Binoculars can provide a lifetime of viewing enjoyment. There are a great number of choices on the market today. Binoculars for birders, boat owners, hunters, sports enthusiasts and simply recreational users are varied in style, price and features. Night vision binoculars are rather specialized and fewer people use these than some of the other styles. It’s important to consider brands, product generations and product variations.
What is night vision binocular
Night vision binoculars make use of the night vision technology which makes the viewers enable to see in the dark. This optical device is extremely useful for outdoor activities at night. It is a marvel of the advanced and latest technology. It can also be called a night vision goggle. In a night vision binocular, night vision technology and binocular equipment are combined for the sake of added benefit.
Technology and types of Night vision binocular
The technology of these specialized binoculars is based on image enhancement and thermal imaging. Adjustable illumination and other image controls will give the user more detailed refinement of night vision. To touch on a few of the important aspects of purchasing a night vision apparatus, magnification power, portability and optical quality all need to be considered.
There are three different types of technology with night vision: image intensifier night vision (green images), digital night vision (black and white images), and thermal night vision.
- The image intensifier night vision is the most widely known and used type of night vision device. Tiny amounts of light that are normally invisible to the naked eye are amplified to the point it can easily be seen. The screen, (phosphor screen), on this type of viewing device is colored green because the human eye is able to discriminate between different shades of green easier than other phosphor colors.
- Digital night vision, like image intensifier night vision, amplifies available light by collecting light through an objective lens. The light is then processed through what is called a CCD, or charged coupling device, and then projected onto what is called a LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, where the image is then viewed in black and white.
- Thermal night vision, otherwise known as thermal imaging, produces images by capturing the upper portion of the infrared light spectrum. This portion of the spectrum is emitted in the form heat, or electromagnetic waves, by objects. Tracking body heat or fire is easy with thermal imaging binoculars. These devices, due to the sensitive and complicated components, begin in the price range of $10,000 and go up.
Generations of night vision binocular
Night vision binoculars have three generations i.e. the first generation, the second and the third generation. The first generation binoculars are no more in use and have become almost obsolete. The second generation binoculars are 3 times more powerful than the first generation binoculars. The third generation binoculars are the most powerful binoculars. These are used by the professional experts due to their unique and advanced features. A forth generation of binoculars is in evolutionary form but its usage has not extended much. First three generations are repeated for your convenience.
Generation 1 – used by amateurs and professionals, affordable, best ROI for brightness and image quality.
Generation 2 – better image resolution and brighter green images than Generation 1, used primarily by government entities, military and professionals due to higher cost.
Generation 3 – used primarily by law enforcement and defense agencies, delivers the best overall viewing quality with the clearest image available, a bit cost prohibitive for the average user beginning at prices of $3,000. Binoculars used for night vision are capable of gathering light from several hundred yards away. As a result, most models utilized for this application feature a magnification between 1.5x to 5.0x.
Types of night vision binocular
Night vision binoculars have different kinds. Active night vision binoculars are used at places where no light is present at all. Infrared light is emitted and artificial reflection is created. An image is created inside the binocular because of this reflection. Infrared light functions as an artificial light source at completely dark places having no light at all. The passive night vision binoculars absorb some light instead of projecting it. The light is amplified to a screen made of phosphorous. As a result, the screen becomes green in color. Our eyes have capacity of absorbing more shades of green color than other colors.
Usage of it
Night vision binoculars solve the problem of being able to see at night. These instruments are used by military personnel, private investigators, hunters, and law enforcement officials, to name a few. Performance varies depending on the application for which the binoculars will be utilized.
The night vision technology is used in night vision cameras, night vision scopes and night vision goggles besides the night vision binoculars. These night vision binoculars are used for manifold purposes. The police use it for detecting criminals. The security agencies use it for the sake of surveillance. The military or army uses it for detecting the enemy or for other defense purposes. Hunters also make use of night vision binoculars for hunting at night. In the National Geography, it is used for studying and observing wildlife, natural objects and their phenomena. The hunters use it for hunting at night. The nature lovers use it in the night to see the wonderful natural scenery.
Night vision binoculars are no longer just for army surveillance
There are many different types of optics to help you see at night, there are night vision binoculars, digital cameras, telescopes and goggles. The most popular choice for the avid outdoorsman seems to be using binoculars for night vision. Some of the best binocular manufactures on the market today all have their own collection/model of night vision sport optics that are great for both day and night like Bushnell, Russian, ATN, Rigel, Canon and more.
Cheap night vision binoculars
When reading a few binocular reviews online I came across info on the Bushnell 2.5×42 Gen 1 (260400) night vision binoculars for a cheap $399.00 around at amazon. These binoculars have a built-in infrared night vision that illuminates and enhances images in complete darkness making them great for caving, camping, night fishing, hunting and is excellent for night surveillance.
Consumers have reported that these binoculars are very comfortable to use and hold over long periods of time because it’s lightweight at only 28oz. There is also a tri-pod mount and uses 2 AA batteries to operate and can be used day or night. Extra-long range site and wide field of view makes them so good that law enforcement also uses them. Take your time while researching online before you buy that pair of night vision sport binoculars as you can find discounted items on last year’s models as well as sales and promotions on discount models. Read a binocular review or info article on your favorites and compare features and prices before you choose. One more tip: Look to spend at least $350.00 to $550.00 for a durable, quality pair of night vision eyes and only go with a reputable, authorized binoculars dealer.
Brands and items of night vision binocular
There are different types and brands of night vision binoculars. Some of the popular brands are Gen 2 Night Vision Binoculars, Bushnell Night Vision Binocular, Houston Binoculars Night Vision, Russian Night Vision Binoculars and Baigish Night Vision Binoculars. You can explore various options and choose the best possible one according to your need. In order to purchase night vision binoculars, you can use internet for having a look at different models and their comparisons. You can find the cheap night vision binoculars by making a search for wholesale night vision binoculars equipment and binoculars at discount rates.
If you want to buy a cheap night vision binocular, you can purchase second hand models at special discount rates. You can browse on line auctions for exploring the right option. If you are interested in buying a high quality binocular, you can opt for Bushnell night vision binoculars. These are high quality binoculars offered at reasonable rates.
Rigel Optics, ATN, Bushnell Night Vision, Minolta, Clover Electronics USA, Yukon Optics, Night Owl Vision, and Newcon Optik are a few of the manufacturers that offer night vision binoculars. Generation 1 night vision binoculars will be the least expensive, with Generation 3 devices being the most expensive and somewhat cost prohibitive for an average binocular owner.