HIKMICRO Thunder TQ50CL 4.0 | Thermal Clip-On

The HIKMICRO Thunder TQ50CL 4.0 is the middle model of the Thunder 4.0 range, pairing a 640 × 512 sensor with a 50mm F1.0 lens for more reach than the TQ35CL. It is a thermal clip-on, so it mounts in front of your existing day scope and runs at 1× with the 640 × 512 sensor, 50mm F1.0 lens and a 1,200 m laser rangefinder built into the lens housing. Your day scope keeps its own reticle and zero, and the clip-on adds the thermal image in front of it. If you are still choosing a clip-on, see all of our HIKMICRO thermal clip-ons.

HIKMICRO Thunder TQ50CL 4.0 Thermal Clip-On: What You Get

Thunder 4.0 is the new generation of the Thunder clip-on range, with the TQ35CL, TQ50CL and TX70CL all sharing the same body, display, rangefinder and controls. The differences are the sensor, the lens and the field of view. You can see the full line-up in our HIKMICRO Thunder 4.0 category.

640 × 512 Sensor and 50mm F1.0 Lens

The TQ50CL uses a 640 × 512 detector with 12 µm pixels, working in the 8–14 µm band at 50 Hz with NETD under 12 mK. The 50mm F1.0 lens gives a 8.8° × 7.0° field of view, which is 15.4 m × 12.2 m at 100 m, and a detection range of 2,600 m. Detection means seeing that a heat source is there, not identifying what it is. Focus is set with a focus knob, down to a minimum of 10 m. To compare it with other models at this resolution, see our HIKMICRO 640 clip-ons.

1,200 m Laser Rangefinder in the Lens

The laser rangefinder sits inside the lens housing rather than in a separate box on top. It is a 905 nm Class 1 laser that ranges from 10 m to 1,200 m, accurate to ±1 m under 400 m and ±0.3 m beyond 400 m.

AMOLED Display, HSIS and Sync Pro

The image is shown on a 0.49-inch 1920 × 1080 AMOLED display, with a 25 mm exit pupil and 20 mm eye relief. HSIS works with Sync Pro to keep the image continuous, without the regular interruptions that shutter calibration can cause. Image Pro 4.0 handles the image processing, and there are six colour palettes, brightness adjustment and a Cold or Warm tone setting.

Clip-On and Handheld Monocular Modes

In clip-on mode the Thunder 4.0 sits in front of your day scope at 1×, and day scopes of 1–15× are recommended. Point-of-impact precision is about 1 MOA. To fit it to your day scope you need an adapter to suit your scope’s objective. See our clip-on adapters and the thermal mounts guide. An adapter is not included in the box.

The rear has an M52 × 0.75 thread for an optional eyepiece, sold separately. With the eyepiece fitted, the TQ50CL works as a handheld thermal monocular at 3.4×–27.2× for spotting.

Recording, Zeroing Profiles and Built for Recoil

There is 64 GB of onboard storage for video with audio and snapshots, plus recoil-activated recording that starts on the shot. Other functions include a virtual reticle, five zeroing profiles, standby mode, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a local album and image calibration. The magnesium alloy body and lens cover are IP67 and the unit handles recoil up to 6,000 J.

Batteries and Power

Two HM-3840DC rechargeable lithium batteries give 6 hours or more of run time at 25 °C, with the hotspot off and the rangefinder on. The USB Type-C port (5 VDC, 2 A) supports external power and direct charging.

Who the TQ50CL 4.0 Suits

It suits open country, longer shots on deer and pigs, and shooters who run their day scope at higher magnification, where the narrower 50mm view holds more detail on the target. If you have an older Thunder, see our HIKMICRO Thunder 3.0 range.

HIKMICRO Thunder TQ50CL 4.0 Specifications

Specification	HIKMICRO Thunder TQ50CL 4.0
Sensor	640 × 512, 12 µm pixel pitch
Spectral range	8–14 µm
NETD	Under 12 mK
Frame rate	50 Hz
Lens	50mm F1.0
Magnification (clip-on mode)	1×
Magnification (monocular mode, optional eyepiece)	3.4×–27.2×
Field of view	8.8° × 7.0° (15.4 m × 12.2 m at 100 m)
Detection range	2,600 m
Minimum focus distance	10 m
Focus	Focus knob
Display	0.49-inch AMOLED, 1920 × 1080
Exit pupil / eye relief	25 mm / 20 mm
Laser rangefinder	905 nm, Class 1, 10–1,200 m, ±1 m under 400 m, ±0.3 m over 400 m
Zeroing profiles	5
Recoil resistance	6,000 J
Storage	64 GB eMMC
Recording	Video with audio, snapshots, recoil-activated recording
Batteries	Two HM-3840DC rechargeable lithium batteries
Battery life	6 hours or more (at 25 °C, hotspot off, rangefinder on)
Power	USB Type-C, 5 VDC 2 A, external power and direct charging
Ingress protection	IP67
Body	Magnesium alloy body and lens cover
Centre height	31 mm
Operating temperature	-30 °C to +50 °C
Weight (with battery)	560.3 g
Dimensions	119.5 × 82 × 81 mm

What’s in the Box

The box contains the Thunder 4.0 unit, two HM-3840DC rechargeable batteries, a battery charger, a USB Type-C cable, a lint-free cloth, a carry bag/case, a wrench and a quick start guide. A clip-on adapter and the monocular eyepiece are sold separately.