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Starting off with night vision/ NV Scopes
- Thread Starter Brian R
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Following....thinking about a hand held to start with. Always open for suggestions.
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I started dabbling in nv scopes about two years ago and recently upgraded into the world of N-Vision thermals. I don't have a whole lot of experience yet but I can answer your basic questions. My first question for you would be is this just for night shooting or hunting?
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Hand held what? El cheapo monocular to play with shown below. Just recorded Portland's most notorious graffiti tagged last week. Sent NV video to city. Doubt they will do anything with it though but who knows. Could see him plain as day.
And no it's not some serious nods or whatever. It's a cheap NV monocular that works.
Good night vision monocular for $26
I have one of these and they are very good (for budget night vision I mean). Can see in total darkness up to about 100 yards (ie it uses built in IR flashlight). Can see satellites and stars you can't see with naked eye. Must hold about 10-12" from your face though, can't hold next to your eye...
www.northwestfirearms.com
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I posted this to the dedicated Night Vision area, but thought it was needed here as well...
Night Vision Terminology
Auto-Gated Power Supply
When the power supply is "auto-gated," it means the system is turning itself on and off at a very rapid rate. This, combined with a thin film attached to the microchannel plate (an ion barrier) reduces blooming. While "blooming" can be noticeably less on systems with a thin film layer, systems with thicker film layers can be perfectly acceptable depending on the end user's application. Deciding which night vision goggle is better should not be based solely on blooming.
Automatic Brightness Control (ABC)
An electronic feature that automatically reduces voltages to the microchannel plate to keep the image intensifier's brightness within optimal limits and protect the tube. The effect of this can be seen when rapidly changing from low-light to high-light conditions; the image gets brighter and then, after a momentary delay, suddenly dims to a constant level.
Black Spots
These are common blemishes in the image intensifier of the NVD or can be dirt or debris between the lenses of the NVG. Black spots that are in the image intensifier do not affect the performance or reliability of a night vision device and are inherent in the manufacturing processes. Every night vision image intensifier tube is different. They are like diamonds.
Blooming
Loss of the entire night vision image, parts of it, or small parts of it, due to intensifer tube overloading by a bright light source. Also, known as a "halo" effect, when the viewer sees a "halo" effect around visible light sources. When such a bright light source comes into the night vision device's view, the entire night vision scene, or parts of it, become much brighter, "whiting out" objects within the field of view. Blooming is common in Generation 0 and 1 devices. The lights in the image to the right would be considered to be "blooming".
Bright Spots
These can be defects in the image area produced by the NVG. This condition is caused by a flaw in the film on the microchannel plate. A bright spot is a small, non-uniform, bright area that may flicker or appear constant. Bright spots usually go away when the light is blocked out and are cosmetic blemishes that are signal induced.
Diopter
The unit of measure used to define eye correction or the refractive power of a lens. Usually, adjustments to an optical eyepiece accomodate for differences in individual eyesight. Most ITT systems provide a +2 to -6 diopter range.
Distortion There are two types of distortion found in night vision systems. One type is caused by the design of the optics, or image intensifier tube, and is classical optical distortion. The other type is associated with manufacturing flaws in the fiber optics used in the image intensifier tube.
This is the amount of light you see through a night vision device when an image tube is turned on but no light is on the photocathode. EBI is affected by temperature; the warmer the night vision device, the brighter the background illumination. EBI is measured in lumens per square centimeter (lm/cm2). The lower the value the better. The EBI level determines the lowest light level at which an image can be detected. Below this light level, objects will be masked by the EBI.
Field-of-View
The diameter of the imaged area when viewed through an optic.
Figure of Merit (FOM) Image Intensification tube specification designation, calculated on line pair per mm x signal to noise.
Fixed-Pattern Noise (FPN – Chicken Wire)
A faint hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern throughout the image area that most often occurs under high-light conditions. This pattern is inherent in the structure of the microchannel plate and can be seen in virtually all Gen 2 and Gen 3 systems if the light level is high enough. Footlambert(fL) A unit of brightness equal to one foot candle at a distance of one foot.
