School me on Night Vision

[Matt]

This came up in another thread so I thought I'd make one for it.

What's the deal with the different generations of night vision? How much better is Gen III than earlier ones and do you really need it? There's a guy on ar15.com selling Gen III but it's like $4000 for one scope and apparently that's a deal. Can you use NV goggles with regular iron sights?

 

[UnReconstructed]

Not sure about the different generations...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision

A lot of things we had in the army I took for granted... Now I wish I had that shit! I had a buddy pick up a Russian set of NOD's when we were in Iraq. He still has them as far as I now.

In the unit we had the A/N PVS-7B/D:

and the A/N PVS-14:

I think most people preferred the 14's because it was lighter and you didn't lose your depth perception like with the 7B's.

I can't remember how those things were listed for on the property books... $4k may be a deal for that scope but that doesn't really mean that I'll ever need it.

 

[RadiantBlueLight]

Everything you want to know about night vision generations.

 

[Dr.3D]

Just remember, if you use an illuminator, the others with night vision can also see your light source.

The very best night vision is the kind that uses the infrared naturally emitted by what you are observing. This is commonly known as (FLIR) Forward Looking Infrared. You can see them but they can't see you, unless they also have the same equipment. This equipment is also very expensive.

 

[maeqFREEDOMfree]

h ttp://www.atncorp.com/NightVision/NightVisionWeaponSights

 

[Hawk45]

Biggest difference in the various Generations is clarity and life of the intensifier tube. Also do not think just because it is called Gen 2 it is better than Gen 1. For example I would take a US Gen 1 over ANY Russian Gen 2 as there is a world of difference in them.

Take US ones for example. Gen 1 and 2 US ones the intensifier tube life is measured in 100's of hours. Gen 3 is usually good for 1000 or MORE. That is why they are more expensive and they ARE worth it! One US Gen 3 set of goggles will usually outlast 3 sets of Gen 2 ones. Thusly they are cheaper in the long run.

Yes you can use the goggles with a weapon. Usually better than a dedicated scope as it is much easier to move your head un-noticed than it is to move a weapon with a night vision scope mounted. This is especially true if you are using an infra red laser on the weapon, and YES they are available. Just takes looking in the right places. Be aware though when using it if the opposition is using NVGs it is like Luke Skywalkers light sabre going from you to the target. Thusly they can follow the beam back to you.

A good set of US Gen 3 goggles can be found for about $2500.00.