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The Pulsar Krypton FXG50 Thermal Clip-On gets a smaller and less expensive colleague called the Proton FXQ30. This is a compact thermal imaging front attachment for hunting, forestry and pest control. With an adapter, you can attach it to your existing riflescope and get a shortcut to thermal capability. You just use your normal reticle to aim and shoot.
The Proton uses a sensor with 384×288 pixels resolution (17 μm) and < 40mk NETD. It uses an auto-focus which is quite convenient when attached to a rifle.
Two Pulsar Proton FXQ30. Side view with controls and front-view with thermal lens and battery. The knife is for size comparison. Photo by the author.
TFB has had the Pulsar Proton FXQ30 for a while now to be able to try it out and review it. There are more powerful thermals out there, the Pulsar Krypton for instance, but don’t underestimate the Proton. It is relatively cheap (for a thermal), easy to use and lightweight. The recommended magnification on your riflescope is around 1.5-4x, and TFB has used the Schmidt & Bender 1.5-8×42 with excellent results. So far, we tried it on 3 rifles, up to .300 WinMag, with no zeroing or other issues.
Below you can see our main testing platform, which also shows the Proton from almost all sides.
The Proton is just 119х58х75 mm and weighs 380 grams (13.4 ounces). You can find the story of that Spuhr mount here.
Below is an example of how the Pulsar Proton can be used as a thermal scanner.
Below: Another sample of the software. This is a real situation, wild animals (roe deer family), taken by the author during this winter.
Below you can read Pulsar’s announcement of the new Proton FXG30:
Transform your daytime scope into a fully functional thermal sight!
As soon as the sun sets, the time comes for the Pulsar Proton FXQ30. With new compact thermal front attachment, it takes minimum effort for your daytime scope to transform into a ready-to-use thermal sight, with no need for additional zeroing.
Lightweight and compact
When you are out stalk hunting every gram counts. With the lightweight and compact Proton FXQ30, you will not only avoid burdening yourself, but also retain the rifle and scope balance you are used to.
| Product | Dimensions, mm | Weight, kg |
| Proton FXQ30 Attachment
(with APS5 battery) |
119х58х75 | 0.380 |
| PSP-56 Ring Adapter | 75х85х85 | 0.180 |
| Pulsar 5x30B Monocular | 130х47х51 | 0.170 |
Maintain zeroing
Proton FXQ30 is attached to the daytime scope with the help of the Pulsar’s PSP (Precise Screen Positioning) adapter. After mounting and adjusting the Proton for the first time, you don’t need to adjust it again. The PSP adapter allows for extremely quick mounting of Proton on and off the scope, while the precise screen positioning mechanism ensures the display with thermal image is ideally centered within the scope’s field of view.
The layout of optical and electrical components in combination with extremely accurate optical and firmware alignment enables the hunter to avoid any additional compensation or adjustments due to the front attachment “sitting” in front of the scope’s objective lens.
Versatility
Proton FXQ30 works best with 1.5–4x magnification and with the PSP-adapter, you can attach it to scopes with a lens diameter between 40mm and 56mm. This means you can use Proton with most popular scopes, such as 1.5–6×42, 2–8×42, 3–9×40, 2–12×50, 3–12×56.
And if you find yourself in need of a spotting scope, you can transform your front attachment into a thermal monocular in mere seconds, by simply unmounting your Proton from the daytime scope and connecting it to a Pulsar 5х30 В monocular.
Proton FXQ30 with optional monocular
Ease of use
The Proton’s modern athermal objective lens does not require focusing. Both target and background will be in focus as close as 15 meters away. All control buttons are within reach on this compact device. Moreover, the optional Bluetooth remote control lets you forget about them altogether. You can comfortably attach the remote control to the gunstock duplicating the front attachment control.
Premium functionality
Despite its small size, the Proton FXQ30 houses premium class components and functionalities:
- Highly sensitive 384×288 px @ 17µ sensor with NETD <40 mK
- Shock proof magnesium alloy body with waterproof rating of IPX7 and recoil rated up to .375 H&H, 12-Gauge and 9.3×64
- Integrated photo and video recorder with 16 GB internal memory
- HD AMOLED display
- 8 color pallets
- Integration with iOS and Android devices
To find out more, please visit our website or send an inquiry to our customer service team:www.pulsar-vision.com
The prices are as follows: Proton XQ30 2690.00€ (with monocular) and Proton FXQ30 2590.00€ (without monocular). You also need an adapter. But keep in mind that these are suggested prices and final prices are decided by the retailer, so they may differ from market to market. Pulsar expects that the Proton FXQ30 will be available (in Europe) around June.
Here’s an example with a roe deer, filmed with the Pulsar Proton.
Here’s a video I recorded about a week ago, with a wild boar that finally evaded me.
What do you think about the new Pulsar Proton FXG30? Is it a show stopper? Are you missing some features? Let us know in the comments, where I’ll be able to answer some questions if you have them.
Proton, Krypton and Thermion 2 by Pulsar Thermal Imaging. The rifle is a Blaser R8 with a mount from Spuhr.
There’s a Playlist with various Proton FXQ30 videos here.
Check back tomorrow as we review the latest Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 PRO Thermal Monocular. Since we also have both the Proton and the Krypton from Pulsar under review, please check back soon for more details.
