Ever wish you had super powers? Just like Superman, whose hyper vision allowed him to see miles far in the distance. With modern technology, you do not need to be a superhero. Each one of us can have Superman’s vision and also can see in the dark.
All you need is one of Apexel’s Night Vision Binoculars. The market undoubtedly has a multitude of offers for this kind of product. What aspects should we consider when buying one? Keep reading to discover more.
About Night Vision Binoculars
Night vision binoculars can be used in a plethora of scenarios. Are you passionate about wildlife and night observation? Do you enjoy camping and exploring the unknown? You can also use them for work to rescue people. For these activities and more, night vision turns you into a superhero able to identify objects at a distance, even in absolute darkness.
How does night vision work? In the past, sailors looked at the stars to navigate the seas. Even when an environment appears dark, there are actually weak light sources, such as the stars and moon. Night vision binoculars do not generate light but amplify it to produce an image visible to the human eye.
That said, there are technologies developed to see in the dark. If you are interested in a comparison, you can check our previous guide: Night Vision vs. Thermal Imaging.
Types of Night Vision Binoculars
Not all night-vision devices are made equal. Here below you can find the main features and characteristics of the 4 generations of devices available:
- First-generation: This first technology was patented by the United States Army and used for the first time in the Vietnam War. Thanks to a particular photocathode, the ambient light is amplified up to 1000 times. The first models are quite heavy and work best with the presence of the moon.
- Second generation: This one uses a better photocathode and a microchannel plate than with other generations of nigh-vision devices. A second-generation night vision binocular allows you to obtain better-quality images (even in conditions of almost no light). The amplification of ambient light is about 20,000 times.
- Third generation: In this evolution, the photocathode is improved once again to obtain better images and lengthen the device’s lifespan. The energy consumption is higher, but models of this type amplify the ambient light up to 50,000 times.
- Fourth generation: The last generation is currently used almost exclusively in the military field and allows for even better image resolution. These night vision binoculars have a very wide range of vision going over 350 m.
Of course, the night vision device’s quality and performance depend on the use you want to make of it. For most amateurs, the first generation models are more than enough.
Aspects to Consider When Buying a Night Vision Binocular
STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS
If you ask us, reliability is one of the most important aspects to look for in a night vision binocular. This accessory should accompany your adventures for many years. One of the first concerns should be if the equipment is resistant to adverse weather conditions. The night vision should be waterproof for when you will be in humid environments.
Then there is the operating temperature range. Like all electronic devices, the binocular can be used within certain conditions, beyond which it does not work or it risks being damaged. On average, the minimum temperature at which the binocular can be used is around 20 degrees below zero, while the maximum reaches 45 degrees. This is usually not a big problem unless you live in the North Pole or you put the device in the oven. Most devices have impact-resistant molded thermoplastic lens housings, keeping all structures protected.
Finally, it is all about weight. The various models of night vision devices do not differ greatly in terms of weight. You may think this aspect is secondary, but if you hold the binoculars for a long time, you will start to feel the difference Our suggestion is to buy a binocular whose weight does not exceed 800 grams.
FIELD OF VIEW & OBSERVATION RANGE
This is a very important value and indicates the maximum distance you can see using a night vision device. There is such a thing as the recognition range, known as the distance within which you can clearly identify a subject.
Of course, other elements may interfere with the view. The environment you are in and the size of what you want to observe play a crucial role. For example, there is a big difference between observing a boat in the open sea or a small animal in the forest on a rainy day. On average, the models that are used for amateur or sports purposes have a range of around 100 m. The models intended for professional or military use, on the other hand, have a range of up to 500 m.
Another aspect to consider is the width of the field of view, which is measured in degrees and represents the portion of the environment framed by the night vision device. The field of view is inversely proportional to the observation range. An example? A 7° field of view, which is rather narrow, has a view that reaches 230 m away, while a 30° has a range of just 80 m.
MAGNIFICATION AND FOCUS
The majority of models on the market have a built-in feature to zoom on the subject. There are two types of zoom: optical and digital. Optical and mechanical systems use concave and convex lenses to modify the focal length.
On the other hand, the second option is a digital one. Both solutions work optimally, even though the digital version is more affected by a sharp decrease in resolution. Worth noticing is that some of the top devices are equipped with both solutions. Even for GEN 1 types, most of the devices have reached a high standard of image rendering. Some of the devices have a fixed focus, while others give you more freedom with manual focusing.
POWER SUPPLY
Well, there are no power outlets in the wild. For this very reason, the device battery capacity is quite relevant. The battery life depends a lot on the characteristics of the equipment. The average duration is around 6 hours.
You should also check out the charging methods. For a long time spent outside, many users also like to bring along a portable power station. Your night vision binocular should have different entry ports to be connected to any chargers or charging devices.
Apexel Night Vision Binoculars
At Apexel, we have released a newly developed Night Vision Binoculars. Easily to operate and resistant to extreme weather conditions. The equipment comes with a high-definition coating on the lens surface for clear imaging. Our hope is for the Apexel Night Vision Binocular to become your most trusted adventure companion.
Our night vision device can adapt to day and night view, with low-light full-color night vision (black and white without light). Our solution also supports 3 levels of IR (infrared) brightness, enabling you to see in the total dark with an extension of over 400 m.
The built-in digital camera offers a 2x telephoto plus 4x digital zoom for large visual magnification up to 8x. Overall, the result is a higher resolution than ordinary night vision devices, maintaining a crisp HD definition.
The night vision device allows you to record your amazing experience with HD videos and photos (respectively, 1080P at 20fps and 1280*720dpI). With the Apexel Night Vision Binocular, you’ll enjoy every time you are going out for night observation.
Conclusion
Here you have it! We hope you learned something new that you can use the next time you are considering buying night vision binoculars. Apexel is an internationally affirmed brand specialized in the production and development of mobile phone lenses, accessories, and binoculars. See a different world through our lens! Check out our new night vision devices.
