Battery guide
Stellar 4.0 Battery Life: Run Times, Charging and Cold Nights
If your Stellar 4.0 runs low halfway through a long winter night, the scope usually isn't at fault. The rated run times are measured at 25 °C, a frosty paddock is a lot colder than that, and the removable 18650 needs its own charger, so it's easy to head out with it half full. Charge both parts of the power system before every trip and carry a charged spare 18650, and a full night is within reach.
Two power sources in one scope
Every Stellar 4.0 model runs on two built-in rechargeable cells plus one removable 18650 battery. The diagram below shows how each one is charged.
The USB-C port takes 5 V at 2 A and supports QC3.0, and it charges the built-in cells only. The 18650 comes out of the scope and goes into a separate 18650 charger. That's the detail most new owners miss: plug the scope in overnight and you'll wake to full built-in cells and a removable battery still at whatever it was when you got home.
What the run-time ratings mean
HIKMICRO rates the SQ50L and SQ50LR at up to 9.5 hours, and the SX75L and SX75LR at up to 7 hours. Both figures are measured at 25 °C with the laser rangefinder switched on. The chart below puts them against a few typical hunting sessions.
For a typical evening of spotlighting foxes, either model has plenty in hand. The gap shows on long sessions. On the SX75 models, the 7-hour rating sits inside a long night's work, which is the main trade-off for their finer 1280 picture; we compare the two sensors in SQ50L vs SX75L: is the 1280 sensor worth the step up.
Cold nights
Say it's a still July night in the high country, the frost is settling on the grass by nine, and you're planning to stay out until the foxes stop moving. The Stellar 4.0 is rated to operate down to −30 °C, so the scope itself copes. The batteries are another matter: like all lithium cells, they deliver less run time as they cool, so expect less than the 25 °C rating.
Keep the spare 18650 in an inside pocket where your body heat keeps it warm, and swap it in partway through a long night rather than waiting until the scope runs flat. Between stands, a scope kept out of the wind holds its charge better than one left on the bonnet of the ute.
A simple battery routine
Most battery trouble comes down to habits rather than hardware. This routine covers it:
- After each trip, plug the scope into USB-C to recharge the built-in cells.
- Take the 18650 out and charge it in a separate 18650 charger.
- Charge a spare 18650 as well, so you always carry one full battery.
- On cold nights, carry the spare inside your jacket.
- Before a long trip, check both batteries are full the day before, not the night of.
Our pick for anyone who regularly hunts past midnight is simple: buy a spare 18650 and a charger with the scope, and treat them as part of the kit. Spare batteries vary in size and build, so ask us before you buy one and we'll confirm a cell that suits the Stellar 4.0. For rings, eye relief and zeroing, see our Stellar 4.0 setup guide, and for the full spec sheet, our HIKMICRO Stellar 4.0 review.
See the Stellar 4.0 range
Check the current price and availability on each product page.
Stellar 4.0 SQ50L Stellar 4.0 SX75LStellar 4.0 battery FAQ
How long does the Stellar 4.0 battery last?
HIKMICRO rates the Stellar 4.0 SQ50L and SQ50LR at up to 9.5 hours, and the SX75L and SX75LR at up to 7 hours. Both ratings are measured at 25 °C with the laser rangefinder on. Cold weather cuts run time, so on long winter nights expect less, and carry a charged spare 18650 to keep going.
What batteries does the Stellar 4.0 use?
Every Stellar 4.0 model uses two built-in rechargeable cells plus one removable 18650 battery. The built-in cells stay in the scope and charge through the USB-C port. The 18650 comes out for charging in a separate charger, and you can carry a charged spare to swap in during a long night. Ask us to confirm a spare cell before buying one.
Do I need a spare battery for the Stellar 4.0?
For evening hunts, usually not. For long sessions or cold nights, yes: a charged spare 18650 is the simplest way to extend the Stellar 4.0's run time, especially on the SX75 models rated at up to 7 hours. Keep the spare in an inside pocket so it stays warm, and charge it after every trip so it's always ready.
What does the 25 °C battery rating mean?
It's the temperature at which HIKMICRO measured the Stellar 4.0's battery ratings of up to 9.5 hours for the SQ50 models and 7 hours for the SX75 models. Lithium batteries deliver less in the cold, so a frosty night gives you less run time than the rating. Treat the figure as a best case and plan your spare battery around it.
Does the rangefinder drain the Stellar 4.0's battery?
Its use is already counted in the rating. HIKMICRO measures the Stellar 4.0's battery life of up to 9.5 hours for the SQ50 models and 7 hours for the SX75 models with the laser rangefinder switched on. Ranging normally through a hunt shouldn't take you below those figures, though cold weather and other settings can.
What temperatures can the Stellar 4.0 operate in?
HIKMICRO rates every Stellar 4.0 model to operate from −30 °C to +55 °C, which covers frosty high-country nights and hot northern summers. The scope is also rated IP67 against dust and water. Battery run time drops in the cold, and leaving any electronics in a closed car on a hot day is best avoided.
How should I store the Stellar 4.0 between seasons?
Store the Stellar 4.0 somewhere cool and dry, out of a hot car or shed. As with most lithium batteries, it's better to store the built-in cells and the 18650 partly charged rather than completely flat or left on charge for weeks. Top them up every few months, and fully charge both before your first trip of the season.
Which is better for long nights, the SQ50L or the SX75L?
On battery alone, the Stellar 4.0 SQ50L: HIKMICRO rates it at up to 9.5 hours against up to 7 hours for the SX75L, both at 25 °C with the rangefinder on. The SX75L gives you a finer 1280 picture in return. If you choose it and hunt long nights, plan on carrying a charged spare 18650.
This guide is based on HIKMICRO's published Stellar 4.0 specifications.