What Battery Fits My Unit? , Quick Guide to 18650 & 21700 Devices

One of the most common questions users ask is: “What battery does my unit take?”
Choosing the correct battery is essential for performance, safety, and getting the best runtime from your thermal device. This quick guide breaks everything down clearly so you can identify the right battery for your scope or monocular in seconds.

Understanding Battery Types

Before checking your model, here’s the simple difference:

• 18650 Battery
  Slimmer lithium-ion battery commonly used in compact optics. Lightweight, reliable, and widely available.
• 21700 Battery
  Larger capacity lithium-ion battery designed for longer runtime and higher power output.

Rule of thumb: Newer or higher-performance units often use 21700 batteries, while many standard models use 18650 batteries.

18650 Battery – Compatible Scopes

The following scope models use 18650 batteries:

• NSM-35 - PARD Night Stalker Mini Digital Night Vision Rifle Scope - 35mm, 2560x1440
• HM-A40E - HIKMICRO Alpex 4K LITE A40E Digital Day and Night Vision Rifle Scope
• HM-A40EL HIKMICRO Alpex 4K LITE LRF A40EL Digital Day and Night Vision Rifle Scope
• NS4-70/N850/LRF PARD Night Stalker 4k LRF 70mm Day & Night Vision Rifle scope with Laser Rangefinder
• NS4P-70 PARD Night Stalker 4K Pro 70mm Digital Night Vision Rifle Scope (Non LRF)
• HM-A50E HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50E Non-LRF Digital Day & Night Rifle Scope
• HM-A50EL - HIKMICRO Alpex 4K A50EL LRF Digital Day & Night Rifle Scope w/ Ballistics Calculator
• HM-A50P - HIKMICRO A50P Alpex Pro Digital Day and Night Vision Rifle Scope
• NS4P-70/LRF - PARD Night Stalker 4K Pro 70mm Digital Night Vision Rifle Scope with LRF and Ballistic Calculator
• DS35-50RF/850 - PARD DS35 LRF GEN 2 50mm 2K (2560 x 1440) 4x 850nm Day / Night Vision Ballistic Laser Range Finding Rifle Scope
• NPRIF-NITE-D70R - NocPix NITE D70R 4K Ultra Day and Night Digital Rifle Scope with LRF
• LA2M-19/30/N850/LRF - PARD Landsat 256 MINI Multi Spectral LRF Thermal Night Vision Rifle Scope - 850nm IL
• HM-A50PL - HIKMICRO A50PL Alpex Pro Digital Day and Night Vision Rifle Scope with LRF
• TNC225R - DNT Optics TNC225R ThermNight 256x192 25mm Thermal & Night Vision Multispectral Scope
• NS4E-70/LRF - PARD Night Stalker 4K eX 70mm Digital NightVision Rifle Scope with LRF and Ballistic Calculator
• PIX-PFI-V850 - Pixfra™ Volans 4K (w/o Mounts) Digital Weapon Sight
• HS225 - DNT Optics Hydra HS225 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular
• PA2Q-25 - PARD PA2Q-25 Pantera 256 Q Thermal Rifle Scope - 256x192, 12um, 25mK
• PIX-PFI-V850-LRF - Pixfra™ Volans 4K LRF (w/o Mounts) Digital Weapon Sight
• NPRIF-BOLT-P25R - NocPix Bolt P25R Thermal Imaging LRF Rifle Scope with Ballistics Calculator - 25mm, 256x192, ≤20mK, 12μm
• TNC225R - DNT Optics TNC225R ThermNight 256x192 25mm Thermal & Night Vision Multispectral Scope
• HS325 - DNT Optics Hydra HS325 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular
• PIX-PFI-P435P - Pixfra™ Pegasus P435 Pro Thermal Weapon Sight (384x288 12µm Detector/35mm Lens)
• NPRIF-BOLT-L35R - NocPix Bolt L35R Thermal Imaging LRF Rifle Scope with Ballistics Calculator - 35mm, 384x288, ≤20mK, 12μm
• HM-SH35L3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SH35L3.0 LRF Thermal Rifle Scope
• HS635 - DNT Optics Hydra HS635 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular
• NPRIF-ACE-L35 - NocPix ACE L35 Thermal Rifle Scope - 35mm 12um 384x288 <18mk NETD
• PIX-PFI-P650P - Pixfra™ Pegasus P650 Pro Thermal Weapon Sight (640x512 12µm Detector/50mm Lens)
• HM-SH50L3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SH50L Thermal Rifle Scope with LRF
• HM-PH50L2.0 - HIKMICRO Panther 2.0 PH50L Thermal Imaging LRF Rifle Scope
• HM-SQ35L3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SQ35L Thermal Rifle Scope with LRF
• NPRIF-ACE-H50 - NocPix ACE H50 Thermal Rifle Scope - 12um 640x512 15mK NETD
• NPRIF-ACE-H50R - NocPix ACE H50R Thermal Rifle Scope - 12um 640x512 <15mK NETD w/ LRF & Ballistic Calculation
• HM-SQ50L3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SQ50L Thermal Rifle Scope with LRF
• HM-SX60L3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SX60L Thermal Rifle Scope with LRF
• HM-SX60LS3.0 - HIKMICRO Stellar 3.0 SX60LS Thermal Rifle Scope with LRF 50Hz
• NPRIF-ACE-S60R - NocPix ACE S60R Thermal Rifle Scope - 12um 1280x1024 <15mK NETD w/ LRF & Ballistic Calculation

18650 Battery – Compatible Monoculars

These monocular models run on 18650 batteries:

