Thermal Sensor Resolution & Refresh Rate Guide

Quick picks: Pulsar Axion Topdon TS004 AGM Fuzion

Compare night vision & thermal picks See full night vision & thermal guide

Resolution and lens

Sensor resolution: 256×192 is entry; 384×288 mid; 640×480+ for longer-range clarity.
Lens FOV: Narrow lenses see farther but with less field of view; wide lenses see more, less detail.

Refresh rate and smoothness

30 Hz is fine for scanning; 50–60 Hz helps when panning fast or tracking moving targets.
Higher refresh draws more battery—carry spares or power banks.

NETD and detection

NETD (sensitivity): Lower mK values mean better contrast in fog, drizzle, and small temperature differences.
Detection vs ID: Specs often list long detection ranges; actual identification range is shorter. Match expectations to lens + resolution.

For balanced picks at different price points, see our Night Vision & Thermal Imaging guide.

Sources

FLIR: Thermal resolution explained

👤 About the Author

I’m Michael Taft, founder of Products For Our Lives. I write practical guides built on first-hand use when possible, careful spec verification, and consistent long-term owner feedback—so you can make a confident purchase without marketing noise.

Thermal Sensor Resolution & Refresh Rate Guide — Thermal sensor resolution and refresh rate guide: what specs mean for detection range, clarity, and tracking so you choose the right thermal.

Expertise: night vision & thermal fundamentals, optics trade-offs, field usability

Evaluation background: B.S. in Computer Engineering Technology; Director of Software Engineering; lifelong outdoors experience; safety training and certifications listed on my profile.

Methodology: I evaluate what drives real outcomes: detection vs identification range, sensor performance, refresh rate, battery behavior, durability, and ease-of-use in non-ideal conditions. I validate claims against specs and consistent long-term feedback.