Best Night Vision Devices

[Updated February 2024] The sense of sight is the predominant part of human perception. More than three-quarters of what we perceive is perceived through the eyes. This requires a relatively high level of light. That means we miss a lot at night. If you want to see in the dark, you need an aid that can amplify the low residual light so that a recognizable image is created. Night vision devices fulfill this task and enable us to observe unique animal and nature observations even at night.

Often the term night vision goggles are used as a synonym for a night vision device. Like night-vision goggles, however, as corrective vision aids for nocturnal road traffic are referred to, these only reduce the glare of oncoming vehicles. The lenses of night binoculars are usually colored as this color provides high contrast in the dark and generally brightens the environment.

Night vision goggles are not only used when driving at dusk or in darkness. Many nature lovers, hunters and security forces use them in their free time and everyday life. Night vision devices are also not just for in the police and military. Even nature lovers and animal watchers appreciate the devices.

Some important purchase criteria for night vision goggles are UV protection, polarization, and the socket.

When buying a night vision device, Look for models with long battery life. The devices are powered by batteries that can last between 6 and 30 hours. Two other essential aspects of choosing the best night vision device are range and field of vision. The larger the specified values, the larger the area you see through the device.

What are Night Vision Goggles?

Night Vision Devices (Night Vision Goggles) are technical devices designed to provide visual perception in dim or dark conditions. There are several types of night vision devices in this category. In addition to the binocular models, which are similar to standard binoculars, there are also monoculars that are more like a telescope. In our night vision comparison, we examine models from both categories because the function is the same.

Night Vision Devices Designs

There are two designs of night vision devices; the binocular night vision devices, which are similar to binoculars, and the monocular devices that resemble a telescope, such as the Yukon spotting scope. The function is identical and which type of design you choose depends on the intended use.

Another difference between night vision devices is found in the technology. There are several ways to enable visibility in the dark. First, some night vision devices may amplify existing low light. These are sometimes called an “image intensifier” or “residual light amplifier.” This amplifies the existing weak light so that the object can be seen.

Other night vision devices use an imaging tube and a semiconductor image sensor that can convert invisible infrared radiation (near infrared or NIR) into visible light. Infrared lights can be added to these night vision devices. Another variant uses thermal radiation (infrared radiation of the MIR area). As a result, objects whose temperature differs from the surrounding environment can be made visible. This is especially used in the observation of warm-blooded organisms.

Tests on night vision devices have shown that the best models combine these two techniques.

Night vision devices have advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

• Good visibility in the dark
• Allows magnification of objects
• Equally suitable for military use, hunting and nature observation         

Disadvantages

• More expensive purchase than binoculars with night vision
• More difficult to use than binoculars

Fields of Application of Night Vision Devices

Binocular and Monocular night vision devices are great for seeing well in poor visibility or at night. The areas of application are very diverse, but here are the two most popular ones.

Wildlife Viewing

Whether in your back garden or the Great Outdoors, anyone interested in wildlife can discover exciting moments with a night vision device. Many animals are nocturnal, if you want to observe them during feeding or mating, you can usually do so only at night. With an excellent infrared night vision device, animals can be seen.

Hunting

Specialist retailers often sell individual hunting night vision devices. In principle, care should be taken before purchase that the NVD is equipped with infrared emitters. Only infrared night vision devices deliver good visibility in absolute darkness through the eyepiece. Models that have only a residual light amplifier, usually do not provide good results here. In the night vision device comparison, you will find numerous binocular models.

We’ve done some night vision testing and here is a range of models with different features in our Night Vision Comparison.

Best Night Vision Devices

Pulsar PL75095 Edge GS Super Night Vision

The Pulsar Edge GS is a rugged and ergonomic binocular. The device is manufactured with the latest technologies to favor correct spatial orientation and display images without distortion and in high resolution.

The Pulsar Edge GS binoculars are equipped with an attenuator system against exposure to extraneous light from spotlights or light sources that could damage the tube. When the brightness level is exceeded, the electrical current supply to the tube is reduced or interrupted automatically. This prevents the tubes from burning and spoiling.

The design and materials with which they are manufactured make them moisture and dust resistant.

Details

It belongs to the professional line of optical and optical-electronic devices with functions for experienced users and specialists in fields such as hunting, research, and observation of animals (including in the absence of direct visibility of the object and difficult meteorological conditions).

With this colorful one, you can take night and day photo and video recording. It has high resolution and geometric precision of the image thanks to the technology of CF-Super tubes. This allows the clear and effective observation of an object.

The body is made of metal and plastic, can effectively withstand shocks, water, and dust which allows the device to be used in most conditions.

The quality of the image is stable throughout the field of vision. The eyepiece is made up of five lenses with beveled rubber eyeglasses, guaranteeing the image quality throughout the field of view, thus giving it great sharpness and contrast.

The Pulsar Edge GS 1×20 night vision binoculars are designed for long-distance use. They provide one of the best resolutions in a consumer product of night vision, with a clean image and without distortion in the entire field of view thanks to its special CF-Super light intensification tube.

The Pulsar Edge GS 1×20 night vision binoculars can be used as handheld equipment or with the head mask to be used as long-range goggles.

Pulsar has incorporated into this unit a longer-range infrared illuminator to be able to see at longer distances or very low brightness.  Both the tube and the infrared can be turned on with two buttons and the power of IR can be regulated.

The possible applications range from outdoor sports to hunting through industrial safety, residential, police, military, rescue or patrol, and this makes it one of the best value night vision goggles.

