PULSAR AXION COMPACT XG30 Manual

Axion Compact thermal imaging monoculars are designed for use both at night-time and during the day in difficult weather conditions (fog, smog, rain), as well as where obstacles are present that impede the detection of a target (branches, tall grass, dense shrubs etc.).

Unlike night-vision devices that are based on electron-optical converters, thermal vision monoculars do not require an external light source and are resistant to the effects of bright light.

Axion Compact monoculars can be used for night-time hunting, observation and terrain orientation, and carrying out rescue operations.

Battery Charging

Battery Installation

Powering on and Image Setting

Stream Vision 2

• Axion XG Thermal Imager
• APS 3 rechargeable battery
• Power Adapter
• USB Type-C cable with USB Type-A adapter
• Carrying case
• Hand strap
• Quick User Manual
• Lens-cleaning cloth
• Warranty sheet

• Microbolometer pixel size is 12 microns
• 640×400 AMOLED display resolution
• Compact size and light weight
• Functional and ergonomic design
• Eight color modes
• Three calibration modes: Manual, Semi-Automatic, Automatic
• Three levels of sensitivity enhancement: Normal, High, Ultra
• Stadiametric Rangefinder
• Display Off function
• Display dimming function
• Auto shutdown function
• Device firmware update using the free Stream Vision 2 App
• Defective pixel repair function
• Updatable firmware
• Wide operating temperature range (-25°С to +40°С / -13°F to +104°F)
• Fully waterproof (IPX7 rated)

Video/Audio Recording

• Built-in video and sound recorder
• Integration with iOS and Android devices
• Wi-Fi remote control and viewing using a smartphone
• Storing photos and videos in Cloud when using the Stream Vision 2 App

Battery Pack

• Quick Change Li-Ion Battery Pack APS 3
• Charging from USB Power Bank

1. Eyepiece focus ring
2. DOWN/REC button
3. MENU button
4. UP/ZOOM button
5. Power ON/OFF/CALIBRATION button
6. Lens focus ring
7. Lens cover
8. USB Type-C connector
9. Battery release button

LED indicator displays the current status of the device:

LED Indicator	Operating Mode
	Device is turned on
	The device is turned on/video recording
	The device is turned on/battery charge < 10%
	The device is turned on/video recording/battery charge < 10%

• Always use the APS charger to charge APS 3 batteries. Using an unsuitable charger can cause irreparable damage to the battery and fire.
• Do not charge the battery immediately after bringing it from cold to warm. Wait at least 30 minutes for the battery to warm up.
• It is not recommended to charge the batteries with a charger connected to the USB port of a computer or laptop. It can damage the computer.
• Do not leave the battery unattended while charging.
• Do not use the charger if it has been modified or damaged.
• Do not leave the battery in a charger connected to the mains after charging is complete.
• Do not expose the battery to high temperatures or naked flames.
• Do not use the battery as a power source for devices that do not support APS 3 batteries.
• Do not disassemble or deform the battery or charger.
• Do not drop or strike the battery or charger.
• The battery and charger must not be immersed in water.
• Keep the battery out of the reach of children.

• The battery should be partially charged (50 to 80 %) for long-term storage.
• The battery is to be charged at an ambient temperature of 0 °C to +35 °C or the lifespan of the battery will decrease significantly.
• When using the battery at sub-zero ambient temperatures, the battery capacity decreases. This is normal and not a defect.
• Do not use the battery at temperatures outside the range of -25 °C to +40 °C or it may reduce battery life.
• The battery is short circuit protected. However, any situation that may cause short-circuiting should be avoided.

The Axion Compact  thermal imager comes with an APS 3 rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. Before first use, make sure the battery is fully charged.

The icon in the status bar will flash when the battery is low. The battery needs to be charged.

