Gen 2+ performance - Pulsar Digital Recon X550 5.5x50mm Digital Night Vision Monocular

The Pulsar Recon X550 (#78026) is certainly WORTH the money. If your goal is to see in the dark with very good to excellent resolution, you want this unit. Its light gathering ability is quite good, but understand this is still not a 3K dollar Gen 3 device. You'll still need to occasionally use either its built in IR light (Max 75-100 yard range), or even better would be to purchase a high performance IR light & mount it to the accessory rail. The "Sum Light" digital signal processing program (which can be turned on or off) ensures very good low light gathering, this is one of the many features exclusive to the X550 model. The "Sum Light" (DSP) simply amplifies the available low light, letting you see farther into dark areas. The X550 also has a video out port, this is quite useful for hooking up either a small to large monitor, or a video recorder. Preferably you want to use a HD recording device to take full advantage of the X550's higher resolution. Last, there's over a 50% increase in pixel count between the X550 & the less expensive 550 & 550R models, making the Pulsar Recon X550 the clear high resolution winner.

Here are some of the X550 (#78026) specs:

1) Generation: Digital / Using The High Performance SONY ICX-658AL 1/3" Chip
2) Magnification: 5.5X
3) Lens diameter: 50mm
4) Max detection range: 492 yards*
5) Field of view: 5.5 degrees (About 29 FT at 100 yards)
6) Resolution, lines per mm: 50
7) Power Supply: 4AA Batteries or 12V Cigaret Lighter Socket (included)
8) Camera resolution, pixel (CCIR / EIA): 752x582 / 768x494 (NTSC)
9) Type of CCD sensor, CCIR / EIA: SONY ICX-659AL 1/3" / SONY ICX-658AL 1/3" (NTSC)
10) Min/max working illuminance: 0.0001 / 30000 lux
11) Sum Light Signal Processing Program: Digitally enhances the X550's low light gathering
ability. (This works quite well)

Here's something you won't normally see, a clear difference in low light gathering ability between the
Sony ICX-658 (X550) and older less expensive ICX-258 chip. The ICX-254 series chip is used in the 550 & 550R models.

http://html.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/183058/ETC2/ICX658ALA/98/1/ICX658ALA.html
http://html.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/183058/ETC2/ICX658ALA/202/2/ICX658ALA.html

Included with your Pulsar Recon X550:

1) X550 Unit
2) Lens Cap
3) Carry Bag
4) Carry Strap
5) Lens Cloth
6) 12 Volt Cigaret Lighter Adapter
7) RCA Video Cable
8) 4 AA Batteries



* Max detection range of an object measuring 5.6 x 1.6 Ft (Human Figure) in natural night conditions (0.05 lux, quarter moon).


Pros: Easy to use & very good resolution.
Cons: No on-screen menu for things like: Battery %, "Sum Light", or IR Light.

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.