Features

• CF-Super technology from Pulsar to obtain images with constant quality in the field of vision.
• It incorporates a wide-angle IR illuminator with fluid power adjustment to adapt it to any light condition.
• The high-quality eyepiece offers the best conditions of quality and sharpness of the image.
• Weaver rail 7/8 for coupling additional IR illuminators.
• It includes a system for protecting the tube from external light so that when the brightness level is exceeded, the power supply is reduced or interrupted.
• Its body is ergonomic and durable, made of metal and plastic that resist shocks, rain, dust, and extreme conditions. Thanks to its mounting as a binocular it is very convenient to use.
• The control buttons have a straightforward operation.
• Widely used in surveillance, security, hunting.

Armasight Nyx7 Gen 2+ Night Vision Goggles

If you aim to go for a night vision goggle that is lightweight, then the Armasight Nyx7 is for you. Though this product is a bit high-priced, it delivers industry-leading quality. The Armasight guys know that being light will offer an extra layer of convenience while using this binocular, but also took caution to prevented making it too light because that would mean sacrificing the ability to see clearly. Even though they are light, they are well built and can withstand impacts like being dropped.

This model is binocular with two image intensifier tubes, making the image more realistic than models with only one lens or image intensifier system. This device was primarily developed for security and military personnel who need both hands free. Therefore, this device ships with headgear. Of course, this device is also helpful in hunting or spelunking. Due to the broad field of view and the realistic size of the objects, these “night vision goggles” are suitable also for nocturnal hunting or if you are traveling in a dark area in which there is only sparse or no light. If the ambient light is no longer sufficient, you can activate the integrated infrared brightener. If this is still too weak, or does not cover the entire field of view, you can attach an optional high-performance IR light to the side mounting rail. Optionally, there is a 3x -5x conversion lens.

The robust housing protects the device from light bumps. It is sealed against rain and high humidity and temperature (-40 to +50° C).

Details

The Nyx7-ID weighs only 1 pound, which makes it a super lightweight model. The headset and chin strap can be adjusted to fit a wide range of head shapes and sizes. This model is ideal for users of all ages, but it should not be considered a toy, but a professional level product.

A unique feature of this model is its water-resistant design. If you ever hunt, fish or explore outdoors, you know that the weather can change in an instant. At that time, this pair of night vision goggles is perfect because you can continue to use them as you go to a safe place without fearing that your glasses will become useless and destroyed by the rain. Being resistant to water also makes this model ideal for search and rescue situation. You can rest with confidence knowing that these glasses will work when you need them, no matter the weather.

The built-in IR light on the Nyx7-ID helps keep this unit running in many short-range situations, whether you need to check your GPS device, a map or read a sign in the dark. They offer great depth perception and high definition viewing.

You can also buy a wide range of accessories. For a more extended magnification, there are optional 3X, 5X, and 8X lenses. They are easily fixed to the product and can be stored when they are not used.  Modular in design, this is a great choice if you like to customize your device.

The battery is a CR123A lithium battery. You can also use a AA alkaline battery, and changing the battery is easy and can be done on the fly. A power adapter is included for quick and efficient charging, so you can keep moving.

Features

• A genuine binocular night vision device
• Lightweight and compact
• You have your hands free, thanks to the headgear
• Automatic brightness control with overexposure protection
• Built-in infrared brightener
• Operation with a CR123 or AA battery possible.
• The “HDi” technology gives you a much higher resolution compared to devices equipped with an image intensifier tube of SD, QS and ID technology. This will make the picture much more detailed.

Sightmark SM15070 Ghost Hunter 1×24 Night Vision Goggles

Affordability is coupled with the versatility of this particular product since the Ghost Hunter offers a range of options for the use of night vision, as well as a comfortable and straightforward hands-free operation. Includes a built-in IR illuminator for better vision in total darkness. It has an intelligent shutdown to automatically turn off when the device is exposed to light.

Details

Of course, the values of 1 × 24 are noticeable, but what are these numbers for? Well, the 1x means that we have a device with a 1x magnification and the 24 indicates the lens diameter in millimeters – so the lens diameter is therefore 24 mm.

It is also important to note that this model is among cheap night vision goggles, and is a binocular instrument, so it is designed to be used with both eyes.

The Sightmark Ghost Hunter 1 × 24 Night Vision Goggle Binocular Kit weights 13.4 oz it is quite easy and comfortable to carry. Of course, a head mount on the housing is also available if you want to use the device in this way.

Thanks to a high-quality rubber coating, the case fits perfectly in hand. Overall, we have to say that the design of this model is worth the price.

Features

• Auto shut-off
• A 24mm diameter lens
• Built-in IR illuminator
• Head mount

Ocean-City Tracker Night Vision Goggle Binoculars

These awesome night vision ghost hunter goggles ensure that you see in the dark with near-perfect clarity. This tracker is among the best night vision goggles under $500 and can be used for exploring dark caves, observing wildlife, hunting, and night-time surveillance, etc.

This device competes with its fellow infrared goggles and features an advanced IR tech which ensures that you can see up to 100 meters in the dark. It also comes with an LCD screen, and an IR LED illuminator and a high sensitivity sensor. Another feature worthy of note is its low battery consumption rate, and it comes with a rechargeable battery. This device surely stands out among the best digital night vision goggles.

Details

The binocular weighs about 1.54 lbs. which is perfectly reasonable for binoculars of its range, as these models are usually not very compact, but are lightweight.

These binoculars are often used for hunting, farming, security or even hiking. The field of view is about 100 m, which is standard for binoculars of this class.

But now for night vision or residual light amplification. The manufacturer uses night prisms, which still offer a clear view even at dusk. The high light transmission is also used in this model. So even in the evening twilight, a relatively clear view is possible.

Features

• Weighs just 1.54 lbs
• Features a hands-free design
• Objectives are multi-coated glass
• Features LCD screen
• Infrared illuminator
• High sensitivity sensor
• Viewing up to 100 meters

Night Optics USA Adventurer 1X Gen 1+ Night Vision Goggle NG-2MV-1G

The Night Optics USA Adventurer is a very good binocular from a reputable brand, not because its manufacturers are in the U.S., but because of the quality, it offers to its consumers.