Gain
Also called brightness gain or luminance gain. This is the number of times a night vision device amplifies light input. It is usually measured as tube gain and system gain. Tube gain is measured as the light output (in fL) divided by the light input (in fc). This figure is usually expressed in values of tens of thousands. If tube gain is pushed too high, the tube will be "noiser" and the signal-to-noise ration many go down. U.S. military Gen 3 image tubes operate at gains of between 20,000 and 45,000. On the other hand, system gain is measured as teh light output (fL) divided by the light input (also fL) and is what the user actually sees. System gain is usually seen in the thousands. U.S. military systems operate at 2,000 to 3,000. In any night vision system, the tube gain is reduced by the system's lenses and is affected by the quality of the optics or any filters. Therefore, system gain is a more important measurement to the user.
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
The semiconductor material used in manufacturing the Gen 3 photocathode. GaAs photocathodes have a very high photosensitivity in the spectral region of about 450 to 950 nanometers (visible and near-infrared region). Replaced Tri-Alkali
Highlight Shutoff
An image intensifier protection feature incorporating a sensor, microprocessor and circuit breaker. This feature will turn the system off during periods of extreme bright light conditions.
I2 (Image Intensification)
Collects and intensifies the available light in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Offers a clear, distinguishable image under low-light conditions.
IR (Infrared)
Area outside the visible spectrum that cannot be seen by the human eye (between 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter). The visible spectrum is between 400 and 700 nanometers.
Lp/mm (Line Pairs per Millimeter)
Units used to measure image intensifier resolution. Usually determined from a 1951 U.S. Air Force Resolving Power Test Target. The target is a series of different-sized patterns composed of three horizontal and three vertical lines. A user must be able to distinguish all the horizontal and vertical lines and the spaces between them. Typically, the higher the line pair, the better the image resolution. Generation 3 tubes generally have a range of 64 – 72 lp/mm, although line pair measurement does not indicate the generation of the tube. Some Generation 2+ tubes measure 28-38 lp/mm, while a Generation 1+ tube may have measure at 40 lp/mm.
MCP (Microchannel Plate)
A metal-coated glass disk that mulitplies the electrons produced by the photocathode. An MCP is found only in Gen 2 or Gen 3 systems. MCPs eliminate the distortion characteristic of Gen 0 and Gen 1 systems. The number of holes (channels) in an MCP is a major factor in determining resolution. ITT Industries' MCPs have 10.6 million holes or channels compared to the previous standard of 3.14 million.
Near-Infrared
The shortest wavelengths of the infrared region, nominally 750 to 2,500 nanometers.
Photocathode
The input surface of an image intensifier tube that absorbs light energy (photons) and in turn releases electrical energy (electrons) in the form of an image. The type of material used is a distinguishing characteristic of the different generations.
Photocathode Sensitivity
Photocathode sensitivity is a measure of how well the image intensifier tube converts light into an electronic signal so it can be amplified. The measuring units of photocathode sensitivity are micro-amps/lumen (µA/lm) or microamperes per lumen. This criterion specifies the number of electrons released by the Photocathode (PC). PC response is always measured in isolation with no amplification stage or ion barrier (film). Therefore, tube data sheets (which always carry this "raw" figure) do not reflect the fact that over 50% of those electrons are lost in the ion barrier. While for most latest 3rd generation image intensifiers the photoresponse is in the 1800 µA/lm (2000 µA/lm for the latest Omni VI Pinnacle tubes), the actual number is more like 900 µA/lm.
Resolution
The ability of an image intensifier or night vision system to distinguish between objects close together. Image intensifier resolution is measured in line pairs per millimetre (lp/mm) while system resolution is measured in cycles per miliradian. For any particular night vision system, the image intensifier resolution will remain constant while the system resolution can be affected by altering the objective or eyepiece optics by adding magnification or relay lenses. Often the resolution in the same night vision device is very different when measured at the center of the image and at the periphery of the image. This is especially important for devices selected for photograph or video where the entire image resolution is important. Measured in line pairs per millimetre (lp/mm).
Screen
The image tube output that produces the viewable image. Phosphor (P) is used on the inside surface of the screen to produce the glow, thus producing the picture. Different phosphors are used in image intensifier tubes, depending on manufacturer and tube generation.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
A measure of the light signal reaching the eye divided by the perceived noise as seen by the eye. A tube's SNR determines the low-light-resolution of the image tube; therefore, the higher the SNR, the better the ability of the tube to resolve objects with good contrast under low-light conditions. Because SNR is directly related to the photocathode's sensitivity and also accounts for phosphor efficiency and MCP operating voltage, it is the best single indicator of an image intensifier's performance Scintillation Also known as electronic noise. A faint, random, sparkling effect throughout the image area. Scintillation is a normal characteristic of microchannel plate image intensifiers and is more pronounced under low-light-level conditions.