Option 1

1. Install the battery (10) into its slot on the device case (14) by aligning the icons to form a ‘dot’ on the unit and the battery.
2. Attach a USB cable (15) to the USB Type-C connector (8) on the device.
3. Connect the other end of the USB cable (15) to the power adapter (16) by removing the USB Type-A adapter.
4. Connect the power adapter (16) to the mains power supply (17).
5. Wait until the battery is fully charged (indication in the status bar: )

Option 2

1. Insert the battery (10) fully along the guide rail into the APS charger* (11) slot as far as it will go.
2. Point A on the battery and Point B on the charger should be aligned.
3. Two batteries* can be charged at the same time – a second slot is provided for this.
4. Attach the USB Type-C plug on the USB cable (15) to the USB  Type-C connector on the power adapter (16). Plug the device into a 100–240V power outlet (17).
5. Attach the second plug of the USB cable to the socket (12) of the charger (11).
6. The LED indicator (13) will light up battery charge status (see table).
7. Wait until the battery is fully charged (LED indication (13): ).

(13) LED Indicator**	Battery charge status
	Battery charge from 0 to 10%. Charger not connected to the mains power supply
	Battery charge from 0 to 10%. Charger connected to the mains power supply
	Battery defective.  Do not use the battery!
	Battery charge from 10 to 20%
	Battery charge from 20 to 60%
	Battery charge from 60 to 95%
	Battery completely charged. Charging will automatically stop. The battery can be disconnected from the charger.

* Available separately

**The indicator displays the current level of charge of the battery for 30 seconds when the APS charger is not plugged in. When the power is connected, the display shows the current status of the battery constantly, the LEDs additionally flickering to indicate the battery charging process.

Attention! Before installing the battery, make sure that there is an undamaged rubber insulating ring on the battery. The ring is designed to protect your device from moisture getting inside. Damage to the device due to a missing ring is not covered by the warranty. To replace or purchase a ring, contact your local distributor.

1. Insert the battery (10) into the assigned slot on the device’s casing (14), aligning the images to form a ‘dot’ on the device (C) and the battery (A).
2. When properly installed, the battery is locked into the slot with a special clip.
3. To remove the battery from the device, press the Battery Release button (9).

Power can be supplied from an external source such as a 5 V power bank.

1. Attach the external power source to the device’s USB Type-C connector (8).
2. The device will switch to operation from the external power source, while the APS3 battery will be gradually recharged.
3. An icon of a battery will appear on the display showing its charge as a percentage.
4. If the device is operated from an external power source and the APS3 battery is not connected, an icon    is displayed.
5. When the external power supply is disconnected, the device switches to the internal power supply without the device powering off.

Important! Power Bank must be connected to the device with the battery installed.

Attention! Charging the built-in battery and the APS3 battery from the power bank at an external temperature below 0 °C (32 °F) can reduce the battery life. When using external power, connect the Power Bank to the device after it has been turned on and working for several minutes.

1. Remove the lens cover (7). Secure the cover to the strap using the magnet built into the cover.
2. Turn the device on with a short press of the ON/OFF (5)
3. Adjust the resolution of the icons on the display by rotating the diopter adjustment ring on the eyepiece (1).
4. To focus on the object under observation, rotate the lens focus ring (6).
5. Select the desired calibration mode in the main menu: Manual (M), Semi-automatic (SA) or Automatic (A).
6. Calibrate the image with a short press of the ON/OFF (5) button (where calibration mode SA or M has been selected). Close the lens cap before manual calibration.
7. Select the required amplification level (“Normal” , “High” , “Ultra” ) by briefly pressing the UP (4) button.
8. Activate the quick menu by briefly pressing the MENU (3) button to adjust the brightness, contrast and smooth digital zoom (for more details see the Quick Menu section).
9. Turn the device off with a long press of the ON/OFF (5).

Recommended: When using the device for the first time, it is recommended to connect to the Stream Vision 2 App and check for firmware updates. If a newer version is available, you should update the firmware.

Observation conditions: time of day, weather, different observation objects affect the image quality. Custom settings for brightness, display contrast as well as the function of adjusting the microbolometer sensitivity level will help to achieve the desired quality in a particular situation.​

Attention! It is forbidden to point the riflescope lens at intensive energy sources, such as laser radiation emitting devices or the sun. It can disable the riflescope electronic components. Warranty does not cover damage arising from failure to comply with the operating rules.

