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Night Vision Devices Buying Guide

Ever wanted to spy on a neighbour?  Well that's probably illegal.  But you can use night vision devices for recreational purposes like hunting  or camping,  as they allow you to see objects in the dark that would be otherwise invisible to your human eye.  In fact, by using either image enhancement or thermal imaging, night vision devices can allow the user to see another person, animal or object up to 200 yards away.  That's why NVDs  are also frequently used by military personnel and pilots to help them perform tasks more safely and efficiently.

  • Image enhancement works by collecting and intensifying tiny amounts of light that are often imperceptible to the human eye so that it can easily detect the image.
  • Thermal imaging works by capturing and intensifying the heat of certain entities. Bodies emit more heat than inanimate objects like buildings, and the differences are easily recognizable through the use of this method.

For in-depth details on how night vision works, check out this article on HowStuffWorks.com.

Scopes Versus Goggles

While the terms are often thrown around interchangeably, scopes  and goggles  are two very different types of night vision devices.

Scopes

  • Normally handheld or mounted on a stand or weapon.
  • Monocular (one eye piece).
  • Easier to switch back and forth from normal viewing to night vision.
  • Spotting scopes  essential for getting a good look at distance objects for detail.
  • Rifle scopes  are mounted in the normal scope position, making it easier to hunt in the dark.

Goggles

  • Most often worn on the head, although sometimes handheld.
  • Binocular (two eye pieces).
  • Can have a single lens or a stereo lens,
  • Best suited for constant viewing.

*Aside from scopes and goggles, cameras can also be fitted with night vision technology and can send the image to a monitor  for display or recording.

When Purchasing

There's a lot of information to handle when purchasing an NVD.  From knowing what generation device you're getting to understanding its degree of photosensitivity, it may be difficult to keep all the material straight.  Keep a check list of priorities for your purchase, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

  • Generations:  Ranging from zero to four, the higher the generation the more sophisticated the device.  While Generation Zero denotes devices that were originally designed for low grade military use, Generation Four often indicates the most advanced devices costing well over $3000.
  • Gain:  Since NVDs amplify existing light, darker natural conditions make it more difficult to produce a crisp image with good contrast.  If the device has good gain, the amplifier is able to increase the power of the signal to produce a sharper image.
  • Range:  The maximum distance that an NVD is able to detect an object clearly.  While a powerful lens will give you higher magnification for viewing far off objects, it can also decrease the amount of light captured, so it is important to look for a high-speed lens with magnification below 5x.  Night vision binoculars often have the deepest range for viewing far off objects.
  • Image Quality:  Image quality is dependent on the quality of resolution, contrast, and distortion. Good resolution will allow you to distinguish details of far off objects, while high quality contrast will allow you to see objects against like similarly coloured backgrounds.  Low distortion--an absence of fuzziness and black dots on the lens--is also a major plus.
  • Size/Weight:  Lightweight devices are more comfortable during extended viewing.  While most devices weigh a pound or less, some newer models can weigh up to 3 lbs.  Thus, deciding the size and weight of your NVD can often depend on where and how you intend to use it.
  • Price:  Should be in line with the generation, and therefore the quality.

Other purposes for NVDs

  • Law enforcement
  • Self-defense
  • Hiking 
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Boating 
  • Military
  • Surveillance
  • Navigation

Related Buying Guides

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