Stereoscopic Night Vision
When two views or photographs are taken through one device. One view/photograph represents the left eye, and the other the right eye. When the two photographs are viewed in a stereoscopic apparatus, they combine to create a single image with depth and relief. Sometimes this gives two perspectives. However, it is usually not an issue because the object of focus is far enough away for the perspectives to blend into one.
System Gain
Equal to tube gain minus losses induced by system components such as lenses, beam splitters and filters. Variable Gain Control Allows the user to manually adjust the gain control ( basically like a dim control ) in varying light conditions. This feature sets the PVS-14 apart from other popular monoculars that do not offer this feature.
Night Vision Terminology
Auto-Gated Power Supply
When the power supply is "auto-gated," it means the system is turning itself on and off at a very rapid rate. This, combined with a thin film attached to the microchannel plate (an ion barrier) reduces blooming. While "blooming" can be noticeably less on systems with a thin film layer, systems with thicker film layers can be perfectly acceptable depending on the end user's application. Deciding which night vision goggle is better should not be based solely on blooming.
Automatic Brightness Control (ABC)
An electronic feature that automatically reduces voltages to the microchannel plate to keep the image intensifier's brightness within optimal limits and protect the tube. The effect of this can be seen when rapidly changing from low-light to high-light conditions; the image gets brighter and then, after a momentary delay, suddenly dims to a constant level.
Black Spots
These are common blemishes in the image intensifier of the NVD or can be dirt or debris between the lenses of the NVG. Black spots that are in the image intensifier do not affect the performance or reliability of a night vision device and are inherent in the manufacturing processes. Every night vision image intensifier tube is different. They are like diamonds.
Blooming
Loss of the entire night vision image, parts of it, or small parts of it, due to intensifer tube overloading by a bright light source. Also, known as a "halo" effect, when the viewer sees a "halo" effect around visible light sources. When such a bright light source comes into the night vision device's view, the entire night vision scene, or parts of it, become much brighter, "whiting out" objects within the field of view. Blooming is common in Generation 0 and 1 devices. The lights in the image to the right would be considered to be "blooming".
Bright Spots
These can be defects in the image area produced by the NVG. This condition is caused by a flaw in the film on the microchannel plate. A bright spot is a small, non-uniform, bright area that may flicker or appear constant. Bright spots usually go away when the light is blocked out and are cosmetic blemishes that are signal induced.
Diopter
The unit of measure used to define eye correction or the refractive power of a lens. Usually, adjustments to an optical eyepiece accomodate for differences in individual eyesight. Most ITT systems provide a +2 to -6 diopter range.
Distortion There are two types of distortion found in night vision systems. One type is caused by the design of the optics, or image intensifier tube, and is classical optical distortion. The other type is associated with manufacturing flaws in the fiber optics used in the image intensifier tube.
- Classical Optical Distortion: Classical optical distortion occurs when the design of the optics or image intensifier tube causes straight lines at the edge of the field of view to curve inward or outward. This curving of straight lines at teh edge will cause a square grid pattern to start to look like a pincushion or barrel. This distortion is the same for all systems with the same model number. Good optical design normally makes this distortion so low that the typical user will not see the curving of the lines.
- Fiber Optics Manufacturing Distortions: Two types of fiber optics distortions are most significant to night vision devices: S-distortion and shear distortion
- S-Distortion: Results from the twisting operation in manufacturing fiber-optic inverters. Usually S-distortion is very small and is difficult to detect with the unaided eye.
- Shear Distortion: Can occur in any image tube that use fiber-optic bundles for the phospor screen. It appears as a cleavage or dislocation in a straight line viewed in the image area, as though the line were "sheared".
This is the amount of light you see through a night vision device when an image tube is turned on but no light is on the photocathode. EBI is affected by temperature; the warmer the night vision device, the brighter the background illumination. EBI is measured in lumens per square centimeter (lm/cm2). The lower the value the better. The EBI level determines the lowest light level at which an image can be detected. Below this light level, objects will be masked by the EBI.
Field-of-View
The diameter of the imaged area when viewed through an optic.
