The Ultimate Guide to Thermal Scopes in Australia →
Pixfra Australia Field Journal · Buying Guide
The Pixfra range looks bigger than it is. Once you sort it by the job it does — scan, shoot, or both, by day, by night, or both — four names cover almost everyone: the Cetus and Pegasus 2 LRF thermal riflescopes, the Volans digital day/night scope, and the Draco multi-spectral binocular. This guide sorts them by what you actually want to do after dark, not by spec-sheet bragging rights.
Quick verdict
Pick by the job first, sensor second. Want one thermal scope to hunt with? The Cetus (from $1,190) is the value all-rounder; step to the Pegasus 2 LRF (from $2,890) if you want a laser rangefinder built in. Want a scope that also works in daylight? The Volans digital day/night scope (from $1,190). Want a handheld that finds warm animals and shows a normal picture? The Draco multi-spectral binocular (from $1,790).
Which Pixfra should I buy?
In one line each: buy the Cetus if you want a genuine thermal riflescope on a budget; the Pegasus 2 LRF if you want ranging built into that scope; the Volans if you need a single scope for day and night; and the Draco if you want to scan by hand with both heat and a normal image in one unit. The rest of this guide is just the detail behind those four sentences.
The range at a glance
| Model | What it is | Mounts on a rifle? | Rangefinder | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetus | Thermal riflescope | Yes | No | Best-value thermal sight | $1,190 |
| Pegasus 2 LRF | Thermal riflescope | Yes | Yes (1,000 m, standard) | Ranging flagship | $2,890 |
| Volans | Digital day/night scope | Yes | V850LRF model | One scope, day and night | $1,190 |
| Draco | Multi-spectral binocular | No (handheld) | Yes (1,000 m) | Scanning with heat + day image | $1,790 |
All prices AUD incl GST, genuine local stock backed by C.R. Kennedy. Correct at time of writing — confirm current detail before you buy.
Cetus — the value thermal riflescope
The Cetus is Pixfra’s modular thermal sight: one proven body and control set, offered in four sensor-and-lens builds so you buy exactly the reach you need. The C225 (256×192, 25 mm, $1,190) is the honest way in; the C335 (384×288, $1,890) adds a keener ≤15 mK sensor and a sharper display; the C635 (640×512, $2,690) is the sweet spot for most hunters — a genuine 640 sensor for under three grand; and the C650 (640×512, 50 mm, $3,890) stretches detection to 2,600 m. There’s no built-in rangefinder anywhere in the line, which is exactly how it stays this affordable.
Pegasus 2 LRF — the ranging flagship
The Pegasus 2 is the Cetus’s story with the one feature serious shooters keep asking for: a 1,000 m laser rangefinder built in as standard, feeding a ballistic hold, on every model down to the $2,890 P335-LRF. Move up through the P635-LRF ($3,890) and P650-LRF ($4,490) for a 640 sensor and more reach, or the P650-ILRF ($4,990) which integrates the laser inside the body for the cleanest build. In the dark, where your eye can’t judge distance, that on-board ranging is the difference between a guess and a number.
Volans — one scope for day and night
The Volans is the odd one out, and deliberately so: it’s not thermal. It’s a 4K digital day/night riflescope that works with light — full colour by day, a night-vision image after dark (better still with the optional IR torch). That makes it the answer to a different question: not “which thermal”, but “can I own one scope that does daytime sight-in and night work”. The V850 is $1,190; the V850LRF adds a rangefinder for $1,390. If most of your shooting is daylight with the occasional night out, this beats owning two optics.
Draco — scan with heat and a normal image at once
The Draco is a multi-spectral binocular: two imaging systems in one handheld — a thermal channel that finds warm bodies through grass and shadow, and a 4K day/night channel that shows a normal picture for identification — plus a 1,000 m laser rangefinder. It doesn’t mount on a rifle; it’s a detection and glassing tool. The D225 is $1,790, the D335 $2,990, and the 640-sensor D635 $3,990. If you like to find and confirm an animal before you ever shoulder the rifle, the Draco does both halves of that job in one device.
So how do I actually decide?
Work top-down. First, does it go on the rifle? If yes and you want to see heat, it’s Cetus or Pegasus 2 — and the only real question between them is whether you want the built-in rangefinder (that’s the whole Cetus vs Pegasus 2 LRF decision). If it goes on the rifle but you also shoot in daylight, it’s the Volans. If it’s a handheld for finding and confirming game, it’s the Draco. Second, pick your sensor: 256 for close-to-mid work, 384 for the budget sweet spot, 640 for clean identification at distance — the full trade-off is in our 384 vs 640 sensor guide.
See the full thermal range
Cetus, Pegasus 2, Volans and Draco — genuine local stock, GST included, backed by C.R. Kennedy. From $1,190.
Do I need a monocular as well?
Many hunters end up with two devices: a handheld to find and a scope to shoot, because sweeping a paddock with a rifle-mounted optic is slow and unsafe. If that’s you, pair a Cetus or Pegasus 2 with a Mile 2 monocular (from $890) or the ranging Arc LRF (from $1,990). We cover that split in thermal monocular vs riflescope. If you are choosing between the monoculars themselves, the best thermal monoculars in Australia guide compares the range in detail. The Draco can also fill the scanning role on its own — which is part of its appeal.
The Cetus and the Draco don’t just sit side by side in the range — they now talk to each other. Pixfra CrossLink sends range, ballistic holdover and a live view from a Draco straight to a Cetus.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pixfra thermal scope is best for beginners?
The Cetus C225 at $1,190 is the most affordable genuine thermal riflescope in the range, and the whole Cetus line shares the same simple controls. If you want ranging from the start, the Pegasus 2 P335-LRF ($2,890) is the entry point with a built-in laser rangefinder.
What’s the difference between the Cetus and the Pegasus 2?
They’re built on the same platform, but every Pegasus 2 LRF includes a 1,000 m laser rangefinder and ballistic hold as standard, while the Cetus has none — which is why the Cetus is cheaper. Choose the Pegasus 2 if you want on-board ranging; choose the Cetus for the best-value image without it.
Is the Pixfra Volans a thermal scope?
No. The Volans is a 4K digital day/night riflescope that works with light — colour by day and night vision after dark, especially with the optional IR torch. It’s the pick if you want one scope for both day and night rather than a dedicated thermal.
Can the Draco be mounted on a rifle?
No. The Draco is a handheld multi-spectral binocular for scanning and identifying — thermal plus a 4K day/night channel plus a 1,000 m rangefinder. It pairs with a rifle-mounted scope like the Cetus or Pegasus 2 rather than replacing one.
Which sensor size should I get — 256, 384 or 640?
256×192 suits close-to-mid range and a first thermal; 384×288 is the budget sweet spot for confident shots at moderate range; 640×512 gives the cleanest identification at distance and consistent shots past 200 m. Sensitivity and lens matter too — see our 384 vs 640 guide.
Are all Pixfra prices GST-inclusive?
Yes. Every price is in AUD including GST, for genuine local stock backed by C.R. Kennedy’s Australian warranty and service.
Ready to see for yourself?
Put the knowledge to work. Pixfra Sirius, Pixfra Cetus and Pixfra Draco are a straight, honest starting point, with GST-inclusive AUD pricing and free shipping on thermal optics. Every one is genuine local stock with full Australian warranty, serviced right here through C.R. Kennedy and never sent overseas.
The Ultimate Guide to Thermal Scopes in Australia
