Pulsar Thermion XP50 / XQ50 / XM38 vs ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Rifle Scope: Winner?

Unlike night vision scopes that require ambient light, thermal imaging scopes make it possible for hunters to detect game even in total darkness.

Vision impairing conditions such as snow, fog, smoke, rain, and smog are also no obstacles for thermal imagers.

With Pulsar and ATN are among the leading thermal scope manufacturers –

Let’s compare the Pulsar Thermion XP50 / XQ50 / XM38 vs ATN ThOR 4, and what are the user reviews of these popular thermal rifle scopes.

Pulsar Thermion XP50 / XQ50 / XM38 Thermal Scopes

Pulsar Thermion thermal rifle scope is technological upgrade and successor to the Pulsar Trail series.

Equipped with 50 Hz frame rate and high resolution AMOLED display at 1024×768 pixels –

Pulsar Thermion thermal scope comes with different product series, mainly differentiated by their thermal sensor resolution and pixel pitch size:

• XP-series is the highest-grade, with models like Pulsar XP50 / XP38 that are equipped with 640×480 microbolometer sensor and 17 micron pixel pitch.
• XQ-series, with models like Pulsar XQ38 / XQ50 that are equipped with 384×288 microbolometer sensor and 17 micron pixel pitch.
• XM-series, with models like Pulsar XM38 / XM50 that are equipped with 320×240 microbolometer sensor and 12 micron pixel pitch.

All the different Pulsar Thermion thermal imaging scope above also have varying magnification, objective lens, range of detection, etc.

You can compare the different capabilities and pricing of various models above –

by checking out the comparison table >> here alongside their respective user reviews.
 

 
When it comes to riflescope mounting, both Pulsar Thermion and ATN ThOR 4 are built with standard mounting rings with 30mm diameter. Pulsar Thermion offers recoil resistance of up to .375 H&H calibers implying that it can work efficiently on high-powered rifles.

Pulsar Thermion also has one-shot zeroing feature present in ATN ThOR 4. Both units have the capability of creating multiple zeroing profiles which can be used on multiple rifles.

Pulsar Thermion has a wide range of reticles to choose from. The reticles come in multiple colours just like in ATN ThOR 4.

However, one feature both thermal scopes do not share in common is the Pulsar Thermion’s picture-in-picture (PiP) feature, which allows users to magnify a particular section of the field of view in a distinct dialogue box.
 

 
The more sophisticated technology used in making thermal scopes makes them somewhat delicate to move around with in bushes, woods, thickets, etc. However, both pieces of equipment have been ergonomically designed with hard but lightweight metal that effectively houses their delicate electrical and other components.

For instance, the Pulsar Thermion thermal scope is built with IPX7 waterproof-rated protection which guarantees that the Thermion functions efficiently during wet conditions like heavy rain, snowfall, and even when immersed in 3 ft. of water for as much as 30 minutes.
 

 
Pulsar Thermion thermal riflescope allows users to either record prey in motion or capture a motionless image in sharable jpg and MPEG format, stored in 16GB in-built memory storage.

If you’d like to see side-by-side comparison of videos / pictures taken by various thermal scope models, then watch the two great videos below comparing Pulsar Thermion XP50 vs XQ50 vs XM50 alongside Pulsar Thermion XQ38 vs XQ50 vs XM50 vs XP50.
 
You can learn more about the excellent Pulsar Thermion XM50 user reviews >> here.
 

 

 
 

ATN ThOR 4 640 vs 384 Thermal Rifle Scope Review

ThOR 4 is the fourth generation of ATN’s smart HD thermal rifle scopes that come with an Obsidian dual-core processor and a new ultra-sensitive thermal sensor, enabling users to view and record at high resolution of 384×288 pixels (ThOR 4 384) or 640×480 pixels (ThOR 4 640).

These thermal rifle scopes by American Technology Network are equipped with HD display resolution of 1280×720 and a frame rate of 60Hz. This substantial frame rate can be very beneficial when capturing prey in motion.
 
 
ATN ThOR 4 384 series come with 4 different lens options, that are associated with different field of view (FOV) and detection range capabilities:

• 1.25-5x magnification, 16×12.5 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 750 yards.
• 2-8x magnification, 12×9.5 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 960 yards.
• 4.5-18x magnification, 6×4.7 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 1800 yards.
• 7-28x magnification, 5×3.8 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 3000 yards.

Similar applied to ATN ThOR 4 640 with Gen4 thermal sensor, which has a higher resolution of 640×480 just like the Pulsar Thermion XP50 / XP38:

• 1-10x magnification, 32×25 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 830 yards.
• 1.5-15x magnification, 24×19 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 1050 yards.
• 2.5-25x magnification, 12.5×9.7 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 1950 yards.
• 4-40x magnification, 8.3×6.2 degrees FOV; Detection range up to 3300 yards.

You can check out and compare the different pricing of various options above –

by selecting different “Size” in the size chart >> here alongside ATN ThOR 4 user reviews.
 
 
Other notable features such as a smart range finder, ballistic calculator, smart mil-dot reticle, and one-shot zero make this equipment capable of boosting both optical performance and shot accuracy. Laser rangefinders like the one built into the ATN ThOR 4 is one of the best ways of measuring the distance between hunter and prey.

The ballistic calculator is meant to increase the precision of your shot by enabling your scope to easily adjust the reticle’s point of impact. To enhance shooting accuracy via the ballistic calculator, all you need to do is input some information about your rifle and munitions, e.g., rifle type, drag function, ballistic coefficient, bullet weight, initial velocity, etc.

You can also input certain environmental variables whose readings can aid accuracy. Some of the variables in question include wind speed and direction, humidity, barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature.

