Pulsar Merger LRF XT50 vs Pulsar Symbion Thermal Riflescope

Both are Pulsar thermal binoculars with a 1280x1024 12µm sensor and a laser rangefinder, so the core thermal image is close. The Merger LRF XT50 leans on a fast f/1.0 50mm lens, a wide 102 ft field of view and a 2515-yard detection claim, while the Symbion adds a 4K digital sensor, picture-in-picture, a 1920x1080 display and a lighter body with a longer 8-hour run on two batteries. Owners of the Merger line praise the image and build but note the narrow 63-74mm interpupillary range and 15mm eye relief can be tight for some faces. Buy the Symbion for all-round day-and-night use and easier handling; buy the XT50 for pure long-range thermal scanning.

• Choose the Merger LRF XT50 if long-range thermal detection and a wide field of view matter more to you than a digital camera or picture-in-picture.
• Choose the Symbion if you want one device that also takes 4K digital images, shows picture-in-picture and runs longer on a charge.