Are you thinking of stepping-up and getting night vision equipment to help you get a better experience at what you do, or you are picking up a new hobby that would involve night vision equipment? Then you need to know the mistakes to avoid when you decide to pick up the bight vision devices. Different night vision devices are most suited for different activities. A night vision goggle, for example, is good for a hands-free short-term activity while a binocular on the other hand is perfect for long-term viewing activity.
Wrong Generation
Just as there are generations of computers and each generation has a big advantage over the former, the same it is when it comes to night vision devices. Before making their purchase decision, most people do not evaluate the different generations of night vision devices to determine the best for them. There is a big difference in the performance and life-power of between the three generations.
There are three generations of night vision devices. They are: Generation 1, Generation 2, and Generation 3.
Generation 1
- They are the most affordable
- They have the shortest battery life of the three generations
- Their life expectancy is right about 1500 hours
- They have lower versatility
- They have in-built infra-red illuminators that are always on, making the user-visible to other people using night visions
- They have the smallest field of view because one-third of the field of view are distorted.
- Useful for vision in 75 yards range
Generation 2
- Useful for vision in the 200-yard area range
- They can function well without the need for IR illumination
- They have a longer battery life
- They have a longer battery life
- They have a lifespan of about 5000 hours
- No part of the view is distorted
Generation 3
- Longest viewing range of up to 300 yards
- They produce the brightest and clearest image
- They work well in a low light environment compared to devices of previous generations
- They have a lifespan of more than 10,000 hours
- It cost more than devices of the other generation
Wrong company
Sometimes, where you buy something from is just as important as the quality of what you bought. You might have heard of people who got defective or inferior products when they make a particular purchase and they could not return it either due to the company’s return policy or the warranty cover.
In addition, one of the most essential parts of a night vision device is the image intensifier tube. Buying your device from a company that produces lower quality image intensifier tubes would result in getting a poor performance when you use the device. This is why you should make your purchase only from a trusted company. If you are new to purchasing night vision equipment, then you should do a good research before making your buying decision.
Wrong Device
One of the worst types of buying mistakes you can make when it comes to buying a night vision device is to buy a device that is not suited for the activity you need the device for. For example, a hunter who needs a night vision device that he can use to study his prey for a long time would be best get a better experience using a night vision binoculars than he would if he is to be using a night vision monocular. Purchasing the wrong night vision equipment for a specific activity can reduce the fun experienced during the activity.
Types of night vision device
- Night Vision monoculars: good for users who are static and uses the device only for a short amount of time. It is light in weight and portable.
- Night Vision binoculars: good for tracking objects and it is convenient for long term usage.
- Night Vision goggles: they are two-eyepiece night vision device that can be attached to a helmet. Due to their weight, they are also good for short-term usage.
- Night Vision scopes: they are like a bigger form of a monocular, they are meant to be mounted on a tripod stand during use
- Night Vision cameras: security agents uses this to spy on their enemy in the dark. It is also used in CCTV cameras for areas that are dark (at night)
- Night Vision glasses: These are like sunglasses that are capable of seeing in the dark, they are portable and very easy to use
Wrong accessory
Working with the right accessory based on your activity and your level of experience can increase the effectiveness of your night vision equipment and increase your effectiveness in the activity. Before getting an accessory, it is good to speak with a professional or an experienced person so that you can get the best equipment suited for your needs.
Buying only for a singular purpose
When people are getting a night vision equipment, they usually do so to suit just one purpose. However, as they use the equipment, they begin to realize how much they can do with night vision equipment. For example, if a hunter decides to get a monocular for his riffle, he gets the option of choosing between getting a fixed or an on/off monocular. if he chooses an on/off monocular, he would be able to use it if anytime soon he decides to go hiking. However, if he chooses a fixed monocular, then he would need to purchase another monocular if he has to be going hiking.