U.S. Army Order Aviation Night Vision Equipment

The U.S. Army gave ITT Corp. a $19.9 million order for aviator night vision goggles and spare image intensifier tubes.

Details of the contract order from the Army Research, Development & Engineering Command for AN/AVS-6 goggles and MX-10160C intensifiers weren't disclosed.

Expect more MX-10160 tubes to make their way into the commercial market sometime in 2011.

Lookout for Security at the Movies!

Looks like movie security is stepping up to the plate on cracking down on movie pirating. These stories seem to be cropping up more lately. My only questions is, "How can movie theatres afford night vision equipment?" It's expensive. Perhaps, they are being reimbursed by filmmakers and distribution companies. They certainly have the money to do it,... and then some. Read the story here: Movie Security Uses Night Vision Goggles to Find Pirates

Misleading the Public about Generation 4 Night Vision

Here's an article that was written by someone who was hired to write articles to help promote and boost SEO for the Rigel site on the keyword "night vision goggles". Clearly, this person does not know night vision. Generations of night vision get their "Generation Status" from the military. Although, Northrup Grumman developed the filmless tube, (which would be the Generation 4 technology) the military did not in fact designate it because they did not purchase the technology and make use of it. It was not purchased due to it's lower longevity and reliability levels in the field. Yes, the military requested the development of it, but to this day, it is not, by definition "Generation 4". Is it better technology. Yes and No. Filmless tubes reduce blooming and provide a clearer image. However, filmless tubes do not last as long and there is some discussion that radio waves interfere with their performance. Here's the article: American Chronicle

Needed a pair of real Night Vision Goggles

http://daleerius.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!81E0A10F33911212!1435.entry?_c=BlogPart

Sounds like this guy bought a pair of $300.00 night vision goggles from ATN or some other night vision company that sells low price-point night vision goggles. Depth perception should actually improve significantly using night vision goggles and not being able to see through one side would mean they were broken. Try a real pair of Generation 3 night vision goggles with a U.S. manufactured night vision tube in them. You'll be impressed.

AN/PVS-15 Dual Tube Night Vision Binocular

Used by U.S. Special Forces, the AN/PVS-15 (M953) is a rugged, lightweight, self-contained dual tube binocular system. Offering better depth perception than single tube systems, the AN/PVS-15 provides the same performance characteristics as found in aviator systems. The AN/PVS-15 can be hand-held or used as a helmet-mounted goggle and is specifically designed for critical missions where high performance and depth perception are vital elements.





The PVS-15 can hand-held or helmet-mounted and provides the capability for operators to see clearly at night. The system amplifies ambient light from sources such as the moon, stars and skyglow so the viewed scene becomes clearly visible to the operator. The AN/PVS-15 has the following important features:

1. Powered by a single “AA” size battery, any voltage between 1.5 and 5.0 vdc.


2. If the battery voltage becomes low, a light-emitting diode (LED) comes on before the image intensifier tubes shut down.


3. Adjusts for eye-span, diopter setting and objective focus


4. Is submersible to 66 feet for two hours.


5. The helmet mount adjusts for vertical distance and eye relief, and may be flipped up and temporarily stowed.

The AN/PVS-15 dual tube night vision binocular system is subject to the following limitations, which are typical of most night vision systems:

1. The system requires some night light (moonlight, starlight, etc., ) to operate. Night light is reduced by such factors as passing cloud covers and objects that produce shadows.


2. The equipment is less effective viewing through rain, fog, sleet, snow, smoke and other reflective materials as well as into shadows and darkned areas.


3. Under starlight conditions, low-contrast environments (such as snow-covered territory, sand deserts, large bodies of water or grassy hills) degrade visibility, thereby disguising or masking changes in the terrain.


4. Under low-light conditions, the goggles lose some of the resolution that they have under high-light conditions.


5. Some goggles may experience a measurable loss of performance at temperatures above 100F (38C). This is caused by ambient heat beginning to increase thermionic emissions of the photocathode. If this begins to occur, it will appear as though you are looking through eye-glasses that are starting to fog or develop a slight haze.

For clarity and depth perception in night vision systems, this system is unparalleled.

Straight from a PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle Manual

Here's some text straight from a PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle User's Manual:

EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES

WARNING - EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS

To avoid physical and equipment damage when using the AN/PVS-7 goggle, carefully read and understand the following safety precautions.

1. The equipment requires some night light (moonlight, starlight, etc.,) to operate. The level of performance depends upon the level of light.
   
2. Night light is reduced by passing cloud cover, while operating under trees, in building shadows, etc.
   
3. The equipment is less effective viewing into shadows and other darkened areas.
   
4. The equipment is less effective through rain, fog, sleet, snow or smoke.
   
5. The equipment will not "see" through dense smoke.
   
6. Adjust vehicular speed to prevent overdriving the range of view when conditions of possible reducation or loss of vision exist.

CAUTION:

The AN/PVS-7 is a precision optical instrument and must be handled carefully at all times to prevent damage.

The AN/PVS-7 is a hand-held, headmounted or helmet mounted night vision system that enables walking, driving, weapons firing, short range surveillance, map reading, vehicle maintenance, and administering first aid in both moonlight and starlight. Each unit allows for vertical adjustment (by using head straps), fore-and-aft adjustment, objective lens focus, eyepiece focus, and eye span distance adjustment. The goggles are also equipped with an infrared light-emitting source and a low battery indicator. The goggles automatically shut off when disconnected from the headmount or helmet mount. There is also a high-light cutoff feature that shuts of power to the goggles when they are exposed to high levels of light for 70 (+/- 30) seconds.

I thought it was interesting that it included "vehicle maintenance, map reading, and administering first aid." These are applications for night vision equipment you don't hear about very much.

Night Vision Goggles vs. Binoculars: Addendum

An additional point to the post below, is whether the night vision system comes (as part of the purchase) with a head mount and/or helment mount. Binoculars are typically heavy, due to the dual optics, and head mounting and helmet mounting becomes too cumbersome. So, if the system comes with a head mount and/or helmet mount, then this will be an indication that the system is more inclined to be used as a goggle, rather than a binocular. An example would be the popular AN/PVS-15 Dual Tube Night Vision Binocular. It does not come with a head mount or a helmet mount, and therefore it falls under the binocular category. However, that is not say that someone could not headmount it and use it as a goggle. It will just be a heavy off over the face.