Pulsar Axion Key XM22 2-8x18mm Thermal Imaging Monocular Review

Written By Annalena Wood

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Detecting the target with thermal gear rather than night vision gear in pitch darkness will give you a clearer and more accurate output.

Thermal devices are integrated with the updated thermal technology and conventional features, providing a unique advantage when targeting the object.

If you’re using a thermal imaging monocular to find your target, it means that you can feel very safe and secure even in the dense forest. Hunting without fear and hesitation will enhance your experience and strengthen you with technology.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular

When it comes to hunting, it is your primary responsibility to choose the appropriate thermal imaging monocular for all your hunting activities, both day and night.

In this post, I’ve reviewed the Axion Key XM22 2-8X 18mm Thermal Imaging Monocular finely designed by the reputable Pulsar. Know the features and specifications of this XM22 by our review.

Let’s get into the detailed review…

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 2-8x18mm Thermal Imaging Monocular

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste

Main Features

  • Sensor Resolution: 320×240 Pixels
  • Display Resolution: 960×720 Pixels
  • Frame Refresh Rate: 50 Hz
  • Magnification: 2X to 8x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 18 mm
  • Close Focus: 10 ft.
  • Field of View: 7.8°
  • Eye Relief: 14 mm
  • Battery Type: APS 3 (Li-Ion)
  • Battery life: 4 Hours
  • Operating Wavelength: 8-14 µm
  • Product Weight: 8.8 Ounce

Construction

The Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Monocular is constructed with lightweight but stronger materials thus it is known as ultra-lightweight thermal monocular.

The outer body of the device is completely built with IPX7 rated waterproof materials that block the entry of water and debris into the monocular.

Due to this water-resistant construction the monocular acts as a submersible device into 3 feet of water up to 30 minutes.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
The Images shows control buttons and other functionality of XM22

To prevent internal damages and offer stunning performance the XM22 has magnesium alloy housing that guarantees ruggedness and structural rigidity of the monocular when maintaining the lightweight and ergonomic construction.

Standard Rangefinder

We all know that all thermal imaging products accurately detect the target via the heat emitted by the object, no matter how far away they are.

Additionally, the monocular comes with an integrated Stadiametric rangefinder to provide perfect measurements without any delay. Thus you can accurately capture the target even if it is fast-moving.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
Both images are detailed about the objective lens of XM22

High Optic Magnification

Axion Key XM22 offers a high magnification range of 2X to 8X for both images and videos. This magnification is variable, which means you can adjust the range according to your requirements.

Optical magnification of Axion can be enhanced by digital zoom to obtain better identification of objects.

With this relative magnification range, you can easily identify even the most distant object.

Resolution

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular - Sensor

The thermal monocular is equipped with 12m of pixel pitch core and 320×240 pixels of microbolometer detector to ensure the HD image output.

As well as this hunting gear is outfitted with an industrial leading thermal sensor that senses the target by their heat instead of the light source.

Though it is built with multiple components, it weighs just 8.8 ounces which is one of the specialties of this monocular.

Detection Range

Due to the inbuilt standard microbolometer detector, the monocular has the detection range of 1000 yards, which is good enough to hunt the prey in a forest but not fit for dense forest.

The monocular keeps its temperature from 13 F to 104 F while hunting from preventing the internal damages of the device.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
Axion Key XM22 targets wildlife with the aid of Stadiametric rangefinder

Display

Viewing the videos and images captured during the hunt on a high-quality display complement every hunting experience.

For that purpose, Axion Key XM22 Monocular consists of full-color LCOS micro-display with 960×720 pixels of resolution.

This way you can enjoy your hunting experience with your friends and colleagues flawlessly.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
The XM22 captures the image with Black Hot palette mode

Color Palettes

For enhancing the viewing experience even in the adverse climatic conditions, this Pulsar Axion Key XM22 2-8x18mm Thermal Imaging Monocular PL77424 is equipped with 7 different color palettes.

That is White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot, Red Monochrome, Ultramarine, Violet, and rainbow respectively.

The Black Hot mode helps to detect wildlife at pitch darkness which is the most preferred palette for professional hunters. But the White Hot mode is a classic version to deliver the detailed image.

To detect the fast-moving objects you could choose a Violet palette, besides, the Red Monochrome palette showing the hottest object in red color which is particularly used for long-range detection.

The Rainbow, Red Hot, and Ultramarine palettes capture the images with the temperature difference depending on the attributes of the object.

Performance

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular

Axion Key XM22 features 18mm objective lens diameter, 7.8 degrees of Field of View, 3m of minimum focus distance, 14mm of super-smooth eye relief, 3 mm of the exit pupil.

With the combination of the conventional features, the thermal monocular delivers excellent performance and acts as the best equipment in your hunting.

Mini Power System

The whole unit is powered by the APS 3 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack to provide long hours of running ability.

The Axion Key XM22 designed by Pulsar can run up to 4 hours and can operate a few more hours if you properly handle it.

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
Batter Slot, Button, and Pack
Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Thermal Imaging Monocular
The image explains about charging methods of XM22

In addition, the device comes with 8-14 spectral sensitivity that can keep the device calmer even at high temperatures.

More than, it’s furnished with a full-color image intensifier, thus both the image intensifier and spectral sensitivity offer vivid and crisp images/videos.

Pros

  • LCOS microdisplay
  • IPX7 waterproof rated
  • High optical magnification

Cons

  • Battery life could have been better

Final Words

Pulsar Axion Key XM22 2-8X 18mm Thermal Imaging Monocular is used for professional and semi-professional applications, which means it performs its functions in night hunting, law enforcement, secret surveillance, rescue missions, and more.

We have reviewed with the aim of helping you choose the right thermal monocular to turn your hunting experience into an adventure.

I hope this budget-friendly monocular and its review will definitely help your adventure. Feel free to comment if you have some other ideas about Pulsar Axion Key XM22 Monocular.

About Annalena Wood

Annalena is carrying her rifle with passion and pride for her love of the outdoors and the experience of hunting. Her most memorable hunting season was back in 2015 when she and her dad were drawn for special elk tags. That allowed them the chance to fill their tags with an actual bull elk rather than a spike. That year both her and her dad came home with their first trophy elks, with hers a 6 by 6 pointer and her dad’s a 6 by 5.

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