Which night vision sight should I choose?

Only a few years ago people could only dream of distinguishing objects and objects in the dark. Until now, this opportunity has been exclusively in animals and birds. Since the development of technical progress and the military industry as a whole, this problem has been resolved through the creation of special equipment and adaptations for work at night. And the night vision sight was created. What is he like? And how correctly to choose it for yourself?

General description of sights for night vision

Sights for night vision are small devices that look like monoculars. They are usually installed on mobile equipment, such as weapons, to facilitate sighting at night.

Despite the fact that such products have a simple appearance, inside they are more complex. Thus, the night vision sights for hunting consist of the following working elements:

• Lens;
• IR illuminator (with infrared radiation);
• Batteries;
• Electron-optical converter (image intensifier);
• Body and eyepiece.

The night vision sight is an optical device used to guide the aiming light from light weapons at night. These devices can be either completely night-time, or have a double (used day and night) and even triple purposes (apply in the daytime, 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. Use such a sight during a defensive battle, to protect objects around the perimeter, in the case of sniping fire from the shelter.

By what principle does the device work in the dark?

The principle of the device for night vision, or abbreviated NVN, is to capture the light reflected from the object and repeatedly increase it. In this case, the light source can be a lamppost, a fluorescent lamp, a starry sky or a full moon.

The very process of the device is as follows: the light reflected from the light source is transmitted to the objective lens, and then immediately redirected to the converter (EOP); At the next stage, there is a multiple increase in the light received by the device and transferring it to the observer's eye.

Eventually, the light signal transmitted to the sight of the night vision is processed in a certain sense and acquires a monochrome appearance. As a rule, the observer sees the resulting image in green tones.

If a person with a night vision device is forced to work in conditions of total absence of light, he can always use the built-in infrared lamp. Recall that such lamps produce light recognizable by the observer's eye in the long-wave range.

What types of night vision devices are there?

If you are only planning to purchase a night vision sight, you need to know what types of PNV are. In general, these products can be divided into three types:

• Devices used to observe objects in the dark;
• Sights for hunting and military weapons;
• Glasses for night vision.

All these types of PNV (except the first) can be used both as stand-alone products, and in combination with weapons. Also on sale there are light-intensifying and thermal imaging devices for night vision. Consequently, the choice of the device will depend directly on the ultimate use of the equipment and on the distance at which it is planned to come into direct contact with the enemy or the object of observation.

Why do we need night surveillance devices?

Most of the devices for night observation, in accordance with their operating principle, are equivalent to binoculars and periscopes. They are used in the conduct of reconnaissance operations, in the case of orientation on the terrain. However, they are almost not used to perform targeted fire.

Glasses for night vision: what are they?

The glasses, unlike the sight, are placed at the eye level of the observer. They are attached to the helmet with the help of special belts, thereby freeing the hands. If points are planned to be used together with small arms, you must additionally purchase a special sighting device, in the role of which an infrared laser is usually used.

What is the difference between the models of sights?

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 electron-optical converters. In particular, the difference consists in characteristics, for example, 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, for digital devices that look more massive than optical ones, the rangemeter, the long range of detection, more than three types of adjustment of the sighting, the aim mark are characteristic. Optical are compact sights with a small multiplicity, which can be endowed with additional digital twilight illumination, as well as a gyroscopic automated shutdown and backlight switching system.

Accordingly, the type of sight, the manufacturer and the functionality of the product will depend on its cost.

What characteristics should I pay attention to?

Selecting for yourself a digital night vision sight, pay attention to such an important option as signal / noise (S / N). This value will allow to observe the intended object in case of poor illumination of the terrain and without distortion of the picture. In the most modern models, this value is set on a scale from 3.5 to 36. Ideally, models should be selected for which this index is at least 20.

The second important point in choosing a sight is the resolution. As a rule, it is indicated in the number of pairs per millimeter (lp / mm), and it is from it that the contrast and frequency of the transmitted image depends. For example, a high-quality picture can transmit a digital night vision sight with a resolution of 30 to 70 lp / mm.

The third important indicator is the level of photosensitivity measured in hA / lm. This characteristic determines the specific dependence of the numerical parameters established in the device from the actual exposure.

Also it is worth remembering that the optical sights of night vision can differ depending on the type of functioning image tube. They are I and I +, II and II +, and also III generation.

Night devices with I and I +

Products with first generation IOPs are relatively inexpensive. Such devices include, for example, hunting rifles. In addition, night devices of the first generation are designed to shoot at a target from a short distance (up to 80-150 m). They are characterized by the following features:

• The presence of clarity in the image exclusively in the center;
• Distortion of the image at the edges;
• The presence of a small permit.

A striking example of such products is the sight of the night vision "Daedalus" 180 HR (100). This model is equipped with a strong cermet body and is perfectly suited for working with a smoothbore gun.

From the advantages of this class can be identified its affordable price. Of the minuses - the sensitivity to light and the restriction of additional options.

Generation I + equipment has a higher resolution. It is considered more powerful and has reliable fiber-optic washers, which stand at the entrance and exit of the device. And although such models, as a rule, have a higher price than the first-generation IOP, they are equipped with a special protection from exposure. For example, such devices include Pulsar (night vision sight).

Night devices with II and II +

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 hunter-lovers who have a certain experience of shooting at targets. The main advantage of such equipment is that with its help you can perform work even in the total absence of all lighting.

Also, these devices have modern high-speed filters, contributing to a three- and five-fold increase in the studied object. In addition, the night devices of this generation are able to discern in human detail the human silhouette from a distance of 250-300 m.

Devices of generation II + possess a useful option for increasing the possibilities of light radiation. As practice shows, devices of this type have greater sensitivity and high resolution images, so they are often used when working in an open area. For example, such devices include a night vision sight Sentinel and its models G2 + 3x50, G2 + 3x50 MD and others.

Night devices with image intensifier of generation III

Sights for night vision of the third generation belong to professional devices. They have a number of auxiliary options that help to convey the clarity of the image, taking into account the colors and shades. Devices of this type are not suitable for work in cities, so they are widely used in certain rescue operations on open ground. A striking example of companies that manufacture such devices is Yukon. The night vision sight in its performance is of excellent quality and has high performance characteristics.

What should I consider when choosing a sight?

Choosing a sight for night vision, it is necessary to take into account such nuances as clarity of the transmitted picture. And of course, the clearer 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 approaching the image while working with the device. For example, this can be a three- and four-fold increase. Also look at such indicators as lens diameter, field of view and viewing angle, focus, weight and dimensions. In addition, read, choosing a night vision sight, reviews. For example, many beginners like the first-generation sights. Experienced hands and observers prefer the equipment of generation II, II + and III.

In addition, approaching the model you like, ask about the characteristics and features of the device. In particular, many sights fit exclusively to a certain brand of weapons.

Also, if you want to try out the real possibilities of the device in practice, you can always take advantage of the popular service today - test drive. Thanks to it you will be able to choose 2-3 models of sights and carry out their approbation within two weeks.

In conclusion, let's say that when choosing a sight, you need to take into account the goals of its acquisition, the features of the terrain and other nuances.