Estimated read time: 4,5 min.
Axion XQ30 Pro is the newest member of Pulsar Compact series and the smallest device, weighing only 300 g. It fits perfectly in your pocket, earning the nickname “thermal pocket rocket”.
Despite its small size, the device boasts impressive technical features such as a highly sensitive thermal imaging sensor, wide field of view for easy scanning, and the ability to take photos and record videos. Let’s find out what hunters think of it after trying it out!
Hunter's review
Night Vision Viking: impressions from Sweden
“It’s incredible how such a miniature, portable device can deliver such a high-end image quality. It truly is a Thermal Pocket Rocket! An ergonomic, quality thermal that you can carry all the time like it was your wallet,” says Night Vision Viking.
As one of the advantages hunter names the lightness of it – he says the best optic is the one you have with you, not the bulky one you left at home. That’s true – with the Axion XQ30 Pro, you can always carry it wherever you go and get a thermal image of the surroundings within seconds.
As he notices, the small size can be deceptive: “Due to its limited size, it’s easy to think that Pulsar left out a lot of features. They did not! Despite its affordable price and miniature size, the XQ30 Pro still comes packed and ready to use. I’m lucky to have the best commercial thermals, but I’m surprised by how well the Axion XQ30 Pro performs. If you consider the size and weight-to-image quality ratio, the XQ30 Pro is a clear winner,” shares the hunter.
He recommends the device to any hunter, even the professional ones, or anyone interested in what’s happening around their farm or house at day or night. According to him, beginners would get the best entry-level thermal monocular at a great price and could use it for years without regrets. Meanwhile, professionals would get a great device that does it all but could free up some of their budgets and spend more on their thermal riflescope. Learning how to use it is also effortless, which makes this device a good fit for both beginners and professionals.
Learning how to use it is effortless, thus this device is a good fit for beginners and professionals.
Night Vision Viking
Hunter's review
Martin Brožek: a Czech point of view
“The Axion XQ30 Pro captured my heart at first sight. I tested it during our Pulsar meeting and instantly loved its neat, tiny, and minimalistic design. Yet, it packs everything I need for daily use,” says Martin, whose primary use for the monocular is detection.
His ideal scenario is to have a lightweight monocular and a powerful scope on the rifle. The Axion XQ30 Pro is compact enough to fit even the most petite hand, and during long stalking walks, Martin can avoid fatigue from carrying a powerful yet heavy device. “Once I tried the XQ30 Pro, I knew I needed one of my own,” he adds.
According to Martin, the Axion XQ30 Pro is worth recommending to others. He previously owned its predecessor, the Axion XM30F, and now he’s genuinely pleased that the Axion XQ30 Pro has taken the position of the lightweight unit with an XQ sensor. “The sensor is fantastic – it’s a flagship of the 3x range, typically found in much larger and more expensive units. I appreciate its thermal sensitivity and clarity even in bad weather or high air humidity,” notices the hunter.
Overall, Pulsar Axions are beloved for their space-weight-effective design. Even without carrying a big chest rig, Axions fit nicely into a pocket, making them particularly beneficial for hunters on the move who require lightweight yet powerful units. The XQ30 Pro is Martin’s absolute favorite right now – it fulfills all his needs without sacrificing comfort.
I appreciate its thermal sensitivity and clarity even in bad weather or high air humidity.
Martin Brožek
Hunter's review
Kevin Murphy: an opinion from the UK
Kevin Murphy bought the device right after putting his hands on it: “The first thing was how impressed I was with the improvement over the previous Axion XM30F. The field of view is even better, and the big increase in image quality is fantastic. Excellent value for money,” he says.
Now, he would recommend this to anyone: not only hunters but also all wildlife enthusiasts, especially for the budget-conscious audience or someone who wants to dip their feet into the thermal imaging world. “The price point is very good, and you get a lot of bang for your buck!” Kevin adds.
Up until now, he has tried a couple of other Axions, including the XM30F, which was the XQ30 Pro’s predecessor, and notes that the great thing is that the housing is exactly the same with its tiny stature, but clearly, size doesn’t matter after seeing the jump in performance. “This would be a great spotter for an air gunner or deer stalker as it provides adequate target detection for a great price,” advises Kevin.
Axion XQ30 Pro is the newest member of Pulsar Compact series and the smallest device, weighing only 300 g.
Stefan Orman: a Swedish testimonial
“This is the perfect less weight, more than enough juice unit for the woodland stalker,” this was the first thought that popped into Stefan’s head after trying the Axion XQ30 Pro.
When asked whether he would recommend it to others, Stefan says that this is a perfect unit if you’re a Swedish dog handler who does lots of searches for wounded games (traffic accidents and hunting-related injuries). According to him, the device might even help search and rescue teams to help people in emergencies and law enforcement. It could also be loved by hunters who like to stalk in dense forests and need a wide field of view, and an awesome NETD.
With its low weight and small pocket-sized format, it’s just a winner for these applications.
Stefan Orman
Before purchasing any night or thermal vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local legislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events. If you wish to learn more about export and sales restriction policy, please visit the following link: Export and Sales Restriction Policy.