Pulsar Telos LRF XL50 vs XT50: Which Thermal Monocular?
Pulsar sells two 50mm Telos LRF monoculars at the same $4,699.97 price. The XL50 launched in 2024 with a 1024x768 sensor and a body Pulsar says can be upgraded at the factory. The XT50, announced in August 2026 under Pulsar's new "Gold Standard" banner, steps up to a 1280x1024 sensor, a wider 17.5-degree view, a Full HD display, a longer-reaching rangefinder and twice the memory. At the same price, the short answer is the XT50 for almost everyone. Here's the full spec comparison, straight from Pulsar.
Specs side by side
| Spec | Telos LRF XL50 | Telos LRF XT50 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1024x768, 12 µm | 1280x1024, 12 µm |
| Sensor NETD | <40 mK | <40 mK |
| System NETD (sNETD) | <20 mK | <20 mK |
| Frame rate | 50 Hz | 50 Hz |
| Objective lens | F50 / 1.0 | F50 / 1.0 |
| Magnification | 2.5-20x (8x digital zoom) | 2-16x (24x with Zoom Boost) |
| Field of view | 14 x 10.5° (24.6 x 18.5 m at 100 m) | 17.5° horizontal (30.7 m at 100 m) |
| Detection range | 2,300 m (2,515 yd) | 2,300 m (2,515 yd) |
| Laser rangefinder | 1,000 m (1,094 yd), ±1 m | 1,200 m (1,312 yd), ±1 m |
| Display | AMOLED, 1024x768 | AMOLED, 1920x1080 |
| Eye relief | 14 mm | 13 mm |
| Built-in memory | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Stream Vision 2 | Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth, NFC; Stream Vision 2 and Stream Vision Ballistics |
| Battery | LPS 7i, up to 7 hr | LPS7i, up to 8 hr |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Operating temperature | -25 to +40°C | -25 to +50°C |
| Size | 243 x 72 x 90 mm | 242 x 72 x 77 mm (with eyecup) |
| Weight | 0.72 kg with LPS7i battery | 0.73 kg with battery |
| Warranty (Pulsar store) | 3 years, 5 with registration | 3 years, 5 with registration |
| SKU | PL77515 | PL77524 |
| Price (Pulsar store) | $4,699.97 | $4,699.97 |
| Status | Shipping | Shipping |
All figures are from Pulsar's US product pages and spec tables for the Telos LRF XL50 and XT50, checked October 21, 2026, when both were listed at $4,699.97 and could be added to the cart. Pulsar's XT50 launch post lists the detection range as 2,516 yd; its product page lists 2,515 yd. Both equal 2,300 m. The XL50 is a 2024 launch: Pulsar introduced it at IWA OutdoorClassics 2024, with sales starting in June 2024. It isn't a 2026 release, so it's not in our 2026 counts.
What's the same
Both use a 12-micron sensor behind the same F50/1.0 objective, with a sensor NETD under 40 mK and a system NETD under 20 mK at 50 Hz. Pulsar rates both to detect a heat source at 2,300 meters. Both run on the LPS7i quick-change battery with USB-C Power Delivery charging (5V and 9V), both are IPX7 waterproof, and both connect to the Stream Vision 2 app over Wi-Fi. They're nearly the same size and weight: 0.72 kg for the XL50 and 0.73 kg for the XT50, each with its battery.
What's different
Sensor and display
The XT50's 1280x1024 sensor has about 1.67 times as many pixels as the XL50's 1024x768, on the same 12-micron pitch. Pulsar pairs it with a 1920x1080 AMOLED display, against the XL50's 1024x768 AMOLED. More pixels means more real detail before digital zoom kicks in, which is what you need to tell a coyote from a dog or a hog from a calf at distance.
Field of view and magnification
The XT50 is wider: 17.5° horizontal (30.7 m at 100 m) against the XL50's 14° (24.6 m). It starts at 2x and runs to 16x, or 24x with Zoom Boost. The XL50 runs 2.5-20x. A wider view makes the XT50 the faster scanner across a field, and its extra pixels hold up better when you zoom.
Rangefinder, memory and connectivity
The XT50's rangefinder reads to 1,200 m (1,312 yd) against the XL50's 1,000 m (1,094 yd), both rated ±1 m. The XT50 has 128 GB of memory, double the XL50's 64 GB, and adds Bluetooth, NFC and Stream Vision Ballistics support. Pulsar's XT50 launch post also lists electronic image stabilization.
Battery life and temperature
Pulsar rates the XT50 at up to 8 hours on the LPS7i and the XL50 at 7 hours. The XT50 is rated to operate up to +50°C, against +40°C for the XL50, which matters in a Texas or Arizona summer.
What the XL50 still offers
Pulsar's XL50 page says its components and parts "are capable of being upgraded and customized according to the user's needs." Pulsar doesn't publish a price or a list for those upgrades on the product page.
Which one should you buy?
- Most hunters: the XT50. At the same price, it has the higher-resolution sensor and display, the wider view, the longer rangefinder and more memory.
- Hot-weather hunting: the XT50, rated to +50°C.
- Buyers who want the upgrade path: the XL50, if Pulsar's factory upgrade program matters to you. Ask Pulsar what's offered before you buy.
- Price shoppers: watch for XL50 discounts. At the same list price, it's hard to justify over the XT50.
Either one gives landowners and hunters protecting stock from hogs and predators serious night capability with a built-in rangefinder.
See the Telos LRF XL50 and Telos LRF XT50 release pages for live status, plus every new Pulsar release, the new night vision and thermal monoculars of 2026, our Trail 3 XR50 vs XQ50 scope comparison and all our comparisons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Pulsar Telos XL50 and XT50?
How much are the Pulsar Telos LRF XL50 and XT50?
Is the Pulsar Telos XL50 new for 2026?
How far can the Telos XT50 range?
What battery do the Telos LRF monoculars use?
Sources
- Pulsar Telos LRF XL50 product page and spec table (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
- Pulsar Telos LRF XT50 product page and spec table (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
- Pulsar: Pulsar introduces a new Gold Standard (Telos LRF XT50 launch)
- Pulsar: Pulsar presents Telos XL50 (IWA OutdoorClassics 2024; sales from June 2024)
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