PARD Night Stalker 4K eX vs HIKMICRO Alpex 4K: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
PARD Night Stalker 4K eX vs HIKMICRO Alpex 4K: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
Two Flagship 4K Digital Riflescopes Go Head-to-Head
The digital night-vision market has come a long way, and 2025 brings two serious contenders for hunters and precision shooters: the PARD Night Stalker 4K eX (70 mm) and the HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50EL LRF. Both promise cutting-edge 4K performance, advanced ballistics tools, and integrated rangefinding - but they take very different approaches. Whether you’re shooting foxes at night, stalking deer at varying ranges, or building a long-range setup, this guide breaks down everything you need to know before choosing between these two flagship optics.
IMAGE QUALITY: Two Paths to 4K Excellence
Both riflescopes use a 3840 × 2160 4K CMOS sensor, putting them among the highest-resolution digital optics available today. But their strengths diverge.
The PARD Night Stalker 4K is built for darkness. Its sensor boasts exceptional low-lightsensitivity (down to 0.001 lux) and a smooth 60 Hz frame rate in colour mode. The result? A clean, detailed image where other scopes begin to falter - perfect for shooters who rely heavily on twilight and night performance.
The HIKMICRO Alpex 4K is a more balanced day-and-night performer. With a 50 Hz refresh rate and image processing tuned for bright daylight through to full darkness, it handles changing conditions extremely well.
Verdict:
Best low-light imaging: PARD Night Stalker 4K
Best all-round day/night flexibility: HIKMICRO Alpex 4K
OPTICS & ZOOM: Two Very Different Designs
This is where the scopes truly diverge.
PARD Night Stalker 4K eX:
• Large 70 mm objective lens
• 5.5× base magnification
• Digital zoom only
• Optimised for maximum light-gathering
• The 70 mm objective is superb for night work, but the fixed optical magnification limits versatility.
HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50EL LRF
• 50 mm lens with adjustable aperture (F1.2–2.5)
• Massive 3.5×–28× digital zoom
• Crisp control across short, medium, and long ranges
• Adjustable aperture allows fine control of light and depth of field
• This is one of the most flexible optical systems in the digital NV market.
Verdict:
For optimum night clarity: PARD
For multi-range versatility and long-range precision: HIKMICRO
DISPLAYS & USER EXPERIENCE
The PARD boasts a superb 2560 × 2560 circular OLED that feels immersive and premium. It’s one of the highest-resolution displays currently fitted to a consumer night-vision riflescope.
HIKMICRO takes a more traditional approach with a 1920 × 1080 OLED, but compensates with:
• 10 reticle styles
• 8 colours
• 5 zeroing profiles
• Picture-in-Picture aiming
Verdict:
Best display: PARD Night Stalker
Best reticle & profile options: HIKMICRO Alpex
RANGEFINDERS & BALLISTICS
Both scopes pack ballistic calculators and 1,000m laser rangefinders, but their designs differ:
PARD uses a detachable LRF module- great if you want to save weight when it’s not needed.
HIKMICRO integrates the LRF into the scope body, offering cleaner handling.
Both support recoil-activated recording and modern zeroing features.
Verdict:
Best modularity: PARD
Most streamlined system: HIKMICRO
BATTERY LIFE & POWER MANAGEMENT
The PARD uses a hybrid system (internal 21700 + removable 18650), giving around 8 hours of use.The HIKMICRO, with its triple-battery arrangement, often pushes closer to 11 hours in real-world conditions.Both support USB-C external power.
Verdict:
Best runtime: HIKMICRO Alpex
DURABILITY, WEIGHT & HANDLING
Build quality is high on both models, with:
• Aluminium alloy construction
• IP67 weatherproofing
• –30°C to +55°C operating range
However, the PARD is notably more compact at 896 g, compared to the HIKMICRO’s 1176 g. The long zoom lens and integrated LRF add extra bulk to the Hikmicro. Recoil handling may favour the PARD, which lists tolerance up to 6000 J - useful for magnum shooters.
Verdict:
Best lightweight setup: PARD
Best for hunters who don’t mind weight: HIKMICRO
FEATURES & CONNECTIVITY
PARD standout features:
• WiFi streaming
• HDMI video output
• Gyroscope stabilisation
• Magnetic lens cap
• Flexible recording options
HIKMICRO standout features:
• Very fast boot-up (≈3 seconds)
• Hotspot marking
• Multiple rifle/ammo profiles
• Full audio/video capture
Both scopes fulfil the needs of modern hunters, and it really comes down to personal preference on this one.