The status bar is at the bottom of the display and displays information on the actual operating status of the device, including:

• Color Mode:

– White hot

– Black hot

• Amplification level
• Smoothing Filter (displayed when the function is on)
• Calibration Mode (in Automatic calibration mode a countdown timer will appear instead of the calibration mode icon 3 seconds before automatic calibration begins).
• Microphone
• Magnification
• Wi-Fi Connection
• Time
• Power Indication:

– charge level if the device is powered by a battery
– charge level if the device is charging and powered by a battery
– no battery, the device is connected to an external power supply

The basic settings (adjusting brightness and contrast, using the Stadiametric Rangefinder function) can be changed using the quick access menu.

• Enter the menu by briefly pressing the MENU (3).
• A short press of the МENU (3) button enables you to toggle between functions, as described below.

Brightness – press the UP (4)/DOWN (2) buttons to change display brightness from 0 to 20.

Contrast  – press the UP (4)/DOWN (2) buttons to change image contrast from 0 to 20.

• When the device is restarted, the brightness and contrast values are reset to the default values for the selected colour palette.
• To maintain brightness and contrast settings when changing amplifying levels, activate User Mode.

Stadiometric Rangefinder  – change the position of special marker lines to determine the distance to the object being observed by pressing the UP (4)/DOWN (2) buttons (for more details see the Stadiametric Rangefinder section).

Smooth Digital Zoom  – press the UP (4)/DOWN (2) button to change the value of the digital zoom from 2 to 16. The digital zoom changes in 0.1 increments.

Note: the magnification value is reset to the base value when the device is switched off

• Press and hold the MENU (3) button to exit the menu or wait for 10 seconds to exit automatically.

Axion Compact thermal imagers are capable of video recording and photography. Videos and images are saved on the built-in memory card.

Before using this feature please set the date and time (see General Settings section).

For information on how to watch recorded photos and videos, see the Stream Vision 2 user manual: Android, iOS.

The built-in recorder operates in two modes – Video and Photo.

Video mode. Video recording

1. Switch to Video mode by pressing and holding the DOWN/REC (2) button.

2. The  icon and the remaining recording time in HH:MM (Hours:Minutes) format are displayed in the upper left corner, for example 4:20.

3. Press the DOWN/REC (2) button briefly to start video recording.

4. When the video recording starts, the icon will disappear and the REC icon and timer in MM:SS (Minutes:Seconds) format will appear .

5. Pause and resume recording video with a short press of the DOWN/REC (2) button.

6. Stop recording video with a long press of the DOWN/REC (2) button.

7. Video files are saved to the built-in memory card after the video recording has been stopped.

8. Press and hold the DOWN/REC (2) button to switch between the Video and Photo modes (Video-> Photo-> Video…)

Photo Mode. Capturing an image

1. Switch to the Photo mode by pressing and holding the DOWN/REC (2) button.

2. Press the DOWN/REC (2) button briefly to take a photo. The icon  flashes – the photo file is being saved to the built-in SD card.

Notes:

• You can enter and operate the menu during video recording.
• Recorded videos and photos are saved to the internal memory card in the format img_xxx.jpg (photos), video_xxx.mp4 (videos).
• Videos are recorded in clips with a maximum duration of 5 minutes. The number of recorded files is limited by the capacity of unit’s internal memory.
• Regularly check the free capacity of the internal memory and move recorded footage to other storage media to free up space on the internal memory card.
• In case of a memory card error, you can use the format function in the General Settings section of the main menu.
• When the Display Off function is activated, video recording continues to run in the background.

The device functionality allows you to quickly increase the base magnification (see Optical Magnification line in the table of Technical Specifications) by 2, 4 or 8 times as well as return to the base magnification.

Note: the magnification value is reset to the base value when the device is switched off.

Press and hold the UP/ZOOM (4) button to change the digital zoom.

The PiP (Picture-in-Picture) function allows you to see both the main image and a magnified image in a dedicated window.

• To turn on and off the PiP function see the PiP Mode section.
• Press and hold the UP (4) button to change the magnification ratio in the PiP window.
• The zoomed image is displayed in a dedicated window, while the image in the rest of the screen is displayed at base magnification 2x.
• When the PiP is turned on you can control both the discrete and smooth digital zoom. In this case the zoom value changes only take place in the dedicated window.
• When the PiP function is turned off, the screen will display at the magnification that was set in PiP mode.