• HM-LE103.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 10mm Thermal Monocular LE10
• NPMON-LUMI-P13 - NocPix LUMI P13 Handheld Thermal Monocular - 13mm 12um 256x192 <20mK NETD
• HM-LE153.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx LE15 3.0 15mm Thermal Monocular
• HS225 - DNT Optics Hydra HS225 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular
• HM-LH153.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 15mm Thermal Monocular LH15
• NPMON-LUMI-L19 - NocPix LUMI L19 Handheld Thermal Monocular - 19mm 12um 384x288 <18mK NETD
• HM-LH193.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 19mm Thermal Monocular LH19
• H325R - DNT Optics Hound H325R Ballistic Thermal Monocular with Laser Rangefinder
• PIX-PFI-A419P-LRF - Pixfra™ Arc LRF A419 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (384x288 12µm Detector/19mm Lens)
• PIX-PFI-A425P-LRF - Pixfra™ Arc LRF A425 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (384x288 12µm Detector/25mm Lens)
• HS325 - DNT Optics Hydra HS325 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular
• HM-CH25L - HIKMICRO Condor CH25L Thermal Monocular with LRF
• HM-LH253.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 25mm Thermal Monocular LH25
• PIX-PFI-A435P-LRF Pixfra™ Arc LRF A435 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (384x288 12µm Detector/35mm Lens)
• HM-LH353.0 - HIKMICRO Lynx 3.0 35mm Thermal Monocular LH35
• PIX-PFI-A613 - Pixfra ARC A613 Handheld Thermal Monocular - 640x512/12µm/13mm 30mk
• HM-FH25 - HIKMICRO Falcon FH25 Hand Held Thermal Imager Monocular
• NPMON-LUMI-L35 - NocPix LUMI L35 Handheld Thermal Monocular - 35mm 12um 384x288 <18mK NETD
• PIX-PFI-A635P-LRF - Pixfra™ Arc LRF A635 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (640x512 12µm Detector/35mm Lens)
• PIX-PFI-A625P-LRF - Pixfra™ Arc LRF A625 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (640x512 12µm Detector/25mm Lens)
• NPMON-LUMI-L35R - NocPix Lumi L35R Handheld Thermal Monocular with LRF - 35mm 12um 384x288
• NPMON-LUMI-H35 - NocPix LUMI H35 Handheld Thermal Monocular - 35mm 12um 640x512 <18mK NETD
• HM-CH35L - HIKMICRO Condor CH35L Thermal Monocular with LRF
• H635R - DNT Optics Hound H635R Ballistic Thermal Monocular with Laser Rangefinder
• HM-FQ35 - HIKMICRO Falcon FQ35 Pro Hand Held Thermal Imager Monocular
• NPMON-LUMI-H35R - NocPix Lumi H35R Handheld Thermal Monocular with LRF - 35mm 12um 640x512
• PIX-PFI-A650P-LRF - Pixfra™ Arc LRF A650 Pro Thermal Monocular w/Laser Rangefinder (640x512 12µm Detector/50mm Lens)
• HM-CQ35L - HIKMICRO Condor Pro CQ35L Thermal Monocular with LRF
• HS635 - DNT Optics Hydra HS635 Multi-Function Thermal Scope / Clip-On / Handheld Monocular

21700 Battery – Compatible Scopes

The following scopes require 21700 batteries:

• DNT-ZHD520-V2 - DNT Optics ZULUS HD ZHD520 V2 - 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope (Non LRF - Includes PM20L Picatinny Rail)
• DNT-ZHD312-V2 - DNT Optics ZULUS HD ZHD312 V2 - 3-12X Digital Night Vision Scope (Non LRF - Includes PM20L Picatinny Rail)
• DNT-ZHD312R-V2 - DNT Optics ZULUS HD ZHD312R V2 3-12X Digital Night Vision Scope LRF Ballistic Calculator
• DNT-ZHD520R-V2 - DNT Optics ZULUS HD ZHD520R V2 5-20X Digital Night Vision Scope With LRF And Ballistic Calculator
• ZT4K324R - DNT Optics ZULUS 4k 3-24x Digital Day and Night Vision Rifle Scope
• TNC335R - DNT Optics TNC335R ThermNight 384x288 35mm Thermal & Night Vision Multispectral Scope
• TNC635R - DNT Optics TNC635R ThermNight 650x512 35mm Thermal & Night Vision Multispectral Scope

21700 Battery – Compatible Monoculars

These monocular use 21700 batteries:

• HM-FQ352.0 - HIKMICRO Falcon FQ35 2.0 Hand Held Thermal Imager Monocular
• HM-CQ35L2.0 - HIKMICRO Condor 2.0 CQ35L Thermal Monocular with LRF
• HM-FQ502.0 - HIKMICRO Falcon FQ50 2.0 Hand Held Thermal Imager Monocular
• HM-CQ50L2.0 - HIKMICRO Condor 2.0 CQ50L Thermal Monocular with LRF
• HM-FQ50L2.0 - HIKMICRO Falcon FQ50L 2.0 Hand Held Thermal Imager Monocular with LRF

Important Battery Tips

• Always use high-quality protected lithium-ion batteries from trusted brands.
• Check flat-top vs button-top compatibility if your device specifies it.
• Never mix old and new batteries.
• Use a proper smart charger designed for Li-ion cells.
• If unsure, check your device manual or contact your supplier before purchasing.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the correct battery for your unit saves time, prevents damage, and ensures your optic performs exactly as designed. Bookmark this guide so you can quickly check compatibility whenever you upgrade or replace equipment.

If you’re unsure about a specific model, keep your device name handy, identifying the battery type is usually the first step toward optimal performance.