Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60 Thermal Riflescope
Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60 – Thermal Riflescope
The Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60 is a thermal riflescope featuring a 1280×1024-pixel HD sensor, an F60/1.0 objective lens, an integrated 1200 m laser rangefinder and a ballistic calculator. Its main advantage is the combination of detailed imaging and a wide field of view at the native 2× magnification, with digital magnification available up to 24×.
The conventional housing accepts standard 30 mm mounting rings. A separate magnification ring, an ambidextrous central focusing turret and controls positioned around the eyepiece provide handling similar to a daytime optical riflescope.
HD Sensor and Thermal Sensitivity
The 1280×1024 / 12 µm uncooled microbolometer delivers detailed views of outlines, body position, movement and other distinguishing features. High resolution is particularly useful when detecting a heat source is not enough and a more careful assessment of the object is required.
Pulsar specifies a sensor NETD below 35 mK and a system NETD below 20 mK separately. These are different parameters: the first relates to the sensor, while the second relates to the complete thermal imaging system. They should not be treated as interchangeable when comparing devices.
System thermal sensitivity below 20 mK helps reveal small temperature differences in low-contrast conditions. Fog, humidity and precipitation can still reduce image quality, so high sensitivity does not guarantee an unchanged operating range in every weather condition.
Objective Lens and Digital Magnification
The 60 mm F1.0 objective lens is paired with a native magnification of 2×. The horizontal field of view measures 14.6°, or 25.7 m at 100 m, making it easier to locate a target and follow its movement along woodland clearings, field edges and mixed terrain.
Digital magnification increases the image up to 24×. This is not optical zoom: higher settings display a narrower portion of the original image, so the same level of detail should not be expected as at native magnification.
A ring with a throw lever allows magnification changes without opening the menu, and its rotation direction can be configured to suit the user’s preferences. Focusing is controlled through the central turret, positioned similarly to the elevation turret on a conventional riflescope.
Technical Specifications Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60
Specification | Value |
Model | Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60 |
SKU | 76590 |
Sensor type | Uncooled microbolometer |
Sensor resolution | 1280×1024 pixels |
Pixel pitch | 12 µm |
Sensor NETD | <35 mK |
System NETD | <20 mK |
Frame rate | 50 Hz |
Objective lens | F60/1.0 |
Magnification | 2–24× |
Horizontal field of view | 14.6°; 25.7 m at 100 m |
Declared detection range | Up to 3100 m |
Dioptre adjustment | −4.5 to +3.5 D |
Eye relief | 65 mm |
Display | Micro-OLED AMOLED, 2560×2560 pixels |
Display shapes | 3 |
Reticles | 10 electronic reticles, with scaling functionality |
Adjustment range, horizontal/vertical | 4000/4000 mm at 100 m |
Maximum rangefinder distance | 1200 m |
Measurement accuracy | ±1 m |
Measurement modes | Single measurement, scan and THD |
Laser | 905 nm, Class 1 according to IEC 60825-1:2014 |
Ballistic calculator | Integrated, with Suggested Point of Aim (SPOA) display |
Zeroing profiles | 10 profiles, with up to 10 distances per profile |
Zeroing methods | One-shot, Zoom and Freeze Zeroing |
Colour palettes | 9 |
Picture-in-Picture | Rectangular and circular modes |
Photo and video resolution | 1440×1080 pixels |
File formats | JPG photos and MP4 video |
Video sound recording | Yes |
Internal memory | 128 GB |
Recoil-activated recording | Yes, with three sensitivity settings |
Shadow Recording | Yes |
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5 GHz; IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 |
Supported applications | Stream Vision 2 and Stream Vision Ballistics |
Battery system | Built-in and removable APS5 Li-ion batteries, each 4900 mAh / 3.7 V |
Declared XT60 operating time | Up to 8.5 hours at 22°C |
External power supply | USB Type-C Power Delivery, 5 V or 9 V |
Housing protection | IP67 |
Operating temperature | −25°C to +50°C |
Recoil resistance | For rifled firearms using ammunition with muzzle energy up to 6000 J |
Mounting | Standard 30 mm rings |
Housing material | Metal |
Dimensions | 443×96×76 mm |
Weight | 1.3 kg |
A detection range of 3100 m is not the same as a reliable identification distance or a safe shooting distance. Before use, positively identify the target and ensure that the area behind it is safe.
AMOLED Display and PiP
The 2560×2560 AMOLED display shows the thermal image, reticle, measured distance and ballistic information. The 65 mm eye relief provides additional clearance behind the scope when used on firearms with stronger recoil.
Two Picture-in-Picture modes are available: rectangular PiP shows the target and magnified view side by side, while circular PiP enlarges the aiming area while retaining the full field of view. Pulsar also lists three display shapes as a separate feature.
Image Processing and Palettes
Three sensitivity amplification levels adapt image processing to different thermal and weather conditions. A smoothing filter reduces image noise, particularly when using the highest amplification level.
- Normal: for dry, sunny weather and scenes containing different heat sources.
- High: for most typical field conditions.
- Ultra-High: for fog, rain, high humidity and low temperatures.
The nine palettes are White Hot, Black Hot, Green, Red Hot, Red Monochrome, Rainbow, Ultramarine, Violet and Sepia. Selecting an appropriate palette and amplification level allows the display to be adapted to the scene rather than relying on one setting throughout the outing.
