HIKMICRO Condor vs Falcon: Which Thermal Monocular Is Right for You? (2026)
Short version: the HIKMICRO Condor is the rangefinding monocular. Every current Condor has a laser rangefinder built in. The HIKMICRO Falcon is the image-first monocular, with a 1920×1080 OLED on the Falcon 2.0 models, and only the FQ50L carries a rangefinder. If you range your targets and plan stalks, buy the Condor. If you want the best picture for the money and don't need ranging, buy the Falcon.
▶ Watch: HIKMICRO Condor 2.0 wifi streaming test
Condor and Falcon sit side by side at the top of HIKMICRO's monocular line-up. The current versions share the same 640×512 (12 µm, <15mK) sensor class, and they often land in the same budget, which is exactly why people compare them. The difference isn't quality. It's what each one is built around: ranging first, or image first.
The big difference: ranging
Every current Condor ends in "L" because every current Condor has a built-in laser rangefinder. Spot a fox, press a button, get the distance, and with it the confidence to take or pass on the shot. That matters past about 150 m, where misjudging range in the dark is the easiest mistake in night shooting, and it's a big help when you're planning a stalk on pigs across open ground.
In the Falcon range, only the FQ50L has a rangefinder. The rest of the line puts its money into the picture: HIKMICRO's 640×512 sensor behind fast germanium glass, the HSIS shutterless system so the image never freezes to calibrate halfway through a scan, and the sharpest display in HIKMICRO's monocular stable, a 1920×1080 OLED on the Falcon 2.0 models.
What they share
The current 640-sensor models of both lines, the Condor CQ35L 2.0 and CQ50L 2.0 and the Falcon 2.0 FQ35, FQ50 and FQ50L, run the same sensor class: 640×512 resolution, 12 µm pixel pitch, <15mK NETD. Both lines also offer 384×288 versions (Condor CH25L and CH35L 2.0, Falcon FH25 and FH35) at lower prices. As always, reach comes from the objective lens working with the sensor. The 50mm models of either line quote HIKMICRO's longest figures, the 35mm models quote 1,800 m, and the 25mm models trade reach for a wider, closer-range view.
Condor vs Falcon comparison
| Model | Sensor | Lens | Detection (HIKMICRO figure) | LRF | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condor CH25L | 384×288, <20mK | 25mm | Not quoted | Built in | Entry ranging, wide close-range view |
| Condor CH35L 2.0 | 384×288 | 35mm | 1,800 m | Built in | Value ranging all-rounder |
| Condor CQ35L 2.0 | 640×512, <15mK | 35mm | 1,800 m | Built in | 640 detail plus ranging, ~458 g |
| Condor CQ50L 2.0 | 640×512, <15mK | 50mm | 2,600 m | Built in | Long-range ranging flagship |
| Falcon FH25 / FH35 | 384×288, <20mK | 25 / 35mm | Not quoted / 1,800 m | No | Lower-cost image-first options |
| Falcon 2.0 FQ35 | 640×512, <15mK | 35mm | 1,800 m | No | Best picture per dollar |
| Falcon 2.0 FQ50 | 640×512, <15mK | 50mm | 2,600 m | No | Long-range image-first |
| Falcon 2.0 FQ50L | 640×512, <15mK | 50mm | 2,600 m | Built in | The "both" option |
Which should you buy?
- You shoot past 150 m or plan stalks: Condor. The CQ35L 2.0 for the balance of detail, ranging and weight, or the CQ50L 2.0 for open country.
- You want the best image for the money: Falcon 2.0 FQ35 or FQ50. The 1920×1080 OLED and 640 sensor without paying for a rangefinder.
- You want both and the budget stretches: Falcon 2.0 FQ50L or Condor CQ50L 2.0. Same sensor class, same 2,600 m quoted figure. Pick the one that feels better in the hand.
- Entry price with ranging included: Condor CH35L 2.0. The cheapest way to get a HIKMICRO rangefinding monocular.
FAQ
What's the main difference between the HIKMICRO Condor and Falcon?
Ranging. Every current Condor has a built-in laser rangefinder. In the Falcon line only the FQ50L does. The Falcon puts its budget into the image instead, most obviously the 1920×1080 OLED display on the 2.0 models.
Do the Condor and Falcon use the same sensor?
The current 640-class models of both lines share the same sensor spec: 640×512 resolution, 12 µm pixel pitch, <15mK NETD. Both also offer 384×288 versions at lower prices.
Is a built-in rangefinder worth it?
Past about 150 m, or whenever you need to plan a stalk, yes. Knowing the true distance in the dark changes which shots you take. For close pest control inside 100 m it's a convenience, not a must.
Which sees further, Condor or Falcon?
Neither line sees further as a line. Reach follows the objective lens. The 50mm models of both (Condor CQ50L 2.0, Falcon FQ50 and FQ50L) quote the same 2,600 m detection figure, and the 35mm models of both quote 1,800 m.
Related: HIKMICRO Australia, Thermal Monoculars, Best Thermal Monoculars 2026, Best Thermal Scopes 2026, Best HIKMICRO Thermal Scopes 2026 and Falcon vs Lynx.
More on Condor and Falcon: Condor and Falcon Australia collection, our Condor and Falcon buyer guide, the Falcon 2.0 FQ35 vs FQ50 guide and the Condor CQ35 guide.