Night-vision devices

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In darkness and twilight, night vision devices are an essential aid to safe navigation. Night vision devices can also be used to improve visual perception in fog. The latest generation of night vision devices are now very compact, powerful and affordable. They are available in monocular or binocular design. The main element of a conventional night vision device is an image intensifier or residual light amplifier. Incoming radiation activates electrons, which are accelerated and hit a fluorescent screen, producing a greenish image.

This requires light that is still perceptible, such as moonlight or stars. Night vision devices with infrared technology also work in complete darkness by converting invisible infrared radiation from the immediate surroundings into light through an image converter tube. CMOS or CCD semiconductor image sensors are used for this purpose, which respond to infrared radiation in the range of approx. 100 metres. As infrared radiation can also penetrate dense fog, these devices provide images at close range. This can be a decisive aid to navigation when approaching harbours or in narrow fairways.

If there is insufficient residual light or infrared reception, the surroundings are illuminated by integrated infrared LEDs, invisible to the human eye. Pure thermal imaging cameras are only sensitive to the thermal radiation of objects themselves if their temperature differs from their surroundings. For example, from living beings or hot-running engines. A thermal imaging camera is therefore not so useful for sailors and motorboat drivers, as it does not provide any residual light amplification in uncertain weather.

Digital night vision devices can be used more universally, as any residual light is recorded and amplified using digital infrared technology. The image is displayed on the monitor in multiple magnification. However, the lens and eyepiece optics only provide a perfect image if they are of high quality. As with binoculars, it depends on the diameter, quality and coating of the optics. Even powerful image intensifier tubes cannot produce an optimum image without correspondingly powerful optics. A practical night vision device should have dioptre compensation and a large eye relief. The robust housings are relatively light and shock-resistant, and the battery lasts for several hours of operation. The large Compass online shop at Compass24 offers special night vision devices for use in water sports.

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