Thread: Sytong Thermal Monocular Comparisons

Hi All,
Currently shopping for a Thermal Monocular, and was about to settle on the Pulsar Axion XG35 LRF, when i started reading good things about Sytong.

The Sytong XS03-35 has a lot of Good reviews, but I see there is an XS06 model out now with slightly better specs but also an extra $1300.

Is the extra money worth it, or stick with the XS03?

Also, any reason to buy the Pulsar instead?

Ill be predominantly using it in the bush.

Cheers

Ive just tested a Sytong range finding one but not sure if it is the latest one you refer to. I will need to look. Used it on wallaby and some deer. It was very clear and a breeze to navigate around. Very compact. If you're using it on wallaby I would go for the 50mm model (I was wanting to id at very long ranges though). The 35 is great on deer - spotting them at 500 yards.

Sytong service is great.

35 mm is good,50mm is very good for longer range and id.Sytong service is great.

PARD is another really good option, save yourself a grand as well. If you're mainly using it in the bush and don't need it for spotting at long range then I'd make sure your field of view is as wide as possible, if it's too zoomed in you'll spend all your time scanning. I have a 25mm and I find that just wide enough to use in the bush, a friend has a 35mm and it's quite difficult to use up close (both 384x288 sensors). A 19mm would be even better but you start to lose out on a decent bit of range at that point, but if that's not a worry for you then I'd get that

The Sytong 384x288 sensor XS03-35 is our most popular model. But if your intended use is in the bush Id drop down to a 25mm or 19mm.
the 640 sensor models have a wider field of view, but also a lower base magnification than their equivalent lens size 384 models. This makes the 640 models more of a jack of all trades as you can zoom in from their lower base mag without losing too much resolution.
Sytong also does 50mm long range models but we havent imported these as they dont come with range finder. but if a customer wants one we can import.

The big advantage Sytong customers have over pulsar is that the Sytong units rarely fail (only 2 to date), and if they did, turn around on a replacement is same week if in stock, not 6 months dealing with a Eastern European country.

I have the XS03-35lrf
Have been thrashing it and I am happy with the unit

Had a 38mm pulsar,went up to 50mm conetec,too much horse power and like lifting up a 1kg dump bell every 5 minuts.Now have beening using a 35mm infira with built in range finder for the last 18 months.Great little unit.

I have one with the LRF. 3 of us went out the other night, one Pard, one Pulsar and my Sytong. All were amazed a the Sytong picture calrity in comparison. The Sytong has an option for continuous ranging, which was better than the pard model (not sure if that was just his settings). A big plus is that it takes 18650 batteries which are readily available and easy to charge - no proprietary charger or weird battery that costs $200 (usually around $30 - $40 for a good 18650).
I use it for Deer (was ranging shots for ~700m), great for pest control - do a fair bit of peacock work, possum and rabbit shooting - it excels in these and I'm glad i went with this brand instead of the "others".

Pretty sure it's the XS03-35lrf model and with the 1x base magnification you can cover a lot of area faster than a 4x base magnification.
Lots of info on NetD and the like if you want to deep dive into what specs make a good thermal a GOOD thermal.

Can't recommend Ken highly enough @ https://nightvision.co.nz/

Originally Posted by 55six

The Sytong 384x288 sensor XS03-35 is our most popular model. But if your intended use is in the bush Id drop down to a 25mm or 19mm.
the 640 sensor models have a wider field of view, but also a lower base magnification than their equivalent lens size 384 models. This makes the 640 models more of a jack of all trades as you can zoom in from their lower base mag without losing too much resolution.
Sytong also does 50mm long range models but we havent imported these as they dont come with range finder. but if a customer wants one we can import.

The big advantage Sytong customers have over pulsar is that the Sytong units rarely fail (only 2 to date), and if they did, turn around on a replacement is same week if in stock, not 6 months dealing with a Eastern European country.

Thanks Ken,
Im Currently Travelling back from UK at Present. Can I call you on that number on the website when im home on Friday. Predominantly Bush stalking, but also do a little bit on Farms, and occasional tops trip, so just want to check which model will suit me best.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by Gkp

I have the XS03-35lrf
Have been thrashing it and I am happy with the unit

Yr above unit is about $1200 cheaper than my InFiray 35 irfat todays prices.Interesting.

Originally Posted by John P

Thanks Ken,
Im Currently Travelling back from UK at Present. Can I call you on that number on the website when im home on Friday. Predominantly Bush stalking, but also do a little bit on Farms, and occasional tops trip, so just want to check which model will suit me best.
Cheers.

Yes get in touch. Happy to sharpen our pencil for forum members too.

Last night I had my last hunt with the Sytong before it goes back (should be back by now but hoping Ken doesn’t mind). This was a bush and paddock situation. I was spotting deer at 4pm that I couldn’t see through the binos no matter how I tried. Ranges around 700 yards. I was getting good id at 400 yards. Once dusk came on the images really popped out crisp and clear. The range finder is great. For this situation it was perfect. I liked the white hot but black hot makes deer more distinct. The controls are very intuitive. It was better than it was in the rocks after wallaby where I think a 50 lens would be better (I compared with another make with. 50 lens). Sometimes there is a split second lag in the picture if you move it quickly but that’s not a problem. I’m dropping it back tomorrow so will have one more go tonight

Hey Ken, what’s the clarity like on these handhelds vs the am03-50 scope I just got off you finding the pulsar iv got isn’t cutting it in comparison

Originally Posted by Shimmy1989

Hey Ken, what’s the clarity like on these handhelds vs the am03-50 scope I just got off you finding the pulsar iv got isn’t cutting it in comparison

I just bought the XS06-35LRF off Ken last week, taking it for its first outing tomorrow night, so will try and get some pics to post on this thread

Took it out around the house last night, but not much wildlife to see in the city unfortunately