Today, you can find all types of night vision goggles and equipment on the market. Everything from binoculars to thermal cameras is available to the general public.
The first time I become really interested in one was when I saw night vision images of bombings in the Gulf war on television in 1991. It was truly a sight to behold and I never knew you can see so clearly in the night using them.
Most operate in 2 ways. One is using image enhancement and the other is using thermal imaging. The latest models utilize both image enhancement and thermal imaging for better clarity and perception. Typically, you can use a standard model to see someone about 250 feet away in complete darkness.
They are mostly used by the military and the police for their operations. However, you can still purchase them for your own personal use. Of course, most commercial models aren’t the same grade as those used by the military but it should be sufficient.
It is often characterized by the generations it is in. Currently there are Gen 1 to Gen 4 with generation 4th the most advanced and the most expensive. The heart of any night vision goggles is the light intensifier tube which allows targets to become visible at night.
The latest Generation 4 such as the ATN Cougar 4 uses both thermal and image enhancement technology for clear and bright images in the night. It is fitted with 2 Gen 4 light intensifier tubes and uses fast precision optics. The latest models are very lightweight and portable and very easy to use as well.
They are also being used for security, hunting as well as wildlife observation purposes as well.