Field Test: Hikmicro Stellar SQ50L 3.0 — Real Hunting Results from Good Hunt Australia
I took the Hikmicro Stellar SQ50L V3 (3.0) out west on a pig control trip around Nyngan, keen to see if the specs stacked up in the real world. By the end of the first night the scope had paid for itself — more pigs found, cleaner shots taken, and less crop damage for the farmer. Here’s exactly why.
First Impressions in the Field
The Stellar drops straight into standard rings thanks to its 30 mm tube, so the rifle still balances like a day scope. The first thing you notice is the view: a 1.03″ 2560×2560 OLED eyepiece that’s big, bright and easy on the eyes. Setup was quick — zero profile saved and I was into it.
Spotting the First Mob
With the 640×512, 12 µm thermal sensor and <15 mK NETD sensitivity, pigs popped hard against the stubble as the air cooled. I could pick boars from sows at sensible ranges and track a mob sliding along the fence. I hit the integrated 1,000 m LRF, got a reading at 287 m, and the ballistic calculator gave me the hold. One clean shot, boar down. No guessing, no drama.
No Freezes, No Guesswork
Older thermals love to “click” and freeze when they recalibrate — right when you don’t want them to. The Stellar’s HSIS shutterless imaging kept the picture stable while I scanned. With a 3.6× base mag (up to 26.6× digital), I could range, ID and engage without breaking rhythm.
Recording the Hunt
The scope’s recoil-activated recording quietly captured every shot to the 64 GB internal memory — audio included. No fumbling for buttons; just shoot and review later with the crew.
Rugged Build That Feels Right
Over dust, light rain and plenty of recoil the Stellar didn’t miss a beat. It’s IP67 waterproof, rated to 1,000 g shock, and runs on two internal cells plus a replaceable 18650 for around ~9 hours of continuous use. Proper field tool, not a toy.
Quick Technical Specs
| Sensor | VOx thermal, 640×512, 12 µm, <15 mK NETD, ~50 Hz |
| Objective Lens | 50 mm F/1.0 (focus to ~5 m) |
| Magnification | 3.6× base, up to 26.6× digital |
| Display | 1.03″ 2560×2560 OLED, multiple palettes, Image Pro 2.0, Zoom Pro |
| Shutter | HSIS shutterless imaging (no “click freeze”) |
| Rangefinding | Integrated LRF 10–1000 m, ±1 m, Class 1 (905 nm) |
| Ballistics | Built-in ballistic calculator linked to LRF |
| Recording | Photo / video / audio, recoil-activated, 64 GB eMMC |
| Profiles & Tools | Freeze-zero, distance measurement, up to 5 zero profiles, Wi-Fi/app |
| Power | Dual internal cells + replaceable 18650, ~9 h runtime |
| Ruggedness | IP67, recoil-proof to 1,000 g, –30 °C to +55 °C |
| Mounting | 30 mm tube (standard rings) |
Why Buy Your Stellar from Good Hunt Australia
- Loaner guarantee: If your SQ50L ever needs repairs, we’ll supply a loaner thermal so you never miss a hunt.
- Aussie setup help: Real advice for Australian conditions — mounting, zeroing and settings that actually work here.
- Hassle-free warranty: We handle service with Hikmicro and keep you updated, start to finish.
Final Word
That Nyngan run drove it home: the Hikmicro Stellar SQ50L 3.0 isn’t just a spec sheet — it’s a genuine edge in the paddock. Ultra-sensitive imaging, a massive OLED, integrated LRF with ballistics and shutterless stability meant more pigs found and better shots taken. If you want a thermal that works as hard as you do — with Good Hunt backing you up — this is the upgrade to make.