The Night optics was built to compete with industry heavyweights, and it does exactly that. Being put through many rigorous tests and passing them all means that this device is ready for the challenge. Below we take a look at its details and features.

Details

The guys behind the Night Optics USA Adventurer are no newcomers to this industry, and that can be seen in the high-tech utilized in this product. It is used in various environments. It is built lightweight but sturdy. The binoculars seem rugged, but give great comfort when being worn for long hours.

This device is built for comfort, and it is notable in its wide exit pupil feature. It also features adjustable headgear which ensures that it can be adjusted to fit your head with ease.

The Night Optics USA Adventurer features an IR-illuminator. Its automatic sensor protects its user from sudden exposure to bright light and has visibility of up to 100 meters.

Features

• Features IR illuminator
• Automatic sensor
• Visibility of up to 100 meters
• Wide exit pupil

Bonus Review

Yukon – NV 1×24 Goggles

The Yukon binoculars with night vision NV 1×24 has unobtrusive optics. At 1.76 pounds you can easily take it with you. Thanks to the compact size of 6.9 x 4.8 x 2.8 inches, you can also easily carry it in a bag.

Even in very poor visibility and in complete darkness, you can enjoy an entirely unobstructed view with this night vision device. The binoculars are ideal for hunters, anglers, and athletes. The battery lasts up to 20 hours with IR and 72 hours without the use of IR.

The Yukon night vision device Yukon NV 1×24 is designed for real professionals and is a reliable partner for overnight excursions. It is very easy to use and has a long battery life.  It is also waterproof and easily transportable due to its compact size. Also, it is suitable for hunters, athletes and also professional monitoring of buildings and people.

Details

When unpacking the first thing you notice is the weight of the device, it is 13.4-ounces. The Yukon NV 1×24 night vision binocular features a brand-specific coating: the Rubber Armor. A true protective cocoon which offers a comfortable grip. The binocular is sold with a panoramic visor, which provides long hours of night observation without discomfort. The power supply is a standard battery which offers more than 10 hours of battery life with moderate use of the illuminator.

Supplied with an optical cover, a quality neck strap, a carrying case all for under $1000. At first glance, the model is well built with quality plastics and Yukon’s exclusive Rubber Armor coating.

It is equipped with quality optics and a powerful amplifier tube of good resolution.

The binocular Yukon NV 1×24 is a very powerful device with good clarity of image and the brightness of the set used in totally dark conditions. The long-range pulse illuminator contributes to visual quality but is not needed in twilight conditions. The visible range is about 250 meters which are high performance for first-generation equipment within reach of the general public.

Features

• Lens flip cover system
• Features a pulsing frequency
• Features IR infrared illuminator
• Rubber coating

Different Types of Night Vision Devices

The night vision devices of the category image converters and residual light amplifiers are differentiated according to generations. The price increases from generation to generation and is highest in the 3rd generation night vision devices. (Private individuals cannot purchase 4th generation devices). These work with different techniques.

Let’s take a look at the essential characteristics of the different generations:

A Quick Look at its Evolution

Before the first generation, there was another called “zero” generation. Both this and the first are based on creating an electrostatic field that prints an acceleration in the photons to achieve an intensification in the light that reaches the eyes of the observer.

Between generation zero and one is when a great evolution took place. Generation Zero needed to emit Infrared light to work. However, Generation 1 managed to obtain good images using only the ambient light. Even so, in both generations, the binoculars are still on after shutting them down until they get rid of the extra load completely.

Unlike its predecessors, generations 2 and 3 have tubes that turn off when we stop using binoculars. Another advantage is that they are less bulky and consume a significantly lower amount of energy. Both Gen 2 and 3 include a microchannel plate in their many electronic components. You can identify it by its initials: MCP. This improvement creates a higher resolution. In Generation 3 models, an “ion barrier” was added, which increases the useful life of the tube considerably.

Generations 1 and 2 share the same type of photocathode. However, Gen 3 uses a more advanced compound composed of Gallium Arsenide. This improvement means that nocturnal binoculars have up to three times the sensitivity.

It is not all good news for Generation 3. The use of ambient light can return a whitish-looking image.

When we talk about the latest advance in night vision, we have to refer to the tubes that have incorporated the “auto-gating” system — an advance designed with the intention of returning minimum brightness and reflections in those cases where we move from entirely dark areas to lighted ones.

Always keep this in Mind

• Do you have a budget? Does your work demand the best possible quality at night? Is it a whim that you can afford? Are you going to use it for hunting and you need to see in HD? Then buy Generation 2 devices.
• But, do not write off the first generation night binoculars. They continue being the best sellers, and their images are quite good (with degrees of sharpness and brightness which are more than acceptable). Also, the price is much more affordable.
• As for the second, third and fourth generation, they are typically used by highly specialized professionals who need a vision as reliable as possible (military uses, security forces and bodies, night guards).
• If not specified otherwise, the night vision binoculars will be Generation 1, which is the one designed for general non-specialized use.

Characteristics of the Different Generations of Viewers

We focus on the most significant differences between the different generations of night vision binoculars.

Generation 1

• Night viewer that uses a photocathode which amplifies the available light between 300 and 1,000 times.
• They depend on the ambient light for proper functioning (although that light is very scarce).
• Offers excellent value for money.

Night Binoculars 1st Generation

Let’s be clear: in spite of the constant evolutions that there have been (and still are) in the technology of night binoculars, the first generation devices that are manufactured today are technically much better than those manufactured years ago.

Usually, they have the S-20 photocathode. Its resolution is good at the center of vision, however, the peripheral vision can be “dirty” or much less sharp.

