In recent years, compact thermal monoculars have made great progress, but it is still rare to test a device that introduces a truly new feature. The CONOTECH Lipot 635 LRF is one of those products that, at least on paper, promises something different: AI-assisted automatic focusing.

This unit was kindly provided by Marco Brumar Brutti of Riva & Brutti (upgradeyourifle.com) and currently has a suggested retail price of €1930.

As always, in this article and in the accompanying video review you will find not only the technical specifications declared by the manufacturer, but also my practical field impressions, based on real-world testing, including strengths and weaknesses.

Enjoy the video and happy reading.

CONOTECH LIPOT 635 LRF – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

THE HISTORY OF CONOTECH

ConoTech is a cutting-edge company specializing in the development, production, and distribution of advanced thermal imaging devices and related components. With a strong focus on quality, precision, customer support, and competitive pricing, ConoTech has become a recognized player in the sector.

The company collaborates with partners in more than 60 countries, holds over 100 patents, and maintains a strong research and development structure, with about 50% of its staff dedicated to R&D. With steady growth over the past three years, ConoTech continues to develop innovative and reliable technological solutions.

AVAILABLE MODELS

The LT series includes four models: the Lipot 215, Lipot 325 LRF, Lipot 335 LRF, and the unit tested in this review, the Lipot 635 LRF.

They share many technical features but differ mainly in sensor size, ranging from 256 × 192 pixels up to 640 × 512, as well as in NETD values, native magnification, and objective lens diameter.

STANDARD ACCESSORIES

I briefly showed the accessories in a short video, which you can also find embedded in this article. I can confirm that the monocular comes in a well-designed blue and white cardboard box, featuring a black-and-white natural scene depicting a rocky mountain landscape with snow and ice.

Inside the package, in addition to the monocular itself, you will find a soft carrying pouch, apparently made of textured, water-resistant fabric that can withstand light rain, a lens cleaning cloth, a small instruction manual with the main settings, a warranty and quality control card, and another small black cardboard box containing a case for two 18650 batteries and a USB-C cable for battery charging and data transfer.

MECHANICS AND FOCUSING SYSTEM

The first thing I really appreciated was the compact size of this small thermal monocular: it measures 140 × 45 × 74 mm. Using my electronic scale, with the battery installed and the hand grip mounted, the weight did not exceed 375 g. It is a very lightweight instrument that can be carried anywhere and used in virtually any situation, and this is certainly one of its main strengths.

From a mechanical standpoint, the housing appears to be made of reinforced polycarbonate with fiberglass, and it is designed to be comfortably used with either the right or left hand. The hand grip can be repositioned thanks to four lateral slots, allowing the user to optimize comfort.

The grip is excellent: the fingers naturally fall on the three buttons and the binocular-style control knob, which I will describe shortly. The side surfaces of the housing are textured, improving grip, and on the underside, near the battery compartment cover, there is a small recess that allows the palm to rest securely, with the thumb naturally locking against the side of the body.

A standard 1/4-inch threaded socket is also provided for mounting the monocular on a monopod or photographic tripod, which can be useful when taking precise range measurements with the laser rangefinder or recording stable, high-quality video.

On the left side there is a small silicone cap that seals and protects the USB-C port, while on the right side the marking “635 LRF” is clearly visible. The LRF acronym refers to the laser rangefinder, which is integrated in the front section, just below the objective lens. It is a Class 1 laser capable of measuring distances up to 1200 meters; I will discuss its performance in more detail in the dedicated section.

Below the eyepiece you will find a hinged battery compartment cover, equipped with a large release button that can be operated easily even while wearing gloves. By lowering the lever, the release mechanism is activated. Inside, the device uses a standard 18650 battery rated at 3400 mAh.

To prevent incorrect insertion, which requires a small amount of pressure, a white label inside the compartment indicates the correct polarity; for clarity, the positive terminal faces inward when inserting the battery.

Like all thermal monoculars, this model is rated IP67, meaning it operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +50°C and can be stored in temperatures between -40°C and +70°C.

The IP67 protection rating is an international standard (IEC EN 60529) that certifies a device’s resistance to the ingress of dust and liquids. The designation is composed of two digits:

• “6” (solid protection): the device is completely dust-tight and protected against micro-particles.

• “7” (liquid protection): the device is protected against temporary immersion. Specifically, it can withstand submersion in water up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes.

As mentioned earlier, ergonomics are enhanced by a well-designed adjustable hand grip in synthetic leather, which provides excellent comfort whether wearing gloves or using the device with bare hands, even for users with larger hands.