Figure of Merit (FOM) Image Intensification tube specification designation, calculated on line pair per mm x signal to noise.
Fixed-Pattern Noise (FPN – Chicken Wire)
A faint hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern throughout the image area that most often occurs under high-light conditions. This pattern is inherent in the structure of the microchannel plate and can be seen in virtually all Gen 2 and Gen 3 systems if the light level is high enough. Footlambert(fL) A unit of brightness equal to one foot candle at a distance of one foot.
Gain
Also called brightness gain or luminance gain. This is the number of times a night vision device amplifies light input. It is usually measured as tube gain and system gain. Tube gain is measured as the light output (in fL) divided by the light input (in fc). This figure is usually expressed in values of tens of thousands. If tube gain is pushed too high, the tube will be "noiser" and the signal-to-noise ration many go down. U.S. military Gen 3 image tubes operate at gains of between 20,000 and 45,000. On the other hand, system gain is measured as teh light output (fL) divided by the light input (also fL) and is what the user actually sees. System gain is usually seen in the thousands. U.S. military systems operate at 2,000 to 3,000. In any night vision system, the tube gain is reduced by the system's lenses and is affected by the quality of the optics or any filters. Therefore, system gain is a more important measurement to the user.
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
The semiconductor material used in manufacturing the Gen 3 photocathode. GaAs photocathodes have a very high photosensitivity in the spectral region of about 450 to 950 nanometers (visible and near-infrared region). Replaced Tri-Alkali
Highlight Shutoff
An image intensifier protection feature incorporating a sensor, microprocessor and circuit breaker. This feature will turn the system off during periods of extreme bright light conditions.
I2 (Image Intensification)
Collects and intensifies the available light in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Offers a clear, distinguishable image under low-light conditions.
IR (Infrared)
Area outside the visible spectrum that cannot be seen by the human eye (between 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter). The visible spectrum is between 400 and 700 nanometers.
Lp/mm (Line Pairs per Millimeter)
Units used to measure image intensifier resolution. Usually determined from a 1951 U.S. Air Force Resolving Power Test Target. The target is a series of different-sized patterns composed of three horizontal and three vertical lines. A user must be able to distinguish all the horizontal and vertical lines and the spaces between them. Typically, the higher the line pair, the better the image resolution. Generation 3 tubes generally have a range of 64 – 72 lp/mm, although line pair measurement does not indicate the generation of the tube. Some Generation 2+ tubes measure 28-38 lp/mm, while a Generation 1+ tube may have measure at 40 lp/mm.
MCP (Microchannel Plate)
A metal-coated glass disk that mulitplies the electrons produced by the photocathode. An MCP is found only in Gen 2 or Gen 3 systems. MCPs eliminate the distortion characteristic of Gen 0 and Gen 1 systems. The number of holes (channels) in an MCP is a major factor in determining resolution. ITT Industries' MCPs have 10.6 million holes or channels compared to the previous standard of 3.14 million.
Near-Infrared
The shortest wavelengths of the infrared region, nominally 750 to 2,500 nanometers.
Photocathode
The input surface of an image intensifier tube that absorbs light energy (photons) and in turn releases electrical energy (electrons) in the form of an image. The type of material used is a distinguishing characteristic of the different generations.
Photocathode Sensitivity
Photocathode sensitivity is a measure of how well the image intensifier tube converts light into an electronic signal so it can be amplified. The measuring units of photocathode sensitivity are micro-amps/lumen (µA/lm) or microamperes per lumen. This criterion specifies the number of electrons released by the Photocathode (PC). PC response is always measured in isolation with no amplification stage or ion barrier (film). Therefore, tube data sheets (which always carry this "raw" figure) do not reflect the fact that over 50% of those electrons are lost in the ion barrier. While for most latest 3rd generation image intensifiers the photoresponse is in the 1800 µA/lm (2000 µA/lm for the latest Omni VI Pinnacle tubes), the actual number is more like 900 µA/lm.
Resolution
The ability of an image intensifier or night vision system to distinguish between objects close together. Image intensifier resolution is measured in line pairs per millimetre (lp/mm) while system resolution is measured in cycles per miliradian. For any particular night vision system, the image intensifier resolution will remain constant while the system resolution can be affected by altering the objective or eyepiece optics by adding magnification or relay lenses. Often the resolution in the same night vision device is very different when measured at the center of the image and at the periphery of the image. This is especially important for devices selected for photograph or video where the entire image resolution is important. Measured in line pairs per millimetre (lp/mm).
