Levenhuk Fatum RS50 and Levenhuk Fatum RS150 Thermo Vision Riflescopes

Riflescope review by Sergey Maltsev

Levenhuk has forayed into the thermal vision devices market. Levenhuk is a brand that is very well known for its wide range of various high-quality optics – from binoculars and microscopes to all sorts of telescopes that suit every skill level. I was given two Levenhuk thermo vision riflescopes to test and decided to try them with firearms of different calibers.

So, here they are: Levenhuk Fatum RS50 and Levenhuk Fatum RS150. Both riflescopes are equipped with 400x300 pixels vanadium oxide detectors but differ in such parameters as detection range, optical magnification, the field of view, and focal length. The RS50 has a 25mm focal length and 1,700 meter range at 1.6x; the RS150 has a 50mm focal length and 3,000 meter range at 3.3x.

Levenhuk Fatum RS50. 25mm focal length.

Levenhuk Fatum RS 150. 50mm focal length.

For testing these riflescopes, I picked the following firearms: Tiger 7.62x54R (01), Molot Vepr-12 shotgun, and TR3 carbine in the caliber 5.45х39. These are typical and popular firearms of certain calibers, well-known among hunters and target shooters. My goal was to check the performance, usability, and overall quality of the riflescopes.

Design, configuration, and setup

The riflescopes come in a soft padded carrying case that is compact and easy to carry. It has enough space to store your hunting accessories, such as keys, knife, batteries, etc. As for the design – simply excellent! The high-quality robust construction – you can see it right away. Powered by a standard 18650 battery, which increases the run time as it holds a charge for more than four hours. Quick turn-on, in about 15 seconds the riflescopes are ready to be used. The menu is available in multiple languages. The sighting and setup are intuitive, i.e. easy to figure out even without an instruction manual (Levenhuk takes the software aspect very seriously).

The kit includes a riflescope, charger, battery, video output cable, and manual.

Image quality

The image delivered by the thermo vision device is contrasting and high-quality. In the shooting gallery where the riflescopes were tested, it was possible to distinguish objects even with small temperature fluctuations, which indicated the high quality of the IR detector, although the resolution of 400x300 pixels was not considered to be top-notch. Professionals know that the quality of the lens is essential to any thermo vision device. Germanium, the rare material used in the production of IR optics, is difficult to extract, which of course affects the pricing of the device. The above-mentioned models offer high-quality optics, just as good as other premium models.

Test conditions and results

Each riflescope was used with firearms of all calibers one after another. We checked the accuracy, image quality, and sighting parameters. Two regular magazines per each riflescope were used to fire without long pauses to simulate actual shooting during a hunt. Here are the test results. The Levenhuk Fatum RS50 thermo vision riflescope has passed the test for sure. Throughout the entire shoot, it maintained its sighting parameters and performance without the slightest sign of slowing down or decreasing image quality.

The Levenhuk Fatum RS150, despite its better optical parameters and higher price, did not pass the 12x70 caliber test and thus can only be recommended to be used with firearms of up to 7.62x54R caliber. When I was shooting with the Vepr-12 shotgun, the screen of the Levenhuk Fatum RS150 stopped displaying information after several shots and froze. It worked again when I turned the device on and off in order to reset it – the device continued to work properly.

Such a performance is easy to explain. In fact, the 12x76 caliber has heavy recoil, and the shockwave produced by a gunshot is also quite powerful. The large-aperture Levenhuk Fatum RS150 has a larger diameter of optical elements and, therefore, is much more affected by the shockwave than the Levenhuk Fatum RS50 with a smaller lens diameter.

Conclusions on the test results

Both thermo vision riflescopes impressed me with their image quality, user-friendly interface, functionality, and configuration. There are no complaints about the quality of the construction. It is a pleasure to use the devices. But each is better used for different purposes. For those who prefer shooting with a smooth barrel and 12x70 caliber, the Levenhuk Fatum RS50 is the best option that works well at distances that 12x70 caliber weapons are suited for. For those who prefer rifled weapons, the Levenhuk Fatum RS150 is enough – it is perfect for hunting with calibers up to 7.62x54R.

Photos of riflescopes from test shootings

Specifications of the riflescopes from the manufacturer's website

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