From our point of view, they continue to be a great way to start in the world of observation without light and are very affordable.

Generation 2

• Improved image resolution and light gain.
• They use a micro-channel plate (MCP) and an improved light intensifier tube, together with an S25 photocathode, to achieve better brightness, resulting in an amplification of light multiplied by more than 6,000 times.
• The intensifier lasts 5,000 to 6,000 hours of use.
• Prices higher than Generation 1

Night Vision Binoculars Second Generation

Important: Only the 1st and 2nd generation binoculars are available for sale to individuals. Concerning others, the regulations are clear. From the third generation onwards they are reserved for the police and military bodies.

Yes, it is possible to buy third-generation binoculars, but they will always be second-hand and will come from the police or the army.

Generation 3

• They use a plate known as MCP, which increases tube life.
• They have an ion film, responsible for the elimination of the “halo effect” when there are bright light sources.
• Also, they consume more energy for its operation.
• Features amplification of surprising light, which moves in the interval between thirty thousand and fifty thousand times.
• The duration of the intensifier is estimated to work correctly between seven thousand and ten thousand hours of use.

Generation 4

You may have read somewhere that the 4th generation does not yet exist, that it is nothing more than the application of certain improvements in the 3rd generation night vision binoculars and that the number change is only due to purely commercial reasons followed by the manufacturer brands.

• At the moment, these binoculars are reserved for strictly military use.
• It is estimated that they have an increase of up to 100% in the response of the photocathode tube.
• Its performance in the dark is incredibly superior.
• Its difference with those of 3º is mainly in the use of a type of “autogating” technology.
• The brightness and resolution are increased more than three times compared to its predecessor.
• The ion layer is much thinner in the micro-channel plate (MCP).
• The automatic type injection is responsible for the regulation of the photocathode voltage. This means that night binoculars manage to adjust the variations of light conditions automatically.
• Improvement of noise in the image and light sensitivity.
• Having a thinner ion barrier causes the life of the intensifier tube to be reduced, which goes from about 20,000 to 15,000 hours, compared to the 3rd generation.
• A higher resolution of the final image. Powerful and top performance devices.
• Each new generation of night vision binoculars offers much better results (superior lenses, coatings, tubes), with images that have greater clarity, clarity, clarity, and brightness.
• Its price increases exponentially as we go up binoculars generation. We insist that, except for particular uses, good 1st generation binoculars will cover all our expectations. As always, if there is a budget, go ahead.

Which Types of Night Vision Devices are Available and Which One is Right for You?

You can distinguish between two types of night vision devices:

Night Vision Devices with IR Emitters

Intensifier

The different types of night vision devices work in different ways. Thus, the residual light amplifier makes use of an image intensifier tube, which has a multiple light amplification result.

This principle has been used since the Second World War with the zero generation. The infrared emitters, on the other hand, use a particular device that is sensitive to invisible infrared radiation.

The following section briefly explains the differences between each type so you can decide which night vision device is right for you. Also, the operation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each night vision types will be described.

How Does a Night Vision Device with IR Emitters Work?

A night vision device with built-in IR emitters is a so-called active device. If a light source continues to decrease in radiation intensity and hardly any remaining light is available, the power spectrum can be extended with an IR brightener.

The spotlights are already installed in the housing of the device and are usually relatively poor performance or light only a part of the field of view. IR radiation has the particular advantage that it is not visible to other living things such as on the hunt and therefore does not interfere with their natural behavior.

The rays are not harmful to one’s health or one’s own eyes. It even improves this in the sense that with the help of a night vision device with infrared rays even in adverse weather conditions a clear view can be kept. In this way, fog and rain do not reduce visibility.

Advantages

• Uniform illumination
• Even in poor visibility

Disadvantage

• High device weight
• High power consumption
• Limited range of action
• It becomes problematic only in snowfall because the snowflakes reflect the light and thus make the image unusable.
• Another disadvantage of the integrated IR lights is the intense glare, which is easily avoided with a separate IR brightener. Instead, they have an advantage in the general illumination, since this is uniform when operated correctly.

The word “infra” comes from Latin and means “under.” This originates from the fact that the energy content of the IR radiation is still below the radiation seen by the eye as “red.” Because of this, the human eye cannot see the infrared light.

In the context of a night vision device, it means that the invention must translate the emitted light to a spectrum visible to the human eye. The environment reflects the infrared light to varying degrees and thus generates specific outlines and shades.

The light is picked up by a converter in the next step and converted into a visible image. In this picture, particularly highly reflective surfaces – such as living things – appear white, but non-reflective surfaces appear in dark colors.

How Does a Residual Light Amplifier Work?

A residual light amplifier is a passive device. It is small, light and handy, which makes it indispensable for active activities such as hunting or exploring nature, as it does not restrict freedom of movement.

The device has a large radius of action, which can run even over a long distance providing a sharp and bright image.

In a residual light amplifier, the remaining light is amplified to allow a better view. This low light could come from street lighting, the moon or even from the stars. A particularly light-sensitive objective lens focuses the existing light on a photocathode of an image intensifier.

The light energy releases electrons from the cathode, which are accelerated by an electric field. This causes the particles to increase their energy level, that is, their speed. In this way, they can penetrate the holes of a micro-channel plate so that more electrons are created.

Advantages

• Large range of vision
• Low device weight
• Easy handling
• High contrast detail shots

Disadvantage

• Can only be used with low light
• Unsuitable for bad visibility

When enough electrons have formed, it creates a large electron cloud, which is an amplified version of the original image.

In the last step, the electrons collide on a phosphor screen, which, due to the high energy generated, makes it glow. The visible light then forms the desired image on the night-vision device.

