| Experienced Hunters, Photographers, and nature | | | | Pros and Cons of 1st Generation : they will amplify |
| enthusiasts are familiar with the many night vision | | | | existing light several thousand times, letting you see |
| devices that are available on the market today, as well | | | | clearly in the dark. They provide fairly bright and sharp |
| as the different attributes, features, and capabilities of | | | | images at a low cost. These are perfect for boating, |
| each, respectively. The rest of us have probably only | | | | observing wildlife, and home security. One annoying |
| seen Night Vision devices in either a spy or war movie | | | | feature that should be noted for first generation is the |
| and have probably wondered - "do those things really | | | | high pitched whine produced when the unit is on. The |
| work"? Yes, they most certainly do. These instruments | | | | images viewed may also be slightly blurry around the |
| have been around for many years, and were | | | | edges. |
| developed by the US Military to provide advantages to | | | | Pros and Cons of 2nd Generation : they will cost up to |
| soldiers whose battles were fought beneath the stars. | | | | $1,000 more than a 1st Generation unit. The 2nd |
| There are two types of technology available in these | | | | generation unit adds the micro-channel plate (MCP) |
| instruments, thermal imaging and image enhancement, | | | | that works as an electron amplifier that is placed right |
| with image enhancement being the most common. | | | | behind the photocathode. When electrons pass |
| With the popularity of Night Vision Devices (NVDs) | | | | through the MCP, thousands more electrons are |
| amongst hunters and general hobbyists continually | | | | released, allowing for amplification of light that is many |
| growing, the one question often wrestled with by first | | | | more times than 1st generation, giving you a much |
| time buyers is "Should I go for a 1st generation or a | | | | brighter and sharper image. |
| 2nd generation instrument? Huh? Before we get to | | | | My selection: Please note that the purpose of an NVD |
| that we need to first understand some fundamentals. | | | | is to enable you to see in the dark; and not necessarily |
| NVDs gather existing ambient light (starlight, moonlight) | | | | to see images clearly at distances like a binocular will. |
| through the front lens. This light is then sent to a | | | | With distance viewing of both generations being equal |
| photocathode tube, changing the photons to electrons. | | | | (they both produce equally depending on the amount |
| The electrons are amplified through an electrical and | | | | of ambient light available), the argument points can only |
| chemical process, and are then thrown against a | | | | be cost and image quality. If you do some research |
| phosphorus screen that changes the amplified | | | | and are able to see images as seen through each of |
| electrons back into visible light that the user will see | | | | the four generations available, there is a decidedly |
| through the eyepiece. The image is viewed in the | | | | greater jump in image resolution quality from 1st |
| familiar green color is a re-creation of the scene being | | | | generation to 2nd generation. However, given that a 1st |
| observed. | | | | generation unit can be purchased for $500, and adding |
| The different 'generations' refer specifically to the type | | | | another $1,000 is certainly a great sum of money for |
| of image intensifier tube utilized in the aforementioned | | | | most people, my preference for first time buyers |
| process. These tubes are the heart and soul of every | | | | would be 1st generation. |
| NVD; and with each generation, the image that is | | | | If you really get hooked, or later feel a strong inclination |
| produced becomes brighter and sharper to the viewer. | | | | to purchase 2nd generation, you can do this after |
| The reason 1st and second generations are often | | | | knowing you'll get your money's worth from it. I also |
| compared by consumers because the costs of first | | | | happen to be quite pleased with the image resolution |
| generation NVDs are generally considered affordable | | | | of my first generation unit and believe that for hunting |
| by most consumers (under $1,000), while 2nd | | | | large animals, as well as for general nature exploration, |
| generations provide better image resolution but can | | | | first generation is more than adequate. |
| often cost $1,000 more than 2nd generations. | | | | |