Verdict: Draw
BUYER PROFILES: WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
Choose the PARD Night Stalker 4K eX if you want:
• The best low-light performance
• A bright, immersive high-resolution display
• A lighter, more compact optic
• The option to remove the LRF module
• Strong recoil resistance
Ideal for: foxing, static shooting, or hunters who prioritise night performance over long-range zoom.
Choose the HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50EL LRF if you want:
• Huge 3.5–28× zoom flexibility
• Adjustable aperture for precision imaging
• Integrated LRF and seamless ballistics
• Long battery life
• Best-in-class day/night versatility
Ideal for: stalking, foxing, mixed day-night use, long-range shooting, and anyone who wants maximum optical control.
THE FINAL WORD
Both the PARD Night Stalker 4K eX and the HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50EL LRF are outstanding riflescopes in their own right. Your choice ultimately comes down to your priorities:If night performance, compactness, and display quality are the top priorities, the PARD is the winner.If versatility, zoom range, and integrated precision tools are key, the HIKMICRO Alpex stands out.In truth, you’re not choosing between a “better” and “worse” scope - just two highly capable optics tailored to different styles of shooting. READ ARTICLE
Paper & Steel Targets: A Quick Guide
Paper & Steel Targets: A Quick Guide
So you've bought all the latest scopes and accessories from Optics Warehouse, and now you are ready to go shooting, but you get there, and you've forgotten something...TARGETS!!!. We can help with that as well. We have a selection of paper targets and steel targets available for every use, from backyard plinking, hunting practice or target practice.
Paper Targets
Whether you are plinking for fun or practising your aim, there is a paper target for you, from zombie to splatter targets to Bisley range targets.
Birchwood Casey sells a wide range of targets from the above zombie splatter targets for the zombie enthusiast, plinking or backyard target practice, with a bit of fun side as opposed to shooting standard round targets.
Birchwood Casey also makes standard round targets with a key difference. The Shoot N C system offers an immediate marker on the target when a projectile strikes the target. A bright coloured, easy-to-see halo will appear around the shot location, displaying where the bullet hit without having to go and check the target by walking up to it. This mark is visible from a distance and is easily visible through scopes and binoculars.
Bisley Competition grade targets offer a cheap and cost-effective traditional paper target which is ideal for close-range air rifle practice and competition use.
Steel Targets
Tom's Targets & GR8FUN offers a variety of mild steel targets ranging from practice targets for common quarry animals such as crows and bunnies. They also offer common targets such as HFT practice targets, teardrop targets, know your limits targets, and other common resetting targets.
These targets are brilliant fun, cheap and easy to place, while offering a rewarding and audible "ding" when the target is hit. Whether it is HFT practice, teaching your kids to shoot or even just backyard plinking, these targets will not disappoint, offering a rewarding but testing experience. Place them at different ranges and watch the difficulty increase, and your shooting ability get better.
It is commonly the most forgotten part of shooting, but by no means the least fun. A good target can make your shooting experience all the more fun. Contact the team at Optics Warehouse today or see our website for our latest offerings on targets. READ ARTICLE
Hollywood vs Reality: How Scopes Are Misused on Screen (and How to Do It Right)
Hollywood vs Reality: How Scopes Are Misused on Screen (and How to Do It Right)
We've all seen movies with famous characters or notorious social media posts and wondered, "How did that make it onto the screen?" Well, well, today, let's dive into some common inaccuracies commonly seen in movies and social media and some movies that finally get it right. We'll look at how they were presented and look to correct this with some high-quality products from Optics Warehouse.
The Rookie
This scene from The Rookie shows the character using a magnifier behind an ACOG scope, which features a 4x magnification. This would not work in reality, as the focus of the magnified optic would not focus through the magnifier behind the unit.
How to fix the scene
If you wanted to fix this scene, you would either use a standard prism sight or use a red or holographic sight with a magnifier. You are able to use a magnifier on a red dot or holographic sight, as there is no parallax or eye relief on these, and there is no magnification, so the magnifier can focus through the unit.
A good example of this is from Vortex by using either their Spitfire Prism scopes or using a Vortex AMG Razor holographic sight with a Vortex VX3M flip-to-side magnifier. These setups are very popular on competition rifles and airsoft here in the UK on AR platform rifles.
Spitfire Prism
Holographic sight
Magnifier
US NAVY
I am sure that a few years ago, most people in the firearms community saw this post and cringed at their phones.