A green phosphor is most commonly used in this process because the human eye can distinguish many more shades of green than any other color. This allows greater differentiation of objects in the displayed image.

Due to the particularly sensitive technology, natural sunlight can severely damage the night vision device and should not be used during the day.

Structure of the Night Vision Device

All night vision devices are residual light amplifiers. But this term alone draws attention to the principle of amplification of almost always existing low light, and this is what you need to know when you search for ‘night vision goggles for sale.’

The visible to the human eye section of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum is between 380 and 780 nm wavelength. Other emissions that are also present are invisible to the human eye.

Every warm object and every radio station emits electromagnetic radiation. Our eyes are not designed to be seen at night, yet there is a different amount of infrared radiation in a spectrum over 700 nm.

Night vision devices can be seen as a correction tool that captures the radiations of specific wavelengths, converts them electronically and reproduce them as light in the human-visible range of the light spectrum.

Hence the term “optoelectronic devices.” These can either passively amplify only the low light or actively use an IR emitter to illuminate an object.

Elements of Night Vision Devices

A night vision device consists of three parts. These are in sequence optical-electronic-optical parts.

The lens is permeable to infrared radiation. The image intensifier tube or image tube produces light utilizing the phosphor screen by converting light to electrons on the photocathode and amplifying them. Subsequently, the relatively small image from the image converter tube is enlarged using the eyepiece.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Night Vision Goggles

Which night vision device to use for hunting?

There are always offers for hunting night vision equipment. Surely you can buy for simple trips a pair of binoculars with a residual light amplifier. However, even cheap night vision devices on offer have an infrared sensor. If the night vision device has infrared, it can also be used in absolute darkness. Simple residual light amplifiers then give no picture. A good night vision device can also be found as a binocular model so that it comes very close to binoculars.

Which night vision device is used in the military?

Military night vision devices, night vision rifle scopes are not available on the market. They are reserved for the military and not intended for a private person. They are also 4th generation night vision devices. If you want to buy a night vision device cheap, you will not find it in the military equipment.

Which features do the night vision devices have?

Night vision devices from different manufacturers are equipped with various features. It is essential to recognize which make sense and which are just gimmicks. For example, one device or another is provided with an external power connector so that it does not rely on battery power but requires being near a power source.

An integrated SD card allows you to record or save videos and pictures.

Other devices have a connection to a laptop or computer. All these things are valuable additional equipment that fulfills a purpose.

An essential feature, in our opinion, is an integrated thread for a tripod. For more extended periods of sitting or watching, the night-vision device is placed on a tripod. This prevents fatigue of the arms or head.

Which different night vision devices are there?

Night vision devices have increasingly been introduced into the hobby and amateur sector in recent years. In the past, they were used almost exclusively by professionals such as the military, police, surveillance companies and hunters. Nowadays, anglers, nature lovers, etc. also use a night-vision device to turn night into day.

Manufacturers have also responded to increased demand, leaving the night vision market with many options to choose from.

Night vision devices are manufactured using different techniques and optics. So it is not easy for the consumer to find the right equipment for himself, as the price-performance ratio is the most important aspect when buying a night-vision device.

Who uses night vision devices?

These devices are primarily used when the use of artificial light sources is not possible. They are used to observe poorly lit places. This is mostly relevant to exploring or viewing living things or environments. In addition to the military, police and security personnel, researchers and hunters, in particular, are taking advantage of night vision equipment. They can also be helpful for private use.

How does a night vision device work?

Typically, with the help of our eyes, we see the reflected light of the visible light spectrum. But outside this spectrum is a lot of radiation which is also indicated by living beings and objects or emitted. It is precisely this radiation that is captured by night vision equipment and transformed to produce an image visible to the human eye.

Since infrared radiation is invisible to the human eye, the image can be enhanced with the help of infrared headlights. Especially in military night vision devices, such a headlight is often installed.

Low light Amplifier/Image Intensifier

Residual light amplifiers are electron tubes that can amplify the signal of individual photons in such a way that a visible image is formed at the end. The human eye usually filters out single photons. But only a specific regular Frequent of photons emitted from a point, created in the retina (retina) of the eye, a nerve impulse, which is forwarded to the brain.

A residual light amplifier uses virtually every single photon. A photocathode converts the photon into an electrical impulse, which is accelerated by a very high voltage and falls on a fluorescent screen. There, a light spot is created that is visible to the human eye. Due to the fluorescent surface, night vision images usually appear greenish.

Thermal camera

A thermal imaging camera uses the fact that mammals (including humans) emit heat. This heat radiation in the mid-infrared range is invisible to the human eye – but with a thermal imaging camera, you can make it visible. However, the differences in heat differences are minimal, so they are converted and displayed as color images. Usually, the warmest parts are white, and then the picture goes over red, orange, yellow, green towards blue and black for the boldest colors.

Thermal imaging cameras are also used, for example, in the energetic inspection of facade insulation.

Can night vision devices display colors?

No, because the color information is encoded in the wavelength of the radiated radiation. Only when light of a specific wavelength is emitted, can we perceive it as color. Infrared radiation does not contain this distinction.

What are the illuminators?

Many devices can be reinforced with an illuminator, a method similar to a small flashlight adaptable to all models of night vision equipment. It emits a beam of red light invisible to the human eye, but that is picked up by way of light through the night viewer (as if illuminating a lighthouse at night).

The power supply is two standard 1.5-volt batteries. It has three positions of light intensity, as well as a focal regulator to open and close the beam of light. The illuminator allows the vision through any of the night viewers in the absolute darkness.

What do night vision devices cost?

Although relatively complex optical devices, night vision devices are hardly more expensive than good binoculars. This applies at least to devices for private users (e.g., hunters). Tools that are suitable for military or security-reliant deployments cost far more and are not freely available.

Monocular or Binocular?

