Just a few years ago, people could only dream of being able to distinguish objects and objects in the dark. Until now, this possibility was exclusive to animals and birds. Since the development of technical progress and the military industry as a whole, this problem has been solved by creating special equipment and devices for working at night. And so the night vision scope was created. What does he represent? And how to choose the right one for yourself?
General description of night vision scopes
Night vision scopes are small devices that look like monoculars. They are usually mounted on mobile equipment, such as weapons, in order to facilitate targeted shooting at night.
Despite the fact that these products have a simple appearance, inside they are more complex. So, night vision scopes for hunting consist of the following working elements:
- lens;
- IR illuminator (with infrared light);
- batteries;
- electronic-optical converter (EOP);
- body and eyepiece.
Night vision scope is an optical device used for aimed fire from small arms at night. These devices can be either completely night-time or have a dual purpose (used both during the day and at night) and even a triple purpose (used during the day, at dusk and at night). Also, such equipment can be presented in the form of attachments for a standard telescopic sight.
The device itself is usually attached directly to the top of the weapon in accordance with the axis of the barrel. They use such a sight during a defensive battle, to protect objects around the perimeter, in case of sniper fire from cover.
How does the device work in the dark?
The principle of operation of a night vision device, or NVD for short, is to capture the light reflected from an object and multiply it. In this case, the light source can be a lamppost, fluorescent lamp, starry sky or full moon.
The process of operation of the device itself is as follows: the light reflected from the light source is transmitted to the lens of the sight, and then immediately redirected to the converter (EOP); at the next stage, the light received by the device is multiplied and transmitted to the eye of the observer.
Ultimately, the light signal transmitted to the night vision scope is processed in a certain sense and acquires a monochrome look. As a rule, the observer sees the resulting image in greentones.
If a person with a night vision device is forced to work in conditions of complete absence of light, then he can always use the infrared lamp built into the device. Recall that such lamps emit light that is recognized by the eye of the observer in the long wavelength range.
What types of night vision goggles are there?
If you are just planning to purchase a night vision scope, you need to know what types of night vision devices are. In total, these products can be divided into three types:
- instruments used to observe objects in the dark;
- scopes for hunting and military weapons;
- night vision goggles.
All these types of night vision devices (except the first one) can be used both as independent products and in combination with weapons. Also on sale are light-amplifying and thermal imaging devices for night vision. Therefore, the choice of device will directly depend on the final purposes of using the equipment and on the distance at which it is planned to make direct contact with the enemy or the object of observation.
What are night vision devices for?
Most devices for night observation are equivalent to binoculars and periscopes in their principle of operation. They are used in reconnaissance operations, in the case of orientation on the ground. However, they are almost never used for aimed fire.
Night vision goggles: what are they?
Points, unlike the sight, are placed at the level of the observer's eyes. They are attached to the helmet with special straps, thereby freeing the hands. If you plan to use the goggles with small arms, you must additionally purchase a special sighting device, which is usually used as an infrared laser.
How do riflescopes differ from each other?
All models of sights may differ from each other depending on the manufacturer and the purpose of the device. For example, they may have different image intensifier tubes. In particular, the difference lies in characteristics, such as resolution and sensitivity of the cathode, as well as in the frequency of the field of view.
In addition, the night vision sight can be optical and digital. At the same time, digital devices that look more massive than optical devices are characterized by the presence of a rangefinder, a high detection range, more than three types of zeroing settings, and an aiming mark. Optical sights are compact sights with a small magnification that can be equipped with additional digital twilight illumination, as well as a gyroscopic automated system for turning the illumination off and on.
Accordingly, the cost will depend on the type of sight, manufacturer and functionality of the product.
Which features to look out for?
When choosing a digital night vision scope for yourself, pay attention to such an important option as signal/noise (S/N). This value will allow you to observe the intended object in poor lighting conditions and without distorting the image. In the most modern models, this value is set on a scale from 3, 5 to 36. Ideally, you should select models that have this indicator at least 20.
The second important point when choosing a scope is the resolution. As a rule, it is indicated in the number of pairs per millimeter (lp / mm), and the contrast and frequency of the transmitted image depend on it. For example, a digital night vision scope with a resolution of 30 to 70 lp/mm can transmit a high-quality image.
The third important indicator is the level of photosensitivity, measured in hA/lm. This characteristic determines the specific dependence of the numerical parameters set in the device on the actual exposure.
It is also worth remembering that night vision optical sights may vary depending on the type of functioning image intensifier. They come in I and I+, II and II+, as well as III generations.
Night devices with image intensifier tube I and I+ generations
Products with image intensifier tubes of the first generation are relatively inexpensive. Such devices include, for example, hunting rifles. In addition, first-generation night devices are designed for target shooting from a short distance (up to 80-150 m). They are characterized by the following features:
- the presence of clarity in the image exclusively bycenter;
- distortion of the image around the edges;
- having a small resolution.
A striking example of such products is the Daedalus 180 HR (100) night vision scope. This model is equipped with a durable ceramic-metal body and is perfect for working with smoothbore guns.
Of the advantages of this class, we can single out its affordable price. Of the minuses - sensitivity to backlight and limited additional options.
Generation I+ has higher resolution. It is considered more powerful and has reliable fiber optic washers that stand at the input and output of the device. And although such models, as a rule, have a higher price than I-generation image intensifier tubes, they are equipped with special protection against flare. For example, such devices include Pulsar (night vision scope).
Night devices with image intensifier tubes II and II+ generations
Devices of the second generation are considered a kind of golden mean among other devices in the product line. That is why they are most in demand among amateur hunters with some experience in target shooting. The main advantage of such equipment is that it can be used to perform work even in the complete absence of all kinds of lighting.
Also, these devices have modern high-aperture filters that contribute to a three- and five-fold increase in the object under study. In addition, night devices of this generation are able to distinguish the human silhouette in small details from a distance of 250-300 m.
Generation II+ devices havea useful option to increase the possibilities of light emission. As practice shows, devices of this type have greater sensitivity and high image resolution, so they are often used when working in open areas. For example, such devices include the Sentinel night vision sight and its models G2+ 3x50, G2+ 3x50 MD and others.
Night devices with III generation image intensifier tube
Night vision scopes of the third generation are professional devices. They have a number of auxiliary options that help to convey the clarity of the image, taking into account the color gamut and shades. Devices of this type are not suitable for operation in cities, therefore they are widely used in certain rescue operations in open areas. A prime example of companies producing such devices is Yukon. The night vision scope made by her is of excellent quality and has high performance.
What should I consider when choosing a scope?
When choosing a sight for night vision, it is necessary to take into account such nuances as the clarity of the transmitted image. And of course, the more clearly the object of observation is displayed on the screen, the easier it will be to identify it. The second thing to pay attention to is the brightness level of the picture. The third important point is to assess the strength and durability of the performance of the equipment.
Next, pay attention to the possibility of zooming in while working with the device. For example, it can be a three- or four-fold increase. Also look atparameters such as lens diameter, field of view and angle of view, focus, weight and dimensions. In addition, read reviews when choosing a night vision scope. So, for example, many beginners like scopes of the first generation. Seasoned shooters and observers prefer Gen II, II+ and III equipment.
Besides, approaching the model of sight you like, take an interest in the characteristics and features of the device. In particular, many scopes are only suitable for a certain brand of weapon.
Also, if you want to try out the real capabilities of the device, you can always use the service that is popular today - a test drive. Thanks to her, you can choose 2-3 models of sights and test them for two weeks.
In conclusion, let's say that when choosing a sight, you need to take into account the purpose of its acquisition, terrain features and other nuances.
