Pulsar Thermal 50mm Scope Comparison Question

[Sidelight]

Hello one and all. I wanted to ask the board if anyone could provide a comparison between the Apex XD50, the Apex XQ50, and the Trail XQ50. I'm assuming that both XQ models should provide the same optical clarity? If not, how different?

As an aside, I was also wondering how critical you find manual objective focus? I'm also looking at the RXQ30V, which lacks focus. How much of a handicap is this?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Sidelight]

I just noticed that rich20730 provided a thorough break down of all the Pulsar models stats in a different thread where I asked a similar question. I should have checked there first...

ApexXD38A - 384x288, 25 µm; 1.5X, HFOV: 14.4° Detection range: 1039 yds
Apex XD50A - 384x288, 25 µm; 2X, HFOV: 11° Detection range: 1367 yds
Apex XD75A - 384x288, 25 µm; 3X, HFOV: 7.2° Detection range: 1750 yds

Apex XQ38 - 384x288, 17 µm; 2.1X, HFOV: 9.8° Detection range: 1476 yds
Apex XQ50 - 384x288, 17 µm; 2.8X, HFOV: 7.5° Detection range: 1969 yds

Trail XQ38 - 384x288, 17 µm; 2.1X, HFOV: 9.8° Detection range: 1476 yds
Trail XQ50 - 384x288, 17 µm; 2.8X, HFOV: 7.5° Detection range: 1969 yds

Trail XP38 - 640x480, 17 µm; 1.2X, HFOV: 16.3° Detection range: 1476 yds
Trail XP50 - 640x480, 17 µm; 1.6X, HFOV: 12.4° Detection range: 1969 yds

Since the XQ models have a 17 micron pixel pitch, compared to 25 µm for the Apex XD series, the XQ38 is roughly equivalent to the XD50 and the XQ50 is roughly equivalent to the XD75.

I'm guessing the reason why the XQ50 has a longer stated detection range than the XD75 despite having less magnification/wider field of view, is because it has a faster lens - F/1.2 (50mm) vs. F/1.4 (75mm)

Continuing on with that line of thought, does that mean that due to their being no hardware differences between XQ models; they should perform the same in terms of clarity?

 

[rich20730]

I just noticed that rich20730 provided a thorough break down of all the Pulsar models stats in a different thread where I asked a similar question. I should have checked there first...



Continuing on with that line of thought, does that mean that due to their being no hardware differences between XQ models; they should perform the same in terms of clarity?

Yes, performance/image quality/detection range/id range/field of view should be the same.

 

[Sidelight]

Yes, performance/image quality/detection range/id range/field of view should be the same.

The scope will be put on a bolt gun, so dimensions and weight are not really a concern. Furthermore, I don't have much of an interest in recording my hunts. That really only means the only tangible benefits I would see out of the Trail model is the battery system. Is that worth the 35% premium over the Apex XQ? How annoying is external power?

Whats your thoughts on the benefits of objective focus?

 

[Brian Shaffer]

If you hunt a lot or for long periods of time, the long running battery is a really nice benefit! If you hunt once in a while or just for short periods, then I would not worry about it.

As far as asking about objective focus, you mean in comparison to fixed focus? With fixed focus, you can eek out more clarity at various distances than you can with a fixed focus which has an idea focus distance and the rest are just pretty good.

 

[mdmorrow]

If you're not worried about recording or the app or anything like that I'd save your money and just get the new apex. The battery pack is a nice feature on the trail though but if you're not interested in the other features then that alone probably wouldn't be worth the difference. External packs aren't that bad when it's the only thing extra you're running. It gets annoying when you got a dvr, a pack, a brass catcher and a tripod all hooked onto your rifle.

 

[mdmorrow]

If you hunt a lot or for long periods of time, the long running battery is a really nice benefit! If you hunt once in a while or just for short periods, then I would not worry about it.

As far as asking about objective focus, you mean in comparison to fixed focus? With fixed focus, you can eek out more clarity at various distances than you can with a fixed focus which has an idea focus distance and the rest are just pretty good.

True, I wouldn't worry about buying a battery pack right away either. Use it on a few hunts first just to see what you think. I personally never use external batteries.

 

[Sidelight]

Thanks for the advice fellahs! Now I just have to wait for it to be released. I haven't seen any yet for sale, in Oz or abroad.