After years of running monocular thermals and glassing long nights with one eye half-blind, I didn’t think I’d ever switch to a thermal binocular system. But then the QUEST H50R from NOCPIX / iRayUSA showed up. After putting it through its paces, I can confidently say: this is one of the most impressive thermal systems I’ve ever used.
Quest H50R Video
If you’re running thermals for predator hunting, scouting, or security, this unit is worth your attention.
Specs That Matter
- Resolution: 640×512 thermal sensor
- Base Magnification: 4x optical (with smooth digital zoom)
- Objective Lens: 50mm
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Pixel Pitch: 12 micron
- NETD Sensitivity: <15mK (top-tier clarity)
- Display: 1920×1200 full-color AMOLED
- Rangefinder: Built-in, accurate to 1,000 yards
- Power: Internal battery + hot-swappable 18650 external
- Price: $3,999
- Made in China
Optical Performance & Real-World Use
Let’s cut to the chase—this optic flat-out works. I’ve ID’d animals like skunks through tall grass at 400–500 yards where other thermals simply couldn’t resolve a clear image. The base 4x magnification makes a huge difference in reach and target definition without jumping straight into noisy digital zoom.
And the image quality? Stunning. With a <15mK NETD sensitivity and high-res AMOLED display, you’re getting industry-leading contrast and clarity—even on small-bodied targets at long distances. The horses I picked up at nearly 1,000 yards looked obvious, even in poor conditions. Remember that these always look better in person than in the video.
The rangefinder is just as legit. I ran it in continuous scan mode and was pulling solid readings out to 750+ yards on vegetation. On more reflective targets, it will range to a full 1,000 yards. And you can toggle scan mode on/off depending on what you’re doing, making it useful for everything from spotting to lining up a shot.
Binocular Format: Worth It?
I used to think I’d always prefer monoculars to preserve my natural night vision in one eye. I was wrong.
The binocular format of the QUEST H50R is much easier on your eyes. Looking with both eyes eliminates fatigue and headaches from prolonged use, especially valuable when you’re glassing for hours. Each eyepiece has independent diopter adjustments, so you can get a truly crisp view even if your vision isn’t perfectly matched. The users view of the display is something that you really need to experience to fully understand.
The two eyepieces slid in and out for eye width, unlike a traditional binocular that hinges and gets narrower. I have a larger face and run it fully collapsed or in it’s narrowest position, but folks with narrower faces might find it doesn’t go tight enough for both eyes to align. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to know about.
Battery Life & Hot-Swap Design
This is one of the smartest power setups I’ve seen:
- Internal rechargeable battery via USB-C
- Hot-swappable external 18650 battery that doesn’t require a restart
That means if your 18650 starts dying, you don’t shut the unit off. You just eject the old cell, drop in a new one, and keep scanning. It’s seamless, efficient, and field-friendly. And 18650s are cheap—just keep a few in your pack.
User Interface & Controls
Everything on the QUEST H50R is intuitive. Four buttons up top control power, menus, recording, and ranging. A center-mounted dial handles your digital zoom, while a front dial adjusts the main focus, just like traditional binoculars. You also get:
- Multiple color palettes: white hot, black hot, red, crimson, violet, and more
- Picture-in-picture zoom mode
- Adjustable contrast, brightness, and image detail
- Easy video/photo capture
- Playback mode right on the unit
- Wi-Fi/Bluetooth app integration for downloads and streaming
The menu structure is logical, responsive, and doesn’t lag like some older thermal systems.
Weight & Build
Because there’s no traditional glass inside, these feel shockingly light—almost unreal. But they’re tough. Ergonomics are excellent, and it ships with a full harness system and padded case for bino-style chest carry. They don’t feel like cheap plastic; they feel like purpose-built tools.
The only “question mark” is a proximity sensor between the two eyepieces that doesn’t currently function. It seems like it’s there to eventually auto-dim or shut off the screen when not in use, but as of now, that feature isn’t active. Hopefully, a firmware update will unlock that.
QUEST H50R Recording & Review Capabilities
The internal recording works well, and I was surprised how handy the on-unit playback turned out to be. I shot a coyote one night and couldn’t find it in the dark. Pulled up the footage on the QUEST, re-watched the impact, and used the background terrain to line up a new search path. Found the dog.
READ MORE HERE: InfiRay Outdoor RH25 V2 Thermal Review
QUEST H50R Final Verdict:
If you’re serious about thermal, whether it’s for predators, hogs, security, or just dominating the night, the QUEST H50R is a legitimate powerhouse.
Pros:
- Stellar image quality and magnification
- Rock-solid rangefinder to 1,000 yards
- Intuitive controls and fast boot-up
- Internal battery + hot-swappable 18650s
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
- Playback and app connectivity
Minor Cons:
- Interpupillary distance might be wide for some users
- The proximity sensor is currently non-functional
- Made in China (if that matters to you)
For $3,999, this unit punches well above its price point. It outperforms many thermals I’ve used at significantly higher prices, and it’s one of the easiest on the eyes for extended night missions.
Learn more: irayusa.com/quest-h50r
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