As an avid hunter and night vision enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of testing countless thermal scopes over the years. But let me tell you, the Pulsar Thermion XP38 is a game-changer that has completely transformed my nocturnal hunting experiences. This innovative thermal riflescope combines cutting-edge technology with a familiar design, making it a standout option for serious hunters and pest control professionals alike. In this review, I’ll dive deep into what makes the Thermion XP38 such a remarkable piece of equipment.
First Impressions and Design
Right out of the box, the Thermion XP38 immediately impressed me with its sleek, traditional rifle scope design. Unlike many bulky thermal optics that look like they belong on a movie set, this scope looks right at home mounted on your favorite hunting rifle. The 30mm tube allows for easy mounting with standard scope rings, a feature I really appreciate as it eliminates the need for specialized mounting solutions.
But don’t let the familiar appearance fool you – this scope packs some serious thermal imaging technology under the hood. With dimensions of 394 x 78 x 64 mm and weighing in at a manageable 26.5 oz, the XP38 strikes a perfect balance between functionality and portability. The magnesium alloy construction gives it a solid, high-quality feel without adding unnecessary weight to your rifle setup.
Thermal Core and Image Quality
At the heart of the Thermion XP38 is its 640×480 uncooled microbolometer sensor with a 17μm pixel pitch. This high-resolution thermal core is paired with a crisp 1024×768 HD AMOLED display, resulting in truly outstanding image quality. The level of detail and clarity in the thermal image is nothing short of impressive, allowing for easy identification of animals even at considerable distances.
In optimal conditions, I’ve been able to detect large animals like deer at over 1,300 yards. Of course, positive identification and ethical shot placement require much closer ranges, but this incredible detection range gives you a significant advantage in the field. The thermal sensitivity is so good that you can often make out subtle features like ear shapes, snouts, and tails to confidently ID your target before taking the shot.
One of the standout features of the XP38 is its ability to provide rich, detailed thermal gradients. This means you’re not just seeing simple hot spots, but a nuanced representation of heat signatures that can help you distinguish between different parts of an animal’s body or even identify specific behaviors.
Magnification and Field of View
The Thermion XP38 offers a versatile 1.5-12x magnification range, making it suitable for various hunting scenarios. At the base 1.5x magnification, you get an impressive 85-foot field of view at 100 yards. This wide field of view is perfect for scanning large areas and acquiring targets quickly – a crucial capability when you’re dealing with fast-moving predators like coyotes.
When you need to take a closer look or prepare for a longer shot, you can smoothly zoom up to 12x magnification. The clarity remains impressive even at higher zoom levels, though as expected, there’s some loss of detail at maximum magnification. The continuous zoom function allows you to fine-tune your view, or you can use the stepped zoom options (2x, 4x, 8x) for quicker adjustments.
One of my favorite features is the picture-in-picture mode. This clever function displays a magnified image of your point of aim in a small window at the top of the display while maintaining your full field of view in the main image. It’s incredibly useful for precise shot placement without losing situational awareness – a real game-changer when you’re tracking multiple animals or operating in challenging terrain.
Color Palettes and Display Options
The Thermion XP38 comes with eight different color palettes, allowing you to customize the display to your preference and hunting conditions. These include:
- White Hot
- Black Hot
- Red Hot
- Red Monochrome
- Rainbow
- Ultramarine
- Violet
- Sepia
I tend to favor the White Hot palette for most situations as it provides excellent contrast and is intuitive to interpret. However, the Red Hot palette works exceptionally well for really picking out animals against dense foliage. The variety of options means you can adapt to different environments and lighting conditions, optimizing your ability to spot and identify targets.
The scope also offers three observation modes optimized for different terrains:
- Rocks Mode (High Contrast) – Ideal for spotting wildlife against backgrounds of rocks and soil in upland areas.
- Forest Mode (Low Contrast) – Optimized for detecting animals against vegetative backgrounds.
- Identification Mode – A versatile setting suitable for various observation conditions.
These preset modes take the guesswork out of adjusting your scope for different hunting environments, allowing you to focus on the hunt rather than fiddling with settings.
Practical Features for Hunters
Pulsar has clearly designed the Thermion XP38 with the practical needs of hunters in mind. Here are some of the standout features that make a real difference in the field:
One-shot zeroing with freeze function: This ingenious feature allows for quick and easy setup. After taking your first shot, you can freeze the reticle position, adjust it to where the bullet actually hit, and save the new settings. This dramatically reduces the time and ammunition needed to get your scope dialed in.
Multiple zeroing profiles: The XP38 allows you to save three weapon profiles, each with up to five distance settings. This is incredibly useful if you plan to use the scope on different rifles or with varying ammunition loads. Switching between profiles is quick and easy, ensuring you’re always zeroed for your current setup.
Built-in video and photo recording: With 16GB of internal storage, you can capture still images and record video directly to the scope. This is perfect for reviewing your hunts, sharing your experiences, or gathering evidence for pest control operations. The recorded videos are in 720p HD quality, which is more than adequate for most purposes.
Wi-Fi connectivity: The scope can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, allowing you to stream live footage, control the device remotely, or even share your thermal view online. This opens up interesting possibilities for collaborative hunting or for guides working with clients.
