INTRODUCTION
My most recent report at a firearms store in Novara gave me the opportunity to get my first hands-on experience with the Nocpix MATE H50R clip-on, which made an excellent impression on me from the very first look. Thanks to the official Italian distributor, I was able to review the device throughout the month of December, carrying out simple nighttime observations—as you will see shortly—as well as a range session to assess its optical and mechanical performance. At the time of writing, the distributor suggests a retail price of €2,999 VAT included, with the product available through the official online shop.
As always, in this article and in the accompanying video review, you will find not only detailed information about the technical specifications, but also my unbiased impressions, based on practical, real-world field testing.
THE STORY OF NOCPIX
Nocpix is a brand born from years of research and development in the field of thermal optics, dedicated to hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The parent company collaborates with one of the world’s leading manufacturers of microbolometers—thermal sensors—and is widely recognized for its strong focus on image quality, reliability, and user experience.
The name “Nocpix” combines the words “nocturnal” and “pixel”, highlighting the brand’s mission: to bring night vision to a higher level of quality through modern technologies and high-performance thermal sensors.
With the MATE series, Nocpix set out to redefine the standards for thermal clip-on devices. By focusing on sensitivity, resolution, refresh rate, and ease of use, the brand aims to deliver modern, competitive tools for users operating in low-visibility conditions.
In short, Nocpix represents a contemporary approach to thermal imaging applied to hunting and sport shooting—built on solid technical expertise and driven by a constant ambition to evolve.
AVAILABLE MODELS
The MATE series includes the following models: MATE ULTRA S60R, MATE H50R, MATE H38R, and MATE LITE L38. As shown in the comparison table later in this article, the main differences lie in the size and resolution of the thermal sensor, ranging from 384×288 pixels, through 640×512, up to the high-performance—yet more expensive—1280×1024 sensor.
All models feature an F1.0 aperture, while the objective lenses differ in diameter—38 mm, 50 mm, and 60 mm—depending on the model, as well as in their maximum detection range.
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
I invite you to visit my Instagram page and—if you like—to follow me there: you will find a quick unboxing video showing all the accessories included in the package. The supplied kit is certainly generous and includes a remote control, three 18650 batteries, a battery charger with USB-C cable, a lens cleaning cloth, a hard carrying case with dedicated compartments for the clip-on and accessories, a multilingual quick-start guide, and a set of thermal targets useful for zeroing at the shooting range.
CONNECTION TO THE RIFLE SCOPE
I mounted the Nocpix clip-on in front of my Burris XTR PRO 5–35×56 rifle scope, which features an external objective diameter of 63.5 mm. I personally use SmartCLip series adapters—which I have already reviewed in detail, including a dedicated video—and for this reason I encountered no installation issues. The clip-on uses a standard M52 × 0.75 mounting thread.
As for the rifle platforms, I used both a Tikka T3x TAC A1 and a Savage 110 High Country, both chambered in .223 Remington. No issues were observed with recoil, especially considering that this clip-on is rated to withstand a maximum muzzle energy (E₀) of 7,000 joules when used on rifled firearms.
MANUFACTURER’S DECLARED TECHNICAL DATA
Technical specifications – Nocpix MATE H50R
| Caratteristica | Specifiche |
|---|---|
| Modello | MATE H50R |
| Risoluzione sensore / Pixel pitch | 640 × 512 – 12 μm |
| NETD | ≤ 15 mK |
| Frequenza di aggiornamento | 60 Hz |
| Obiettivo | 50 mm – F/1.0 |
| Campo visivo (angolare) | 8,6° × 6,6° |
| Campo visivo lineare a 100 m (H × V) | 15 × 11,5 m |
| Portata di rilevamento | 2.600 m |
| Tipo di display | AMOLED |
| Risoluzione display | 1920 × 1080 |
| Batteria | 1 × 18650 sostituibile |
| Autonomia dichiarata | Fino a 4 ore |
| Memoria interna | 64 GB |
| Wi-Fi / App | Sì (App NOCPIX) |
| Registrazione video con rinculo (RAV) | Sì |
| Galleria interna | Sì |
| N-LINK | Sì |
| Telecomando remoto | Sì |
| Magic Zoom | Sì |
| Telemetro laser (LRF) | Fino a 1.200 m |
| Calcolo balistico | Sì |
| Peso | 467 g |
| Dimensioni | 120 × 92 × 76 mm |
| Interfaccia adattatore | M52 |
| Prezzo indicativo al pubblico | € 2.999,00 (IVA inclusa) |
MECHANICS AND FOCUSING SYSTEM
The Nocpix MATE clip-on is remarkably compact: my electronic scale measured a weight of just 470 grams, packed into dimensions of 120 × 92 × 76 mm. The black magnesium alloy housing is both lightweight and robust. Grey inserts are present, while the MATE branding appears in white, complemented by the H50R designation in red. The unit is fully waterproof and designed to withstand recoil energy of up to 7,000 joules.
