magnesium Construction

The new Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular is also incredibly durable, with a rugged design that is built to withstand the harsh conditions of the hunting and shooting environment. The monocular is made from high-quality magnesium, which provides a high level of strength and durability.

You never have to worry about getting caught in the rain.  The Telos is IPX7 weather-resistant, with a waterproof and shockproof design that ensures that it will continue to perform even in extreme weather conditions. The Telos ensures reliable and effective performance in extreme temperatures from -13 to -104°F.

Hunting With the Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular

The reason serious hunters should consider the Pulsar Telos XP50 thermal monocular for hunting is because of the superior image quality. The image of the Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular lets you see details that you do not see with other thermal optics. The Telos gives you a wide range of contrast and brightness adjustments so you can have the best image for any weather condition.  With proper adjustment, animals appear three dimensional and you can actually see hair or wet spots on hogs. Hot spots or outlines around animals are eliminated. 

Some thermals highlight the animal and flatten the cool background to a point that you lose the the details in he background. The background details in the image of the Telos LRF XP50 give you more depth perception and much sharper details. Personally, I prefer this type image because it looks more realistic. A thermal monocular becomes your eyes at night. I want to see all the details possible and the Telos LRF XP50 delivers.

The palettes are clear and white/hot or black/hot are just that. No yellow tint, just perfect black to white. When an animal comes into view, you see it instantly. Identification, the most important safety aspect of night hunting, is much easier with the Telos XP50.

But there are a lot more things to like about the new Telos Thermal Monocular. It really feels good in your hand. The Ergonomic, nonslip rubber-coated housing, specifically designed for the shape a hunters hand, is really comfortable. The included hand strap lets you rest the Telos in your hand with less fatigue. The Telos is completely ambidextrous, including the switchable hand strap. The button layout can be used with either hand with the same degree of comfort.

The control buttons are located on top, and are much easier to use than the buttons on my Helion. I think the new shape of the Telos is just easier to use. Your fingers naturally find the four buttons in the dark so making quick changes are quick and simple.

The Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular Laser Range Finder

The small LRF module is located on the bottom of the Telos, and works very well. The maximum ranging distance is 1000 yards. Ranging is easy with the push of a button, but a long press puts it in scan mode so where ever you are looking the range is displayed.

The LRF is useful before you ever spot an animal.  As soon as I get to my stand, I scan the area for distances to treelines or other key objects in a field. I can get a much better idea of how large the area is and distance to key objects.  It was especially handy to scan the distance to coyotes in large open fields.  Large open fields is where range estimation is difficult.

For hog hunting in open areas, an LRF on a scanner is especially useful. Depth perception is very hard at night. Hogs come in many sizes, and in open country, range estimation can be hard without an LRF. It is difficult to determine if you are looking at small hogs at close range or large hogs at longer range. The Telos LRF can take the guess work out of the situation and help you plan a stalk.

New Zoom Control

A zoom ring that gradually increases magnification makes much more sense than a button that doubles the the power of the magnification. Turning the magnification from 2.5X to 3.5X while retaining most of your resolution, can make identification much easier. Jumping from 2.5X to 5X reduces image resolution by 50%. More is not always better.

Dislikes

I always carry my monocular using a strap around my neck like a pair of binoculars. The only place to attach a strap on the Telos LRF is on the hand strap. It would be very nice to have a small attachment under the rear portion of the body to attach a carrying strap similar to the hand strap attachment. But that is not a big issue.

Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular Conclusion

When you have a thermal optic as good as the Telos LRF XP50, hunting at night is much more enjoyable. Your confidence goes up and and you feel more in control of each night time encounter. You see more game, identify game quicker, capture better videos, and you become a more successful hunter.

The Pulsar Telos is without doubt the most advanced thermal monocular on the market, and one that I highly recommend for any night hunter or for any other use. It feels great in the hand and gives you an unbeatable image.

Not only did Pulsar give us a new premium and upgradeable thermal monocular with a laser range finder, it lowered the price point by about $500. No matter what your requirements are for a hand-held thermal monocular, I don’t think you can find anything better than the Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 2.5x-10x Thermal Monocular

Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Specifications

• Microbolometer resolution: 640×480 
• Frame Rate: 50Hz 
• Pixel pitch: 17μm 
• NETD: <18mK 
• Display resolution: 1024×768 
• Display type: AMOLED 
• Objective lens: F50/1.0 
• Magnification: 2.5-10x (x4 digital zoom) 
• Detector type: Uncooled ASi 
• Detection range: 1900 yds 
• Laser Rangefinder maximum range: 1,000 yards 
• Battery type: LPS 7i Li-Ion 6400 mAh, external power supply: 5V, 9V (USB-C) 
• Battery life: 8.5 hours 
• Dimensions: 9.3701 in x 2.8346 in x 3.5433 in 
• Body material: Rubber armored reinforced plastic 
• Weight: 25.40oz 

Pulsar Telos Now Available At Outdoor Legacy

To purchase a new Pulsar Telos LRF XP50 Thermal Monocular, visit Outdoorlegacygear.com or call Jason or Hans at Outdoor Legacy at (877)350-1818. They will answer all your questions and make sure you get the right scope for your hunting needs.

For the latest news about Night Vision Optics, subscribe to the most informative show on Youtube, the Late Night Vision Show. Hosts Jason Robertson and Joel Miller will keep you up to date on Night Vision Optics and entertain you with some great hunting videos. Also please visit our featured Youtube channels Outdoor Legacy on Youtube, HansETX, and The Old Deer Hunters for great hunting videos and thermal optic reviews.