Our marketing and sales team attended this year’s IWA 2024 in Nuremberg, where we had the opportunity to visit HIKMICRO. There, we spoke with Gunnar, who introduced us to their latest addition to the product lineup – the Hikmicro Stellar 2.0 Thermal Riflescope.
HIKMICRO Stellar 2.0 Specifications
Hikmicro is already a well-established company in the field of thermal optics so the name Stellar surely rings a bell. The company introduced the Stellar series a few years ago and is now presenting a refurbished second generation.
The 2.0 version brings with it the new NETD<20mK sensor with 640 x 512 resolution and a 12-micron pixel pitch, leading to outstanding image quality on a 1920×1080 sub-round OLED display. The internal display is now designed with rounded edges and a square bottom and top, like on the Alpex 4K, allowing for a broader field of view and a more authentic feel. The device is equipped with a 3.3x base magnification, with the possibility of up to 8x digital zoom.
According to the manufacturer, the new Stellar can detect objects up to 2600 meters away. The magnification wheel, positioned at the front, features a rubberized texture for a secure grip and operates more smoothly than its predecessor in the first generation.
Hikmicro has adopted a new and improved battery layout similar to the Alpex scope, incorporating two internal rechargeable batteries and one replaceable, rechargeable 18650 battery. This configuration can power the device for up to 11 hours of operation. The replaceable battery, situated on the side of the device, can be charged using a USB type-C port. The Stellar is designed with a 30 mm main tube, making its mounting straightforward, particularly because 30 mm ring mounting solutions are widely available. Additionally, the scope enables users to configure and save 5 reticle profiles, with a choice of 4 colors and 10 reticle types.
The new generation supports Picture-in-Picture (PIP) function, can record videos and capture photos with recoil activation. It’s also compatible with HIKMICRO’s Sight app designed for outdoor activities. Once connected, the app enables preview, remote control, downloading, and sharing of captured moments, together with presenting a user-friendly platform for updates available for the scope. Additionally, the user interface of the menu options has been upgraded to the new 2.0 appearance.
The operation knobs for the menu system are rubberized and positioned on top of the scope, above the eyepiece, for easy access. The scope’s housing is crafted from high-quality aluminum alloy with a powder-coated finish, and the device is shock-resistant, having been tested for 1000 g/0.4 ms. Like Alpex 4K, the device is IP67 rated and can operate in temperatures ranging from -30 °C to 55 °C (-22 °F to 131°F).
Price and Final Thoughts
The new Stellar 2.0 certainly turned heads at IWA. Hikmicro is continuing to expand their offer with a device that will likely stand up well against the market’s leading manufacturers. Priced at just under 3650 €, the specifications and build quality are impressive, positioning the Stellar directly against competitors like the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro.
Additionally, the scope comes with HIKMICRO’s standard warranty package: a 3-year warranty for the device, a 1-year warranty for the battery, and a 10-year warranty for the sensor.
The thermal industry is advancing rapidly, and it’s encouraging to see companies like Hikmicro keeping pace by offering competitive devices. While there are currently no plans to expand the series with more models or to introduce an LRF version, future developments may offer new opportunities.