This function darkens the screen, which aids the user’s concealment. However, the device stays on.

When this function is in use, the device switches to the standby mode, which allows it to be switched on quickly if necessary.

1. When the device is on, press and hold the ON/OFF (5) button. The display will turn off, the current time and the “Display off” icon will appear.
2. Turn the display back on with a short press of the ON/OFF (5) button.
3. When you press and hold the ON/OFF (5) button, the display shows the “Display off” icon with a countdown. Pressing & holding the button down for the duration of the countdown will power the device off completely.

The device has a function enabling wireless communication with external devices (smartphone or tablet) via Wi-Fi.

• Turn on the wireless module in the Wi-Fi Activation  menu option.

Wi-Fi is displayed in the status bar as follows:

Indication on the status bar	Connection Status
	Wi-Fi is switched off
	Wi-Fi connection is in progress
	Wi-Fi is switched on, no connection with device
	Wi-Fi is switched on, device connected

• The device is recognized by an external device as AXION_XXXX where XXXX are the four last digits of the serial number.
• After entering the password  on a mobile device (see Password Setup subsection of the Wi-Fi Settings section for more information on setting a password) and setting up a connection, the icon in the status bar will change to .
• The Wi-Fi function will turn off automatically if there is not enough battery power for Wi-Fi.

Axion Compact thermal imagers are equipped with a stadiametric rangefinder which allows the user to determine the approximate distance to an object of a known size with reasonable accuracy.

1. Select the Stadiametric Rangefinder function with short presses of the MENU (3) button until the icon  is selected.
2. You will see on the display: measurement bars, icons of three reference objects and respective distances for the three objects.
3. Position the lower fixed bar under the object being ranged.
4. By pressing the UP (4)/DOWN (2) buttons, move the upper horizontal bar relative to the lower fixed bar until the object fits entirely between the two bars. The distance to the object is automatically recalculated as you move the upper line.
5. Exit the rangefinder mode with a long press of the MENU (3) button or wait 10 seconds to exit automatically.

Notes:

• There are three predefined values for the reference objects: Hare – 0.3 m height, Boar – 0.7 m height, Deer – 1.7 m height.
• Before it appears on the display, a measured distance value is rounded up to 5m for larger values and rounded down to 1m for smaller values.
• To select the unit of measurement (Meters or Yards), go to the General Settings  menu item => Units of Measure  submenu.

1. Connect one end of the USB cable to the USB Type-C (9) port of your device and the other end to the USB port of your PC / laptop using a USB Type-A adapter.
2. Turn the device on with a short press of the ON/OFF (5) button (a device that has been turned off cannot be detected by your computer).
3. Your device will be detected by the computer automatically; no drivers need to be installed.
4. Two connection modes will appear on the display: Power and Memory Card (external storage device).
5. Select the connection mode with the UP (4)/DOWN (2) buttons.
6. Confirm the selection with a short press of the MENU (3) button.

Power

• In this mode, a PC/laptop is used as an external power supply. The status bar shows the icon . The device continues operating and all functions are available.
• The Battery Pack installed in the device is not being charged.
• When the USB is disconnected from the device when in the Power mode, the device keeps operating with the Battery Pack if it is available and sufficiently charged.

Memory Card

• In this mode the device is detected by the computer as a flash card. This mode is designed for work with the files saved in the device’s memory. The device’s functions are not available in this mode; the device turns off automatically.
• If video recording was in progress when the connection was made, recording stops and the video is saved.
• If the device is in Memory Card mode and is disconnected from USB, the device will remain on.

Install the Stream Vision 2 application to download files, update firmware, control the device by remote control and broadcast images from your device to a smartphone or a tablet via WiFi.

We recommend using the latest version – Stream Vision 2.

You can find further guidelines on Stream Vision 2 here.

Download from Google Play

Download from App Store

Find answers to frequently asked questions about using Stream Vision 2 here.

