Estimated read time: 4 min.
The time has finally come to take a look at the Merger LRF XP35 – the latest product in the line of our thermal binoculars. This device has many impressive features that make it standout, including a high 640×480 resolution and a 17.8° field of view – the widest not only of all Pulsar devices, but in the market as well.
Hunter's review
Don’t let the size fool you
Right out of the box, you can notice that the Merger LRF XP35 has an incredibly sleek design that prioritizes compactness and a light weight. When a German huntress, Theresa Anheuser, unpacked the device, her first thoughts were, “Oh, wow! This device weighs so little!”
Theresa Anheuser
Claus Andersen, a Danish hunter living in Sicily, compared seeing the Merger LRF XP35 binoculars to his very first crush. “I knew exactly what I loved about it. The feeling of opening the carrying case and inserting the battery and holding my own pair of thermal binoculars is so hard to describe. It was truly like meeting my first serious crush again.”
He also adds that his favorite part about the design of the binoculars is that they give him “the feeling of holding a pair of traditional binoculars, but now with the benefit of thermal vision and a built-in laser range finder. So, the transition between traditional and thermal binoculars is very easy and intuitive.”
Claus Andersen
Of course, don’t let the size of the thermal binoculars fool you as they did the Swedish hunter Stefan Orman. “First thought that I had was how weird it was to see the XP sensor in such a small package. However, Merger LRF XP35’s size fooled me. I’m used to a great image being synonymous with large objectives (at least 42–50 mm), but this more than compensates for that with the enormous field of view,” shares Stefan.
Hunter's review
Widest field of view in the market
Merger LRF XP35 has a whopping 17.8° field of view – the widest not only between Pulsar devices but in the market as well. This is a feature of the binoculars that we are incredibly proud of and one that really resonated with Stefan.
“Here in Sweden, we mostly hunt wild boar with thermal devices at a range of mostly less than 100 meters,” he explains. “The wide 17.8° field of view is much preferable to a mid-range detection range, and will suit your needs perfectly.”
Stefan Orman
Stefan is also glad that the binoculars are an incredible tool for wild boar damage control, stating that “Merger LRF XP35 is absolutely awesome. It’s got a highly sensitive 640×480 @ 17 µm sensor with NETD <25 mK, and a 1300 m detection range. Whenever I’m out looking for wild boar, I can comfortably identify them from longer distances than I would normally shoot.”
The wide field of view on the binoculars didn’t go unnoticed by Claus Andersen, either. “The benefits of the extremely wide field of view on the Merger LRF XP35 is that I can comfortably cover observation over a larger area, meaning that I move less, I make less noise and, therefore, there are lesser chances of animals detecting my presence.”
Hunter's review
And it gets even better
As Stefan mentioned previously, Merger LRF XP35 has a sensitive, 640×480 @ 17 µm sensor with NETD <25 mK that was made right here in Europe. The high resolution can ensure reliable identification of the target and detailed visualization of the target, while the thermal sensor can capture minimal temperature differences when observing in conditions of low temperature contrast and in poor weather conditions.
Theresa Anheuser praises the new features of the Merger LRF XP35 as well, and her compliments were almost endless. Alongside the great image quality of the device, the dual battery system also left a huge impression on her.
“I’m very amazed by the brilliant image resolution so far!” shares the German huntress. “I also think the solution for the batteries is very good. You have the option of removing a battery and charging it manually in addition to the built-in battery in the Merger. So you have two batteries at your disposal and could even have a third one with you at all times, as you can change one.”
Claus Andersen was also impressed by the battery, stating that, “the Pulsar Merger LRF XP35 is a perfect combination of image quality, price, functionality, and weight. The same can be said about the 9-hour operating time and detection range of 1350 meters.”
For me the Pulsar Merger LRF XP35 is a perfect combination of image quality, price, functionality, and weight.
Claus Andersen
Should you buy it?
If you’re looking for a great pair of thermal binoculars for the upcoming hunting season, we highly recommend giving the Merger LRF XP35 a shot. Their light weight and compact design make it a great device to bring along on any hunt without leaving you feeling restrained. While the incredibly wide field of view, sensitive thermal sensor and long detection range will definitely prove useful to many hunters.
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.