Even in the shape and design, night vision devices differ remarkably. One type is structurally very similar to a pair of binoculars, which means that the user can look through the machine with both eyes. This type of night vision device is called a “binocular device.” The advantage is that the field of view extends to both eyes so that no such fatigue occurs.

The other type is the “monocular devices,” which resemble a telescope in construction. Here you only see with one eye, which of course is more tired than if both eyes can share the work.

An advantage of the monocular devices is that they can be guided with one hand. Also, the control buttons are usually designed with these devices so that they can also be operated with the holding hand.

Which night vision device is suitable for hunting?

As a night vision device for hunters, models with the infrared sensor are particularly useful. This can be switched on if necessary. With an infrared sensor, such a device can be used even in complete darkness. We recommend night vision goggles from Yukon for hunting.

Attention:  Although there are special night vision attachments for daylight riflescopes, they must not be used as a night aiming device.

How far can you see with a night vision device?

Surely you know the night vision function of a video camera. This is usually limited to a few meters. Night vision devices have a much better night vision technology and a correspondingly higher range.

While cheap night vision devices often reach around 50 to 60 meters, you can watch some 200 meters with high-end equipment, such as Yukon.

Who invented the night vision device?

Vladimir K. Zworykin developed the first-night vision device to be marketed for the Radio Corporation of America in the late 1930s.

How did we test the night vision devices?

For our test series with night vision devices, we have selected six different models. All came from different price ranges so that a better overview arises.

Of course, the devices differ depending on the price range in equipment and range. It should be noted that expensive is not synonymous with good.

Individually, the price or performance ratio has to decide on the choice of a night vision device.

Consumers from the professional sector will undoubtedly opt for a higher-priced device due to the better equipment and longer ranges, while for the hobby or amateur area also a device from the middle or lower price range is sufficient.

Night Vision Goggles-Buying Guide

Many models of different price ranges are offered on the market. A cheap night vision device does not necessarily have poor quality, as our test reports have shown. What you should pay attention to when buying the best night vision goggles in the world are the conveyed tips.

Important Points at a Glance

• Should the device be monocular, i.e., one-eyed or binocular, i.e., double-eyed?
• The device must be shock resistant and robust.
• The type of image intensifier tube plays an important role.
• Should the night vision device come from the first, second or third generation? The performance of a second generation device is 10 to 15 times higher than a first-generation device.
• Handy and easy to be the night vision device
• The low-priced night vision devices are usually quite large. This entails that they are more cumbersome and unwieldy, so can also be stowed and transported worse.
• A more expensive but smaller miniature night vision device can be stowed in the jacket pocket and easily held and operated with one hand.

The Range of the NVD

Models of the low price category do not necessarily have to be limited in their scope. High-quality models, such as the Yukon NV 1 × 20, provide visibility of up to 300 meters. However, potential buyers are already moving upwards in price regions of 200 euros.

Field of View

The width of the visible area is specified as a field of view. Excellent night vision equipment, for example, the tested Yukon NV 1 × 20 creates up to 100 meters. Particularly useful is a full field of view during hunting or wildlife viewing.

Zoom Functionality

Some of the models featured in the Night Vision Test Kit have image zooming capabilities. The magnification itself is highly dependent on the lens diameter. The larger the lens, the higher the zoom, as a rule. When using zoom functions, however, the maximum field of view is reduced. Such night vision devices with magnification are especially suitable for ornithologists (ornithologists) can be called the best night vision goggles for hunting.

Recording Functionality

Some devices can even record pictures and videos. This feature is particularly suitable for nature lovers who want to capture a special event. The quality of the images of a night vision camera is usually not comparable to those of cameras.

Battery Performance

Good night vision devices are either powered by battery or batteries. Depending on whether only the remaining light is amplified or the optional infrared is used, the maximum length of the operating time varies. The best night vision devices offer a running time of up to 72 hours without and 20 hours with infrared.

Infrared Light Brighteners

An excellent night vision device and digital night vision devices you always need ambient light. If this dwindles or is no longer sufficient on nights with dense cloud cover or new moon, you can expand the range of services with an IR brightener. Often these are already installed in the housing of the device. Most of them, however, are relatively underachieving or just a part of the field of vision. Another shortcoming of these integrated IR lights is the dazzling effect, for example, when the light hits the wood panel in a pulpit. This can be avoided with a separate IR brightener.

Conversion Lenses

Especially users in the security area mostly use devices that are equipped with no or only low magnification. Otherwise, a walk through unlit halls would take some getting used to, as the field of view decreases with higher magnification, and the minimum focusing distance moves the focus farther and farther away. But since, for example, in the guarding of larger outdoor facilities, the enlargement is missing, there are for these devices mostly auxiliary lenses. This expands the range of applications of these devices.

Camera Adapter

Such adapters allow you to connect the appropriate night vision device with a camera or video camera. This can be done by brackets on which the night vision device and the camera are mounted. However, this approach is usually only suitable for compact cameras. For SLR and system cameras, adaptation solutions are recommended, which are attached to the eyepiece of the night vision device and screwed to the filter thread of the lens via a threaded adapter.

Handling

When buying a cheap model with low light amplification, it should be ensured that the device is as light as possible. Furthermore, ergonomics is an essential factor. Nature lovers appreciate it when the use of the night vision device does not lead to permanent fatigue. Also, it should be perfectly adapted to the eye.

Night vision goggles in the lower price range should be kept away. As a rule, the glasses are not real night vision devices in the true sense, but rather gadgets. From time to time there are discounters Aldi night vision devices which amplify the low light, which is recommended for beginners, even these models have infrared technology.

