First Public Hands-on with HIKMICRO HABROK 4K Digital Binoculars

We get our hands on the HABROK 4K; thermal digital binoculars freshly announced promise a lower price point for thermal tech.

HIKMICRO is a significant and growing presence in imaging, with a thermal option to suit more or less anyone, and consumers can have an early look at The Photography and Video Show at their new HABROK 4K Digital Observation Daywalker.

The device brings a tried and tested design that looks like traditional binoculars but places a thermal camera in one lens and an optical one in the other, each with separate focusing rings. A simple button press on the top switches views – I tried this out myself on the show floor. 

The new HE25L has a 256 × 192 thermal resolution – actually lower than its immediate predecessor, the HQ35L, released late last year, which uses the same rugged build but boasts a 640 x 512 thermal camera. The team told me, though, that this makes a lot of sense for users like birders, or anyone working in daylight. It's still enough thermal resolution to find a bird or animal, then switch to the optical view to follow it and record detailed visuals, but will be significantly cheaper.

This means HIKMICRO will be able to offer the device at a price – and with imaging tech – more ideally suited for those who want to use it mainly during the day.

The thermal display has a refresh rate of 50Hz, so it feels very natural when you view it – much more so than some devices I've tried in the past.

There is also a built-in 940 nm IR illuminator and Laser Rangefinder of 1000m measuring distance – useful for photographers assessing focus. All of this is under 780g (27.5oz) which seemed portable to me.

This IP67-rated device is capable of capturing 4K video and storing it in the built-in 64GB storage. If it rains during the hunt, the mountains and forests are dark and wet, and the drizzle is continuous, but the IP67-rated equipment can still shoot stably, clearly capture every detail of the wild animals and videos of 4K even in the rain.

Powered using HM-3633DC – a common type since they're used in almost all vapes – the device can operate from one battery but has a bay in each grip. You can't actually fold the binoculars, but the lenses are adjustable on an internal track.

Wrapping up

In summary, the HIKMICRO HABROK 4K Digital Binoculars offer a unique blend of thermal and optical technology tailored for daytime use, making advanced imaging more accessible to a broader audience. With its user-friendly design, robust build, and portable weight, the HABROK 4K is set to revolutionize the way we observe and record wildlife. The device's thermal capabilities, combined with its 4K video recording on par with HIKMICRO's commitment to durability and reliability, positions the HABROK 4K as a formidable contender in the field of digital observation equipment.

*Before purchasing any thermal or digital day & night vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local ledislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events.