Review of the best night vision devices in 2024

To see at night, as in the daytime, is given by nature only to animals, but talented people have tried and created a night vision device. The history of the development of the device begins in the mid-40s. XX century In the 1939-40s. the device was tested in military operations. Both sides, Soviet and German, used electro-optics to illuminate the desired location. The device of the German army weighed 35 kg. Soviet soldiers installed the Ts-3 sight on the PPN-41. It weighed about 3 kg, but its functionality was worse than that of the German device.

What is NVG and its purpose

The devices of the new generation are significantly less not only in weight, but also in size. The equipment remains specific and highly specialized. You will not see him in every house, unless this is the habitat of a hunter, rescuer and an employee of the Ministry of Emergencies, an employee of a private security organization or a naturalist.

For them, electronics is an integral part of their daily work. Rescuers use a device with a thermal imager to search for people from under the rubble, soldiers monitor the terrain in poor visibility. A night vision device or night vision device is suitable for a car if you have to drive at night, but you want to avoid dangerous collisions.

Instrument classification

Before you go to the store or order a device from Aliexpress, it is worth understanding what devices are. Most popular models:

1. Monocular. It resembles an improved spyglass. Compact, therefore easy to transport. Usually, the quality matches the price.
2. Binoculars. Equipped with stereo vision, which increases the angle of view, multiple zoom, used in low light conditions. There are 2 types: military and civilian.
3. Glasses. The device is mounted on the head, equipped with one transducer and one lens, but the same picture is displayed in front of the eyes due to the parallelization of the signal.
4. Aim. The design resembles a monocular, but has a limit grid function, a range estimation system and a tail for attaching to a weapon.

The specific type of device is selected based on the needs of the buyer, but it is important to compare the models, and then decide which one is better to buy. Features and descriptions are the guiding stars in the NVG range.

Device selection criteria

When comparing products, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Signal / noise. It depends on them how high-quality the image will be in case of poor visibility. Better to buy models with a ratio of less than 20.
2. Resolution. The parameter also affects the quality of the picture. The best resolution is 30-70 lp / mm. The newer models give out a good detailed picture.
3. Increase. The parameter is indicated in the name of the device. For example, if 4x is indicated, it means that you can see an object from a distance of 40 meters as from 10 m. In night vision devices, this value depends mainly on the lens.The higher the parameter, the more expensive the equipment will be, and the smaller the viewing angle.
4. Line of sight. The higher it is, the more space can be monitored. This is especially useful for hunters, as the wide viewing angle will allow them to think over their actions more accurately and quickly orient themselves.
5. Lens size. The larger it is, the brighter the displayed picture. An important characteristic is aperture ratio. The smaller the focal length of the lens to its diameter, the less dark the picture will be.
6. Focusing. Indicates the distance from which the observer clearly sees the object. For people with poor vision, it is worth purchasing a device with an eyepiece diopter adjustment. Auto focus is ideal.
7. Dimensions. The popularity of models largely depends on this parameter. Who wants to carry a lot of a kilogram thing? Small size and weight are important when choosing a scope.

When thinking about how to choose a NVD, you should think about additional functions. For example, the presence of IR illumination, which increases the power of the device, or the ability to record video and transmit it. The workmanship also should not be discounted. The case must be made of shock-resistant waterproof material. Appliance with thermal imaging or Wi-Fi function may be required.

How to choose - tips and tricks

Which company is better for NVD, each user decides on his own, but the best manufacturers include:

• Yukon;
• Pulsar;
• BERGINS OPTICS;
• Bresser.

How much the device costs is an urgent question, because for it you will have to pay money earned in blood and sweat. Inexpensive models (up to 15,000 rubles) are on the market. These include Panda 40h60, Helios 10 × 40, as well as some Yukon models.

If you need really reliable equipment, then forget about budget devices. If the device is not chosen for the price, then it is worth taking a closer look at the models included in the TOP rating.

