Night vision devices gather existing ambient light (starlight,
moonlight or infra-red light) through the front lens. This light, which is made
up of photons goes into a photocathode tube that changes the photons to
electrons. The electrons are then amplified to a much greater number through an
electrical and chemical process. The electrons are then hurled against a
phosphorus screen that changes the amplified electrons back into visible light
that you see through the eyepiece. The image will now be a clear green-hued
amplified re-creation of the scene you were observing.
1. Front Lens
4. High Voltage Power Supply
2. Photocathode
5. Phosphorus Screen
3. Microchannel plate
6. Eyepiece
FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH
GENERATION
A Night Vision Device can be either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
generation unit. What this stands for is what type of light intensifier tube is
used for that particular device The light intensifier tube is the heart and soul
of an NVD.
1st
generation is currently the most popular type of night vision in the world.
Utilizing the basic principles described earlier, a 1st generation will amplify
the existing light several thousand times letting you clearly see in the dark.
These units provide a bright and sharp image at a low cost, which is perfect,
whether you are boating, observing wildlife, or providing security for your
home. You may notice the following when you are looking through a 1st gen unit
A slight high-pitched whine when the unit is on.
The image you see may be slightly blurry around the edges. This is known as
Geometric Distortion.
When you turn a 1st gen off it may glow green for some time.
These are inherent characteristics of a 1st gen and are normal.
2nd generation is primarily used by law enforcement or for
professional applications. This is because the cost of a 2nd gen unit is
approximately $500.00 to $1000.00 more then a 1st gen. The main difference
between a 1st and a 2nd generation unit is the addition of a micro-channel
plate, commonly referred to as a MCP. The MCP works as an electron amplifier and
is placed directly behind the photocathode. The MCP consists of millions of
short parallel glass tubes. When the electrons pass through these short tubes,
thousands more electrons are released. This extra process allows 2nd generation
units to amplify the light many more times then 1st generation giving you a
brighter and sharper image.
3rd
generation By adding a sensitive chemical, gallium arsenide to the
photocathode a brighter and sharper image was achieved over 2nd generation. An
ion barrier film was also added to increase tube life. Gen. 3 provides the user
with good to excellent low light performance.
4th
Generation / Gated Filmless tubes: 4th generation / Gated Filmless
technology represents the biggest technological breakthrough in image
intensification of the past 10 years. By removing the ion barrier film and
"Gating" the system Gen 4 demonstrates substantial increases in target detection
range and resolution, particularly at extremely low light levels.
The use of filmless technology and auto-gated power supply in 4th generation
image intensifiers result in:
Up to 100% improvement in photoresponse.
Superb performance in extremely low light level (better S/N and EBI)
At least triple high light level resolution (a minimum of 36 lp/mm compared
to 12 lp/mm)
With significant improvement in contrast level and in performance under all
light conditions, 4th generation represents the top of the line performance in
the night vision market. Note: The term 4th generation is used/accepted among
Night Vision manufactures to describe gated filmless tubes. However, this
designation is widely debated and is currently referred to as Filmless &
Gated image intensifiers by the US Military.
Gen 4 technology improves night operational
effectiveness for military users of night vision goggles and other night vision
devices. The filmless MCP provides a higher signal-to-noise ratio than Gen 3,
resulting in better image quality (less scintillation) under low-light
conditions. The gated power supply further improves image resolution under high
light conditions, and the reduced halo minimizes interference from bright light
sources. These improvements also substantially increase the detection range of
the systems.
Gen 3 Omni IV
Gen 4
% Improvement
Photoresponse (µA/Im)
1800
1800
-
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
21.0
25.0(ground)
20% Higher
26.0(air)
24% Higher
Resolution(lp/mm)
64
64
-
Halo(mm)
1.25
0.75
40% smaller
Reliability(hours)
10,000
10,000
-
RANGE IMPROVEMENT
Relative direction ranges
PVS-7 System
Overcast Starlight Conditions (-1x10E-5 tc)
Vehicle Size Target, 30% Contrast
Gen 2
SuperGen 2
Gen 3 OMNI I and II
Gen 3 OMNI III
Gen 3 OMNI IV
Gen IV
Detection Range (m)
170
270
240
290
360
430
% Improvement over Gen II
0%
60%
40%
70%
110%
153%
Gen IV technology is not currently available for
export.
INFRA-RED ILUMINATORS
All Starlight scopes need some light to
amplify. This means that if you were in complete darkness you could not see. Due
to this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI) on all of our scopes.
Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of infra-red light that is near
invisible to the naked eye but your NVD can see it. This allows you to use your
scope even in total darkness. The IRI works like a flashlight and the distance
you can see with it will be limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe
illuminator on the market. This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards
However, because of the power at a short distance the IRI may cover only 40-60%
of the viewing area.
HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE
There are many
different variables that can effect the distance that you can see with a Night
Vision device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another
boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the
object the easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we
call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there or
maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100% determine who or what
it is. This is called detection range. Second. Another variable is lighting
conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared
light) the better and further you will be able to see You can always see further
on a night where the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast.
We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female
or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards. However, if you were looking
across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a
house 500 yards away. Remember, that the purpose of an NVD is to see in the
dark not necessarily a long ways like a binocular.
BLACK SPOTS ON THE SCREEN
As you look through a night vision
device you may notice black spots on the screen. A NVD is similar to a
television screen and attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be
cleaned. However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal.
Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will not affect the
performance or reliability of the night vision device.
All Starlight scopes need some light to
amplify. This means that if you were in complete darkness you could not see. Due
to this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI) on all of our scopes.
Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of infra-red light that is near
invisible to the naked eye but your NVD can see it. This allows you to use your
scope even in total darkness. The IRI works like a flashlight and the distance
you can see with it will be limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe
illuminator on the market. This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards
However, because of the power at a short distance the IRI may cover only 40-60%
of the viewing area. 
There are many
different variables that can effect the distance that you can see with a Night
Vision device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another
boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the
object the easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we
call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there or
maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100% determine who or what
it is. This is called detection range. Second. Another variable is lighting
conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared
light) the better and further you will be able to see You can always see further
on a night where the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast.
We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female
or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards. However, if you were looking
across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a
house 500 yards away. 
As you look through a night vision
device you may notice black spots on the screen. A NVD is similar to a
television screen and attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be
cleaned. However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal.
Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will not affect the
performance or reliability of the night vision device. 
