Night vision goggles...The ability to see in the dark
Night vision goggles and the technology behind it has come a far distance since the first practical infrared "scopes"were used in WWII.
For more historical info on might vision goggles technical evolution from first gen up to just before gen 3, click here.
Starlight type tubes are rated in terms of photo cathode sensitivity.This is the tube's ability to see in faint light.Once the light falls to a certain level (say a cloud comes over the sky) weaker tubes will suddenly lose their ability to see.
This sensitivity rating is given in micro amps per lumen.Think of this measurement as energy produced per "piece" of light.The higher the rating, the more sensitive the tube.
A ROUGH GUIDE IS: 2nd generation 240 micro amps per lumen 2nd generation plus 325-425 micro amps per lumen 2nd generation "super" 400-525 mapl
And now,we have generation 3 night vision scopes adapted as a NATO standardand available on the general market.Third generation tubes use a gallium arsenide photo cathode to produce an incredible 1200 micro amps per lumen, or 4 times the sensitivity of a 2nd generation plus;3 times a super.An added enhancement of this technology is a 400% increase in tube life.
3rd generation quality models such as
these night vision goggles
are highly acclaimed for their quality and prices and are actually used by the US military and its allies.
As one would expect,3rd gen units cost more than their second cousins,but not as much as they could.Specifically,most 3 units run about 25% over 2 supers.
The new generation of night vision goggles also offers a bonus in near infrared sensitivity.Older tubes "saw" only far IR, that is, wavelength in the "normal" infrared spectrum.Near IR can be thought as a minor variation in the temperaure of the viewed object.This feature is quite useful when viewing, or shooting, a live object...
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A NIGHT VISION DEVICE:
Decide what actual application will come into play.
Do you need to connect to a camera, either still or video?
Is size a consideration?
Should the front lens (read magnification) be changeable?
Do you need a unit that will mount on a rifle?
Are you going to boost with a separate laser?
And, of course, how much do you plan on spending...
A possibility to consider is a single eye,monocular.Why is this important?Because anyone who has ever used fixed focus night vision googles can attest to the problem of trying to switch viewing distances suddenly; say you are flying a helicopter, watching the landscape and you get a sudden urge to see the instrument panel...Can be done with practice but it is disorienting.
The single eye night vision monocular gives the operator "the best of both world",allowing him to set the scope for the normal distance and use his naked eye for close-up viewing.
Thanks to digital imaging technology,for a super low price of 209$, you get features and performance found only in high-end Gen 3 & Gen 4 devices... without the high price tag.
It includes a built-in Infrared (IR) Illuminator that provides additional light, making viewing in complete darkness a reality.
Such a bargain.I highly recommend you check this product before making any night vision buying decision.
Night vision goggles and devices gives you a real edge in many applications from hunting,to search and rescue operations,covert and reconnaissance missions when used as spy equipment and much more...
