Quick Start Guide

What is “night vision?”

“Night Vision” is the ability to “see in the dark…”

Night Vision refers specifically to devices that can see low level light, such as light waves that appear under the visible spectrum (infrared light)…

Thermal refers specifically to devices that can see differences in the temperature (infrared radiation)…

That being said, you have two completely different markets for “night vision” devices. You have specifically, “night vision” and you have, “thermal”…

“Night Vision” vs. “Thermal”

types of night vision - CMOS / military / thermal

1.) Digital Night Vision – Digital means the product has a CMOS or CCD sensor that converts light waves into 1’s and 0’s. Low-end digital devices require a high powered infrared flashlight to illuminate the viewing area. This projecting infrared light cannot be seen by the naked eye, but there is a red dot at the end of the IR flashlight that is visible to the naked eye at close range. Only high-end expensive digital devices do not require any high powered IR light source.

2.) Military Grade Night Vision – Military Grade means the product uses an analog (no digital sensor) light amplification device which does not use 1’s and 0’s (no microchip).These devices display the classic green or blue hues in a circular viewfinder. The Generation 1 tubes came out during the Vietnam War, and have since been evolving up to Gen 4. Light amplification tubes have the vulnerability of being damaged due to burn spots forming in the tube if the device is pointed at a bright light, such as a laser, as well as damage due to it falling and breaking the glass lenses.

3.) Thermal Night Vision – Thermal means the product uses an infrared sensor that converts temperature differences into 1’s and 0’s. This means you can see in total darkness without the use of any type of infrared flashlight.

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What are my options?

what are my night vision options
 Digital Night VisionMilitary Night VisionThermal
Viewfinder shapeRectangular or circularCircular onlyRectangular or circular
Image colorsBlack & White + Inverted, Full Color Spectrum + Inverted, Green + Inverted, Yellow + Inverted, Blue + InvertedGreen or BlueWhite-Hot, Black-Hot, Red-Hot, Green Hot, Rainbow, Fusion, Iron-Red, Ice Fire and Glimmer
Cost$120 – $35,000$1600 – $18,000$420 – $40,000
DurabilityResistant to image burning, vulnerable to breaking the glass lensesVulnerable to image burning from lasers & bright lights, vulnerable to breaking the glass lensesVulnerable to high temp image burning from the sun, vulnerable to breaking glass lenses
IR torch requiredYes, for low budget sensorsYes, for Gen 1 and Gen 2No
Can see in fog & smokeNo, too much light reflectionNo, too much light reflectionYes
Can see through windowsYesYesNo
Can see stars$300 and aboveGen 2+ and aboveNo
Can see someone in heavy brushNoNoYes
Can see “orb spirits / UFOs”Yes, with high powered IR lightYes, with high powered IR lightYes
Can see satellites from groundYes, $300 and aboveYes, Gen 2+ and aboveNo
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Digital Night Vision Examples

CCD Digital Night Vision Surveillance Camera With Two Rings of IR Lights
$100 Digital Night Vision Trail-Cam With Weak IR Torch
$400 Digital NVG-10 in Black and White Mode
$35,000 Digital SPI Full Color Night Vision

Military Grade Night Vision Examples

$2000 Military Grade Generation 3

 

$1600 Military Grade Gen 2+
$1600 Military Grade Gen 2+
$3600 Night Vision Gen 4

Thermal Examples

Thermal White Hot Mode
Thermal Black Hot Mode
Thermal Fusion Mode
Thermal Fusion Mode

Digital Night Vision vs. Thermal Comparison

Notice how you cannot see the man in the digital night vision. This can easily be solved by using an external high powered infrared flashlight.

Military Grade Night Vision vs. Thermal – Brush Comparison

Before
After

Military Grade Night Vision vs. Thermal – Smoke / Fog Comparison

Before
After

Thermal vs. Glass Windows

Notice how you cannot see through glass windows with thermal night vision.
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