Types of Night Vision

1.) Digital Night Vision – Digital means the product has a CMOS or CCD sensor (microchip) that converts light waves into 1’s and 0’s. Most digital devices require a high powered infrared flashlight to illuminate the viewing area. This projecting infrared light cannot be seen by the naked eye, but there is a red dot at the end of the IR flashlight that is visible to the naked eye at close range. Only high-end expensive digital devices do not require any high powered IR light source.

2.) Military Grade – Military Grade means the product uses an analog (no microchip) light amplification device which does not use 1’s and 0’s. These devices display the classic green or blue hues in a circular viewfinder. The Generation 1 tubes came out during the Vietnam War, and have since been evolving up to Gen 4. Light amplification tubes can cost as much as $3,000, and have the vulnerability of being damaged due to burn spots forming on the tube if the device is pointed at a bright light, such as a laser, as well as damage due to it falling and breaking the glass lenses.

3.) Thermal Night Vision – Thermal means the product uses an infrared sensor that converts temperature differences into 1’s and 0’s. This means you can see in total darkness without the use of any type of infrared flashlight. A good thermal night vision device will average $2,000 – $3,000.