Types of Night Vision Devices
There are not so few night vision devices; they all have their purpose. If you understand the particular qualities of every type, it will be easy to gather an ideal kit for hunting, observing wildlife, or protecting a large area. So, here is a list of the most common accessories you should have first.
Goggles
The goggles are perfect for those who want not only to observe but also to move. They are quite compact and lightweight. There are three different types of these devices:
· Handheld.
· Head-mounted.
· Helmet mounted.
One pair cannot combine all three options at once. Most likely, it will be two of them or just one. A big advantage of such a device is that the eyes get used to it as quickly as possible, the picture looks very natural, and you do not get tired of such an accessory. If the mounting in the selected model is well-thought-out, then in such goggles you could spend quite a lot of time without much discomfort.
Night vision goggles can be of two different types – with one common eyepiece for two eyes or with two eyepieces (stereo-vision). Everything is clear with the first type – both eyes look through one image tube and see the same picture. The second option is much more functional and efficient. Such a model consists of two image tubes, each eye can see a different picture. The pro of this model is in a big area of observation and higher depth perception. In other words, it will be easier to find and watch after the target. You can look through all types of goggles here https://www.defendandcarry.com/night-vision/night-vision-goggles.
The goggles often have only 1x magnification. But this is not a drawback, but a very correct decision of the developers. You have bought such goggles because you want to move freely and quickly change your location. But during all your moves the picture at high magnification will be blurry, it will be impossible to track the target in such conditions.
Monoculars
It is quite an interesting and very functional invention. This is a mix of binoculars and goggles – you don't have to hold it in your hand, it gives an excellent view, and is lightweight. The monocular consists of one eyepiece, so you can look through it only with one eye. The big disadvantage of this device is that it takes a long time to get used to it. One of your eyes sees an ordinary picture (for example, a dark forest), and the other, on the contrary, clearly sees the picture of the surrounding space. If you will look through a monocle for a long time, you can feel a headache.
The monocular is quite versatile in use, it can be head-mounted, attached to a rifle or other weapon, connected to a camera for night shooting (a special adapter is needed). Monoculars are appreciated for their small weight and compact size, some models can easily fit in your pocket.
Monoculars often have a slight magnification. This is not a disadvantage because you will not be able to keep the device steady and don’t move. A large magnification deteriorates the stability of the picture. Monoculars do not give good depth perception, but with each new generation, such devices are getting more and more improvements. Here are the most popular on the market models https://www.defendandcarry.com/night-vision/night-vision-monoculars. They will become indispensable accessories for a hunter or a nature observer during long hikes and travels.
Binoculars
“The classics of the genre”, hunters and soldiers began to use these devices much earlier than others. You need to look through binoculars with two eyes, due to this, your brain processes the received information much faster than with a monocular. Also, your eyes practically never get tired, so you can look through binoculars as much as you like.
The disadvantage of binoculars is that they have to be held in hand all the time and can be quite heavy. The weight of the device depends on the thickness and diameter of the lenses. The higher the magnification, the thicker and more massive the lens will be. Models with large lenses are more suitable for military and security purposes, they are chosen by professionals. To make the picture clear, you need to keep your hand steady and look under the correct angle. It is quite difficult for an ordinary person to do this, so our advice is not to buy the most sophisticated model. It is better to choose the one that suits your purpose of use.
Binoculars with high magnification also can degrade the image quality, due to less light at a far distance. While this problem has been resolved in Gen 3 binoculars, their lenses can capture more light and direct it to improve picture quality.
Weapon sights
This accessory is designed for long-distance shooting. It is mounted on the weapon and helps to aim as accurately as it is possible. The sight is often used together with rifles and you must have permission for a weapon of course. This device is an indispensable thing for hunters because you can aim at the target and don’t leave your location – hunting in the field or forest.
Sights can have different magnification. The larger the lens, the bigger the magnification will be, but the weight will increase too. There are two types of such accessories on the market – with standard magnification or with the ability to choose its level. The cost of the device also depends on this criterion – if you want a new generation, pay more.
How To Choose Between Night Vision Devices?
You have seen an eye-catching advertisement on the internet or TV, or your friend has recommended you some kind of night vision device. In any case, you should not immediately buy what is imposed on you. Your task is to find what will be suited for your goals. Perhaps such a device will be expensive, but you will enjoy using it. So, the main criteria for accurate choosing should be:
· Magnification. Large magnification requires constant location. That is, it will be very difficult for you to move and try to keep the picture stable. If you move a lot, often change locations, it is better to choose a device with 1-3x magnification.
· Depth perception. This is a very important moment, from it depends on how well you would see small details, movements, and so on. Gen 3 is equipped with lenses that can “gather” light as much as possible in darkness and direct it on image backlighting.
· Type of mount. The most convenient option is the head or helmet mounting. Your hands will always be free in this case.
· Weight and size. If the device is mounted on the head, it should be lightweight. The bigger models give more magnification, but they are not suitable for long hikes because of their big weight.
Modern models provide more abilities, but they cost a lot of money. The classic is cheaper, but not as functional. In our store, you can find a great option in terms of price and performance, as well as save well on daily sales.