Even some 15-20 years ago, a night vision scope was a rarity and was the longed-for dream of most hunters. However, time does not stand still, and every year night, sights and devices become so perfect and affordable that, probably, many hunters can afford them. Of course, many still have old models of night vision scopes in their hands, which are still actively used. However, no night scope can be compared with a modern thermal imaging device. It is effective both during the day and at night and allows you to shoot in fog, rain, or light snow. Let's see what types of night optics are and how they differ, and you can decide for yourself which one suits you best. The main types of night devices are independent scopes, attachments for day scopes, binoculars, monoculars, and night vision goggles. The most popular among lovers of night hunting is the night vision scope. With its help, you can get a game and watch it.
Scopes can be based on image intensifier tubes of various generations, CCD matrices, or thermal imaging matrices. The type of sensor you choose will determine the range of object recognition, the firing range, and the quality of the resulting image. Opto-electronic scopes were the first devices that allowed many shooters worldwide to try a new form of hunting. However, they have many disadvantages compared to modern models. First, they are prone to flare and costly repairs when a vital light source hits the lens. These scopes are afraid of solid recoil, so installing them on large calibers is not recommended. Another disadvantage of such scopes is a limited set of functions, and their production is already gradually being phased out as new technologies take precedence over the old ones; today, the most popular are digital night vision sights based on CCD (charge-coupled device) matrices. Combined with a good resolution display, these matrices make it possible to make a high-quality picture of the image. In addition, they are not afraid of bright light, so that they can be used at night and during the day. Such scopes allow you to detect games at a distance of about half a kilometer, which is quite enough for night hunting. These gadgets can have an extensive set of functions, such as zeroing in on several calibers of one sight, video recording, color image palettes, a weapon blockage sensor, a stadiametric rangefinder that allows you to determine the distance by the silhouette of a game, and much more.
Materials
The body of a night vision scope is usually either hard plastic reinforced with metal or composite materials. On the other hand, in front of the lens is an eyepiece through which you can see an "enhanced" image by electronics. They are filled, as a rule, with an inert gas - nitrogen. All night vision devices can be divided into analog (generations 1, 1+, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, etc.) and digital scopes. In analog, the most crucial part is the Electro-Optical Converter (EOC), usually called a tube. They come in different designs, lenses, with and without amplifiers, another electronic filling, and different power; the higher the number, the more sensitive the device. Devices lose their sensitivity over time (the tube “sits down”), but if you use it only for hunting, it will last for a long time. So - the higher the generation of the image converter, the more expensive it is, and the better the technical characteristics and capabilities of the device when working in low light conditions. Yet, the better the resolution, contrast, image clarity, and less "noise" in the picture.
Design
All night vision scopes are sold, as a rule, without a bracket for attaching to a carbine. This is correct since all hunters have different weapons, and the frame is selected individually. There are also other types of brackets - quick detachable and long detachable. Their price is also very different, so the manufacturers of night scopes leave it up to you to choose the frame that suits you. On a thermal imaging scope, the presence of a rangefinder will also be helpful. Indeed, at night it is tough to determine the distance to the observed object; one might say it is almost impossible. The night scope must have infrared illumination. It allows you to increase the observation distance and the effective shot distance significantly. Infrared lights are based on a diode. They work in different ranges - visible and invisible, as well as laser ones. Any of them can be purchased separately, based on your needs. Some hunters use pre-objective attachments. These devices are mounted on the lens of a daytime optical sight with the help of special adapters. Thus, you get a whole sighting system. You can recognize and hit the target at night without changing the standard day sight. These attachments have a set of almost all the same functions as night scopes. Therefore, what should you pay attention to when choosing a night vision scope? First, you must understand what budget you are willing to spend on this device. If we do not consider sights based on an electron-optical converter, then today, the most popular are two types of sights - digital and thermal imaging. Their price depends, as a rule, on the set of functions in the scope. The digital camera is suitable for almost all types of night hunting. The detection range of these