Thanks to its compact size, the clip-on can be easily carried even in a jacket pocket without worrying about minor scratches, although the supplied carrying case does an excellent job of protecting the device. On the top side, there is a battery compartment with a hinged cover and safety latch, designed to house a standard 18650 rechargeable battery.
On the right side of the clip-on are the power button, menu button, and two arrow buttons for navigation. On the left side, you will find the USB-C port and the integrated laser rangefinder.
The objective lens is protected by a hinged cover attached to the housing and fitted with two raised ridges, making it easy to open even when wearing shooting or winter gloves. Although this is a clip-on device, it also features an “eyepiece mode”, which required the engineers to strike a careful balance between forward mounting, low weight, and acceptable ergonomics for handheld use.
I can confirm that I found it very comfortable even during simple observation tasks, despite it not being as ergonomic as a dedicated Nocpix monocular. The buttons are easy to operate even with winter gloves, and it is always possible to rely on the small remote control. The focusing ring is also sufficiently large and precise to be adjusted comfortably while wearing gloves.
OBJECTIVE LENS
As indicated by its designation, the MATE H50R is equipped with a 50 mm germanium objective lens featuring an F/1.0 aperture, one of the brightest configurations currently available on the market. When paired with the thermal sensor, it delivers a field of view of 8.6 × 6.6°, corresponding to a linear field of view of 15 × 11.5 meters at 100 meters.
EYEPIECE
The MATE H50R features a very large eyepiece field lens, measuring 35 mm in diameter, which greatly facilitates comfortable viewing. Readers should note that the MATE H50R can be used both as a clip-on device and as a handheld monocular by activating the appropriate functions via the menu. The eye relief is rated at 20 mm.
DISPLAY
The device is equipped with a modern 1920 × 1080 AMOLED display featuring a 60 Hz refresh rate, delivering very sharp and highly detailed images. Thanks to an advanced software feature known as “Magic Zoom”, on-screen icons automatically scale according to the magnification of the rifle scope, effectively eliminating the issue of disappearing or unreadable symbols that affected early thermal clip-on solutions.
SENSOR
This model is equipped with an uncooled vanadium oxide (VOx) thermal sensor with a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels, a 12 μm pixel pitch, a NETD below 15 mK, and a 60 Hz refresh rate. In real-world use, the system rarely exhibited image lag or trailing, even during very fast panning movements.
In combination with this sensor, the MATE H50R is capable of detecting a standard 1.7 × 0.5 m target at distances of up to 2,600 meters.
LASER RANGEFINDER AND MEASUREMENT MODES
The integrated laser rangefinder of the MATE H50R can be used in single or continuous measurement modes. In the first case, a short press of the dedicated button provides a single distance reading (SGL), while a long press activates continuous measurement (CONT), which is particularly useful when tracking moving targets. It is worth noting that ballistic calculation is disabled during continuous measurements, preventing inaccurate readings.
The color and brightness of the rangefinder reticle can be adjusted, allowing the display to be tailored to different lighting conditions and personal preferences.
The compact laser rangefinder, integrated into the housing, is Class 1 eye-safe and has a maximum range of 1,200 meters, with an accuracy of approximately ±1 meter. As will be discussed in the practical observation section, it proved to be very precise, aided by its position close to the objective’s optical axis. Within the LRF option of the main menu, the function can be enabled or disabled as required.
POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
The MATE H50R is powered by a standard rechargeable 18650 battery. The manufacturer states a runtime of approximately four hours at 22 °C. During the month of November, I conducted three outings lasting just over one hour each, for a total of approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes—an excellent result considering the late-autumn evening temperatures.
The battery compartment opens quickly and can be operated even while wearing winter gloves. With the two additional batteries supplied, overall autonomy is more than sufficient for extended sessions. Batteries can be recharged using a standard 5 V USB-C power supply.
MEMORY
The integrated memory capacity is 64 GB, higher than that offered by most competitors. After reviewing the recorded footage, I can confirm that a video of approximately 30 seconds occupies a relatively small amount of storage, while a single photo typically requires only a few megabytes. This allows for the storage of hundreds of videos and thousands of images, all of which can be easily transferred to a PC via USB-C cable or through the Nocpix application.
APPLICATION
The menu of the Nocpix MATE H50R is intuitively structured and provides a comprehensive set of icons that allow the user to monitor and manage every device setting. Among these is the Ultra-Clear mode indicator, which shows whether advanced image processing is active, as well as the Wi-Fi indicator, useful for quickly checking whether the wireless module is enabled and ready to connect to the dedicated app.
A dedicated calibration panel is also available, informing the user of the currently selected calibration type—automatic, manual, or background shutter-based. An icon related to the RAV function is present as well, indicating whether recoil-activated video recording is enabled.
Additional icons provide more practical information, such as the current time, battery status, and a symbol that appears when the remote control is connected. Particularly useful is the indication of the zeroing profile, which can include both the zeroing distance and a custom name (configurable via the app), allowing multiple rifles or configurations to be managed without confusion.
When both the accessory and the device are connected, the Magic Zoom icon also appears, while two dedicated indicators display horizontal and vertical inclination, valuable information especially during more technical shooting sessions.
ZEROING
When the MATE H50R is used as a clip-on in front of a rifle scope, the optical axis of the thermal device may not be perfectly aligned with the traditional reticle. In such cases, the zeroing function becomes essential to synchronize the two systems and achieve precise correspondence between the point of aim and point of impact.
Before proceeding, it is crucial that the rifle scope has already been correctly zeroed. Once the MATE is mounted in front of the optic—following the recommended installation procedure—the user can select one of the eight available memory profiles, which are particularly useful for managing different rifles or setups.
The device then allows the selection of a zeroing distance, set by default at 100 meters but freely adjustable. Using the integrated laser rangefinder, the measured distance can also be imported automatically, making the entire process significantly faster.
Once on target, if the point of impact does not coincide with the reticle center, the image freeze mode can be used. This function allows the thermal image to be shifted up, down, or sideways. The direction is selected via the menu, while the buttons enable either fine or coarse adjustments depending on whether they are pressed briefly or held down.
Once precise alignment between the shot group and the reticle is achieved, a long press of the Menu button saves the adjustment and exits the zeroing interface. A second confirmation shot is recommended to verify perfect alignment; if necessary, the procedure can be repeated within seconds.
MAGIC ZOOM
One of the most interesting features of the MATE series is the Magic Zoom system, an accessory designed to work in synergy with the daytime optic and offering two clear advantages. On the one hand, it ensures that the device interface remains visible at all times when changing the scope’s magnification; on the other, it automatically optimizes image quality at higher zoom levels by leveraging R+ image processing to preserve sharpness and detail.
The setup procedure is straightforward: after mounting the MATE in front of the daytime optic and installing the Magic Zoom module on the magnification ring, simply insert the battery and power on both devices. By holding down the Magic Zoom power button, pairing mode is initiated, and a sequence of short presses places the module into connection mode. Within a few seconds, the appearance of the dedicated icon in the corner of the display confirms successful pairing. A short press of the module’s button also allows the user to check the battery status via a simple color-coded indicator.
To achieve maximum accuracy, Magic Zoom requires a brief initial calibration, which can be activated from the MATE’s main menu. The system guides the user step by step: after confirming the start of the procedure, it is sufficient to keep the rifle within a moderate tilt range and follow the on-screen instructions.