It will be important to pay attention when choosing what comes in the kit. If the kit has to be replenished with additional items, then you should look for a better device.

It is worth considering which is better - a monocular or binoculars. The first is cheaper, but it can be attached to a helmet, mounted on a tripod. Minus - you won't be able to hold it for a long time. Binoculars are more expensive, but they are more familiar to the eyes and have a wider viewing angle, but the field of application is limited.

Rating of quality night vision devices in 2024

To eliminate mistakes when choosing, it is worth considering the recommendations and advice of people who have already tested the device. Reviews will also tell you where it is more profitable to buy a night vision device. For example, who to order from: from China or in an online store. According to buyers, the NVGs listed below fully met their expectations.

Yukon Signal N320 RT 28062

The digital monocular was released by Yukon in 2018 and immediately became popular among hunter-fishermen, extreme recreation enthusiasts, tourists and rescuers. It is also preferred by simple summer residents and zoologists.

The device is compact and very lightweight (168x111x56 and 350 g). It can easily fit in a hip pocket, a side pocket of a backpack or a belt bag. In a standard case thrown over your shoulder, the NVG will also not be an obstacle.

The main advantage of the device is its ergonomics. The night vision device was created for ordinary people, so a high IQ is not needed to understand the controls and menus. The binoculars can record video in AVI format with a resolution of 640 × 480, take pictures in jpeg format with a resolution (320 × 240, 640 × 480, 1280 × 960). The volume of the built-in card is 8Gb, so the video is recorded for a maximum of half an hour.

The device is powered by 4 "AA AA batteries, which are easy to change even in the dark. NVD can also be recharged with an external power supply unit. Any 5B Power Bank with microUSB input is suitable for this purpose.

The monocular can be mounted on a tripod, connected to a computer or TV screen. It is also suitable for daytime use due to the lens iris diaphragm. Display mute function helps you stay unnoticed at night.This feature does not affect the performance of other functions, but it saves energy.

• High quality matrix;
• Compactness;
• The function of measuring the distance to the observed animal;
• Possibility of online broadcasting and data transfer to a smartphone in the presence of wireless Internet;
• Remote control;
• High quality sound recording.

• The case is not waterproof;
• Small field of view.

Average price: 17,500 rubles.

Pulsar Challenger GS 1 × 20

The monocular is suitable for observing nature in natural night light and in complete darkness. The image is clear and detailed without distortion at the edge of the field of view. The manufacturer has introduced a unique photocathode of the SF Super1 + image intensifier into the device.

Contrast is enhanced by a five-lens coated eyepiece. The lens diameter is 20 mm and the field of view is 40 °. Additional equipment can be installed due to the availability of the Wearer seat.

The body of the device is sealed and durable, protected from water, dust and mechanical damage, but you should still refuse to immerse the device in water, since water resistance is not its main aspect.

The glow of the image intensifier is masked by a soft rubber eyecup. The monocular has a wide-angle IR illumination, which allows using the device with a mask. You can attach the NVG to both the left and right eyes. The two ”slot fasteners are diametrically positioned.

The control is carried out by one rotating handle, due to which the device is turned on, and then the IR illuminator. The monocular is powered by one CR123 3B cell. This is enough for 20 hours of operation with the infrared illumination on. The device will not fail at low (-20 °) and high (+ 40 °) temperatures.

The size of the monocular is 163x57x79 mm, and the weight is 500 g (with mask).

• High-aperture optics;
• Reliable case. Protection class IP65;
• Unique image intensifier.

• Meager equipment.

Average price: 19,900 rubles.

Bresser National Geographic 3 × 25

Another digital monocular that has received mostly positive reviews. It is suitable for hunting and amateur observation of animals and plants. The optical device allows you to navigate in pitch darkness under unfavorable conditions, as well as to do photo hunting during the day. The device is designed to conduct observations at short and medium distances. The viewing radius even in bad weather is 200 meters.

