Review: HIKMICRO Lynx Pro 35mm 20mK 384x288 12μm Smart Thermal Monocular

Thermal imaging has made huge strides in recent years, but with that progress has come a crowded and often confusing market. Devices range from budget-friendly entry models to ultra-premium military-grade optics—and for the everyday hunter, shooter, or wildlife spotter, the question is often: where’s the sweet spot between price and performance?

Enter the HIKMICRO Lynx Pro 35mm, a thermal monocular that has been quietly making waves for delivering serious performance specs without breaking the bank. With a highly sensitive 384x288 thermal sensor, advanced 12μm pixel pitch, and impressive 20mK thermal sensitivity, it punches well above its price bracket—offering real-world functionality that rivals much more expensive alternatives.

 

 

 

The HIKMICRO Lynx Pro is built around a 384x288 thermal sensor, which refers to the number of thermal pixels the device uses to build a heat image. Every one of these 110,592 pixels is detecting temperature changes in the environment and turning that into a visible thermal picture.

So why does this matter? A higher resolution sensor means more detail, and more detail means better target recognition. Whether you're scanning a tree line for a fox or trying to pick out a rabbit against a warm field, that extra resolution allows you to distinguish between, say, a small animal and a clump of warm grass. Compared to lower-resolution sensors (such as the common 160x120 or 240x180), the 384x288 sensor offers significantly clearer imaging, especially when combined with digital zoom.

In simple terms: the image you see is sharper, and your chances of misidentifying a target are lower.

 

 

NETD stands for Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference, and in the case of the Lynx Pro, the sensor is rated at <20mK (millikelvins). This might sound technical, but here’s the gist: it’s a measure of how small a temperature difference the thermal sensor can detect.

The lower the mK value, the more sensitive the sensor is to subtle differences in temperature - and 20mK is considered extremely good, even in high-end thermals.

Let’s use a practical analogy: imagine you’re scanning a field on a cold winter night, and a fox is lying low in the grass. The ground and surrounding environment might only differ from the fox’s body temperature by a small margin. A sensor with poor sensitivity (say, 50mK) might blur everything into one grey blob. But with 20mK, you’ll pick up that fox clearly, even if the temperature difference between it and the background is very slight.

This level of sensitivity also helps in trickier conditions - light fog, early morning humidity, or warm ground after sunset - where lower-end thermals often struggle.

 

The 35mm focal length lens on the Lynx Pro is a big step up from the 15mm or 19mm lenses commonly found on entry-level thermals. Focal length affects both magnification and field of view. A longer focal length like 35mm provides a tighter, more zoomed-in view, which is ideal for spotting and identifying heat signatures at longer distances.

But unlike even longer 50mm or 75mm lenses, which can become too “tunneled” and hard to use in close quarters, the 35mm offers a perfect balance between magnification and situational awareness. You still get a usable field of view for general scanning (particularly useful in open fields or along hedgerows), but with enough reach to make target identification at 400–500m both feasible and reliable.

In real-world terms, this means you’ll be able to spot a rabbit at 200m, clearly identify a fox at 300–400m, and even detect a human-sized heat source beyond 1000 meters.

 

 

What separates a good thermal from a great one is how it performs when the conditions aren’t ideal. On a crisp, dry night, most thermal monoculars will perform reasonably well. But throw in some early morning fog, light rain, or the residual heat of a late summer’s evening, and that’s where the Lynx Pro begins to shine.

Because of its high sensor resolution and low NETD rating, the Lynx Pro holds contrast even when thermal differentiation is low. You’ll still be able to spot animals on slightly warmer ground, or through light foliage. Many users report being able to track foxes across fields in foggy conditions where older or cheaper devices failed completely.

Its hotspot tracking, picture-in-picture zoom, and intuitive interface make it an easy tool to use in real-time, without being buried in settings menus or fiddly adjustments. It’s a practical, field-ready tool, not a fussy gadget.

 

The thermal optics market is getting increasingly competitive, with new brands entering and established ones pushing further into high-end territory. Devices like the Pulsar Helion and Thermion series, while fantastic, can cost two to three times as much as the HIKMICRO Lynx Pro.

And while some budget thermals have flooded the market, many lack the clarity, range, or build quality to be used seriously.

This is where HIKMICRO has found its niche. The Lynx Pro 35mm offers features and performance typically associated with units in the £2,000–£3,000 range, but manages to deliver them for well under £1,500. That’s an exceptional proposition for both hobbyists and professionals who want high-end performance without needing to remortgage their house.

It’s especially attractive to hunters who may already have invested in rifles and optics, but want to expand their capabilities for detection and observation - without crossing into full-blown thermal scopes just yet.

 

 

While brands like Pulsar and InfiRay might offer slightly higher resolutions or additional onboard features (like ballistic calculators or streaming), the core performance of the Lynx Pro 35mm often holds its own. You’ll sacrifice some app connectivity or framerate tweaks, but the image quality, range, and sensitivity are on par.

For most users, especially those prioritising clarity, sensitivity, and affordability, the Lynx Pro 35mm is an outstanding alternative that levels the playing field - delivering performance that would have been considered “top tier” just a few years ago.

 

The HIKMICRO Lynx Pro 35mm stands as one of the best value thermal monocular currently on the market. It combines a sharp 384x288 resolution, impressive 12μm pixel pitch, and industry-leading 20mK sensitivity into a compact, intuitive unit that’s perfect for both experienced hunters and newcomers to thermal imaging.

Its 35mm lens strikes the ideal balance for mid-to-long range spotting, and the build quality and usability make it a trustworthy companion for the field. Whether you’re scanning fields for foxes at night, spotting deer at dusk, or simply keeping an eye on rural property, this device delivers consistently high performance across a range of environments.

In short, the Lynx Pro 35mm is smartly designed, sensibly priced, and seriously capable - making it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants professional-grade thermal optics without the premium-brand markup.

 

Purchase the LYNX 35MM HERE