The Price

The average price of night vision goggles cannot be an important buying criterion. But beware! When comparing different brands, products or variants: Cheap is not always right. When choosing between different versions or spare parts of a night-vision device you should remember the “golden rule.” As you’ve probably already learned, it does not always mean the most expensive but not the cheapest products are the best. , The delivery plays an immense role and can represent a significant cost factor depending on the supplier.

The Look is a Very Important Point

A night vision device lives and dies with its lens. An absolute must is a fast and useful lens. Only then can the invention provide good picture quality.

With a high focal length, the light transmission of the lens decreases. You should make sure that the F-number, which indicates the light transmission, is lower than F2.0. Higher F numbers result in poor image quality.

Equally important is the eyepiece: Here the manufacturers trick very often. Make sure that the eyepiece is made of glass and not plastic. Plastic scratch very fast. Also, the viewing opening should have at least 18 millimeters. More is even better.

On the eyepiece should be mounted a fixed rubber shell, which must be folded down for spectacle wearers.

Avoid cheap versions with bad eyecups, as a mismatched eyecup can be uncomfortable to the eyes and fogs too fast.

Also, the eyepiece adjustment must not be too smooth, so it does not move by itself.

Colors and Weight

For the commercial sector, however, this alternative is not fascinating, because more often characteristics are needed. For example, you should be aware of whether you want to use it mobile. Then the weight should be less than if you only need it for one location. The color selection is outstanding! Although the color is more of a subjective factor but should meet your wishes, because not infrequently accompanied your new favorite product over the next few years, if not decades!

Services

Even with an online order, an excellent service must be available. The retailer always gets a certain amount of personal advice. With an online order, this is only possible if the online retailer has set up a working service hotline.

The devices should be marked with their origin and provided with a service guarantee. This is also very important for possible repairs and the spare parts service. If the manufacturer is located abroad, service may be limited. A repair of a device from foreign manufacturers can take according to experience reports already times 2 to 6 months, if the provider does not even have a repair service.

The guarantee periods must be based on the legally prescribed guidelines. Some suppliers or manufacturers provide guarantees that are far above the legal guidelines.

Accessories and Other Features:

Tips for Maintaining Night Vision Binoculars

Whether for hunting or amateur use, binoculars are a handy tool given close-up observations. Although this finding is nothing new to the general public, on the one hand, selecting suitable binoculars is not easy. When you have found the right one, you should take care of the care of your binoculars. Although today’s binoculars are reasonably sturdy, with mechanical parts usually maintenance-free, consideration should be made to maintain and clean the exterior surfaces as much as possible.

Below, we would like to show you what to look out for regarding binocular care so that you can have long-time friends on your binoculars.

Maintenance and Care of Night Vision Goggles

The support and care of your night vision devices are very important so that you can enjoy it as long as possible.

Measures on Rare Use

If you don’t use your favorite binoculars often, it may be advisable to cover the lenses with the protective cover most binoculars have. With the final protective cover, the binoculars should be stowed in the associated storage bag, as long as it is not needed. In this way, pollution of the outside world such as dust is avoided and the binoculars are generally well protected from damage.

Measures for Frequent Use

Due to the frequent exposure of your binoculars to the outside world, soiling is almost inevitable. Binoculars are usually exposed to the dusty environment, so proper cleaning utensils are needed to remove the dirt. You would not have to worry about that, as most cleaning utensils are not expensive to buy and are available to everyone.

Maintain Goggles Gumming

To remove the dirt and grime from your binoculars’ rubber coating, you could access classic budget funds that are undoubtedly available to you at home. Use some soap or dishwashing detergent and use a damp cloth to gently remove the dirt that has attached itself to the rubber armor. To maintain your rubber armor, you could get a talcum stick, which is a rubber stick, which is a kind of thick lipstick of soft gray mass that contains powder. In places where you cannot quickly get it, smear some of the mass on an old toothbrush and apply it to it. Such pins you can also get at gas stations and cost about 5 euros.

Care of the Binoculars with Frequent Use

Removal of Smaller Debris

Items that are used to remove dust and are found in any photoshop, the lens brush, and the bellows. The brush can be used to remove small debris such as dust quickly. You can also keep the dirty side of the binoculars down, and the dirt can be brushed away in this way, without much force. The good thing is that the optics do not scratch when you use a soft brush and exercise little pressure. Also, a bellows can prove to be very helpful in removing small dust particles on the objective lenses.

If you still see the dust on the lenses after using a lens brush or a bladder, you can help out with a microfiber cloth as a precaution. However, you must be aware that you have removed all dust particles from the lenses, as otherwise, it could lead to the creation of scratches. With regular dirt, waterproof binoculars or the removed riflescope can be rinsed without problems with room-warm water.

Elimination of Traces of Grease

To remove debris and grease from your binoculars, other items are needed; such utensils would be, for example, microfiber cloths that you should always be available, as they are still to use for the removal of fingerprints and are not too expensive. An aspiration of the objective lenses and light, circular wiping is sufficient to eliminate fingerprints. Both dry paper wipes and the application of fine powder, as offered in some optical cleaning sets, as well as the use of acetone, any solvents or gasoline, are generally discouraged. Because they can attack and damage different materials and coatings.

Ideally, the objective lenses should not come in contact with traces of grease that come from fingerprints or gun grease, as they can lead to long-term damage, depending on their intensity. Unfortunately, such light soiling cannot be avoided entirely over time. Dirty debris should be gently removed with one of your microfiber cloths promptly. In the specialized trade, you find alternatively to microfiber cloths, cleaning agents, which were conceived primarily for optical devices. These detergents or a small amount of pure alcohol can be used for the surface of the lenses as a cleaning liquid.

Use Distilled Water

If you do not want to spend money on cleaning products, you could clean the objective lenses without contact with a syringe filled with distilled water. Hold the binoculars with the surface to be cleaned down and carefully inject the water into the appropriate places. You can also take this procedure a bit more radical and keep the binoculars under the tap. But most owners shy away from that, and you also need to dry your binoculars by maybe using a hairdryer.