Screen
The image tube output that produces the viewable image. Phosphor (P) is used on the inside surface of the screen to produce the glow, thus producing the picture. Different phosphors are used in image intensifier tubes, depending on manufacturer and tube generation.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
A measure of the light signal reaching the eye divided by the perceived noise as seen by the eye. A tube's SNR determines the low-light-resolution of the image tube; therefore, the higher the SNR, the better the ability of the tube to resolve objects with good contrast under low-light conditions. Because SNR is directly related to the photocathode's sensitivity and also accounts for phosphor efficiency and MCP operating voltage, it is the best single indicator of an image intensifier's performance Scintillation Also known as electronic noise. A faint, random, sparkling effect throughout the image area. Scintillation is a normal characteristic of microchannel plate image intensifiers and is more pronounced under low-light-level conditions.
Stereoscopic Night Vision
When two views or photographs are taken through one device. One view/photograph represents the left eye, and the other the right eye. When the two photographs are viewed in a stereoscopic apparatus, they combine to create a single image with depth and relief. Sometimes this gives two perspectives. However, it is usually not an issue because the object of focus is far enough away for the perspectives to blend into one.
System Gain
Equal to tube gain minus losses induced by system components such as lenses, beam splitters and filters. Variable Gain Control Allows the user to manually adjust the gain control ( basically like a dim control ) in varying light conditions. This feature sets the PVS-14 apart from other popular monoculars that do not offer this feature.
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The short answer: night vision is useable to hunt with but not optimal. It's better suited for night shooting, navigating, minuteman/preparedness, larping etc. If you primarily want to hunt, then thermal is the absolute hands-down, no exception, way to go. It is a night and day difference between the two (no pun intended).
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Agree 100%
- Thread Starter
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Okay I understand. Is thermal still clear enough to get around in the dark?
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For the most part, yes as long as it's a good unit. But that also means $$$$
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My opinion is that everyone should start with a good Pvs14 on the helmet, when getting into NV. You need good safety, stealthy, for nighttime foot travel . Start on the head first, and get lined up with a good fitting bump helmet, and pvs-14 . then go after your Therm. scanner and a rifle mounted NV or Therm. after that.
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what ( @gimpwheelz ) is saying . For best walking foot travel NOD on the helmet. To get the visual depth definition in a Thermal monocular. that is getting close to using a NV pvs14 monocular . You got to go 640 core on the Therm monocular. but you looking at 4-k+ on that investment.
If you go less than 640 core with micro digital pixel image on the NOD . less than a 640 core is going to be a ' real flat ' digital projected image, not giving depth and shadow for good mobility .
You can 'hand scan' with using less than a 640 core Therm. and be GTG . but NO WAY are you going to happy using less than 640 core on the Helmet with foot travel.
The only Therm. I seen that comes even close to a gen3 pvs14 that is Analog projected image . is going to be the IRay 640 monocular, with also mounting a pvs14 ocular over the IRay screen, to give a much larger image of it's small digital screen/image . But a plain-Jane mil.spec gen3 pvs14 is still going to be superior for foot travel over the Iray Monocular.
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I don't disagree with you about a pvs14, but I can't fit all the goodies into my budget so I'm looking into getting the Nox18 by N-Vision because I'm mainly trying to locate coyotes. The biggest perk for me is that it can also be used as a 1x rifle sight, similar to a red dot. And its American!
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GTG
Haven't used them personally but hear only good things
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LOL... Nothing wrong with the NOX 18. Nvision with 640 BAE . I think both Nvision and Trijicon use a BAE core/processor, and it is a European based Corp. but Nvision assembles/markets in US with good customer service .
You will be scanning for coyotes like a bigdog with the Nox., and you will definitely be seeing them.
I was just suggesting then IRay 640 Monoc. as it is about the best bang for the Buck-$, if going that route . I got NO luve for the PRC though . IRay is all China/sold marketed 'PRC' . . But All Thermal manufacturing use some subcontracted/China in them .
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I have bought a couple pvs14's off them, but that was several years back . TNVC been around long time, have always had good Customer service . I would not say their advertised prices are best around, but they do Quality .
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Never had an issue with them, bought...uh...quite a bit of stuff.
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