scopes is about half a kilometer, which is quite enough. Unlike a sight on an image intensifier tube, a digital scope can be aimed at several weapons at once or at different distances. In addition, when choosing a night scope, it is necessary to consider such parameters as the initial magnification of the sight, digital zoom, field of view, and moisture protection class. It is no secret that when hunting, you can drop a weapon in the mud or get caught in the pouring rain, so the moisture protection class of the sight should be as high as possible and withstand even a slight immersion in water. You should also pay attention to the sight's temperature regime, which should be within -25 +50 degrees Celsius. Suppose you live in a region with a cold climate. In that case, purchasing an additional external power supply for your scope makes sense, as in sub-zero temperatures, the battery charge on any scope is consumed quickly enough. The main dimensions of thermal imaging matrices are 384x288 pixels and high-resolution matrices of 640x480 pixels. It should be noted that the lenses on thermal sights are not made of ordinary glass but of germanium, which also affects the high cost of the sight. Objective diameters are usually from 35 to 100 mm. For example, a scope with a 35mm lens. Able to detect thermal objects at a distance of about a kilometer with a 60 mm lens. - Up to two kilometers, with a hundredth lens - up to three kilometers. Image quality is also significantly affected by the pixel size; it can be 25, 17, or 12 microns—the lower the value, the better the image quality in the scope. The displays on standard modern thermal sights are mostly 800x600 pixels, but on the latest models of scopes, this figure is 1024x768 pixels.
The Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of night vision devices is complex. Indeed, only for the production of the main component - the image intensifier tube - is it necessary to perform more than 400 different operations. As a rule, manufacturers perform several essential technological functions simultaneously in other parts of the plant. The first important step is the fabrication of the photocathode. Then the phosphor screen and tube body are assembled. The shield itself is a small fiber-optic disc that a subcontractor can supply. The image intensifier manufacturer must attach the security to the metal parts in the tube and then apply the phosphor. The whole technological process of creating a sight is complex, so we will not describe it in detail now. It is worth noting that when all the main components are manufactured, they are manually loaded into the pipe body. This is extremely delicate work done in a particular clean room - cleanrooms. Parts are mechanically locked in place. Finally, it is ready; the case, cathode, and screen are pressed against each other. The image intensifier then goes through several testing stages to ensure that it is activated and works as expected. When the image intensifier tube is tested, all components proceed to the final assembly process. They are placed in a casing for scopes or other night vision products.
Quality Control
The mechanical characteristics of night vision devices are the higher, the smaller their dimensions, weight, and the greater the range of their action. However, these parameters conflict with each other. A device provides lengthy content with the same image intensifier tube with a large lens. Special mention should be made of the design of night sights. It must withstand axial impact loads up to 0.5 kg, while the one-piece mark should not stray from its original position and be visible under various operating conditions. Several civilian products that have appeared on the world market in the last five years do not meet the requirements for impact strength, have limitations in the possibility of installation, and a significant withdrawal of the initial aiming point caused by the unsuccessful design of the mechanism for placing a mark or mounting on a weapon. It should be said that there are so many features of the design and use of night scopes that it is simply impossible to describe them in one article.
Therefore, summarizing the above, we can draw the following conclusion. If you buy a scope for several hunts a year, you can consider the most inexpensive models in the most compact body and with a short detection range. Practice shows that most hunters, except for the on / off button of the sight, do not use anything else after buying this device. Therefore, we can recommend the most easy-to-use models of scopes with a minimum set of functions for such hobby hunters. If you consider yourself an active user of electronic gadgets, hunt very often.
In some cases, shooting can be carried out at relatively large distances; then, you need a sight with the most potent matrix, a large lens, and a rangefinder. To date, there are even entirely sighting systems on sale with a built-in ballistic calculator and automatic correction of the aiming point, which, with the correct settings, make it possible to produce very long-range and accurate shots. However, on night hunts, it is better not to get carried away with ultra-long shooting and shoot, only being 100 percent sure that it is the object of hunting in front of you and not some other animal or person.