The lens diameter is 25mm and the magnification is 3x. The image is bright and high-quality thanks to a highly efficient sensitive sensor and multi-layer antireflection coating applied to the lens. The field of vision of the monocular at a distance of 100 m is 17 m. The infrared illuminator can be adjusted.

The built-in recorder allows you to record videos and take pictures. The information is stored on an SD memory card. Pictures taken during the day will be in color, and in black and white at night. Detailed images are transferred to the liquid crystal display.

The monocular is powered by 4 AA batteries, which guarantee 4 hours of uninterrupted operation. If you turn on the device from time to time, it will "last" 6 hours. The manufacturer has not forgotten about saving the battery, so after 2 minutes of inactivity, the device automatically turns off.

Most of the good reviews are based on the ease of use of the monocular. The body has a raised rubber coating, so the NVG won't slip out of your hand. Control buttons are located next to the display. They will react even to pressing with gloves. The monocular can be attached to a tripod.

• Photo / video camera with good resolution;
• Compactness (145x70x42);
• Lightweight (200g);
• Auto focus;
• 3x zoom.

• Not found.

Average price: 19,900 rubles.

BERING OPTICS Wake2 2.5 × 40 G1

If you need to stay unnoticed at night, observing a person or an animal, the BERING OPTICS WAKE2 2.5 × 40 GI monocular will help you make your dreams come true.The lens diameter is 40 mm, and the operating range is 200 m. It has a wide field of view and high-quality night optics. Fast refocusing of the lens allows you to observe moving objects.

Thanks to powerful IR illumination, complete darkness will not interfere with work, even if the observer is in a mountain gorge or inside a building. The principle of operation of the device is intuitive. NVG is reliable in operation. The developer has implemented overload protection for the image converter in Wake2. After 2 seconds, the device will turn off automatically in case of intense daylight exposure.

A ¼ ”hole is provided for mounting the tripod. The monocular consumes little energy during operation, so one battery lasts about 60 hours (according to the manufacturer's assurances).

The body has a groove where the lens cover is hidden while it is open. The dimensions of the device are 180x80x50 mm and the weight is 340 g. The class of moisture protection is IPX4. The complete set is different: it comes in a case with a microfiber cloth, then in a bag.

• Waterproof case;
• Possibility to mount on a tripod;
• High-aperture optics;
• Wide angle of view.

• Works effectively only up to 200 meters away.

Average price: 11,305 rubles.

Yukon TRACKE GOGGLES 1 × 24

If your hands should be free during night observation, it is worth taking a closer look at binocular glasses. They are a helmet-mask with a rubber eyecup. Glasses turn into binoculars with one movement of the hand - you just need to remove the mask.

The peculiarity of the device is its compact size and light weight (10.0 × 30.0x18.0 cm and 800 g). NVG is securely fixed and will not slip at the most inopportune moment. The case is waterproof. It is convenient to observe with the device due to constant interpupillary distance and central focusing.

The eyes are protected from extraneous light by the developed hoods of a soft rubber eyecup. They even mask the glow of the image intensifier. The lenses have hinged Eclipse covers. They are a barrier between optics and damage, dirt and moisture. When the device is on, the covers fold back onto the body, so it is difficult to lose them, and during observation they will not flicker before your eyes.

There is no visual magnification in the glasses, so they are suitable for night outdoor games, patrolling and rescue operations. The device with infrared illumination is the ideal companion in complete darkness. The lenses used high quality optical glass, which is coated with a multi-layer antireflection coating, so they provide a high quality panoramic image.

• Compactness;
• Ease of operation;
• Central focusing;
• Wide-angle IR illumination;
• The presence of a helmet-mask.

• Single zoom.

Average price: 27,900 rubles.

Conclusion

It will not be difficult for a craftsman to make a night vision device with his own hands. You can even find videos on YouTube on how to make a device yourself, but it will be "not right"!

The most important thing is not to spoil the device on the first day of operation (especially if this is the first night vision device). In this case, it is better to first study the instructions and familiarize yourself with how to turn on, configure and use the device. Then it will last long and true!