To see at night as during the day is given by nature only to animals, but talented people tried and created a night vision device. The history of the development of the device begins in the mid-40s. 20th century In 1939-40s. The device has been tested in military operations. Both sides, Soviet and German, used electro-optics to illuminate the desired location. The device of the German army weighed 35 kg. Soviet soldiers installed the C-3 sight on the PPN-41. It weighed about 3 kg, but its functionality was worse than that of the German device.
Devices of the new generation are much smaller not only in weight, but also in size.Equipment remains specific and highly specialized. You will not see him in every house, unless it is the habitat of a hunter, rescuer and employee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, an employee of a private security organization or a naturalist.
For them, electronics is an integral device of daily work. Rescuers use a device with a thermal imager to search for people from under the rubble, soldiers control the area in conditions of poor visibility. A night vision device or night vision device is suitable for a car if you have to drive at night, but you want to avoid dangerous collisions.
Before you go to the store or order a device from Aliexpress, you should understand what devices are. Most popular models:
The specific type of device is selected based on the needs of the buyer, but it is important to compare the models, and then decide which one is better to buy. Characteristics and description - that's what becomes the guiding stars in the assortment of night vision devices.
When comparing products, pay attention to the following parameters:
Thinking about how to choose night vision devices, you should think about additional functions. For example, the presence of IR illumination, which increases the power of the device or the ability to record video and transmit it. The build quality is also not to be discounted. The housing must be made of impact-resistant waterproof material.A device with a thermal imager or Wi-Fi function may be required.
Which company is better than night vision devices, each user decides independently, but the best manufacturers include:
How much the device costs is an urgent question, because you will have to pay money earned by blood and sweat for it. Inexpensive models (up to 15,000 rubles) are on the market. These include Panda 40x60, Helios 10x40, as well as some Yukon models.
If you need really reliable equipment, then you should forget about budget devices. If the device is not chosen for the price, then it is worth taking a closer look at the models included in the TOP rating.
It will be important to pay attention when choosing what is included in the kit. If the set has to be replenished with additional items, then it is worth looking for a better device.
It is worth considering which is better - a monocular or binoculars. The first is cheaper, but it can be attached to a helmet, mounted on a tripod. The downside is that you won't be able to hold it in your hands for a long time. Binoculars are more expensive, but they are more familiar to the eyes and have a wider viewing angle, but the scope is limited.
To eliminate errors when choosing, it is worth considering the recommendations and advice of people who have already tested the device. Reviews will also tell you where it is more profitable to buy a night vision device. For example, from whom to order: from China or in an online store. According to buyers, the night vision devices listed below fully met their expectations.
The digital monocular was released by Yukon in 2018 and immediately became popular among hunters-fishermen, lovers of extreme recreation, tourists and rescuers. It is also preferred by ordinary gardeners and zoologists.
The device is compact and very light (168x111x56 and 350 g). It will easily fit in a hip pocket, side pocket of a backpack or fanny pack. In a regular case, thrown over the shoulder, night vision devices will also not become a hindrance.
The main advantage of the device is ergonomics. A night vision device was created for ordinary people, so a high IQ is not needed to figure out the controls and menus. The binoculars allow you to record video in AVI format with a resolution of 640×480, take pictures in jpeg format with a resolution (320×240, 640×480, 1280×960). The volume of the built-in card is 8Gb, so the video is recorded for a maximum of half an hour.
The device is powered by 4" AA batteries, which are easy to change even in the dark. NVD can also be recharged with an external power supply unit. For this purpose, any 5V Power Bank with a microUSB input is suitable.
The monocular can be mounted on a tripod, connected to a computer or TV screen. It is also suitable for daytime use thanks to the lens iris. The display off function will help you go unnoticed at night. This feature does not affect the performance of other functions, but saves energy.
Average price: 17,500 rubles.
The monocular is suitable for observing nature in natural night light and in total darkness. The image is clear and detailed without distortion at the edge of the field of view. The manufacturer introduced a unique SF Super1+ image intensifier tube into the device.
Contrast is enhanced by a five-lens eyepiece with an anti-reflection coating. The lens diameter is 20 mm and the field of view angle is 40°. Additional equipment can be installed due to the presence of the Wearer seat.
The case of the device is sealed and durable, protected from water, dust and mechanical damage, but still it is worth refusing to immerse the device in water, since water resistance is not its main side.