Stadiametric rangefinder: This built-in feature helps estimate the distance to your target based on its known size. While not as precise as a dedicated laser rangefinder, it’s a handy tool for quick distance estimation.
IPX7 waterproof rating: The XP38 is rated to withstand submersion in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. This level of weather protection gives you confidence to hunt in any conditions without fear of damaging your expensive optic.
Long battery life: The scope uses a dual battery system, combining a removable APS2 battery pack with an internal battery. This setup provides over 8 hours of continuous operation, easily covering even the longest night hunting sessions. The ability to hot-swap batteries means you never have to power down the scope in the field.
Recoil rated for high-caliber rifles: The XP38 is built to withstand the recoil of powerful hunting calibers up to .375 H&H, 9.3×64, and 12-gauge shotguns. This durability ensures your zero will hold even when using hard-hitting rounds.
User Experience and Controls
The Thermion XP38 features an intuitive menu system and tactile buttons that make adjusting settings a breeze, even with gloves on in the dark. The main controls are arranged in a triangle on top of the eyepiece, allowing for easy access without removing your eye from the scope.
The side-mounted controller knob is used to navigate menus and make adjustments. While it takes a little getting used to, especially if you’re coming from traditional scope turrets, after a few outings, operating the controls becomes second nature.
The display-off mode is a thoughtful addition, allowing you to quickly shut down the display without turning off the entire unit. This helps conserve battery life and reduces your visible signature in the field.
Image Focus and Clarity
The XP38 uses a manual focus ring on the objective lens to adjust for different distances. This allows for precise focusing, ensuring you always have the clearest possible image of your target. The eye relief is generous at 50mm, making it comfortable to use even on hard-recoiling rifles.
One area that requires some practice is the eyepiece focus. The ocular lens adjustment is quite sensitive and requires precise eye placement for optimal clarity. It took me some time to consistently find the sweet spot quickly, especially when transitioning between different shooting positions. However, once you get the hang of it, the image quality is exceptional.
Performance in Challenging Conditions
One of the most impressive aspects of the Thermion XP38 is its performance in less-than-ideal conditions. The high-quality sensor and advanced image processing allow it to cut through light fog, rain, and even some vegetation. This gives you a significant advantage when hunting in diverse environments and weather conditions.
The 50Hz refresh rate ensures smooth image movement, which is crucial when tracking fast-moving targets like coyotes or wild hogs. There’s no noticeable lag or motion blur, allowing you to maintain a clear sight picture even when panning quickly across your field of view.
Comparing to Other Thermal Scopes
When placed alongside other thermal scopes in its class, the Thermion XP38 holds its own admirably. Its image quality and feature set rival or exceed that of scopes costing significantly more. The traditional rifle scope form factor is a significant advantage, especially for hunters who prefer a familiar mounting and handling experience.
However, it’s worth noting that some competing scopes offer features like built-in laser rangefinders or ballistic calculators, which the XP38 lacks. Whether these additional features are worth the often substantial price increase is a personal decision based on your specific hunting needs.
Considerations and Potential Drawbacks
While the Thermion XP38 is an exceptional piece of equipment, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Price: At around $4,500, it represents a significant investment. However, compared to other top-tier thermal scopes, the price is actually quite competitive for the features and performance offered.
Learning curve: The advanced features and digital interface require some time to master fully. Hunters accustomed to traditional scopes may need a period of adjustment.
Thermal limitations: As with any thermal optic, you need to be aware of your surroundings beyond just heat signatures. Obstacles like thin branches or wire fences may not show up clearly in thermal, so maintaining situational awareness is crucial.
Battery type: While the battery life is excellent, the switch to smaller APS batteries from the larger IPS batteries used in some other Pulsar models means slightly reduced capacity. However, the hot-swappable design largely mitigates this issue.
The Verdict
After extensive field testing in various hunting scenarios and environments, I can confidently say the Pulsar Thermion XP38 is a game-changing thermal riflescope for serious hunters and pest control professionals. The combination of superb image quality, thoughtful features, and familiar rifle scope form factor make it a standout option in the thermal optics market.
The XP38 excels in providing clear, detailed thermal images that allow for confident target identification and ethical shot placement. Its versatile magnification range, coupled with features like picture-in-picture mode and multiple zeroing profiles, make it adaptable to a wide range of hunting situations.
Yes, it’s a significant investment. But for dedicated night hunters or those dealing with nocturnal pest control, the Thermion XP38 opens up a whole new world of possibilities. The ability to clearly spot, identify, and ethically harvest animals in total darkness is truly remarkable and can dramatically improve your hunting success and efficiency.
If you’re on the fence about taking the plunge into high-end thermal optics, I highly recommend giving the Thermion XP38 a try. It’s dramatically improved my success rates and overall hunting enjoyment. The night belongs to hunters equipped with this level of thermal technology, and once you experience it, it’s hard to imagine going back to traditional night hunting methods.
So gear up, head out after dark, and prepare to be amazed at what you’ve been missing. The Pulsar Thermion XP38 isn’t just a tool; it’s a gateway to a whole new dimension of hunting experiences. Happy hunting, and may your nights be filled with successful and ethical harvests!