The (new) Yukon Photon 6x RT .. Day/Night Vision Scope
Yukon Photon 6x50 RT
Pros
- Cost effective, good visibility with improved IR and eye detection over the XT
Cons
- Annoying usb cover , can be fiddly also boot up time is slightly slower than the XT
One of my most eager arrivals of 2017 was this unit and finally it is here.
Courtesy of the guys at Thomas Jacks,
I have the privilege to test out the new Yukon Photon 6x RT and compare it with my own 6.5 XT.
RRP: £599
The geeky stuff!!
- High-Shock Resistance up to .375 cal, including smooth bore & airsoft
- Onboard Video Recording
- Internal memory (8GB)
- Compatible with Stream Vision App
- High magnification
- 6 Digital reticles included, with 3 colour choices
- Long distance detection
- Can be used during day and night time
- Live streaming capabilities
- Connect to Smart phone wirelessly for data transfer, remote control capabilities, etc.
- Built-in long distance IR illuminator with 3 power modes
Specifications:
- Sensor: CMOS 768×576
- Display: LCD 640×480
- Mag: 6-12x
- Objective lens: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 70mm
- Exit Pupil: 5mm
- Dioptre Adjustment: ±4
- Detection Range: 280m
- Minimum Distance: 1.5m
- IR Illuminator: 850nm/ LED (Visible)
- Weight (With/Without Battery): 930g/820g
- Average Battery Life: 3.5 hours
- External Power Supply: 5V
- Operating Temperature: -15℃ to +50℃
- Protection Rating: IPX5
- Dimensions: 458x100x92mm
Includes:
- Photon RT
- Carry Case
- User manual
- USB Cable
- Spare Battery Container
- Battery Container Pouch
- Lens Cloth
- Warranty Card
My Review
After what seemingly felt like a long wait for this unit to do the rounds it finally reached my grubby paws. I had been waiting and waiting for the opportunity to test review and generally play with the New Yukon Photon from the moment I heard about its release back in March.
I think Mark at Thomas Jacks Ltd. was probably starting to get mightly annoyed at me pestering him on a somewhat daily basis, but it is finally here.
I was in Tennessee when this finally arrived or to be more accurately on my way back, so probably was in New York.
When I got the news my heart was a little flutter and I was like a school boy getting his first Catapult (does that still happen or am I showing my age?) or my first Swiss Army knife, ooooo all the bits and tools to play with.
So needless to say when arriving home I took no time at all at opening the box and messing with it.
First Impressions
The scope was clearly longer, from the rubber eye relief to the scope cap there was a good 100mm extra in length.
Weight wise I would say the RT is slightly heavier than the older XT but no more than a couple of grams.
First thing that was noticeable was the IR, clearly bigger and more prominent than the built in one on the XT and on the opposite side of the scope.
The positions of the buttons have changed from the side (which being a lefty always annoyed me on the XT models as it was awkward).
The Ir button works the recording function, the usual scroll wheel for the menus is now located on the top (see pics) strategically the on off button is a pressure switch just in front of the track wheel.
the positions of the buttons make for an easier selection through the menus without fiddling about on the side of the unit.
Couple of things I noticed though with the power button is that you have to push it in for a few seconds to put it in sleep and hold it in for longer to turn off, this can be a bit of a pain but just a gentle touch turns it on again.
Scrolling through the features, specially for the magnification change from 6x to 12x takes a bit of getting used to but works well.
There has been a lot of thought into this new unit.
The usual flip up daytime lens cap has been carried on from the XT model.
..
Zeroing
I am not kidding when I say this, but it seems there is an ever growing number of people complaining how hard “zeroing” is with all the Photons, I personally have never seen the issue.
When mounting a photon you really do have to make sure it is not mounted too high as it does not have an unlimited elevation or windage cycle.
I found the Photon RT easy to zero, I mounted it both on a rail and on dovetail mounts with no issue, I also used the cantilever 1 piece mount and it was ok, but I still prefer to use standard rings.
Zeroing the RT is a little different from the XT, it still has its “so-called” one shot zero function but designed far better.
To zero, you aim at the center of your target and take a shot, (I do suggest bore sighting manually first though for info on bore sighting I will set up a info page giving tips and hints), one you take your shot walk over to your target board and place a piece of black tape or another target dot over your bullets impact point, go back to your rifle and set it to “zero” mode.
