Setup guide
Mounting and Zeroing the Pulsar Thermion 3: Rings, Height and 10 Profiles
Your new Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF arrives, and there's no mount in the box. That's normal: Pulsar sells both the XR60 and XT60 without one, so you'll need a pair of 30 mm rings or a one-piece 30 mm mount. Mount it low, tighten the ring screws to no more than 2.5 Nm, set the 65 mm eye relief, and the zeroing itself takes a few shots using the scope's freeze function.
This guide follows Pulsar's user manual and covers both models.
Choosing rings for a 1.3 kg scope
The Thermion 3 has a classic 30 mm tube, so any quality 30 mm rings or one-piece mount will fit. What matters is that they're built for the load: at 1.3 kg with the battery fitted, it's heavier than most day scopes, and heavy recoil puts real strain on the rings. Steel or quality aluminium rings with a recoil lug that sits firmly in your rail are the safe choice.
For height, Pulsar's advice is to mount as low as possible without the scope touching the barrel or receiver. The 60 mm objective is the widest point, so check it clears the barrel with the rings tightened. Lower mounting keeps your cheek on the stock and makes holdover more predictable at close range. If you're not sure what your rifle's base is, see our guide to choosing between Weaver, Picatinny and dovetail rails.
On the kitchen table: mounting step by step
Say it's the night before your first trip, and you've got the rifle in a cradle on the kitchen table. Fit the lower ring halves to the rail, push each recoil lug forward in its slot, and lay the scope in loosely.
Shoulder the rifle in your normal shooting position and slide the scope forward or back until you see the whole display without shading at the edges. That's your eye relief, and the Thermion 3 gives you a generous 65 mm to work with. Level the reticle, then tighten the ring caps evenly, alternating screws, to no more than 2.5 Nm. A torque driver takes the guesswork out of it.
Before you head to the range, power the scope on and set the dioptre: turn the eyepiece until the on-screen icons look sharp. Then use the focus wheel on top of the scope to sharpen the image on something warm across the room. Pulsar also suggests checking for a firmware update in the Stream Vision 2 app before first use.
Zeroing at the range
The Thermion 3 stores 10 zeroing profiles, labelled A to J, and each one can hold up to 10 distances. That lets you keep a separate profile for each rifle or load. Pulsar offers three ways to zero; the freeze method below is the easiest to follow.
Use a target that shows up clearly on thermal: a heated target, a hand warmer taped behind paper, or a target warmed by the sun. Aim at the centre, fire, and freeze the image so you can see where the shot landed while you adjust. Then move the reticle onto the point of impact with the controller ring, using the MENU button to switch between elevation and windage, and save. Fire a second shot to confirm. Pulsar recommends zeroing at roughly the temperature you'll hunt in.
The size of each click depends on magnification, as the chart below shows. At base magnification one click moves the reticle 20 mm at 100 m on the XT60 and 10 mm on the XR60, halving each time you double the zoom.
For finer adjustment, zero the XT60 at 4× or above. The XR60 starts at 4×, so its base setting already gives 10 mm steps.
Keeping it zeroed
If your point of impact wanders, Pulsar's manual points to two usual causes: a loose mount or a change of ammunition. Check the ring screws after the first few shots and again after any knock in transport. Every different load needs its own zero, which is where the separate profiles earn their keep.
The 6,000 J recoil rating covers heavy centrefire calibres, so the scope itself copes; the rings are the part to watch. Once zeroed, you can set up the built-in ballistic calculator for holdover at longer distances; our rangefinder and ballistics guide is coming soon. The full model rundown is in our Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF review.
Set up your Thermion 3
Ask us about 30 mm rings to suit your rifle, or check the current price of each model.
Thermion 3 LRF XR60 Thermion 3 LRF XT60Thermion 3 mounting and zeroing FAQ
What rings do I need for the Pulsar Thermion 3?
The Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF XR60 and XT60 need 30 mm rings or a one-piece 30 mm mount, since Pulsar sells them without a mount. Choose quality steel or aluminium rings with a recoil lug that sits firmly in your rail, because the scope weighs 1.3 kg. Ask us if you're unsure which suit your rifle's base.
How high should I mount the Pulsar Thermion 3?
As low as possible without any part of the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF touching the barrel or receiver, which is Pulsar's own advice. The 60 mm objective is the widest point, so check it clears the barrel once the rings are tight. Lower mounting gives a better cheek weld and keeps holdover more predictable at close range.
What torque should I use on Thermion 3 ring screws?
Pulsar's manual sets a maximum of 2.5 Nm (22.1 in-lbs) on the ring screws for the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF. Tighten the caps evenly, alternating between screws, and use a torque driver rather than guessing. Check the screws again after the first few shots and after transport, since a loose mount is a common cause of a wandering zero.
Can I use a one-piece mount on the Pulsar Thermion 3?
Yes. Pulsar's manual allows either a pair of 30 mm rings or a one-piece 30 mm mount for the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF. A one-piece mount keeps both rings aligned and can make it easier to position the 391 mm scope on a short rail. Whichever you choose, make sure it's rated for a 1.3 kg scope and your calibre's recoil.
How do I set eye relief on the Pulsar Thermion 3?
With the rings loose, shoulder the rifle in your normal shooting position and slide the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF forward or back until you see the whole display without dark edges. The scope offers 65 mm of eye relief, which is generous for a thermal. Level the reticle, then tighten the rings to no more than 2.5 Nm.
How do the Thermion 3 zeroing profiles work?
The Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF stores 10 zeroing profiles, labelled A to J, and each can hold up to 10 distances. Use a separate profile for each rifle or load so you can switch without re-zeroing. Profiles hold their own reticle position for each distance, so make sure the right profile is active before you shoot.
What is freeze zeroing on the Pulsar Thermion 3?
Freeze zeroing holds the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF's image still after you fire, so you can see the bullet hole on screen while you move the reticle onto it. Fire at the target, freeze the image, adjust the reticle with the controller ring, save, and fire a confirming shot. It's one of three zeroing methods Pulsar offers.
Do I need to re-zero the Thermion 3 if I change ammunition?
Yes. Different loads shoot to different points of impact, and Pulsar's manual lists an ammunition change as one of the main reasons a zero shifts. Zero the Pulsar Thermion 3 LRF separately for each load and save each one to its own zeroing profile, so you can switch between them in the menu.
This guide follows Pulsar's Thermion 3 LRF user manual and published specifications.