Night Vision Buyers Guide

My Night Vision Buyers Guide lists the primary and Secondary factors to consider before making your Night Vision purchase

Gain: As conditions get darker, it becomes more difficult for the night vision system to create a clear, well-defined image. As the light decreases or if there is a longer range, it becomes necessary to increase the gain. Additionally if you are using a longer lens for distance viewing you'll need higher gain, as longer lenses do not transfer light as well as the shorter lenses. Be aware that increasing the gain will not always increase the clarity or range of your view. In areas such as housing complexes, street or house lights will overload the system and actually decrease your viewing abilities.

Range: To be able to view an object from a certain distance involves the system's ability to magnify an image, its resolution, how much light is available, and the gain of the product. A long, powerful lens will increase magnification, but as mentioned above will not transfer light well. In conditions with less light, more gain is required to view objects farther away so using a high-speed lens with less magnification will allow more light to be captured and will increase the product's range abilities. Generally most users don't need long-range capabilities in their products and are satisfied with 1x to 3x the normal image size. For example, a night vision product made for viewing objects at a fairly close range 1x image size. This makes it easy for the user to view the subject without becoming disoriented.

Image Quality:The best image to have is one with little distortion, a high definition and excellent resolution. The superior night vision device displays a green monochrome image that is clearest in the center, with blurring towards the edges. The human eye is able to perceive contrasts in green more easily than in other colors so this further enhances image quality. With less distortion you'll see a flatter, less rounded view with a higher definition. Additionally the contrasts will enable you to perceive dark objects against darker backgrounds and the increased resolution will allow you to see identifying details clearly instead of mere shapes. Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide

Before purchasing a night vision product, think about how you want to use it and select the device that best matches that use. A scope with moderate gain and a short lens with a 1x magnification would be appropriate for populated areas such as a housing complex. If you are using the scope in a forest with little light, increased gain would enable you to see more clearly and a longer lens would allow for viewing at a greater distance. Inside a building or warehouse a user would want to use an infrared illuminator and would probably not need long-range capabilities.

Ergonomics - If you will be viewing for a long period of time, a lighter product will be more comfortable. Also, where you wish to carry your device will make a difference when deciding on what size to purchase.

Practicality - If you will be using your system on camping trips and other places where electricity is unavailable, make sure the battery corresponding to that system is easily available for purchase.

Price - Night vision prices can range from $199 to $10,000. Think about how often and in what way you will be using your product and thus how much you want to spend. A scope or monocular for $2,500 would be a fantastic piece of equipment to own, but you could also purchase a high definition system that will satisfy all your needs for under $500. Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide

Using intensified night vision is different from using regular binoculars and/or your own eyes. Below are some of the aspects of night vision that you should be aware of when you are using an image intensified night vision system.

Textures, Light and Dark
Objects that appear light during the day but have a dull surface may appear darker through the night vision unit than objects that are dark during the day but have a highly reflective surface. For example, a shiny dark colored jacket may appear brighter than a light colored jacket with a dull surface.

Depth Perception
Night vision does not present normal depth perception.

Fog and Rain
Night vision is very responsive to reflective ambient light; therefore, the light reflecting off of fog or heavy rain causes much more light to go toward the night vision unit and may degrade its performance.

Honeycomb*
This is a faint hexagonal pattern which is the result of the manufacturing process.

Spots*
A few black spots throughout the image area are also inherent characteristics of all night vision technology. These spots will remain constant and should not increase in size or number. See the example below of an image with black spots.

* Do not be concerned if you see this feature-it is an inherent characteristic found in light amplification night vision systems that incorporate a microchannel plate in the intensifier. Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide Night Vision Buyers Guide

Generation 1: is currently the most popular type of night vision scope in the world. Utilizing the basic principles described in my How Night Vision Works article, a 1st generation scope will amplify the existing light several thousand times letting you clearly see in the dark. These units provide a bright and sharp image at a low cost, which is perfect, whether you are boating, observing wildlife, or providing security for your home.
Things you may notice when you are looking through a 1st generation scope. These are inherent characteristics of a 1st gen and are normal.

- A slight high-pitched whine when the unit is on.
- The image you see may be slightly blurry around the edges. This is known as Geometric Distortion.
- When you turn a 1st gen off it may glow green for some time.

Generation 2: is primarily used by law enforcement or for professional applications. This is because the cost of a 2nd gen unit is approximately $500.00 to $1000.00 more then a 1st generation models. The main difference between a 1st and a 2nd generation unit is the addition of a micro-channel plate, commonly referred to as a MCP. The MCP works as an electron amplifier and is placed directly behind the photocathode. The MCP consists of millions of short parallel glass tubes. When the electrons pass through these short tubes, thousands more electrons are released. This extra process allows 2nd generation units to amplify the light many more times then 1st generation giving you a brighter and sharper image.

Generation 3: is the latest in night vision technology. By adding a sensitive chemical, gallium arsenide to the photocathode a brighter and sharper image was achieved. However, it is vastly more expensive then 1st or 2nd generation. Typically a 3rd generation unit will cost in excess of $2000.00.

Generation 4: Gated Filmless technology represents the biggest technological breakthrough in image intensification of the past 10 years. By removing the ion barrier film and Gating the system Generation 4 demonstrates substantial increases in target detection range and resolution, particularly at extremely low light levels. As you can expect prices in excess of $3000.

How Far can you see?

There are many different variables that can effect the distance that you can see with a Night Vision device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the object the easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there or maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100% determine who or what it is. This is called detection range. Second. Another variable is lighting conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared light) the better and further you will be able to see You can always see further on a night where the moon and stars are out then if 11 is cloudy and overcast. We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards. However, if you were looking across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a house 500 yards away. Remember, that the purpose of an NVD is to see in the dark not necessarily a long ways like a binocular.

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