Although this monocular features an AI-assisted automatic focusing system, it is still possible to bypass the automation using the small control knob located on the top control bridge. The knob is not very large—approximately 15 × 11 mm—but it is precise and well textured. Of course, focusing precision is inherently limited by the wide aperture of the objective, but given the accuracy of the autofocus system, I found myself using manual focus only occasionally, mainly for navigating the menu.

The objective lens is not deeply recessed inside the optical housing, but only by a few millimeters; for this reason, I always recommend keeping it protected. To keep both price and weight under control, the manufacturer chose a simple rubber lens cap, similar to those used on binoculars, which attaches to the front loop.

It is not as refined as some rigid caps with integrated mounts, but I personally prefer rubber or silicone caps, as they absorb impacts better and are less likely to break. Last year, for example, I cracked the rigid polycarbonate cap of a well-known thermal device simply because, while carrying it on a shoulder strap, it struck a birch tree with moderate force while I was following a wild boar. In short, less is more.

EYEPIECE AND DISPLAY

The eyepiece is also well designed, with a lens diameter of about 18 mm. It is not among the largest, so in very cold conditions a bit of care is needed to avoid fogging (although thermal devices generally suffer less from this issue than conventional monoculars due to the heat they generate).

It features a large diopter adjustment ring, almost as wide as the eyepiece housing itself—approximately 38 mm in diameter and about 12 mm thick. The ring is well textured and the movement is smooth and precise.

The eyepiece lens appears to have a multi-layer coating, showing a pleasant bluish-violet reflection. It incorporates a latest-generation 0.49-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080. Despite the very compact size, the display delivers sharp and well-contrasted images, with a good sampling ratio relative to the sensor, and allows adjustments of brightness, contrast, and other settings.

The device is also equipped with a very soft rubber eyecup, shaped with a wider lateral profile (often called a “winged” eyecup), designed to provide better protection from wind, stray light, and airborne dust or sand.

The digital system increases the magnification up to 16×. The display inside the eyepiece also shows a wide range of information: a compass with heading and inclination at the top, and at the bottom the battery indicator, time, current magnification, rangefinder data, selected color palette, viewing mode, and calibration status.

In short, you have practically everything under control in a compact device that costs less than €2000. A few years ago, a monocular offering this level of functionality at a similar price would have been unthinkable.

SENSOR

For the flagship model of the Lipot series, CONOTECH uses a latest-generation uncooled VOx sensor with a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels, a 50 Hz frame rate, a 12 µm pixel pitch, a spectral range of 8–14 µm, and a NETD of less than 15 mK.

As you know, the performance of a thermal monocular cannot be evaluated solely on the basis of sensor size or objective diameter. Other factors play an important role, including display quality, the image and video processing system, compression performance for photos and recordings, and above all the image processing algorithm.

In the section dedicated to practical field impressions, I will describe my experience with these aspects in real use.

LASER RANGEFINDER

The laser rangefinder proved to be one of the best in this price range. It offers a maximum measuring distance of 1200 meters, whereas many competitors stop at around 1000 meters. The minimum distance is 5 meters, with an accuracy of ±1 meter, and of course it is a Class 1 laser.

It can be used in single-measurement mode or in continuous scanning mode, and I can confirm that the continuous scan is very fast, responsive, and precise. Performance naturally improves when the device is held steady, so you will notice differences when ranging while moving or with some oscillation compared to using a support such as a hunting stand, a vehicle window, or a small monopod.

The laser module is also well integrated beneath the objective and positioned slightly recessed compared to the outer edge of the housing. This detail may seem minor, but in practical terms it can provide better protection in case of accidental impacts or drops.

SOFTWARE AND USER INTERFACE

The operating software is mainly organized around two levels of menu. By briefly pressing the control knob, you access the quick menu, where you can change the color palettes—black hot, white hot, red hot, and rainbow—as well as adjust screen brightness (five levels), contrast, and sharpness.

There is also the option to quickly disable the AI-assisted autofocus system, allowing focusing to be performed manually using the precise control knob. From the quick menu it is also possible to change the image mode, selecting among clear night, fog, and rain modes, activate Picture-in-Picture (a magnified window centered on the subject), enable or disable Wi-Fi, and use hot tracking, which highlights the hottest object in the scene.

By pressing and holding the focusing knob, you enter the main menu, where you can manage the internal gallery, review photos and videos, display them in full screen, or delete them directly. Until recently, this feature was typically available only on higher-end devices.

It is also possible to perform defective pixel correction, select the calibration mode (automatic, manual, or silent), and adjust the usual general settings, including OSD brightness and the option to enable the microphone.

The monocular also features an integrated digital compass with automatic system and calibration, as well as several rangefinder settings, including single measurement, continuous measurement, angle compensation with horizontal distance calculation, and the choice of units in meters or yards.

