Test of Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S Thermal Vision Monoculars

Test of the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S Thermal Vision Monocular: A Revolution in Night Watching

The Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S Thermal Vision Monocular, Hikmicro's flagship product, is designed for enthusiasts of hunting, surveillance, wildlife observation and night-time hiking. Whether you're a stalking hunter or a nature lover looking to explore the mysteries of the night, this thermal monocular promises exceptional performance. Tested during a weekend of night-watching in the Broceliande forest and on the plains, we were impressed by its clarity and practicality!

Unpacking and first impressions

When you open the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S box, you'll find well-thought-out contents for immediate use: the monocular, a quick-start guide, a dust cloth, a USB cable, a protective pouch and a wrist strap. The design is sober and elegant, with a matt black finish that inspires confidence. Weighing just 280 g, it's incredibly light and compact, fitting easily into a pocket or backpack. Handling is intuitive, thanks to well thought-out ergonomics and ideally placed buttons for smooth operation, even in the dark.

Optical quality

The Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S excels in thermal image quality. Featuring a 256 × 192 pixel detector and an 800 × 600 pixel OLED screen, it delivers impressive clarity, even in total darkness.

With magnification ranging from 2.2x to 17.6x (thanks to the digital zoom), it can spot precise details at great distances. On a night hunt, for example, we were able to identify a fox at over 500 meters without difficulty. The 20.5 m to 100 m field of view is ideal for scanning vast areas, whether in the forest or on the plain, making this monocular perfect fornight observation or thermal surveillance.

Ease of use

The ergonomics of the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S are a real highlight. Focusing is automatic, making it easy to use, even for novices. The OLED screen offers exceptional visual comfort, reducing eyestrain during prolonged observations, such as a whole night's stalking.

Buttons are easily accessible, and the intuitive interface lets you quickly navigate between functions (zoom, photo/video capture, color palettes). Whether you're on a hike or at a static observation post, this monocular remains a pleasure to use, even after several hours.

Robustness and practicality

Designed for extreme conditions, the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S is IP67 certified, guaranteeing total resistance to water and dust. We tested it in light rain in a forest, and it showed no sign of weakness.

Its compact design (171 × 61 × 57 mm) and featherweight make it ideal for long expeditions. The included protective pouch and wrist strap add a touch of practicality, allowing it to be carried and always to hand, whether on a night hunt or a thermal hike.

Technical specifications

Comparison with other models

Compared with the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 10S Thermal Vision Monocular, also available on binoculars.com, the Lynx S LE 15S boasts a superior detection range (750 m vs. 500 m) and a wider field of view, ideal for large spaces.

The more compact Lynx S LE 10S is perfect for those who prefer portability and shorter observation distances, such as in dense forests. Both models offer outstanding image quality, but the LE 15S is better suited to users looking to spot distant targets during wildlife observation or thermal monitoring.

Highlights

• Exceptional image clarity thanks to the 800 × 600 pixel OLED display, perfect fornight-time observation.
• Impressive detection range of 750 m, ideal for hunting or surveillance.
• Generous 8-hour battery life, for worry-free extended explorations.
• Compact, lightweight design (280 g), easy to carry when hiking.
• Built-in Wi-Fi function to share your observations in real time via the dedicated app.

Points to note

• The 17.6x digital zoom may pixelate the image slightly at its maximum, but remains very effective up to 8x.
• No manual focus, although free focus is ideal for most uses.

Verdict

The Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S Thermal Vision Monocular is a must-have for nature lovers and surveillance professionals alike. Its image quality, robustness and ease of use make it an ideal companion for exploring the unseen, day or night.

With excellent value for money, this thermal monocular is a sure bet to enrich your wilderness adventures, whether for thermal hunting or nocturnal wildlife observation.

User Manual: How to get the most out of your Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S

Using the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S is child's play, even for beginners. Here are the steps to get you started:

1. Start-up: Press and hold the power button (first on top) for 3 seconds to switch on the device. The OLED screen is immediately activated, displaying a clear thermal image. For example, in the middle of the night, you'll instantly see heat sources, such as a deer 300 meters away.

2. Adjusting parameters: Use the buttons on top to navigate the menu. You can choose from four color palettes (warm black, warm white, warm red, fusion) to adapt the visualization to your needs. When monitoring in the forest, the "warm white" palette is ideal for spotting animals against a dark background.

3. Zoom and observation: Press the zoom button to adjust magnification from 2.2x to 17.6x. For long-distance observation, such as spotting a wild boar at 600 meters, a 4x zoom is often sufficient for a clear image. The wide field of view makes it easy to scan a clearing.

4. Capture and share: Capture photos and videos by pressing the dedicated button, and store them on the 8 GB internal memory. Activate Wi-Fi to connect the monocular to the HIKMICRO Sight app on your smartphone, and share your sightings in real time - perfect for showing friends an owl spotted on a night hike.

5. Care: After an outing in the rain, wipe the monocular with the cloth supplied and store it in its pouch. Its IP67 certification ensures that it remains operational, even after exposure to moisture.

Whether you're hunting, hiking or on a surveillance mission, the Hikmicro Lynx S LE 15S will accompany you with reliability and simplicity!