The calibration process involves progressively setting the rifle scope to 3×, 6×, and 9× magnification (or the closest available values), confirming each step using the Menu button. Once the sequence is completed, the MATE confirms that the module is correctly calibrated and ready for use. Since my Burris scope has a minimum magnification of 5×, I necessarily started the calibration at 6×.
From a practical standpoint, the calibration remains valid even after replacing the Magic Zoom battery. It only needs to be repeated if the accessory is removed from the optic, as its mechanical alignment would then change. The package includes a protective case that also functions as a charger, housing two Magic Zoom modules so that you are never left without power, as well as an excellent remote control. The latter is perfectly suited for both nighttime use and range sessions, featuring large, tactile buttons that are easy to identify by feel and offer very reliable operation.
COMPATIBILITY WITH RIFLE SCOPES
To ensure the best possible compatibility with different daytime rifle scopes—each with its own magnification ranges and fields of view—the MATE H50R offers four different user interface levels. This allows the display to be quickly adapted to the reticle and visual characteristics of the mounted optic. Selection is immediate: a short press of the Down button cycles through the available levels until the one best suited to the specific setup is found.
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MENU SETTINGS
Quick Menu Settings
The Quick Menu of the MATE H50R allows rapid access to the main adjustments in just a few seconds. It is opened with a short press of the Menu button and enables navigation through the various icons using the Up and Down buttons. Each selected item is highlighted, and the menu closes automatically after a few seconds of inactivity or manually with a long press of the Menu button.
The available options include:
Color Mode
Provides several thermal color palettes such as White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot, and other more specialized variants. This function is available only on the H38R, H50R, and S60R models.
Display Brightness
Adjustable across six levels, allowing the display to be adapted to ambient lighting conditions. The mid-level setting generally offers a good balance between visibility and visual comfort.
Image Contrast
Contrast can also be set across six steps. A medium value typically delivers a detailed image without sacrificing natural appearance.
Sharpness
This adjustment affects edge definition and the perception of fine details. It is available in six levels, with a mid-range setting usually recommended.
Ultra-Clear Mode
A function designed to improve image readability in challenging weather conditions such as rain, humidity, or fog. It can be quickly enabled or disabled directly from the Quick Menu.
Image Tone
Allows the user to choose between a “cool” tone, offering higher contrast and a more incisive image, or a “warm” tone, which is softer and less fatiguing during prolonged observation.
Preset Distance for Ballistic Calculation
Useful when the integrated laser rangefinder cannot operate optimally—for example under very adverse weather conditions. It allows a fixed distance (typically 200–300 m) to be set in order to continue using ballistic calculations. The function can be disabled by selecting OFF.
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This is how the MATE H50R navigation menu appears
WI-FI CONNECTIVITY AND NOCPIX APP
The Nocpix MATE H50R offers full Wi-Fi management, making device control via smartphone significantly easier. Once the function is activated from the menu, the Mate generates a dedicated wireless network, typically identified by the name MATE H50R_XXXXXXX. After connecting the smartphone—using the default password, which can be easily changed—the NOCPIX app can be used to manage settings, access the live view, and configure both the network name and password.
The entire system is designed to be straightforward and reliable: any changes are applied after a reboot, helping to prevent errors or unstable connections.
N-LINK: INTERCONNECTION AND SHARED TELEMETRY
One particularly interesting feature of the MATE H50R is N-LINK technology, which allows the device to be connected to other NOCPIX products in order to share ranging data. This means that even if one of the paired devices does not have an integrated laser rangefinder, it can still benefit from distance measurements—and, when available, ballistic calculations—provided by the other unit.
Pairing is simple: activate N-LINK, select the desired device from the list, and confirm. Once connected, data sharing takes place in real time.
AUTOMATIC BALLISTIC CALCULATION
The MATE H50R also integrates a highly intuitive ballistic calculation system. The user can choose whether to display the point-of-impact offset or allow the device to automatically adjust the zeroing distance based on laser rangefinder measurements.
In practical terms, the system can virtually “shift” the aiming point to maintain correct alignment at varying distances, without requiring the shooter to interpret holdover scales or reticle references on the daytime optic. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, a manual mode is also available, allowing corrections to be applied according to personal ballistic tables.