Additional settings include date and time, language selection, restoring factory settings, and access to internal memory management, including full formatting.

The menu interface is displayed in black and white with grayscale, with white icons highlighted in blue. I found the color scheme unobtrusive and easy on the eyes, with excellent contrast. The diopter adjustment of the display, as mentioned earlier, is also very well implemented.

CONOTECH SMARTPHONE APPLICATION

The proprietary app is among the lightest and most intuitive I have used. It is available for iOS and Android and installs quickly. After installation, you simply activate Wi-Fi on the monocular and search for the CONOTECH Wi-Fi network in your smartphone settings. The default password is 12345678, and I recommend changing it afterward.

Once connected, the app displays the live view, image and video management, and the device serial number. In the advanced settings, you can also check for and install firmware updates directly through the app.

In terms of remote control, the app offers only basic functions: taking photos, starting video recording, and enabling or disabling audio recording.

Its real strength, however, is the stability and speed of the connection. Compared with other systems that sometimes require several attempts to connect, the CONOTECH app proved to be very fast and reliable in my tests.

MEMORY

The CONOTECH Lipot is equipped with 64 GB of internal memory. Photo and video compression works well, allowing you to store thousands of images and hundreds of video clips without difficulty.

Using the supplied USB-C cable, the monocular can be connected to a computer to access the internal storage. Two folders—Pictures and Video—will be visible, allowing files to be easily copied and transferred.

BATTERY

The Lipot 635 LRF is powered by a 3400 mAh 18650 battery. I appreciated the decision to use a standard, lightweight battery, as one of the key strengths of this monocular is its compactness and low weight.

The manufacturer declares an operating time of about six hours at 22°C. In my tests, with intensive use, Wi-Fi enabled, frequent adjustments, and temperatures close to 2°C, with some evenings reaching −4°C, I observed the low-battery warning after about four hours.

In any case, carrying a spare battery, which is included in the package, allows for extended observation sessions without any real limitations.

QUICK OPERATION OF THE THERMAL MONOCULAR

The thermal monocular is very quick to operate, thanks to the three buttons and the small control knob, similar to those found on binoculars, all located on the top control bridge. The buttons are slightly different in shape, about 14 mm in diameter, and feature raised icons to make them easy to recognize even in the dark.

The button near the objective lens controls power on and off, while the central button, when pressed briefly, activates the laser rangefinder; when pressed for a longer time, it activates the automatic focusing mode. A red cursor appears on the display and can be positioned on the animal or object to be focused; within a few moments, the system produces a sharp and well-contrasted image.

The photo and video button allows you to take a picture with a short press or start video recording with a longer press.

The control knob allows quick access to the quick menu with a short press; rotating it navigates through the menu items, and pressing it confirms the selected settings. A longer press opens the main menu. When manual focus is selected from the quick menu, the same knob can be used to adjust focus.

Finally, by pressing the photo button and the rangefinder/focus button simultaneously, it is possible to quickly activate calibration.

FIELD IMPRESSIONS

I had the opportunity to review this product in advance thanks to the collaboration of Marco Brumar Brutti of Riva & Brutti, who sent me one of the first units available in Italy. At the time of unboxing, the product was not even listed yet on the official website, upgradeyourrifle.com.

It was a real pleasure to take it out already on the first evening to evaluate the performance of this thermal monocular. The first aspect I truly appreciated was the ergonomics: the monocular is extremely light—about 350 grams with the battery installed—and only 14 cm long, which means it can easily be carried even in the pocket of an outdoor or hunting jacket.

Although the device is compact, the buttons are large enough to be easily operated even while wearing winter gloves. I was also impressed by the precision of the focusing system. For years I have used the traditional front focusing ring or, in some cases, a focusing knob, which was already an improvement, but the ability to focus using artificial intelligence is, in my opinion, a significant advantage that gives this product an edge over many competitors.

In any case, the autofocus system can be quickly disabled from the quick menu, allowing manual focusing through the control knob, which, although somewhat small, remains functional and precise. I did notice that in foggy conditions the automatic system cannot always perform perfectly, much like the infrared autofocus systems used in cameras.

Another strong point of this CONOTECH monocular is the relationship between display size and resolution. Many people may not realize how comfortable it is to observe through a display like this. To give an idea, the screen measures about 10.8 mm in width and 6 mm in height, and when viewed from approximately 15 mm, it provides a horizontal viewing angle of around 40 degrees. This is comparable to watching, from a distance of three meters, a television with a screen width of roughly 2.2 meters, equivalent to about a 95–100 inch display. This gives you an idea of how detailed the Full HD resolution appears in practical use.

