Re: [Paddlewise] Night Vision

In a message dated 1/21/2003 3:40:14 PM Central Standard Time, 
Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com writes:


> Do any of you do that regularly?  Tried it?  Have some specialist knowledge 
> on
> night vision technology that you can share?  Other thoughts on the topic?
> 

I've sold night vision products to law enforcement accounts for a period of 2 
years, including goggles, monoculars and binoculars. Basically, it is very 
spendy when dealing with higher quality imaging. 

You will hear the terms 1st, 2nd, 2nd+, and 3rd generation light gathering 
tubes. Ist is worse, 3rd is best, etc. Essentially, light is magnified in the 
light tube by a certain power factor, at the time I had experience with it, 
3rd gen light tubes were magnifying light to 35k of its naked eye standard. 
To look up on a starry night with a set of quality goggles on is 
unbelievable, green or not. However, a brightly illuminated moon, a pair of 
headlights, etc, will completely shut them down until the offending light 
source no longer threatens the sensitive tube.

Infrared spotting sources can direct an indetectable beam of light on the 
viewed subject, illuminating it further, but not typically detectable by the 
human eye. The infrared can brighten alot of retina's, and damage them, so be 
very respectful.

I know of people who have purchased inexpensive NV equipment and enjoyed it. 
However, the 2nd, 2+ and 3rd gen stuff is spendy and one look through it 
compared to 1st gen or offshore made equipment may make you regret it. If I 
really wanted them and had the money to spend on them I could find a really 
high quality pair of goggles for under 2K USD. 

I have used them for nightwalks on the coast, etc., but never for wilderness 
situations. Anyway, that was 10 years ago and things have changed, I'm sure. 
Have fun, but mind your manners!

Rob G

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