1. How does night vision work?

The objective lens collects light that you cannot see with your naked eye and focuses it on the image intensifier. The intensifier amplifies the light many hundreds or thousand times, and projects the amplified image to the eye.

2 a. What is the difference between Generation 1, 2, and 3 night vision devices?

Night Vision devices of all generations are evaluated based on a universal rating system. The three main criteria are System Light Gain, System Resolution, and Photosensitivity.

• System Light Gain evaluates how many times a Night Vision unit is amplifying the light that is available to it.
• System Resolution reveals information regarding the sharpness and clarity of the amplified image.
• Photosensitivity determines the minimum light level and type of light needed in order to function properly

2 b. How to tell Gen. 2 (or 3) from Gen. 1 device: Quick ‘Rule of thumb’: Turn off the unit. If shuts off immediately - it is a Gen. 2 unit. If the image remains for some time - it’s a Gen. 1 unit.

2 c. Other companies claim to have products with 10,000, 20,000, 40,000 light amplification etc. How come ?

The best US made 3^rd. gen. devices that cost 10,000 US $ have 3,000 system light amplification. Anybody claiming higher is not telling the truth and simply misleading the customers, who have no practical way to verify those figures.

3. What type of night vision equipment is offered?

• Binoculars- provide a good field of view as well as compact form. They can be used for a variety of applications such as military, boating, and surveillance. Binoculars come in a variety of magnifications, 2´ to 4´ being the most common.
• Monoculars- Monoculars can appear in any generation and usually include a variety of features. Some can be attached to cameras and the viewing range can be adjusted from extreme close-up to infinity. Moreover, they are cheaper than binoculars because they use just one intensifier. They can be used for observation, hunting, camping, boating, surveillance, and other recreational purposes.
• Rifle scopes- Quality and precision are the most important qualifications of a night vision rifle scope. Quality optics as well as internal adjustments are crucial for long terms performance. Features to look for: illuminated reticule, recoil proof, weaver mount, internal adjustments.
• Goggles- Goggles provide a variety of uses, and can be worn, allowing your hands to be free for other activities. They usually have 1´ magnification so that you can easily move around in the night. Furthermore, they have a wide field of view - up to 40° . Useful for law enforcement, search and rescue, and flying.
• Infra-red Illuminators- Illuminators provide infra-red light that any night vision device can detect and allows you to see even in total darkness conditions. They are extremely effective.

• NEWCON product is made in Russia, where material and labor is much cheaper than in U.S.A.
• The only way to compare is ‘Apples for apples’- Gen. 2 US. made versus Gen. 2 Russian made. US. is more expensive.

5. Can night vision equipment be used in day time?

NEVER expose the opened objective lens of an active unit in daylight. At daytime objective lens must be covered by caps. There is a tiny hole in the cap to provide enough light for day time operation. It is allowed to turn on the unit at daytime, but the lenses must be covered by caps.

NEVER aim active unit at intense light sources (i.e. lights, headlamps, campfires, the moon, etc.). This may damage the image intensifier.

6. Why do I see some black or white spots in the viewer?

These are the cosmetic blemishes in the image intensifier which do not affect the performance or reliability of a night vision device and some number of varying sizes are inherited in the manufacturing processes.

They can also be dirt or debris between the lenses which should be removed by careful cleaning if the system designed with interchangeable optics.

7. Why do all night vision equipment have a small magnification?

Consider the distance you will need and the overall area you are observing or searching. For most surveillance or search applications, the higher the magnification or narrower the field of view, the greater the number of times you need to scan an area to avoid missing important objects or events. Usually a 1:1 lens with a 40° field of view provides optimal performance. For long range observation or weapon sight applications, the amount of magnification needed will vary; however, be sure to consider the other performance characteristics of the device; as the magnification increases, field of view decreases and the F number increases, all reducing the amount of light captured. Consequently, you will need an image tube with excellent performance at very low-light levels and /or high-performance lenses. Another factor involves the versatility of a device if it is used in situations that may require different magnification. How easily and quickly can the magnification be changed? Is it necessary to open the system to install the optics? In some cases, this may be inescapable, and the susceptibility of internal components to damage should be considered.

8. Is Night Vision Legal?

Yes, for all devices. Possession of a night vision device confirms with Federal Firearms Regulations, as of February, 1993. However, use of a weapon sight for hunting may be limited or illegal in your state. Check with local authorities.

9. Will it make me blind if I’ll look at a bright object ?
This happens only in the movies. In real life, all our devices have automatic brightness control. The unit will adjust the output according to the incoming light, and will shut it self if necessary.

10. What is the story about radiation in the Russian products ?
That’s all it is - a story. Those are malicious rumors, spreaded by other manufacturers that have to justify why they are 2-3 times more expensive. The product was tested numerously by University of Toronto and other labs. No radiation what so ever was found.

11. I heard it is unsafe to look into the Infra Red illuminator. Is it ?

There is some base to this rumor. Many millitary night vision devices utilize Lasers in their Illuminators, and some of them might not be safe. All of our products use low power infra red diodes, identical to the ones used in TV remote control, which are absolutely safe.

12. Is it surplus ?

No ! Those are brand new products, with a full year warranty, parts and labor.

13. Why don’t you sell Generation 3 products ?

In 99 % of real life situations gen. 3 is not providing a tangible image advantage over gen. 2, while costing 70-150 % more. Therefor it is not a good value for majority of the application. Mostly used by millitary, where ‘money is no object’.

14. Can night vision equipment be used in day time?

NEVER expose the opened objective lens of an active unit in daylight. At daytime objective lens must be covered by caps. There is a tiny hole in the cap to provide enough light for day time operation. It is allowed to turn on the unit at daytime, but the lenses must be covered by caps.

NEVER aim active unit at intense light sources (i.e. lights, headlamps, campfires, the moon, etc.). This may damage the image intensifier.

15. Why do I see some black or white spots in the viewer?

These are the cosmetic blemishes in the image intensifier which do not affect the performance or reliability of a night vision device and some number of varying sizes are inherited in the manufacturing processes.
 
 

Permissible defects, which may be seen in the field of viewing device, are given in the table

16. Why there is no focus ?
When used at night, due to high magnification, you must observe objects at least 20 yards away or further.

17. Is Night Vision Legal?

Yes, for all devices. Possession of a night vision device confirms with Federal Firearms Regulations, as of February, 1993. However, use of a weapon sight for hunting may be limited or illegal in your state. Check with local authorities.

18. Will it make me blind if I’ll look at a bright object ?

This happens only in the movies. In real life, all our devices have automatic brightness control. The unit will adjust the output according to the incoming light, or will shut it self off if necessary.

19. I heard it is unsafe to look into the Infra Red illuminator. Is it ?

There is some base to this rumor. Many millitary night vision devices utilize Lasers in their Illuminators, and some of them might not be safe. All of our products use low power infra red diodes, identical to the ones used in TV remote control, which are absolutely safe.

20. Why is the image blurry around the edges ?

This is an inherent feature of the image intensifier tubes used in the product.