Another useful feature is the ability to review photos and videos directly on the display, without having to connect the device to a computer. This is particularly convenient when observing with friends or in a group, or when simply wanting to show recorded animals to others—just let them look through the eyepiece to view the images in excellent quality.

The laser rangefinder also performed very well, proving to be extremely fast and accurate in continuous scanning mode, with a maximum measuring distance about 200 meters greater than that of many thermal monoculars currently on the market. The presence of Picture-in-Picture and Hot Track is also welcome; both functions are fast and effective in real use. The available color palettes, although not numerous compared with some competitors, are well chosen and cover all practical needs.

As usual, I preferred the black hot palette, but in certain situations I also found the others to be very effective. I was also impressed by the Eyec II image-processing algorithm, which represents an improvement over previous generations used in older thermal monoculars. This updated processing system provides noticeably better image clarity and sharpness compared with CONOTECH devices I tested even just last year.

Observations carried out in mist, fog, and light rain also confirmed the good overall performance of the system.

Regarding real operating distances, a thermal monocular equipped with a 640×512 sensor and a 35 mm objective, such as this CONOTECH, falls into a well-balanced performance category. In my field tests, under favorable environmental conditions and with good thermal contrast, heat detection was possible without difficulty at distances beyond 1500–2000 meters (approximately three pixels visible), while actual recognition—that is, the ability to reliably distinguish the species—generally ranged between 400 and 700 meters, with longer distances possible in the case of larger animals.

For more precise identification, meaning the ability to perceive details useful for evaluating the animal or its behavior, the most realistic working range is within 300–400 meters, which is also the distance at which instruments of this type provide their best performance. At around 150–180 meters, the level of detail is excellent, making it possible, for example, to distinguish clearly between a young deer lying in the grass and a roe deer.

As always, I would like to point out that these values can vary significantly depending on air humidity, fog, rain, and the actual thermal contrast between the animal and the environment—factors that often have a greater influence than the technical specifications declared by the manufacturer. Overall, however, the combination of a 640 sensor, a 35 mm objective, and a well-designed image-processing algorithm provides very convincing performance in real field observation.

It is certainly a product that I feel confident in recommending.

PROS AND CONS

Pros

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio

• AI-assisted autofocus system, highly effective in real use

• Good ergonomics and precise focusing control knob

• Second-generation image-processing algorithm, smooth, accurate, and effective

• Accurate rangefinder, both in single and continuous modes, up to about 1200 m

• Ability to view and delete photos and videos directly from the display

• Latest-generation VOx sensor

• Lightweight, affordable, and robust construction

Cons

• Few significant drawbacks in this category

• Does not offer the same long-range detail resolution as CONOTECH models with larger objectives and sensors

• In conditions of persistent fog or dense mist at medium to long distances, the autofocus system may become less effective

Ecco la traduzione in inglese, mantenendo uno stile naturale e adatto alla conclusione di una recensione.

CONCLUSION

The CONOTECH Lipot 635 LRF is a compact and modern thermal monocular that, in real-world use, stands out above all for its practicality and well-balanced overall performance. The combination of a 640×512 sensor, an updated image-processing algorithm, and an AI-assisted autofocus system delivers sharp, well-contrasted images while simplifying observation in the field.

It is a lightweight, robust, and straightforward instrument, designed more for practical effectiveness than for impressing with unnecessary features. Everything included proves genuinely useful in real use, from the fast and accurate rangefinder to the good-quality display and the ability to manage recorded photos and videos directly on the device.

The smartphone connection also proved to be stable, fast, and reliable—an aspect often underestimated but one that makes a real difference in everyday use.

Overall, considering its size, performance, and price, the Lipot 635 LRF ranks among the most interesting compact thermal monoculars currently available, especially for users looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use, and genuinely effective field instrument.

PRICE

The CONOTECH Lipot 635 LRF has a retail price of approximately €1930.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank Marco Brumar Brutti of Riva & Brutti for providing the sample used in this test in Italian preview and, as always, for allowing me to express my impartial opinions, which is the duty of every independent journalist.

Readers can purchase this monocular directly from the official website:
https://upgradeyourrifle.com/

COMPANY INFORMATION

Riva & Brutti

Headquarters: Via Casnedi, 58 – 23868 Valmadrera (LC) – Italy
Showroom: Via Pozzoli, 6 – 23900 Lecco (LC) – Italy

+39 0341 581374
+39 0341 206563
+39 349 8550737
hunting@rivaebrutti.it
https://upgradeyourrifle.com/it/

Piergiovanni Salimbeni

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.

www.termicienotturni.it