Rangefinder up to 1200 m
The laser rangefinder is integrated into the housing, separately from the thermal objective lens. According to Pulsar, this arrangement preserves the F1.0 lens’s unobstructed optical path, sensitivity and edge sharpness.
The measurement range reaches 1200 m, with a declared accuracy of ±1 m. Single measurement provides a quick distance reading, Scan supplies continuous readings, and THD displays the true horizontal distance when measuring at an angle.
Distance can be displayed in metres or yards. Measuring directly through the riflescope reduces the need to change position and use a separate handheld rangefinder while preparing for a shot.
Ballistics and Reticles
Ballistic profiles are created and transferred through Stream Vision Ballistics. The onboard calculator combines the measured distance with the active profile and displays corrections together with a Suggested Point of Aim — SPOA.
The accuracy of this recommendation depends on correct rifle and ammunition data. Pulsar particularly emphasises actual muzzle velocity and recommends checking it with a chronograph, as the velocity stated on the ammunition packaging may differ from that achieved through a particular barrel.
Ten electronic reticles are available. Scalable reticles maintain correct angular subtensions as magnification changes, following a principle similar to first-focal-plane reticles in daytime optics.
Elevation-angle information and lateral cant indicators help the user monitor firearm alignment. Ten zeroing profiles are available, each supporting up to ten distances, and a zeroing profile can be replaced with a ballistic profile from the application.
Adjustment Precision
Click value depends on the selected magnification. Higher magnification provides finer adjustment steps during zeroing.
Magnification | Click value at 100 m |
2× | 20 mm |
4× | 10 mm |
8× | 5 mm |
16× | 2.5 mm |
20× | 2 mm |
24× | 1.7 mm |
Available methods include One-shot Zeroing, zoom-assisted zeroing and Freeze Zeroing, which freezes the image while adjustments are entered. Settings must be saved after adjustment, and the result should be confirmed with additional verification shots.
Recording and Shot Review
The Thermion 3 LRF XT60 stores photographs and video with sound in its 128 GB internal memory. Recorded files have a resolution of 1440×1080 pixels; this is a separate specification from the sensor and display resolutions.
Recoil-activated recording captures the moment of the shot without manually starting video recording. Three sensitivity settings adapt recoil detection to different firearm configurations.
Pulsar also lists Shadow Recording, while the Stream Vision 2 application supports automatic detection of the shot within a video. This makes recordings easier to review; it is not automatic animal-species recognition or target selection.
Power Supply and Controls
The dual power system uses built-in and externally removable APS5 batteries, each with a capacity of 4900 mAh. The XT60 has a declared operating time of up to 8.5 hours at 22°C; the figure of up to 14 hours applies to the XR60, not the XT60.
The external battery is designed for quick replacement in the field. The internal battery is also designed to be replaceable, but this procedure should not be confused with a quick external APS5 battery swap.
USB Type-C Power Delivery supports external power at 5 V or 9 V. A proximity sensor switches off the display when the user moves away from the eyepiece, while the main functions remain accessible through the eyepiece controls.
App Connectivity
Stream Vision 2 supports image streaming, remote control of supported functions, recorded-content management and software updates. The riflescope supports 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi together with Bluetooth BLE 4.2.
Stream Vision Ballistics is used to prepare and transfer ballistic profiles. The two applications have different roles: the first focuses on connectivity and content, while the second handles ballistic settings.
Housing and Field Use
The metal housing has an IP67 protection rating, and the declared operating temperature range is −25°C to +50°C. Recoil resistance is specified for rifled firearms using ammunition that develops up to 6000 J of muzzle energy — not 6000 J of recoil energy.
The XT60 is particularly suited to mixed terrain: its native 2× magnification provides a broad overview, while the HD sensor and digital magnification allow closer assessment of more distant objects. Distance measurement, ballistic functions and recoil-activated recording are combined in one riflescope, without requiring a separate recorder.
Its 1.3 kg weight and 443 mm length are important when planning the complete rifle configuration. Before choosing a mount, check the available space, ring height and the scope position needed for correct eye relief.
Mounting and Initial Setup
The riflescope fits standard 30 mm mounting rings. Its position should be adjusted to suit the user’s actual shooting stance before the mount is fully tightened.
Recommended preparation sequence:
- Before installation, ensure the firearm is unloaded and safely secured.
- Select a compatible mount and rings of a suitable height.
- Position the scope to match your natural head position and the specified eye relief.
- Tighten the fasteners according to the scope and mounting manufacturers’ instructions.
- Select a profile and enter the zeroing distance.
- Follow the zeroing procedure in the official user manual.
- Save the settings and verify the result with a confirmation group.
For detailed cleaning, charging, internal battery replacement and long-term storage procedures, follow the official Pulsar user manual. As general maintenance, regularly inspect the mounting system and avoid cleaning optical surfaces with abrasive materials or household solvents.
Professional Optics in Split
Find the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XT60 at Professional Optics in Split, Croatia, with competitive prices and delivery across Europe. Before ordering, check current availability, pricing and delivery conditions for your location.
Before purchasing or using the device, check the regulations governing the acquisition, ownership and use of thermal riflescopes in the destination country.