RAV AND VIDEO MANAGEMENT
The RAV (Recoil Activated Video) function is extremely useful for documenting shooting sessions, as it automatically starts recording at the moment of the shot. The Mate stores 10 seconds before and 20 seconds after recoil, ensuring that no critical detail is missed.
In addition to the main video file, a slow-motion version is also generated, ideal for analyzing projectile behavior or target reaction. Recoil sensitivity can be adjusted across six levels, making the system suitable for both light calibers and more powerful rifles.
PIXEL CORRECTION AND CALIBRATION
Like all thermal devices, the Mate may develop a few defective pixels over time. The automatic pixel correction function resolves most issues within seconds, while a manual mode is also available to select and remove persistent pixel defects.
For image calibration, three modes are provided: automatic, manual, and background (the latter requiring the objective cover to be closed), allowing the user to adapt the system to personal preferences and environmental conditions.
FILE MANAGEMENT AND MICROPHONE
The internal Gallery organizes photos and videos by date, making recorded content easy to browse and retrieve. The microphone can be enabled or disabled from the menu: when turned off, videos are recorded without audio—an appreciated feature for users who prioritize maximum discretion.
CLIP-ON AND MONOCULAR MODES
From the settings menu, the Mate can be quickly switched between clip-on mode and monocular mode. By default, the device powers on in clip-on mode, and it is important to verify that the correct mode is selected before mounting it in front of a daytime scope, in order to avoid display or alignment issues.
POWER SAVING AND MOTION SENSOR
The MATE H50R also features an intelligent standby mode: when the device is tilted beyond a certain angle, it automatically enters power-saving mode and reactivates as soon as it is realigned. This function helps extend battery life, especially during long night sessions.
A motion sensor can also be enabled, displaying horizontal and vertical reference lines to indicate optic inclination.
OTHER ADVANCED SETTINGS
A wide range of additional options completes the feature set, including date and time settings, system language selection (with a broad choice of languages), measurement units, color palette customization, firmware updates via file or app, factory reset, and access to system information. Everything is designed to give the user full control while maintaining a clear and intuitive interface.
FIRMWARE UPDATES AND APP INTEGRATION
One of the strengths of the Mate series lies in firmware management. Nocpix has made the update process as simple as possible, allowing the device to communicate directly with smartphones and tablets via Wi-Fi. In addition to real-time viewing, the NOCPIX app also acts as a control hub to keep the MATE H50R fully up to date.
The app automatically checks for new firmware versions and, when available, installs them without the need to connect the device to a computer. This ensures that users always benefit from improvements in performance, stability, and software features released by the manufacturer.
For those who prefer a manual approach, Nocpix also provides firmware packages on the official website, allowing updates to be installed directly through the device’s internal menu.
SHOOTING RANGE TEST
The shooting range test was conducted at TAV La Montagnola, located in the municipality of Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca, at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. This is a typical mountain range facility, with firing angles ranging between 5° and 15°, depending on target distance. On the day of testing, the external temperature was 4 °C, with 8 km/h wind and 35% humidity.
As anticipated, the test was carried out in two phases. The first verified the precise zeroing of the Burris XTR PRO rifle scope; the second focused on installing the clip-on using the SMARTCLIP adapter supplied by Barbuio gun shop, which has collaborated with Maremmano for many years.
I am very familiar with these adapters, which—as mentioned earlier—are reviewed in detail elsewhere on this website. They are known for their excellent retention, high mechanical quality, and refined finish, which allows them to look virtually “as new” even after hours of use.
The live-fire test was conducted using the thermal targets supplied by Maremmano. I can honestly state that the image quality observed through the Burris eyepiece was so high that I was able to clearly distinguish the target positioned at 100 meters without any difficulty.
I fired an initial cold-bore shot to verify the consistency of the point of impact compared to that obtained using the daytime scope alone. Since I did not observe any significant deviation with this specific unit, I then proceeded to shoot a standard group, paying particular attention to shooting position and trigger control. This was especially important given that I had been stationary for nearly four hours, at +4 °C, under conditions that were far from ideal.
Afterwards, I removed the clip-on, reinstalled it, and repeated the test twice consecutively. The results can be seen in the image shown below. While it is practically impossible to define these outcomes in purely mathematical terms—since they are influenced by multiple variables—I can confidently state that this represents the best group I have ever shot since I began testing products of this kind.
