Digital night vision technology has come a long way in recent years and has become increasingly popular for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, hunting, and other outdoor activities. It works by sensing in low light conditions and then amplifying that available light via software to create an image. The resulting image is displayed on a screen, typically a LCD screen. Digital night vision devices are generally more affordable and easier to use compared to traditional analog night vision. However, the quality of the image may not be as good as that of traditional night vision devices, and they may not work as well in complete darkness.
In this video Isaac Botkin lays down another dissertation level analysis of the current state of digital night vision. Specifically the SiOnyx Opsin. Personally, I will continue to stay analog but the future of digital night vision looks.. bright.
Dan runs Soileater (gear company) and comes from the Law Enforcement side of thing. He has a new series called “One Take Wednesday”. In the first episodes he drops a bunch of info about chem-lights. How to prep them. When and where to use them. Worth the watch if you are a Night Vision user or not.
S2 Underground has just released their new brief regarding thermal sensors. How exactly does it “see” heat? Can you hide from it? Can they see through walls? S2 knocks it out of the park again with their 101 level briefs. It’s worth the watch.
You may recall a few days ago I posted a link to an article with a device captured by Ukrainian forces off of a Russian Wagner Group Mercenary. Link to previous article.
This video (not our video) has been released demonstrating the use and function. Pretty much exactly as we all thought.
Update with new information: The following is unconfirmed. Apparently this device is from Shinex Tech from Finland. Available for $10,000/each and you need 4 for full coverage. Their website has been “down for maintenance” for a little while. Presumably to attempt to weather the bad press from being associated with Wagner at any level.
There is a lot happening this year in the world of night vision. AB Night Vision is responsible for the nearly bullet-proof RNVG (Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) that has made a huge impact on the NOD community. It looks like (just in time for SHOT Show) they are announcing two new housings. The ARNVG (Articulating Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) and the RNVG-VG (VG = Variable Gain). This is big news for those of you who prefer aluminum dual tube housings. The two things that the original RNVG lacked (according to some) was variable gain and articulating pods. Now there are a couple of new options on the market.
ARNVG – image from Night Vision Inc social mediaRNVG-VG – image from Night Vision Inc social media
AB is not very active on social media but their dealers are. Off the top of my head we have Steele Industries Inc and Night Vision Inc showing it off on their social media.
Early reports (not verified) indicate that the ARNVG housing will go for around $2,400 (no optics or tubes). No word yet on the RNVG-VG.
Night Vision Inc says they will have units available for viewing at SHOT Show this year at Booth 60004. Steel Industries Inc has stated the same. Both firms appear to have units ready to sell on their website.
This is an interesting read from Defence Blog regarding a mystery device found on a pro-Russian member of the Wagner Mercenary group in Ukraine. It appears to be an IR threat detector. Which should be able to detect infrared laser energy used for aiming at night or with laser range-finders. The best part about this story is that the unit was found WITH the operating manual.
While I was not aware of this product and it definately doesn’t have that “Russian Look” that I am familiar with it is not really a novel idea. The Hel-Star Designator Threat Alert (DTA) is supposed to have this capability built into an IR becon package and of course this type of idea has been used for a long time in fighter aircraft and even civilian cars for avoiding speeding tickets.
If you don’t understand what the purpose of this device is it would give the wearer a warning if there was an active infrared designator targeting them. Likely with a buzz or sound and from any direction. Always good to known second before the bullets start flying.
I have added a new “where to buy night vision” page under the overall Night Vision section. This will be a ever expanding section that lists the known (to me) night vision dealers currently available.
I was planning several posts (and ongoing) regarding the testing of different “militarized” fabrics. Specifically how they perform under infrared illumination. Instead of individual posts I have decided to compile all of this information into the single page.