When in “zero” mode you will be presented with 2 cross-hairs, your normal style one and a green X on, this is where there has been an improvement. What you have to now is leave the green X at the center of your target then move your normal red cross-hair to the center of your impact from the round you fired (the one you placed a piece of black tape over). Once you have finished adjusting you have to hold down the tracking wheel to come out of the menus then you fire another shot and hopefully it will be on target but if not just keep repeating the process to fine tune your aim.
Unfortunately unlike the older XT, when recording the new, RT does not show all the menus when scrolling through them or the process of zeroing which is a shame as I could have added that to the video.
3 tips on zeroing:
- Make sure your scope position is not set too high on the rail or mounts.
- Bore sight manually by putting your rifle in a fixed position, removing the bolt, look down barrel and line up with your target and adjust scope to match. I bore sight at 50yrds every-time I change a scope.
- after taking your first shot to zero, black duct-tape or a shoot-n-c sticker over the impact hole will help you see where to adjust too while looking down the scope.
Zoom function
A neat new feature on the RT is the zoom function, clicking past the IR adjustment on the menu using the track wheel and you will find the option to change from 6x magnification to 12x magnification.
It is a useful function and with better quality of image from new Yukon Photon RT than what you have with the XT you can utilise this function without any major loss of clarity. You do have to adjust focus on the front AO though for a clearer picture.
I did test whether zero changes between the two magnications and it does slightly but still keeps you within a 2 inch circle so not much change really, i would say around half inch here or there.
I would not leave it on 12x all the time though, this I have to stress, as for closer shots the 12x mag is far far too much if your planning to use the photon on a rimfire or air rifle.
Built-in IR
Another improvement over the XT model is the IR, Yukon/Pulsar have moved the position of the IR to the right hand side of the scope (on the XT this was on the left and the rail for mounting an external one was on the right) moving the rail to the left.
The difference in location is negligible really but the quality and distance of the beam is far better. With the old IR on the XT model youu were lucky on a clear night to get good eyeshine past 100yrds, but, in saying this I liked using the built in one, the new IR gives you good clarity past 200yrds and eyeshine out to a lot further limiting the need for a cumbersome IR torch.
IR function is not activated by the button behind the IT unit but instead through the function menus by tapping the tracking wheel a couple of time where you have the choice of illumination power from 1-10.
It is worth noting using an external IR on this unit though is a little more difficult, the only real way of using an external IR is by mounting it on the rail to the left hand side. Most people like to have their IR torches mounted above the scope but due to the function/operational buttons being situated at the top of the scope this is really impossible to achieve with any kind of comfort.
Thankfully the built in IR is genuinely very good but nowhere near as good as that of a good IR torch.
Recording Function
A new feature on most new Pulsars not just the Yukon is the recording and live streaming function of the units.
If you are like me that likes to review your footage later then this is ideal.
Videos and Stills are stored on the units memory allowing you to plug your scope into your laptop to transfer your footage later.
The quality of the recordings is actually very good and a lot better than using the old MPR system.
If you like for others to see your handywork real time though you can use the wireless function that allows you to LIVE stream to your smart phone or tablet through the Stream Vision app available free through the Apps or Play Store. This is a neat way of sharing your footage directly real time or for others beside you to see what your shooting at and works really really well.
One thing the unit and other Pulsar products are missing is the ability to connect directly through AV via a cable, all the old units had this and genuinely it is a great function to have. Plugging your Nightvision into an external monitor was always very useful, not just for recording purposed but for smooth viewing by those around you or, like for the use of thermal spotters, so you can see what your unit is seeing without constantly having your eye down the scope. yes you can do this using the Live Streaming app but there is a “lag” between what the unit is viewing and what shows up on the screen on your tablet or phone.
Another point which is quite annoying really is the function of NOT being able to record through the app allowing you to save your footage straight to the device your streaming too. i think Pulsar have missed a good feature here.
Battery and life
Like most of the Pulsar units the new Yukon Photon has changed from the 2xAA batteries dropped into the top of the unit to the 4xAA battery pack into the side. this makes it far easier to change the batteries but the new Yukon does demand more power and obviously so.
