Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XG35 review

What a night out with it looks like

The Axion 2 family is Pulsar's pocket line, and the LRF XG35 is the version most hunters ask about. Pulsar lists a 640×480 microbolometer with 12 µm pixels at 50 Hz, a germanium F35/1.0 lens, 2.5 to 20x with 8x digital zoom and a 1024×768 AMOLED screen.

By our calculator, that lens and pixel size detect a person-sized target at about 2,600 m and recognize a coyote at about 365 m (400 yd). Pulsar's own main spec block gives 1,750 m for a 1.8 m object, which matches our 3-pixel reach exactly; the short table on the same page shows 1,300 m, so the page contradicts itself. The 905 nm laser is rated to 1,000 m with ±1 m accuracy.

Day-to-day, the useful bits are the small ones: a 5-second start-up (Pulsar's figure for the Axion 2 family), symmetrical buttons for left- or right-handers, an APS5 pack Pulsar rates at 7 hours, and IPX7, which Pulsar describes as 30 minutes at 1 m. That is the rating you want if you hunt river bottoms.

The catch

Two things. First, sensitivity: Pulsar lists the sensor NETD at <40 mK (and a system NETD of <20 mK in the user manual). We score the higher figure, so the Axion 2 LRF loses points to the Vista H35R and the Telos. On a humid night, low-contrast scenes are where that shows.

Second, availability. On November 9, 2026 the Pulsar US store showed it sold out, with a "Notify me" button. Dealers list it; prices vary, so compare against Pulsar's $2,999.97 list before you buy.

Great if…

• you want long reach and a rangefinder without carrying a brick (350 g, the lightest LRF model here)
• you call coyotes or glass hog fields and need the distance before you move
• you like Pulsar's Stream Vision 2 app, 16 GB recorder and cloud space

Skip it if…

• you cannot wait for stock: Pulsar US showed it as sold out
• damp nights are your normal: the sensor NETD is listed at <40 mK, behind the ≤20 mK models
• you do not need the laser, in which case the Axion 2 XG35 is $500 cheaper

What Pulsar promises

Points taken from the official US product page.

• Same 640x480, 12 µm sensor and 35 mm F1.0 lens as the Axion 2 XG35
• Built-in 905 nm laser rangefinder, up to 1,000 m with ±1 m accuracy (Pulsar figures)
• IPX7, swappable APS5 battery rated at up to 7 hours

Sensor, power and recording

Sensitivity: Sensor NETD <40 mK (Pulsar US spec table). Battery: Pulsar APS5 Li-ion pack, up to 7 h (Pulsar figure). Photo and video recording to 16 GB of built-in memory. Laser rangefinder up to 1,000 m (1,094 yd), as stated by Pulsar.

Price and availability

US price checked on November 9, 2026 at the Pulsar US store: $2,999.97. Shown as sold out on the Pulsar US store on November 9, 2026. The price at the store is the one that applies.

Buying advice

Listed at $2,999.97 and sold out on the Pulsar US store on November 9, 2026. Pulsar gives a 3-year factory warranty and adds 2 years when you register a US purchase. If you find it near list price at an authorized dealer, it is one of the best pocket rangefinding thermals you can buy. Otherwise, the Nocpix Vista H35R is in stock at $3,300.

The verdict

If you want long reach and a rangefinder in a pocket-size body, the Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XG35 is the one: a 640×480 sensor, a 35 mm F1.0 lens and a 1,000 m laser in 350 g, rated IPX7. It scores 8.9/10, second overall, third for hunting and second among rangefinder models. The catch on November 9, 2026: it was sold out on the Pulsar US store at $2,999.97, so watch dealers.

Pulsar US store