Night vision goggles allow you to clearly see objects in the dark or at night, even at distances of up to several hundred yards. Night vision devices were first introduced during the second world war and reflected a major scientific breakthrough.The goggles available  today use highly advanced technology, much of which was previously only available to the military and enables these units to take available light and intensify it toallow clear night time vision.

Night vision devices are classified into generations. Devices  range from one to three with increasing sensitivity and better resolution as  standard features the number increases.  Devices classified as generation three meet military specifications but are more expensive.They fall into three main categories but these will all have sub categories and are usually identified by the generations number from one to three.

Generation one: Although first introduced in the second world war it was in the Vietnam conflict that the first “passive infrared” night vision devices were developed,these tended to  be very large.These early Gen1 devices needed a cloudless night and a full moon to work. Modern day Gen1+ products, though much smaller, much brighter and much more reliable, are essentially the direct descendants of that 1960’s technology. Newer Generation 1 devices do offer increased performance from there older predecessors. Generation 1 units use an S-20 photocathode and electrostatic inversion to achieve thier image results. They are able to  offer substantial resolution toward the middle of the image tube, but the edges may be blurred. Gen1 devices are relatively inexpensive and are a good introduction to the night vision enthusiast.

Generation 2:  This generation were developed through the 1980’s. The image tubes in these units boosted their sensitivity with the introduction of a micro-channel plate . Not only doubling the systems light amplification the new Gen2 and Gen2+  had  a 50% better viewing clarity.These devices provide good performance in low light levels with lowdistortion. Generation 2 night vision goggles  amplify light by 20,000to 30,000 times, making them far more effective in low light conditionsthan the 1st generation. Generation 2 tubes have a life expectancy frombetween  2,500 hours to 4000 hours.   

Generation 3: Gen3 night vision goggles represent the most current and up to date technology. Generation3 is the highest performance image intensifier tubetechnology available to date.Notonly do these gen 3 devices have the micro channel plates found on Gen2units the Gen3 devices jumped ahead in the technology stakes again withthe addition of a Gallinium Arsenide (GaAs) photo cathode. The additionof  this exotic element results in the  very best performancespecifications. Put plainly – it really can turn night into day. Gen3 night vision goggles offer the greatest depth of features, these include intuitive user controls, fully automatic image tube protection, rapid flash recovery facility and many on-screen indicators.Gen3 offers greater clarity but is usually more expensive than Gen2. Generation 2 night vision works well in most situations while Generation 3 will achieve high performance in all conditions.

Night vision  devices and in particular  night vision goggles are one of the topchoices of military and law enforcement agencies across the UnitedStates. Goggles and Binoculars make the most sense for surveillance andobservation operations because the two eyepieces reduce the amount ofstrain on the eyes.The goggles can be hat mounted thus allowing thewearer the freedom of thier hands. Night vision optics come in avariety of different styles.  Night vision devices have become verypopular over the past five to ten years using an electro opticalimaging device which is able to detect both visible and near infraredenergy sources and then is able to intensify these energy sourcesfurther in order to provide a visible image for viewing at night.