A Comprehensive Guide To Night Vision Goggles

If you are in the market for high-quality night vision goggles or are simply eager to find out more about them, the following information may be exactly what you are looking for. In this guide, we will dissect the technology behind these advanced devices, and delve into their impressive capabilities and applications. Additionally, we will have a look at what South African law has to say about night vision goggles and what is available for purchase by civilians.

For super high-tech night vision binoculars and goggles, as well as a varied selection of other products like optics, surveillance cameras, outdoor equipment, grow tents and more, look no further than Futurama. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with products seldom seen anywhere else in South Africa.

Why Are Night Vision Goggles Illegal?

Night vision goggles, or night vision devices, are actually not illegal for personal use in South Africa. However, there are restrictions around which kinds of goggles civilians are able to purchase. For example, you are able to buy any goggles up to Gen 2 without any issues, but Gen 3 and above are reserved for military and other government organisations only.

Can Night Vision Goggles See In Total Darkness?

The short answer to this is no, they will not help you see in areas where there is zero available light to amplify. With that being said, there are very few situations where there is no ambient light to be seen. So, unless you are in a completely closed-off room with no windows or available light to speak of, night vision devices should be more than capable of providing a visual of some kind. However, most night vision goggle units have built-in IR illuminators which shine an IR light out for the night vision unit to amplify. This will then allow the user to see near surroundings.

How Do Night Vision Goggles Work At Night?

Night vision goggles use image intensifier tubes to amplify the available ambient light. The ambient light enters the device through the objective lens. The light then bounces onto the photocathode which converts the light photons into electrons. The Micro Channel Plate on the inside of the unit then speeds the electrons up by a few thousand times. The electrons then bounce back onto the phosphor plate inside the device and are converted back to photons. Whether the Phosphor plate is green or white will determine the colour of the image the user's eye will see.

Can You See Someone Wearing Night Vision Goggles?

Generally, as night vision binoculars function in the infrared spectrum, the ‘light’ they give off is invisible to the naked human eye. However, night vision goggles have a built-in IR illuminator. This IR illuminator can be spotted by the human eye. When looking in the direction of a night vision user, on the right angle, you will be able to see a red glow from the IR illuminator used on the goggles. So, the short answer to this question is that, given the circumstances, it could be possible to see the user.

Can A Civilian Buy Night Vision Goggles?

As we briefly touched on earlier, civilians are able to purchase any night vision binoculars classified as Gen 2, and below. Gen 2 goggles are still highly advanced and are a significant improvement on Gen 1; they can be used to great effect for a number of applications. Gen 3 devices are reserved for military, law enforcement, and those who have been given an ‘end user’ certificate.

Night Vision Goggles For Sale: A Few Recommendations From Our Online Store

Now that that’s cleared up, let’s get into a few fantastic products from our Futurama selection. We will provide one recommendation for each of the styles of devices on offer – monoculars, bi-ocular, and full goggles.

AGM PVS-14 NL1 Night Vision Monocular – Gen 2

When it comes to monocular designs, it is very difficult to compete with this monocular offering from AGM. Only slightly larger than the palm of your hand, it is lightweight (only 0.32kgs!), compact, and perfect for travelling. It was originally commissioned by the United States Military to facilitate nighttime operations but in recent years it has been used to great effect in harsh environments all around the world. If you weren’t already convinced; it is waterproof, features a built-in infrared illuminator and flood lens, and is exceedingly simple to operate. It can be used as a handheld device or mounted onto a helmet for ultimate ease of use.

AGM Foxbat-5 NWi Night Vision Bi-Ocular – Gen 2+

If you are looking for a device with some impressive medium to long-range capabilities, the Foxbat-5 is a winning choice. It features ultra-quick 5X magnification for on-the-fly adjustments, a hand and neck strap for optimal comfort, and it is water and fog resistant. The dual eye array allows for extended viewing sessions without causing any discomfort – it can be tripod mounted which makes this even more prevalent. To top it all off, the device has been multi-coated and incorporates all-glass optics for ultimate clarity. It is an excellent choice for security and recreational applications.

