Night-Vision Goggle (NVG) conjures up a picture of action-thriller movies in which the characters are trying to observe people or activities at night. As always, movies bring us close to reality and the night vision goggle is not an exception. At first, they were mostly used by military officers and people in the force to clearly examine objects, people and activities from afar and in dark areas. Presently, it is mostly utilized by military officers, law enforcement agents, wildlife observers, hunters and, well, criminals also.
Brief History of Night-Vision Goggle
Historically, the Germans are credited to have invented the first-night vision devices and they used these devices to gain an advantage during the second World War. These earliest devices had infrared night-vision devices and telescopic rangefinders. After the war, Vladimir Zworkyin manufactured the first night-vision device intended for commercial purposes and it was designed to be used by civilians. This venture failed because of its price and magnitude. The Americans classified night vision devices into ‘generation’; the period before World War II was classified as “Generation 0”. Each generation is an improvement of the older generation. Night vision goggles are devices that enable a person to see at night. It produces images in various degrees of light when it is approaching darkness.
What are Night-Vision Goggles?
Night vision goggles are also called image intensifiers. Not all light is visible to the naked eyes. Human beings only see a certain portion of light along the ‘visible spectrum’. Above this spectrum is the ultraviolet light and below is the infrared light. Infrared and ultraviolet lights are not visible and are enhanced to enable people to see in the dark. This works because there are certain amounts of light even when it seems really dark. These devices, therefore, utilize and enhance the little amount of light that exists to create images. When the light passes through the objective lens on the night vision goggles, it meets a series of plates that enhances its power
What to Consider When Buying Night Vision Goggles
Night vision goggles have various specifications and it is important for the buyer to have adequate information before going ahead to purchase one. Some NVGs are single-eyed, some cover a short distance, some provide high sensitivity sensor and an average viewing range, some are water-resistant, some have easy-to-use infrared power adjustment wheel, some have a wide-angled lens, some have powerful resolutions that allow you see in the dark as you will by day, some are lightweight and portable, some offer a high-light cut off feature that automatically senses the sources and presence of bright light and protects your eyes from any damage. The cost of the devices must equally be considered. How then do we know the perfect night vision goggles? AGM Global Vision offers a range of their AGM night vision goggles and they also provide clear descriptions. There are some things to put into consideration before buying a pair of night-vision goggles and some of these will be discussed below:
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Clarity – different goggles have a unique amount of clarity. Clarity is crucial in differentiating the distance of objects. This factor is important especially if you are on a tactical operation. A higher resolution produces higher clarity and vice versa. This, of course, would come with an extra cost but as stated earlier, this is needed for more sensitive tasks.
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Geography of use- It is important to consider the location where the night vision goggle would be used. The purpose equally plays a role here. Is it a hunting expedition where you would need to crouch or an operation where you need to see things standing?
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Durability – acquiring any night vision device is going to cost you a fortune. Therefore, you have to ensure that the device you buy will serve you for a long time. In this case, you should consider other factors that affect durability like it being waterproof.
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Comfort – following the previous point, whatever will cost you so much should also provide comfort. Comfort is, however, dependent on the owner’s definition of comfort and preferences.
These are some of the factors to consider before purchasing a night vision goggle. To get a range of available night vision goggles, you can check out this site https://www.agmglobalvision.com/.
Conclusion
The military and other law enforcement officers have utilized night-vision goggles in fighting crime. Undercover agents, wildlife scientists, and hunters utilize this device and possibly night vision binoculars. They cost a fortune, and like most devices, they have their various specifications. In this article, we discussed some factors to consider before purchasing a night-vision goggle. Finally, bear in mind that the night vision goggle should be durable and fits into your need.