What it shows is an LPVO (low power variable optic) mounted backwards, from what I assume is the incorrect belief that the objective of the scope should be the largest part of the scope. This is a common misconception and an issue I see commonly when showing customers their first LPVO scope. These scopes tend to feature an objective which is either equal to or smaller than the tube size, which means that the objective will appear as smaller than the eyepiece, leading to confusion. Correct fitment of these scopes involves identifying the eyepiece and mounting the scope with the eyepiece towards the shooter. The easiest way to find this fitment is to look through the scope; if the image is "zoomed out", it is the wrong way around. The image should always be magnified.
Best units available for these scopes of scopes are the Vortex Razor 1-10x24, Delta Stryker 1-10x28 and the Arken EP8.
Vortex Razor
Delta Stryker
Arken Optics EP8
When movies get it right!!!
I would remiss if talking about movies that get scopes and optics correct, if I did not talk about JOHN WICK.
LPVO
Holographic Sight
Sniper Rifle (long-range scope)
Best uses for the above style of optics
The LPVO would be perfect using a Vortex Razor 1-10x24, Delta Stryker 1-10x24 or Arken EP8 1-8x28. They offer a variable magnification which allows you to use a scope on 1x magnification (no magnification) and zoom in to 8x or 10x magnification, offering versatility in a compact package for all shooting types from airsoft, 22LR competition and rodent and pest shooting.
The holographic and red dot sights would be perfect for short-range range wide field of view shooting. While offering no magnification, red dots offer an illuminated display which is easy and immediate to spot, while not suffering from any parallax error that traditional scopes encounter. These units are perfect for short-range hunting, airsoft and target shooting as they are quick and simple to use. Best units available in this category are the Vortex Razor AMG, Vortex Crossfire red dot, Holosun AEMS & Holosun ARO.
Long-range scopes offer high amounts of magnification and reticles with subtensions designed to allow for accurate holdovers at long distances. These types of scopes are ideal for hunting, target shooting and airsoft (if you're a good shot). Best scopes for this would be the Schmidt and Bender PMII, Vortex Razor 6-36x56, Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 and the Delta Stryker 3.5-21x44.
Final thoughts
With all the movies out there with rifles in them, there are bound to be a few mishaps with scopes, and the sheer amount of "influencers" and posts that are put out will result in a few oops moments. But I hope that this blog has cleared up a few funny things you might have seen and given you some idea of what each scope is designed to do. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the staff at Optics Warehouse. READ ARTICLE
Unleashing Clarity in Darkness: The Lynx 3.0’s Sub-15 mK Thermal Engine
Unleashing Clarity in Darkness: The Lynx 3.0’s Sub-15 mK Thermal Engine
When it comes to handheld thermal monoculars, true performance is defined not just by range or magnification - but by the ability to detect subtle temperature differences. That’s where the new HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 really stands out. With select models boasting a NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) of less than 15 mK, this series delivers detail and clarity in the most challenging environments.
Why NETD Matters
NETD measures the smallest temperature difference the detector can reliably discern. Simply: the lower the NETD value (measured in milliKelvins, mK), the more finely the thermal module can resolve subtle heat signatures. A 15 mK (or lower) rating means the device can pick up smaller thermal contrasts - think thin branches against cold sky, partially obscured animals at dusk, or faint residual body heat—faster and more clearly than higher-NETD systems. With Lynx 3.0 models offering < 15 mK NETD on key variants, HIKMICRO is pushing handheld thermal imaging into a new league.
What That Means in Real-World Use
Here’s how that sub-15 mK sensitivity becomes a practical advantage:Better contrast, sooner: Subtle heat sources are picked up earlier, giving you more time to recognise and react. Whether you’re scanning fields at dawn or monitoring woodlands at twilight, the Lynx 3.0 gives you a jump on weaker signatures.Sharper detail in tricky conditions: Fog, haze, drizzle or mixed backgrounds can mask targets. A lower NETD helps maintain clarity when less sensitive systems struggle.Extended effective detection range: While lens focal length and optics matter, the thermal module’s sensitivity underpins how far and how clearly you can see. With <15 mK modules, the Lynx 3.0 can achieve longer usable detection distances for smaller signatures.Less reliance on perfect conditions: Many thermal units perform well in ideal conditions; the difference appears when the light is low, contrast is weak, or the environment is challenging. That’s where a high-sensitivity detector shows its value.
The Lynx 3.0 Lineup - Matching Lens & Sensitivity
While sensitivity is crucial, choosing the right model means balancing focal length, field of view and range. All share underlying high performance; some key picks: HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 LH25: 384×288 sensor, NETD <15 mK, 25 mm F1.0 lens – up to~1200m detection in open terrain. HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 LH15: 320×240 sensor, ideal mid-distance choice.
