Pulsar Krypton FXG50 VS Pulsar Core FXQ50 Thermal Imaging Front Attachments | Optics Trade Debates

By Maruša Justinek Oct 21, 2020

Hello and welcome to another Optics Trade debate. Today, we are going to talk about the differences between two Pulsar thermal attachments for riflescopes: Krypton FXG50 and Core FXQ50. Because these two devices are so different, we are not going to discuss the similarities.

The Core has been in production for many years. They did come out with upgrades so everybody was wondering what Pulsar will do with Krypton. For the differences, let us begin with the body. The Core has a bigger and heavier body made out of plastic. Krypton, on the other hand, got the magnesium body from the F455 model but got a different lens set made out of plastic. The buttons are the same, so is the focusing knob.

The battery on the Krypton is the same as on F455 (IPS7, IPS14), and this is a big plus. With Core, you get CR123A batteries that you need to change often. The IPS batteries are not that expensive (80 € or 90 €), so it is always good to have them packed and ready to go. The Core model also comes with an adapter for the use of an external power source. With Krypton, there is a USB micro port where you can put an external power source.

The lens diameter is the same on both, that is 50 mm, even though the lens itself is not the same. The material, however, is the same – Germanium glass. On Krypton, the glass is more curved and you get a far better field of view. Krypton also has no additional possibility of mounting it, while Core has a lower mount, which is identical to Trail and Opex. The Core also comes with a remote, where you are able to control all the functions, while the Krypton has a stream vision app that allows you to operate the device through your smartphone.

The last difference in the body is the monocular. With Core, you get 4x magnification small monocular, for which you need to remove the bayonet and you can use the whole device as a monocular. With Krypton, you get a different monocular, which can be used through the clip-on adapter.

One of the main differences that Krypton brings along is the sensor. The Core has a sensor resolution of 384×288 and a 17-micron pixel pitch. The new Krypton comes with a sensor resolution of 640×480 and it has a 12-micron pixel pitch – a completely new generation of the sensor. Another important thing is the NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) which tells us how well the device can distinguish between extremely small temperature differences – how well do you see the details.

On the Core, this is below 60 millikelvins and on Krypton, this is below 40 millikelvins. You can see this mostly in bad weather conditions, such as rain or fog. They both have vanadium oxide sensors and both devices come with an AMOLED display, but their resolution is not the same: 1746×1000 on the Krypton and 640×480 on the Core. Both of them can be used in -20°C temperatures due to the AMOLED display. Both of them can also be zeroed if the point of impact is not completely in the center. Both of them enable you to zero and once you are done, it will hold the setting forever.

Another important step forward is that the new Krypton has stream vision capabilities. This is basically their first thermal attachment with such capabilities because, with Core, you could not get any – all the Core devices up to 2020 did not have stream vision. This means that you get Wi-Fi connectivity, you can capture images, record videos, connect it to a smartphone, stream the image to your smartphone, update it without the need of a USB cable, 16 GB of internal memory – many features for a 1000 € price difference.

What about optics? The range of detection with Core is around 1.800 m, and the range of detection with Krypton is 2.100 m. The range of identification, however, is much better with Krypton that it is with Core, as you are able to identify animals at extreme distances – you are almost able to see all the details. The image quality is much better, and the field of view is bigger and better on Krypton than it is on Core. The maximum magnification recommended for a daylight riflescope is 8x.

There is also a big change regarding bayonets. It is obvious just by looking at them that they offer completely different solutions. With Core, there is a 2-pin adapter. Later, with the Forward series, they added pins inside, so it was the same adapter but with 4 pins. Krypton has a thread and a completely new PSP adapter that moves in all directions. Because it moves in all directions, you are able to see the display of the device in the complete center of your image. When the image is in the center, you just lock the screw and it will stay put.

If we look at Core, there is no Picatinny rail on it. On Krypton, there is one. The price difference is 1000 €. The Core costs 3.150 €, and Krypton costs 4.150 €. For this price difference, you get plenty of juice on the Krypton. Both are made in Lithuania, both of them come with a 3-year warranty, and there is also an excellent service department after the warranty runs out.

The last thing we need to mention is which one you should pick and why? The FXG50 is for all of those who want to have the best, and also stream vision capabilities – the younger generation. The Core is for the older generation, which does not have a lot of functions, like all simple, basic devices. With Krypton, you have a lot of other functions, which could pose a problem for some users.

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