If this step does not deter you, then you should remove the limescale water from the water pipe with enough distilled water. Drain the distilled water and gently pat the remaining drops with cotton swabs. Now your binoculars are free of dust, and you can wipe the objective lenses with a microfiber cloth without damaging them.

Fungal Attack on Goggles

A fungal attack is ruled out in watertight devices filled with dry nitrogen. However, a fungal attack could occur on the outer surfaces of the objective lenses when the binoculars are stored in a damp and dark environment.

Mushroom is almost everywhere, and he finds ideal breeding ground if also there are traces of grease. In this case or high humidity environments, it is recommended to keep binoculars in a light, airy place. When the sun warms them slightly, the moisture film evaporates from the surface and without moisture there is no fungal attack. A fungus can often be recognized by a fine structure on the lens surfaces.

The outer surfaces of the objective lenses could be damaged in the long term, with the simple cleaning may eventually eliminate the fungus, but the traces left by the fungal attack, unfortunately, preserved. Because of this, it is advisable to pay attention to the parameters mentioned above.

Recommendations for its Use

The night infrared viewers are designed and manufactured for the night. Yes, it’s obvious, but it’s worth remembering;

If used during daylight conditions, the intensifier tube can deteriorate without remedy.

If for a need there is no choice but to use them during the day promptly, do not forget that you have placed the protective cover of the camera.

In case it happens that night vision does not work as it should, please do not try to open them. Think that inside they have a high voltage and, moreover, the most normal thing is that you damage some of its internal components.

Technical Issues

If we go deep, the matter would be very complicated (lenses, prisms, mirrors, cameras, coatings, and everything developed thoroughly).

In night binoculars there is a lot of physics involved. Let’s try to explain it as clearly as possible. The objective lens of the binoculars (remember that it is the farthest part of the eyes) collects the available light and instantly sends it to the image intensifier.

And here a kind of optical miracle occurs: the photons become electrons and cause the atoms to release similar particles (as if they were interpolated), which dramatically multiplies the electrons that initially existed. Once this operation is done, the electrons impact on a screen that is impregnated with phosphorus, which causes the photons to free again and create the typical green image in the night vision devices.

Keep in mind that these binoculars are not designed to observe objects that are too far away and their degree of magnification is usually quite low. Don’t expect a view of subjects or objects three kilometers away with sharpness. If we think like that, we will be fooling ourselves.

Ultimately, the key lies in the “intensifiers of the image,” which are responsible for processing the light that our eyes do not perceive and amplify it hundreds of thousands of times. Yes, hundreds of thousands.

Buying Night Binoculars of Acceptable Quality is Within Reach of Almost Any Pocket at Present

As we usually insist, like when you buy a camera or any other device, the first question you should ask yourself is: do I need them? Is it a whim that I can afford? Because we are not talking about cheap binoculars, so if you are thinking about acquiring some it is because you have already given it many laps and you are sure that is what you want.

Maybe your choice is due to a need or, a hobby to see objects at night. In either case, your decision is yours alone and, therefore, correct.

And here we give you some suggestions that you can come very well to understand how they work and know more about this type of binoculars.

Why am I going to Use Night Vision Goggles?

This is an important question that you should ask yourself. Keep in mind that there are so many binoculars, goggles, and night monocular on the market as you can imagine.

Surely by the type of use that you are going to make you agree more than others. Observation of nature, surveillance, support for fishing, its applications are innumerable.

Consider the Environment

Where will I be when I use the night viewers? Will the observer be very far from me? The higher the gain, the worse the gain (the light level you will see when you look through binoculars or night glasses).

Under what climatic conditions will I usually use them? The weather affects light levels and visibility

The Observation Distance

Not all binoculars of this type have the same scope. Are you going to observe a short or long distance? The longer-range night vision binoculars are much more expensive than the short ones — another not insignificant issue to consider before rushing into your purchase.

Meteorological Conditions

The visibility and quantity of available light are directly affected by the climate in which they will be used. It is logical and does not deserve further comments.

The Highest Quality Viewers

If you have enough budget to afford one of these gems, do not hesitate. We are talking about the best that the market offers in night vision. Their prices are high, and their benefits too.

Night Binoculars and the Price Increase

The rule is simple to understand: the higher the magnification of what we look at, the worse the gain (it may be convenient to clarify that when we talk about gain we are referring to the relative level of light, you will see when looking through your binoculars).

And yes, as often happens in life, this is a problem that is solved by buying high-end night binoculars. How strange, right? If we move to a range of approximately 5x, that’s fine.

If we need to buy night vision binoculars because we need them for our profession (police, vigilantes, hunters) and we need a good reach, then we will have no choice but to opt for high gain night binoculars, which are less dense, smaller and, of course, cheaper.

The Photosensitivity

We talk about the minimum levels of light that are needed for proper operation and the type of light captured by the sensor of the binoculars for the night.

As you can imagine, the second generation of viewers for the night is much better than the first. It offers greater clarity and sharpness in the image, as well as a much higher brightness.

The problem, as usual, is the difference in prices between one and another generation of vision binoculars for nighttime conditions.

Conclusion

We have considered in this detailed guide both the best night vision goggles and all there is to know about night vision goggles. The maintenance of your night vision glass is also a key factor when checking its durability, because, even if you purchase the most durable night binocular but don’t take care of it, its value will dwindle. The varying versions and types these awesome nighttime devices should be noted for future purchases. Like we mentioned before above, if you aim to purchase one for yourself, you need to consider your need for it to enable you to make the best choice. We hope we have solved some major issue for you today by putting together this vast guide for night vision goggles, and if so, you can drop a comment in the comment section.