Stream Vision 2 Manual

Android

iOS

1. Download the free Stream Vision 2 App in Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect your Pulsar device to your mobile device (smartphone or tablet).
3. Launch Stream Vision 2 and go to section “Settings”.
4. Select your Pulsar device and press “Check firmware update”.
5. Wait for the update to download and install. Pulsar device will reboot and will be ready to operate.

Important:

• if your Pulsar device is connected to a phone or mobile device, please turn on mobile data transfer (GPRS/3G/4G) to download update;
• if your Pulsar device is not connected to your phone or mobile device but is already listed in “Settings” > “My devices” section, you may use Wi-Fi to download update.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about using Stream Vision 2 here.

Is your firmware up to date?

Click here to check the latest firmware for your device.

It is recommended to inspect your device before each use. Check the following:

• The device should be free of any cracks or deformations.
• The lenses should be free of cracks, grease, dirt or debris.
• The battery level of the device should be full. Electrical sockets should be free of salts, oxidation, or other debris.
• All controls should be responsive.

Maintenance should be carried out at least twice a year and should include the following steps:

• Wipe the exterior surfaces of metal and plastic parts with a cotton cloth. Do not use chemically active substances, solvents, etc. as these will damage the paint.
• Clean the electric contacts of the Battery Pack and the device’s battery slot using a non-greasy organic solvent.
• Check the objective and eyepiece lenses and if required, remove dust and sand from the optics (it is preferable to use a non-contact method). Cleaning of the exterior surfaces of the optics should be done with cleaners designed especially for this purpose.
• Store the device in a carrying case. Remove the Battery Pack for long-term storage.

Possible cause

Battery Pack is discharged.

Solution

Charge the Battery Pack.

Solution

In case of any malfunctions during operation, try resetting the device by long pressing the ON/OFF button for 10 seconds.

Possible cause

The USB cable is damaged.

Solution

Replace the USB cable.

Possible cause

The external power supply is discharged.

Solution

Charge the external power supply (if necessary).

Possible cause

Calibration is required.

Solution

Perform the calibration according to Calibration Mode section.

Solution

If the image does not clear after calibration, you need to recalibrate.

Possible cause

After turning on the device, it takes some time for the sensor temperature to stabilize. This is normal and is not a defect.

Possible cause

Manual calibration has been performed with the lens cover open.

Solution

Check the Calibration Mode, close the lens cover and calibrate the device.

Possible cause

Brightness or contrast level is too low.

Solution

Adjust the brightness or contrast level in the Quick Menu.

Possible cause

These problems may occur during observation in adverse weather conditions (snow, rain, fog, etc.).

Possible cause
Device password has been changed.

Solution

Delete the network and connect again using the password saved in the device.

Possible cause

The device is in an area with too many Wi-Fi networks that may be causing signal interference.

Solution

To ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection, relocate the device to an area with fewer or no Wi-Fi networks.

Possible cause

The device has a 5 GHz network enabled, but the smartphone only supports 2.4 GHz.

Solution

Switch the device’s Wi-Fi bandwidth to 2.4 GHz.

More information on solving problems with connection to Stream Vision 2 by following the link.

Possible cause

Smartphone or tablet is out of range of a strong Wi-Fi signal. There are obstacles between the device and the smartphone or tablet (e.g., concrete walls).

Solution

Relocate smartphone or tablet into the Wi-Fi signal line of sight.

More information on solving problems with connection to Stream Vision 2 by following the link.

Possible cause

The device was exposed to static electricity during operation.

Solution

After exposure to static electricity, the device may either reboot automatically or require turning off and on again.

Possible cause

In warm climates, objects in the background of a thermal image heat up differently because of thermal conductivity, generating a high temperature contrast and a sharper thermal image.

In cold climates, objects in the background of a thermal image will cool down to roughly the same temperature, which leads to a greatly reduced temperature contrast and a degraded image quality. This is normal for all thermal imaging devices.

Possible cause

The object is behind glass, which obstructs thermal vision.

Solution

Remove the glass.

Solution

To replace the USB cable, contact your local distributor.

Self-repair of the cable is prohibited.

The ability to use a USB cable from other manufacturers with the device may be limited.