DARK NIGHT,
CLEAR VISION.

Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions without a torch or flashlight. Humans naturally have poor night vision, so we use night vision goggles to see and maneuver in low-light conditions—or even in complete darkness.

Analog night vision amplifies available light and transmits it to your eyes. The available light enters the device through an objective lens and strikes an image intensifier tube. This tube works by accelerating electrons across a vacuum and onto a phosphor screen, where they produce a green image.

Digital night vision, on the other hand, captures infrared (IR) light and displays the results on a screen. Although digital night vision typically relies on a powered infrared light source to function, we believe it is better suited for civilian applications. Digital night vision goggles can be more robust, affordable, and allow for recording photos and videos. They also don’t rely on ambient light to function.

 Digital night vision goggles work by detecting ‘near’ IR radiation, usually reflected from a torch or a built-in IR LED. Near infrared is only just beyond the visible spectrum; some frequencies of near infrared are even dimly visible as a red glow. The infrared light is focused and projected onto a sensitive CMOS sensor—similar to those used in digital cameras. The sensor converts the infrared light into an electrical signal, which is displayed on a screen that the user views through an eyepiece. Infrared appears in a single color range, either white or another hue selected by the user.

Our night vision binoculars operate in a similar way, but they offer greater optical zoom. Night vision binoculars are more appropriate for viewing wildlife from a distance.

Thermal cameras also detect infrared light and display the results on a screen. However, thermal cameras detect ‘far’ infrared wavelengths that are given off by warm objects. Thermal cameras can be expensive, low resolution and have significant lag, but they are often the best solution. Thermal cameras can reveal people, animals, or objects that are camouflaged or hidden behind light vegetation, making them valuable for search-and-rescue operations and security.