The glow of the image intensifier tube is masked by a soft rubber eyecup. The monocular has a wide-angle IR illumination, which allows you to use the device with a mask. You can attach a night vision device to both the left and right eyes. Two fasteners with a ¼ inch diameter socket are located diametrically.
The control is carried out by one rotary knob, due to which the device is turned on, and then the IR illuminator. The monocular is powered by a single 3V CR123 cell. This is enough for 20 hours of work with the included infrared illumination. The device will not fail at low (-20°) and high (+40°) temperatures.
The size of the monocular is 163x57x79 mm and the weight is 500 g (with mask).
Average price: 19,900 rubles.
Another digital monocular that received mostly positive reviews. It is suitable for hunting and amateur observation of the animal and plant world. The optical device allows you to navigate in pitch darkness under adverse conditions, as well as engage in photo hunting during the day. The device is intended for conducting observations at short and medium distances. The viewing radius even in bad weather is 200 meters.
The lens diameter is 25mm and the magnification is 3x. The image is bright and high quality thanks to a highly sensitive sensor and a multilayer anti-reflective coating applied to the lens. The field of view of the monocular at a distance of 100 m is 17 m. The infrared illuminator can be adjusted.
The built-in recorder allows you to record videos and take pictures. The information is stored on an SD memory card. Pictures taken during the day will be in color and at night in black and white. Detailed images are transmitted to the LCD screen.
The monocular is powered by 4 AA batteries, which guarantee 4 hours of uninterrupted operation. If you turn on the device from time to time, it will "stretch" 6 hours. The manufacturer did not forget about battery saving, so after 2 minutes of inactivity, the device automatically turns off.
Most of the good reviews are based on the comfortable use of the monocular. The case has a relief rubber coating, so the night vision device will not slip out of your hand. The control buttons are located next to the display. They will even respond to pressure while wearing gloves. The monocular can be attached to a tripod.
Average price: 19,900 rubles.
If you need to go unnoticed at night, watching a person or an animal, the BERING OPTICS WAKE2 2.5×40 GI monocular will help you achieve what you want. The lens diameter is 40 mm, and the range is 200 m. It has a wide field of view and high-quality night optics. Fast refocusing of the lens allows you to observe moving objects.
Thanks to powerful IR illumination, complete darkness will not interfere with work, even if the observer is in a mountain gorge or inside a building. The principle of operation of the device is intuitive. NVG is reliable in operation. The developer has implemented overload protection for the image intensifier tube in Wake2. After 2 seconds, the device will turn off automatically in intense daylight.
A ¼" hole is provided for mounting a tripod. The monocular consumes little power during operation, so one battery is enough for about 60 hours (according to the manufacturer).
The body has a groove where the lens cover hides while it is open. Dimensions of the device -180x80x50 mm, and weight -340 g. Moisture protection class - IPX4. The complete set is different: either it comes in a case with a microfiber cloth, or it comes in a bag.
Average price: 11,305 rubles.
If you need to keep your hands free during night observation, you should take a closer look at binocular glasses.They are a helmet-mask with a rubber eyecup. Glasses turn into binoculars with one movement of the hand - you just need to remove the mask.
The peculiarity of the device is its compact size and light weight (10.0×30.0x18.0 cm and 800 g). NVG is securely fastened and will not slip at the most inopportune moment. The body is waterproof. With the device it is convenient to observe due to the constant interpupillary distance and central focusing.
The eyes are protected from extraneous light by the developed blends of a soft rubber eyecup. They mask even the glow of the image intensifier tube. The lenses are fitted with Eclipse system flip covers. They act as a barrier between optics and damage, dirt and moisture. When the device is turned on, the covers lean back onto the body, so it is difficult to lose them, and during observation they will not flicker before your eyes.
There is no visual magnification in the glasses, so they are suitable for night outdoor games, patrols and rescue operations. The infrared illuminator is the perfect companion in complete darkness. The lenses are made of high quality optical glass with multi-layer anti-reflection coating, so they provide a high quality panoramic image.
Average price: 27,900 rubles.
It will not be difficult for a craftsman to make a night vision device with his own hands. You can even find YouTube videos on how to make a device yourself, but it will be “not right”!
The most important thing is not to spoil the device on the first day of operation (especially if this is the first night vision device). In this case, it is better to first study the instructions and familiarize yourself with how to turn on, configure and use the device. Then it will last long and true!