At the end of the summer, it became official — Yukon Group is the first on the market to launch its product upgrade service. Owners of Telos monoculars can now replace components with new ones featuring better technical specifications, allowing them to improve their devices without needing to purchase a new one. 

Behind this project, which took about two years to implement, are the efforts of many colleagues and long hours of work. “The path to the result was long and not always easy,” says Sergejus Kochanenko, the lead of the Telos Upgradeability service. We asked him to share more about the behind-the-scenes work in Yukon Group’s most high-profile project of the year. 

How did the idea for the Telos Upgradeability service come about? 

As electronics manufacturers, we recognized the need to transition to more environmentally friendly processes. When we developed Telos, we saw it as an important step towards a circular economy. We knew our customers would appreciate it. An added benefit was the idea’s alignment with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. 

Additionally, the device upgrade service offered a serious competitive advantage, as none of our competitors offer a similar service. Their concern for customers typically revolves around selling as many devices as possible. 

How long did it take from the initial idea to the service launch? 

If we consider the idea’s genesis within the company, I made a presentation to Yukon’s top managers at the end of 2022, discussing sustainability and how it could further impact the company’s operations, both in terms of our products and our overall business practices. At IWA 2024, we showcased possible upgrades and whole model line of Telos devices, letting our visitors compare them between each other and choose the most appropriate. 

In the spring of 2023, we presented Telos, the first upgradeable thermal imaging monocular, at the IWA 2023 exhibition in Germany. While we initially planned to launch the service in May 2024, it was delayed slightly. We officially launched the Telos Upgradeability service on July 22, 2024. 

Speaking of benefits, what are the biggest advantages for the user? 

Thanks to the upgradeability, we can now offer a truly long-lasting device. On average, the life cycle of an electronic device is two to five years, depending on the user and the device type. Now, we can at least double that lifespan. 

You can buy a Telos monocular, and use it, and once you realize you need more functionality or improvements, you can approach your local distributor or dealer. They will send your device to us, and we will upgrade it by replacing parts with new, higher-performing components, and then return it to you. 

In other words, we offer a chance to discover new features gradually and cost-effectively, extending the lifecycle of your device. It’s also worth noting that this comes with a renewed three-year warranty for the upgraded parts. 

For those who missed it, here’s a quick recap: while all Pulsar devices receive regular firmware updates, Telos also allows for hardware upgrades, including: 

• A higher-class sensor. 
• A more powerful objective lens (available for the XQ / XQ LRF models, tied to a sensor upgrade). 
• A laser rangefinder for your non-LRF monocular. 

What was the hardest part of creating a device like Telos? 

Creating clarity throughout the entire process was fundamental because no one had done this before. Even in the global electronics market, there are very few manufacturers offering such a service. We are pioneering a path that international companies have not yet explored. 

We want this journey to be as smooth and straightforward as possible. There are a few simple steps the customer must take to apply for the Upgradeability service. First, customers can check available upgrade options on the Pulsar website. When they decide it’s time for an upgrade, they should contact their local Pulsar dealer or distributor. The dealer will provide a quote for the selected upgrade. If the customer is satisfied, they hand over the device to the dealer, who sends it to us. Our engineers will complete the upgrade, and the upgraded Telos will be returned to the dealer and then to the customer within the agreed timeframe. 

More than a month has passed since the launch of the project. What are the first conclusions? Is user interest noticeable? 

We have already received 18 orders for Telos upgrades, of which 12 have been completed. The most appealing upgrade for users is from Telos XP to Telos XL. 

Currently, we’ve received three orders each from Poland, Lithuania, and Germany. The logical conclusion is that users in these countries recognize the value of the upgrade offers, as it is cheaper to upgrade a device than to purchase a new model