The Pulsar Axion XQ19 is an amazing budget Thermal Monocular (but still Made in Europe!) for wildlife observation or watching feral predators.
The Pulsar Axion Compact XQ19 is a compact thermal monocular designed to deliver reliable thermal imaging performance at a relatively modest price — especially given the quality associated with the Pulsar brand. At its core, the Axion XQ19 uses a sensitive uncooled 384 × 288 thermal sensor (with a 17 µm pixel pitch) and achieves a system NETD (noise-equivalent temperature difference) of less than 18 mK. This enables good detection capabilities, even in low-contrast or challenging environments such as mist, rain or high humidity.
Optically, the device is equipped with a fast F/1.0 19 mm germanium objective lens, which assists in gathering heat signatures efficiently. Coupled with its thermal sensor, the XQ19 supports a digital magnification range of approximately 1.5× to 6×. Its field of view is 19.5° (horizontal), translating to roughly 34.7 × 21.5 metres at 100 m distance. In practical terms, this means the device can reliably detect a typical 1.8 metre high heat source out to approximately 750 metres in complete darkness.
The display is a 640 × 400-pixel AMOLED screen that offers crisp, high-contrast images, power efficiency, and quick response — even under cold conditions. Thermal visuals can also be tailored using a selection of colour palettes: White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot for detection; Rainbow and Ultramarine for target identification; and Sepia, Violet (or other tones) for longer, eye-friendly observation. To further enhance viewing flexibility, there are three levels of signal amplification (sensitivity modes) plus smoothing, brightness and contrast adjustments — all designed to optimise image quality depending on weather, temperature, and target/background conditions.
One of the strong suits of the XQ19 is portability. The unit features a magnesium-alloy housing which is both lightweight and rugged. Thanks to its compact “pocketable” design and symmetrical button layout, it’s easy to handle, whether you’re right- or left-handed. The device weighs in around 250 grams (without the battery) and measures approximately 134.5 × 38 × 71 mm.
Power is supplied by a removable APS3 (or APS-series) rechargeable lithium battery, offering up to 7.5–8 hours of continuous use per charge (depending on conditions). For prolonged outings, it also supports external power via USB-C — a handy feature for field use. Pulsar
Connectivity-wise, the unit has dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), allowing pairing with smartphones via the “Stream Vision 2” app on Android or iOS. Through the app, you can stream live images, remotely control digital functions, update firmware and transfer stored photos or video. The device also has 64 GB of built-in memory, which is ample for storing hours of video and many stills.
In terms of durability, the Axion XQ19 meets IPX7 waterproofing standards — meaning it’s protected against immersion in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes, making it resilient in adverse weather. It also features a fast start-up: once powered on, the device is fully operational in about 5 seconds.
Finally, the build quality is very solid: Pulsar’s housing not only resists shock, heat, moisture and cold, but also helps dissipate internal heat — improving performance stability during long observation sessions.
Bottom line: The Pulsar Axion Compact XQ19 offers a great entry point into thermal imaging — compact, rugged, and packed with core features. While it may not match higher-end thermal scopes in terms of resolution or range, its strong sensor, solid build, long battery life, and smartphone integration make it an excellent choice for wildlife observation, general outdoor thermal use, or as a lightweight, portable tool for situations where you want reliable thermal detection without breaking the bank.