Ballistic calculator and the scopes onboard computer will then process the data and make adjustments – there’s no need for a separate calculator app or use of confusing and complicated charts.
 
 
One way through which the aforementioned Smart Mil-dot Reticle enhances shooting accuracy is by programming the variance between hash marks (in mils). The ATN smart mil-dot reticle can either be used as a standalone or together with the ballistic calculator.

Zeroing your scope is a necessary condition to ensuring shooting accuracy albeit it can be a bit problematic, especially for newbies. With the ThOR 4 one-shot zero feature, it is almost stress-free since the hunter only needs one shot to sight the scope.

The ThOR 4 easily mounts with 30mm rings and prides itself as the “first-ever digital scope with over 16 hours of continuous battery supply”.

Watch the following ATN ThOR 4, 384×288 4.5-18x thermal scope video to learn more:

Another feature made available in ATN ThOR 4 is dual video recording and streaming with the Recoil Activated video (RAV), which makes it possible to simultaneously record and stream live videos through the Obsidian app.

This is similar to the Pulsar Thermion’s recoil-activated video recording feature and Wi-Fi with Pulsar’s Stream Vision app.

With RAV, video recording can be enabled or activated without pressing the record button. Once enabled, it is then up to the hunter to set or adjust the duration of the recording at any time he feels like, whether before, during, or after the shot.

The ATN ThOR 4 thermal riflescope comes with a calibration mechanism which ensures that a rifle’s recoil has the needed power to activate or trigger the RAV feature. It also includes recoil resistant components and an expandable MicroSD that can store 64GB of images and videos, as well as a new classic ergonomic design made of aluminum alloy and impact resistant electronics.
 
 
Watch the video below to see side-by-side comparison of ATN Thor 4 384 4.5 vs 640 4.0, so that you can get a better understanding of what you’ll get:

 

How to Choose: ATN ThOR or Pulsar Thermion?

Let’s start with a recap on the key common features among ATN ThOR 4 and Pulsar Thermion, whereby all these thermal scopes

• have built-in recoil activated video recording function.
• use Wi-Fi and App for connection to smartphone or tablet.
• are built with standard mounting rings with 30mm diameter.
• have High Definition (HD) image and display.
• have one-shot zeroing feature.

And here are the key differences of ATN ThOR 4 vs Pulsar Thermion as key factors of purchase consideration:

• Thermal sensor and resolution, whereby Pulsar Thermion uses microbolometer sensor at 640×480 / 384×288 / 320×240 pixels, whilst ATN uses Gen 4 Obsidian IV Dual core at 640×480 / 384×288 pixels.
• Frame rate, refers to frequency at which the scope provides consecutive images and therefore determine the smoothness of moving image you can see. The 60Hz frame rate of ATN Thor 4 is slightly better than 50Hz framerate of Pulsar Thermion.
• Display and resolution, with Pulsar Thermion adopts AMOLED HD at 1024×768 (786,432 pixels), vs ATN Thor 4′ HD display at 1280×720 (921,600 pixels).
• ATN Thor 4 has 16+ hours of battery life, far longer than 5+ hours of Pulsar Thermion
• Pulsar Thermion has picture-in-picture, but ATN Thor 4 does not have this feature.
• Pulsar Thermion has 16GB in-built memory storage, vs 64GB MicroSD of ATN Thor 4.
• Various Pulsar Thermion and ATN Thor 4 models have different objective lens, magnification capabilities, range of detection, price for sale, etc.

For additional info, check out the video below to learn more about the comparison and differences between Pulsar Thermion (XM50 5.5-22x) vs ATN ThOR 4 (4.5-18x), for you to make an educated purchase decision:

 
 
By now, you already have a good understanding on the comparison / differences

• among different Pulsar Thermion models (eg. XP-50/38, XQ-50/38, XM-50/38)
• among different ATN ThOR 4 models (eg. 640 vs 384 with varying magnifications).
• of ATN ThOR 4 vs Pulsar Thermion thermal rifle scope.

We recommend you to consider the followings in your purchase decision:

1. Identify deal-breaker (if any) then narrow down your choices. For examples:

• If Pulsar Thermion’s battery life of 5+ hours is too short for you, then you should choose among ATN ThOR 4 models that all have 16+ hours of battery life.
• If picture-in-picture is a mandatory “must have” feature for you, then you should choose among all Pulsar Thermion models since ATN ThOR 4 does not have this feature.

2. Determine your budget, just as most people love Ferrari car yet not all can afford one.

• If you are looking for entry level thermal scope under $2000 without burning a hole in pocket, then ATN ThOR 4, 384×288 1.25-5x is the only viable option among above.
• If you don’t have budget constraint and simply want the best among the above, then ATN ThOR 4 640×480 and Pulsar Thermion XP50 are the top 2 choices.

3. Compare and determine if the additional cost adder (associated with enhanced capabilities or extra features) worth your money. For examples:

• Will you spend additional money (say $400) to get better detection range, by upgrading Pulsar Thermion from XQ38 to XQ50 (i.e. 1350m vs 1800m detection range)?
• Do you see spending additional bucks (say around $500) to upgrade ATN ThOR 4 384 from 2-8x magnification to 4.5-18x magnification is good money well spent?

 

Pulsar Thermion vs ATN ThOR 4: The Verdict

Winner of Pulsar Thermion and ATN ThOR 4 thermal rifle scope?

You decide, based on your own preferences and budget –

as it is impossible to determine one single “best” option that universally suits everyone, since every hunter has different preferences / needs and budget allocation.


By following the aforementioned buying guideline and assessing the differences of various models in side-by-side comparison tables/videos above, you’ll be able to identify the best thermal scope option that can improve your hunting experience.