The excellent results are the outcome of a perfect combination of factors: the structural rigidity of the clip-on, the effectiveness of the SmartCLip adapter, the optical quality of the rifle scope, and the overall consistency of the Tikka rifle.
I believe that, although this was not a true hunting test—where additional variables come into play and shots are often taken more quickly and instinctively—it nevertheless allowed for a clear verification of the clip-on’s excellent mechanical precision, as well as its high image quality even in daylight conditions. The target was placed in a rocky environment, with no obvious thermal contrasts except for the small thermal patch used for the test.
The Magic Zoom system also proved to be highly effective, finally allowing on-screen icons and framing to scale correctly according to the magnification set on the rifle scope. Until a few years ago, thermal clip-ons were used almost exclusively with low-magnification driven-hunt optics; in this case, however, I was able to use it successfully even on a long-range rifle scope. This strongly suggests very good potential performance in tactical and military applications as well.
PROS AND CONS
Pros
The Nocpix MATE H50R stands out first and foremost for its light weight, a factor often overlooked in thermal clip-ons but essential for maintaining proper rifle balance. When mounted at the muzzle, it does not significantly alter the rifle’s stability—an especially valuable characteristic during extended sessions or selective hunting outings.
Mechanical precision is also highly convincing. During the shooting range test, using a .223 Remington rifle, the system demonstrated consistent correspondence between point of aim and point of impact, indicating a well-designed optical interface that does not introduce dispersion. Although I did not have the opportunity to test it with larger calibers such as the classic .308 Winchester or .300 Magnum, nothing observed during testing suggested potential issues, especially considering the device’s evident robustness.
Image quality is excellent, thanks to a sensitive sensor and image processing that makes effective use of Ultra-Clear mode and R+ technology. Magic Zoom, one of the most original solutions in the Mate series, ensures that the interface remains fully readable even when changing the magnification of the daytime optic, resulting in a truly smooth user experience.
Also worth highlighting are the extremely comprehensive standard accessories, effective app-based management, the availability of multiple zeroing memory profiles, and the presence of an integrated laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic calculation—features that are often found only on significantly more expensive products. In my opinion, the price-to-performance ratio is excellent.
Cons
Despite the overall high standard, the MATE H50R does present a few aspects that could be improved. The interface, while comprehensive, may initially feel somewhat dense, with numerous entries and submenus requiring a short familiarization period before the device can be used to its full potential.
Magic Zoom, although a very useful accessory, also requires a bit of care during both installation and calibration. These steps must be performed accurately in order to extract the best possible performance from the system.
IN SUMMARY
The Nocpix MATE series once again confirms its excellence with a clip-on that successfully combines innovation, precision, and practicality. Essential features and intelligent additions—such as Magic Zoom—deliver a superior user experience, preventing interface elements from disappearing and preserving image quality even while adjusting magnification.
The MATE H50R stands out for its versatility: it can be used either as a high-quality observation device at medium and long distances, or as a reliable, lightweight, and mechanically precise clip-on. All of this comes at a competitive price, making it an ideal choice both for users seeking professional-grade performance and for shooting and hunting enthusiasts looking for an intuitive, robust device with excellent visual output.
PRICE AND WARRANTY
As of December 2025, the MATE H50R clip-on is priced at €2,999 and is covered by a two-year warranty. It can be purchased directly through the official distributor Maremmano, via the link provided on their website.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Maremmano for providing the unit used in this test and for allowing me complete freedom to share my practical, hands-on impressions in the field.
My name is Piergiovanni Salimbeni, and I am an independent journalist registered with the Italian Order of Journalists (Lombardy). Since 1997 I have collaborated with national magazines and publications, and for more than twenty years I have been involved in instrument testing and optics.
Over the years I have specialized in field testing of night vision, digital and thermal devices, after beginning my work with astronomical telescopes and nature observation optics. I also edited a special feature on night vision for CacciaMagazine and I am the founder of Binomania.it, a website dedicated to sport and nature optics.
I created TermiciNotturni.it to bring together my experience and reviews focused exclusively on night vision and thermal imaging devices.