Why It Matters for Hunters, Wildlife Monitors & Professionals
If you’re out in the field, these are the tangible benefits:
• Spot animals earlier on the horizon when they’ve barely picked up body heat.
• Detect smaller warm objects (rodents, birds, hidden game) that might otherwise blend into the background.
• Make confident identifications at dusk or dawn, when visible light is minimal and thermal contrast is thin.
• Use the device in varied weather (cold, damp, partial cover) and still get a clean image.
• For professional applications (conservation, security, pest-control), achieving clearer results more reliably boosts effectiveness.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a thermal monocular that doesn’t just work—but excels—then the HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0’s sub-15 mK NETD models are a standout. They combine compact size, modern features (AI image processing, WiFi/video, shutterless systems) and most importantly, a detector that can truly perform when it matters. For anyone serious about nighttime observation, game spotting, wildlife monitoring, or surveillance - even in less-than-ideal conditions - choosing a Lynx 3.0 model with <15 mKsensitivity offers a real edge. READ ARTICLE
Pixfra ARC LRF Pro Series: Big Thermal Performance Without the Big Price Tag
Pixfra ARC LRF Pro Series: Big Thermal Performance Without the Big Price Tag
When it comes to thermal imaging gear, it’s easy to get lost in a jungle of specs, sensors, and sky-high price tags. That’s where Pixfra’s ARC LRF Pro series steps in - bringing serious thermal performance, built-in laser rangefinding, and slick usability at a price that won’t make your wallet weep.
Let’s take a look at what makes the Pixfra ARC range such a standout choice for anyone looking to get top-tier tech without top-tier prices.
The ARC LRF Pro Line-Up at a Glance
The ARC series currently includes lots of models, but I have chosen the following 3 as the highlights: the A419 Pro, A625 Pro, and A650 Pro.
All three share the same DNA: solid build quality, intuitive controls, crisp imaging, and a built-in Laser Rangefinder (LRF) for accurate distance readings on the spot.
Here’s how they compare:
Model
Sensor Resolution
Lens
Detector Pitch
Best For
Key Advantages
Pixfra ARC LRF A419 Pro
384 × 288
19 mm
12 µm
Wide-angle scanning, general use
Broad field of view, great entry-level price
Pixfra ARC LRF A625 Pro
640 × 512
25 mm
12 µm
All-round performance
Excellent image detail and detection range balance
Pixfra ARC LRF A650 Pro
640 × 512
50 mm
12 µm
Long-range detection
Superb magnification and distance capability
Shared Features Across the ARC Range
No matter which ARC model you go for, you’re getting a lot of tech packed into a compact, easy-to-carry unit:
• Laser Rangefinder built in – Accurately measure distances at the press of a button.
• High-resolution thermal detectors – Choose between 384×288 or 640×512 sensors, both with 12 µm pixel pitch for sharp imaging.
• Multiple lens options – From the wide-view 19 mm to the long-reach 50 mm.
• User-friendly interface – Simple controls, quick start-up, and clear on-screen display.
• Rugged and reliable – Built for the outdoors, whether you’re spotting wildlife, tracking at night, or surveying land.
• Excellent battery life – Designed to last through long field sessions.
Extreme Value for Money
Here’s the real kicker: the Pixfra ARC LRF Pro series gives you features usually reserved for premium-brand thermals - but at a fraction of the price.
You’re not just buying a thermal monocular; you’re getting:
• Thermal imaging + laser rangefinding in one device
• High-resolution sensors that deliver clarity you can count on
• Flexible options that let you choose your balance of field of view, range, and budget
For professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who values performance per pound, the Pixfra ARC line delivers unbeatable value.
Which One Should You Choose?
• Go for the A419 Pro if you’re new to thermals or want a wide-angle scanning tool without overspending.
• Pick the A625 Pro if you want crisp imaging and great versatility - the best all-rounder of the range.
• Step up to the A650 Pro if your main goal is long-range detection and detail recognition.
No matter which one you pick, you’re stepping into a level of performance that’s hard to beat for the money.
Final Thoughts
The Pixfra ARC LRF Pro series shows that you don’t need to drop several thousand pounds to get professional-grade thermal performance. With excellent imaging, reliable rangefinding, and smart design, these thermals deliver serious performance at a smart price.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in a thermal monocular - this might just be it. READ ARTICLE
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