I write this article on the eve of Pulsar’s Shot Show launch of their new multispectral binocular, the Symbion LRF DXT50 and Symbion LRF DXR50.
We received a prototype of the Symbion LRF last October for evaluation and to provide feedback to the factory on its functionality, performance and features. The version that we received had the 1280×1024 thermal sensor and is designated Symbion LRF DXT50. According to Pulsar these new generation multispectral binoculars are designed for recreational and professionals who demand total situational awareness in any light and environment. Interesting, let’s take a deeper dive into these devices. I’ll start with features and then my own impressions.
Features:
The Symbion LRF is a multispectral binocular, which means that it’s sensitive to two discreet wavelengths: Thermal (LWIR) and the visible light spectrum. This provides the user with the functionality of a thermal imager and a daylight binocular.
Other features include a 1500m laser rangefinder, image stabilisation and an integral IR illuminator with beam focusing for night vision imaging. The image is presented via two UHD high resolution AMOLED displays providing the user with an immersive and comfortable binocular experience.
An interesting feature is the manual On/Off/Sleep lever that is very easy to use. A proximity sensor turns sleep function on and off when it senses that the user is looking through the device and can be disabled in the main menu.
My first impressions
When I first held the Symbion LRF I was a little daunted by all the control buttons. Unlike the Pulsar Merger which has two rows on three buttons, the Symbion LRF has seven buttons, a control wheel, IR focuser and two focus dials at the rear. Our sample did not ship with a manual, however, switching the unit on and trying each button enabled me to understand the button layout and with a little practice I was soon up and running. I recommend new users to read the manual or watch an instructional video.
The Symbion LRF feels very solid, compact and is easy to hold and use for both left and right-handed users. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Pulsar device so this was no surprise. The Symbion LRF is also supplied with an Arca-Swiss mount for use on a tripod which is a very welcome addition.
Field testing
Taking a new piece of equipment out for testing is always exciting and the Symbion LRF did not disappoint. The thermal imaging is very much the same as the Pulsar Merger LRF XT50 so most of my testing revolved around the colour imaging and the control functionality. I conducted my first test an hour before sunset and observed my wife at three hundred metres for a period of one and a half hours (thanks wifey!), enabling me to assess the device’s low light capability.
The colour sensor has a resolution of 3840×2160 which is ultra-high resolution. This provided excellent clarity and field-of-view at its base magnification of 6.5x and up to 13x . Increasing the magnification upwards to 26x pixelates the image, but it is still good enough to take a close look at distant objects. I used a rest for the higher magnifications, but the image stabilisation worked surprisingly well, making hand-held high magnification observation a viable option.
In low light, the Symbion LRF produced a colour image beyond what a could see with my naked eye and would outperform traditional daylight binoculars in the same lighting. Once the sun had set, the colour image progressively deteriorated. Switching the device to night vision mode improved the image considerably allowing observation to around half an hour after sunset. I then turned-on the inbuilt IR illuminator which provided just enough IR to observe the wife at three hundred metres which surprised me. It is a very capable illuminator.
Switching over to thermal made the wife stand out like a black cat on snow, though this is no less than expected because I am familiar with using a Merger LRF XT50 which has the same 1280×1024 Lynred ATTO1280 12μm sensor and optics. The Laser rangefinder provides accurate distance measurements up to 1500m or more in ideal conditions.
The Symbion LRF is a very good alternative to a daylight binocular while providing the advantages of thermal and night vision imaging. A lower priced version, the Symbion LRF DXR50 is also available, but at the time of writing, I haven’t had the pleasure of evaluating one. The Symbion LRF DXR50 is identical to its higher-end stablemate but features a new Generation 4 Lynred ATTO640D-04 12μm thermal sensor.