AGM NVG50 NL1i Dual Tube Night Vision Binocular – Gen 2+

If you want to take things to the next level, the NVG50 is one of the best night vision binoculars on the market today. The dual-tube design allows for pristine stereoscopic visuals and a massive 51-degree field of view. Created with durable compact composite housing and advanced multi-coated optics, this device will no doubt withstand years of frequent use. It operates using a single AA alkaline battery but can also function with a CR123A battery. Either way, it can handle up to 20 hours of non-stop use.

These are just three of the impressive night vision devices we have to offer. Browsing our website, you will also find night vision cameras, night vision rifle scopes, and even a monocular/camcorder combo.

Night Vision Goggles Price

As you can see, there are a few different styles of night vision devices we stock in our online store, these include monoculars, bi-oculars, and full goggle kits. A monocular is a night vision device that you look through using only a single eye, and these tend to be the most affordable of the three. They are highly effective devices and function in the same way that the bi-oculars and goggle kits do, utilising infrared technology. The starting price for a Gen 2 monocular is just over R30,000, however, the price can go up considerably if you decide on a more advanced option or include a harness to attach the scope to your head.

While bi-oculars use the same technology, the ability to use both eyes can make a big difference in the overall quality of the visuals. They require more components and, because of this, the price is higher. Both of the bi-ocular options we stock are considered to be Gen 2+, which means they feature certain technology that sets them apart from standard Gen 2 options. With that being said, they are still considered Gen 2 and, as a result, they are perfectly legal for civilian use in South Africa.

If you are looking for a full dual-tube night vision goggle set, expect to spend slightly more than you would on other styles of night vision devices. These devices have ample technology jam-packed into a fairly small goggle set that can be strapped comfortably around the wearer's head.

For these night vision goggles from AGM, you are looking at a price of R149,999, which is standard for dual-tube goggles of this quality. One of the major advantages of the dual-tube set-up is that you have a substantially wider field of view than you would with other options, and this makes it much easier to spot targets.

Factors To Consider When Purchasing Night Vision Devices

As a consumer, it pays to be equipped with all the information you might need to make an informed decision about which night vision device is best for you. The goggles, monoculars, and bi-oculars tend to be premium products, and we are sure you will want to get the most value for your money. With that in mind, allow us to walk you through a few considerations when making your decision.

What You Want To Use Them For

When thinking about which night vision device makes the most sense, it helps to consider what you intend to use it for. The way that the military or law enforcement might use night vision devices is likely quite different from other applications like hunting. It can be hugely beneficial to do some research on which devices are best suited to the specific application you intend to use them for.

Generations

While we have briefly touched on the legal differences between the generations of night vision tools, let’s go a bit more in-depth. The generation that a night vision device is classified as will ultimately determine clarity, brightness, longevity, and overall price. Nowadays, there are four distinct generations of night vision technology, although there is some debate about whether Gen 4 is enough of an improvement on Gen 3 technology to be considered an entirely new generation. Regardless, let’s have a brief look at each of them.

1. Gen 1 - Night vision tools were first implemented in the Vietnam War in the 1960s. At the time, the technology was truly cutting edge and nothing similar had been designed up until this point. Gen 1 utilised an image intensifier tube that magnified any available light and created a clear visual in lowly-lit areas. When they were first created, they were quite bulky, often featured confusing visual distortions, and could not facilitate high-resolution images. However, they did lay the groundwork for technological advancement in night vision devices.

2. Gen 2 – As time went on, researchers and scientists were able to improve upon the intensifier tube technology that was used in Gen 1 night vision tools, which resulted in a massive improvement in image resolution and quality. Gen 2 goggles and devices were able to adapt to a range of light settings, as they featured components that amplified the device’s ability to handle intense light and quick changes to brightness. This made them significantly more adaptable and broadened the range of applications considerably.

