Testimonials
"In my opinion, nothing matches Pulsar for clarity, ease of use, and quality-built optics."
My name is Rik Taikato, and I have been a hunter throughout my adult life. More specifically, for the past 25 years I have hunted deer at night on private land, giving me extensive experience with thermal imaging and night vision equipment from a variety of manufacturers.
The Pulsar Symbion binoculars are next level. With up to 26x zoom and day vision functionality, they allow me to identify animals kilometres away. They are an outstanding tool for both day and night hunting and have become an essential part of my hunting setup.
I am currently using the Pulsar Trail 3 LRF XR50 on my 7mm-08 rifle and am continually impressed by its performance. The new XR Lynred sensor is absolutely incredible. The clarity of the surrounding environment is remarkable, with trees, bush, scrub, and grass clearly visible around the animal being observed. The level of detail is exceptional, making it easy to distinguish features such as a deer's coat and antlers.
One feature I particularly appreciate is the recoil-activated recording system. It automatically records before and after the shot, ensuring that no important moment is missed.
Pulsar thermal optics are the most robust, reliable, and clearest thermal optics I have ever used. They not only deliver outstanding performance in the field but also provide all the technical information and features that more advanced users may appreciate.
After many years of hunting and using a range of thermal and night vision equipment, I can confidently recommend Pulsar Thermal Optics to anyone looking for premium-quality thermal imaging technology.
-Rik Taikato, Nelson
"I have been a keen hunter for more than 50 years and had all but given up."
I live in a mixed lifestyle/farming area and had unofficially been the neighbour hood pest controller. However it concerned me that I might be upsetting the more urban-minded neighbours with spotlighting. Without any control, the rabbit and rat populations started to explode. I was encouraged to buy a quality hand-held - and chose the Pulsar Helion XP50 and also an XQ38 Thermion scope. The scope was mounted on an 1885 Winchester Low Wall single-shot 22. I've been using the combination for four years now and have been able to rid the area of 3000 rabbits, 1000 rats and 1000 possums. The bird life has returned and is flourishing, and the farmers are
delighted.
I'm now out doing pest management at least twice a week, and have some younger friends who join me using the same equipment.
I have added Pulsar scopes to several other rifles. They give me confidence, knowing I can accurately identify small targets and the background, so I can shoot safely. Using them gives me peace of mind. There are no mistakes.
Any problems I have had, have been user error (showing my age)! Advanced Optics have been incredibly helpful and quick to sort out any issues.
-Jean-Paul Winckel, South Auckland
"I've been using Pulsar thermal and night vision products for years, primarily for pest control and recreational hunting in New Zealand's varied conditions."
On the rimfire I have the Trail 2 thermal riflescope which is my go-to for spotting and engaging pests like possums and rabbits primarily at night. Working in complete darkness provides that stealth advantage.
Its sharp imaging, ease of use and reliable build means I can get on with the job hassle free. The Lexion XP28 monocular has been by my side for scouting potential game. It's light at only 400g but what I like the most is it's built like a tank. More recently, I've added the Thermion 2 XG60 to my kit for longer-range centerfire work. The LRF with ballistic calculator takes out all the trajectory guess work and 4x base magnification helps to clearly identify targets at those longer ranges.
I have tried other brands in the past but learned my lesson to keep coming back to Pulsar. What's impressed me most about Pulsar gear is its reliability and build quality—these units have held up through rain, cold nights, and rough handling without missing a beat.
They're straightforward to use, with intuitive controls that let me focus on the hunt rather than fiddling with settings, and they perform consistently in all weather. For anyone serious about pest management or night hunting, Pulsar has proven to be solid and dependable. I highly recommend their products.
-Paul Healy, Director - Stealth Pest Solutions Ltd
"Robust and Longevity of Pulsar Apex XQ38"
I purchased the Pulsar Apex 38mm thermal scope in 2020 with all the bells and whistles off A guy in Wanganui, who used it for pest control.
We have a seedling nursery in rural Otaki, I needed something to sort the rabbit problem we had, as a normal spot lighting wasn’t doing the trick.
Once we got the Pulsar Apex it fixed the problem very quick, it was a completely new way of hunting our pests. On average we would shoot about 5-6 rabbits, the first time using it I shot 18 rabbits.
Not only was it good for rabbits, we used it on mice, rats, hares, deer and even possum’s, the possums are so well insulated only their eyes and nose would show a heat signature, the Pulsar has proven its self to be a robust easy to use thermal scope, we’ve had it out in the rain and all sorts of weather.
I am keen to check out the new technology as I’ve been told
its even better.
- Don Watson, Otaki
"I do a lot of hunting in all sorts of weather conditions, rain, hail and shine and the Pulsar units are so robust and reliable it gives you so much confidence out in the field when hunting"
I've been using the Pulsar gear for quite some time now, and over the years it has come a very long way. My very first unit was the Quantum XQ19 handheld, and I'm currently using the Merger LRF XP50 paired with the Thermion 2 LRF XL60, which has incredible out of the gate technology.
Back then I thought you couldn't get any better than the old Quantum's, but its amazing how far technology has come.
Using Pulsar thermal imaging gear has completely changed the game for me - in a really good way. When hunting on private land, these units make it so much safer to clearly identify your target and to distinguish stock from game. Land owners are happy knowing hunters can clearly identify their stock.
I've owned a lot of Pulsar gear over the last 10 years and I must say my favourites would be: Telos LRF XP50 for Monoculars, Merger LRF XT50 for Binoculars and for scopes it would have to be the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro without the LRF and the current scope i have at the moment is the Thermion 2 LRF XL60 which smashes everything else out of the park.
The construction and resolution create an unreal crisp image which makes me never leave home without it. The LRF Ballistics through the Stream vison app is a game changer with its precision.
I would highly recommend any New Zealand hunter who wants good quality, strong and robust thermal imaging gear to get any Pulsar unit, whether it be from the Axion or Merger hand held series or a scope from the Tailon to Thermion range. They are the best on the market, you will not be disappointed.
— Trent Te Ahu Main, Tokoroa
“I’ve been using Pulsar handhelds and thermal scopes for as long as they’ve been making them, and they’ve made pest control on goats and deer way more efficient and effective."
We use them every day in the bush and in the forest, and they handle an absolute thrashing and bashing without missing a beat. I've never put my main hand held back in the carry case. The image is always clear, and the gear is solid — I’ve also never had to send anything back to be fixed or replaced.
Between all of us in the business, we’ve got around 12 Pulsar scopes and handhelds, and not one of them has ever had a problem. I’ve had plenty of people ask why I don’t use other brands, and I just tell them I’ve never needed to — funny thing is, they’re usually the ones asking to borrow mine while their own gear’s back at the shop getting fixed.
Reliability is the most important thing in what we do, and that’s where Pulsar stands out. My handheld has been used so hard you can hardly read the serial number on it anymore, and I still can’t believe how crystal clear it is every time I switch it on.
— Ben Bakalich, BB Pests Limited