Battery life varies depending if your using the built in IR or not, although, while using the built in IR i was able to squeeze out between 4 and 5 hours of usage but turning off the unit after every shot so not continuous use.
it did perform very well and lasted longer than the older XT , but, it did have an extra 2 batteries over the older Yukon.
Rifle compatibility
I tested this on 2 calibres, .22lr and .243 and on both calibres it performed as it should. Unfortunately I did not get any footage of me taking a fox with it but it was more than capable of increasing your distance at night.
I also tested on the range on how it responds to using the .243 without the moderator and again it did so as it should so no issues there and it held zero everytime.
Summary of my thoughts
Over all I found the new Photon RT an absolute treat to use, a few niggly bits and annoying features but I will come to that in a second.
This is definitely a complete upgrade to the XT, there is no doubt about that, and at this price range it is still affordable for someone on a tight budget that needs nightvision.
The Yukon Photon RT has improved camera capability that when using during the day is far better than the older XT model, which makes zeroing far easier. Its upgraded IR is far superior to that of the XT giving better footage at night also.
I like the new addition of the second cross-hair while zeroing, this makes a hell of a lot of difference as before on the XT you had to have your rifle fixed or make blind adjustments.
It was a little disappointing that Pulsar have went down the route of removing the AV cable input and although for recording purposes the built in memory and the wifi stream capability is a substitute for not having AV capability it is by far not a suitable replacement as some (specially those using spotters) really like to set monitors up in their vehicles. In saying this though for the Photon the recording function and stream system works very well, a little fiddly to get used to, but works very well and takes away the need for purchasing expensive DVR’s or MPR’s to record while in the field.
I do think the Yukon in areas has been over thought and to the geek within us NV nerds it really does appeal, however, for the middle aged foxer or rabbiter that can barely turn on their smart phone this definitely will be a challenge for them. Getting used to the menus and clicking through options etc. does get quicker the more you use it but it has come a long way from the original 5×42 Turret style Yukon Photon of the past that was a genuine point and shoot nightvision unit.
Another niggly bit that really has been annoying me with this unit, it is a stupid thing and easily overcome but still annoying, is the rubber cover for the USB plug. It just will not stay in place and eventually over time I envisage will be ripped off. Yes you can over come this by taping it etc. but it is beyond me why Pulsar/Yukon did not just put it under a screw-cap or something. I know fussy.
There is genuinely not much I disliked about the new Yukon Photon RT, and at that price it far out performs other units in the Pulsar range. What I think gives it its best appeal to the shooter is the fact in the end it still looks like a traditional scope and has kept to this stream lined design that we are all used too, many other products are brilliant in spec and functionality but in the end their box shaped designs are dam ugly.
All in all a good product and well worth adding to your Nightvision equipment. My aim in the future is to buy a RT for my foxing rifle and put my old XT on my rabbiting rifle and along with my thermal spotter I have everything I need for ALL pest control work.
Life in the dark is getting more affordable and a lot more professional for the average pest controller and is really becoming exciting times for the sport.
I have the 6.5 xt on my .223 and its responsible for 163 foxes so far this year, wish I had had the record facility of the RT, that’s all that appeals to me about the RT.
I have the 4.6xt on my .22lr.same again, would just like the record feature as everything works just fine
I agree, but the quality of image on the RT is better but it is all about budget etc.
Had one of the first ones out. Had problems with zeroing, run out of adjustment, had to make a pair of rings in the end to get it working, shouldn’t have to do this especially after they had the same problems with the XT, you would have thought they would have addressed this issue by now.
Then the usb wouldnt work on any of the PC’s or laptops. I had to download to phone with stream and then upload from phone to pc.
The reason I was so interested with the new RT was I was told by the importers that it would be black light. Only to find it was red glow. Not what we had been told.
As a unit it worked if you played with it but I couldn’t justify the extra over the XT so I sent back for a refund.
Dave I cant understand this , i would love to see the setup. I never had any issues like that.
Hi, question please… did you have any problem setting up with Stream Vision App? I seem to be stuck on home page…get connected on Wifi but stays with no options only demo mode. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi Philip , this happened to me once , if you turn the wifi off then turn it on again on the photon it will fix itself also press the button behind the IR that has record functions. Hope this helps.