3. Gen 3 – This generation saw the introduction of multi-alkali photocathodes, which built on the effectiveness of the image intensifier, resulting in better resolution and quality. Beyond this, Gen 3 night vision devices incorporated more efficient batteries that allowed the devices to last for longer periods of time, making them more feasible for frequent and continuous use. Gen 2+ night vision goggles and devices also utilise these higher-quality batteries, which is why they are considered to be more advanced.

4. Gen 4 – Certain devices that fall into this generation are said to be capable of allowing the user to see in complete darkness. The technology is essentially the same, it has just been improved upon and incorporates thermal imaging. However, Gen 4 night vision devices are exorbitantly expensive and tend to be used only by advanced military organisations.

Weight, Size, And Overall Comfort

Again, this will come back to what you intend to use your night vision device for. If you foresee that you will be wearing the goggles for extended periods, it is a good idea to pay close attention to the size and weight of the device you are thinking of purchasing. If the device is too hefty, it will eventually cause some discomfort. Most of the night vision devices we stock in our online store are extremely lightweight and can be quite easily worn for long periods.

These goggles are also all helmet-mountable. The fact that it will create a front heaviness on your helmet has to be considered, however, it is possible to add counterweights to the back of your helmet which will, of course, counter the weight on the front of your helmet to reduce tension and uncomfortability on your neck.

Battery Life

Most night vision tools work using lithium-ion batteries, as they are one of the most reliable and consistent power sources available today. Most of the top selling and popular brands utilise the CR123 battery type. Depending on the device used, however, there may be differences in the battery life you will get out of a CR123 battery.

Night Vision Goggles In South Africa: What Can You Use Them For?

Of course, there are many military and law enforcement applications for night vision tools, including target acquisition and tracking. They are highly efficient at helping us see through the cloak of darkness, which opens the doors for more activity at night.

Not only are they excellent tools for soldiers or officers in the field, but they can also work wonders for aircraft pilots or drivers when operating at night. Many aviators that work in darkness utilise these devices to great effect, and not only in a military capacity.

Night vision is also a perfect tool for safety operations. As we all know, as soon as you put on torches or floodlights, trespassers just run or hide. However, when putting night vision to good use you will be able to stalk closer to trespassers without them having any idea that you are nearby.

Night Vision Goggles: Handling And Care

While it is true that many of the devices we stock in our online store are exceptionally hardy, they are still electronic instruments and require a level of care and attention. We recommend that you store your device in a safe, dry location that is not easily accessible – preferably a locked safe or closet. Certain models are water-resistant or completely waterproof, however, it is still a good idea to keep them away from water and dampness where possible and not submerge them.

Additionally, we suggest that you be cautious with the device – try not to knock it into other objects or drop it. Many options have been manufactured with durable materials that can quite easily withstand general wear and tear, but to ensure longevity, it pays to handle them with care. Some people make the claim that running goggles or night vision devices through airport X-ray machines will cause irreparable damage, however, this is not the case.

All generations of night vision equipment can safely pass through these machines. With that being said, different countries have their own legislation around the use of these devices, so they cannot be taken everywhere.

Crucially, avoid exposing night vision equipment to bright lights or using them during broad daylight. We say this because it can damage some of the more sensitive instruments and cause issues down the line, such as losing life on your intensifying tubes. Moreover, looking into a bright light through these devices may cause damage to the user's eyes. If it is bright enough to see without the device, it is probably not a good idea to use it at that time. Nowadays, most devices feature an automatic cut-off that should deactivate it when exposed to bright lights, but it is still better to avoid it if possible.

In Conclusion

We do hope that you have found this comprehensive guide to be of use in your decision regarding which device is best suited to you. Contrary to popular belief, night vision devices have benefits far beyond the known military applications and can be used to enhance a number of nighttime activities. With Futurama, you have one of the most vast selections of these devices anywhere in South Africa, and they are all available at the click of a button!