subject: Choose The Right Night Vision Device [print this page] Approximately half of the hours in a day take place overnight, under dark conditions. Nearly all outdoor activities usually stop when the sun disappears below the horizon due to the fact that humans have inadequate natural ability to see in the dark unless we have the aid of some type of light source. The majority of people just acknowledge and deal with this reality simply because they are not aware that affordable night vision devices are readily available.
Despite what most people think, night vision devices are available for purchase to average citizens. Most people are under the misapprehension that these items can only be purchased by law enforcement or military personnel. Of course it's correct that equipment such as special application night vision rifle scopes are strictly available to these entities, however there are many more devices on the market for purchase by anyone. In fact the average American can purchase and own top military quality equipment like night vision binoculars, night vision monoculars, and night vision goggles. The only restriction is that some higher end products can not be taken out of the U.S.
Even though night vision technology has been around for about half of a century, these devices remain underutilized. Generation 1, often called Gen 1, night vision technology was actually developed during the Vietnam era and is still sold today as low-cost entry point into the world of night vision. Even though Generation 1 night vision devices provide significantly better viewing in dark conditions over naked eye seeing, this improvement pales in comparison to what is offered by US Gen 3 products.
Generation 3 night vision items are thought to be high priced by some, however the benefits of using this equipment is often considered priceless to the user. It all boils down to the ability to see without being seen. This advantage provides virtually limitless potential. These benefits include, but aren't limited to, improved capabilities in camping, maritime navigation, search and rescue, astronomy, hunting, blackout situations, wildlife observation, security, and even surveillance.
Among the most common questions about night vision equipment, are questions about the dissimilarities in the 3 generations of night vision. Naturally the price increases from Gen 1 to Gen 2, and from Gen 2 to Gen 3, but the benefits do too. On a spectrum of 0-100%, zero comparing to unaided human eyesight and 100 being roughly equal to normal daytime viewing abilities, each generation offers its own unique range of intensified night vision abilities. Visual abilities of Generation 1 range from 10-20%, Generation 2 from fifty to sixty percent, and Gen 3 from 75-85%. Similarly, operational endurance increases with each of these gens. Operational life of Generation 1 devices is typically 500-1,000 hours, while Gen 2 provides two thousand hours, and this figure grows to ten thousand for Gen 3 devices.
Deciding which generation of night vision product to pick can be hard to figure out without the advice of experts. Variables in this decision boil down to personal preference, available accessories, and specific application. For example, some people try to save money by selecting a Generation 1 device, only to find that they are disappointed in its functionability. However a user's experience can be greatly improved with magnification and hands free accessories.
Needless to say, there's a huge variety of night vision devices and attachments available for purchase, which creates virtually endless combination options. From infrared illuminators to weapon mounted night vision sights, the more a user gets educated about night vision equipment, the more prepared they will be to make an intelligent purchasing decision.
