Before choosing night vision goggles or thermal imagers for night patrol equipment, it is necessary to first understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two, and understand the environment of the remote reconnaissance site, and make a decision after full consideration.

Thermal imager

First of all, it is clear that a thermal imager is not a camera. It only converts the invisible infrared energy emitted by an object into a visible thermal image.

A thermal imager, also known as a thermal imager or infrared thermal imager, is a device that performs photosensitive imaging of infrared rays emitted by an object. The resulting thermal image corresponds to the thermal distribution field on the surface of the object. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature of an object, the more radiation energy it emits. Since the temperature of a person or animal is generally higher than that of the surrounding environment, by detecting and receiving this energy, a thermal imager can form a corresponding image, allowing the observer to see the target.

Since thermal imaging can sense temperature and is less affected by the environment, it can also produce clear images in a lightless/strong light/backlit environment. It is widely used and is often used in the public security brigade to fight drug trafficking and smuggling and track prisoners, leaving no place for hiding suspects.

Thermal imagers detect heat, so they can often find target people hidden in dense jungles or covered by fog. However, because it forms a thermal image, it often cannot present details. Special police need to accumulate certain experience to find the weak parts of suspects. Moreover, using thermal imagers to assist aiming also requires some practice, because they are usually larger and heavier than night vision goggles.

Night vision goggles

There are two types of night vision goggles according to their internal structures. They are low-light night vision goggles born during World War II. The internal structure is mainly composed of image intensifier tubes, and often requires the use of visible light sources to form images. In most cases, starlight and moonlight can provide enough light, but the shadows formed by trees will cause a certain impact. Modern night vision goggles are often equipped with infrared illuminators. Some people will directly call it a lamp, but in fact, the appropriate name should be night vision goggles image intensifiers. The second type is the digital technology that appeared in the 1990s and added to the night vision goggles. The digital night vision goggles with built-in LCD screens and low-light CCDs can be used during the day and at night, but the effect is better at night.

The image of low-light night vision goggles is usually more detailed and natural, the body is stronger, and the absorption of recoil is better. Its disadvantage is that the electron tube used to enhance the brightness of external light sources is very sensitive. If exposed to strong light, it will be easily damaged. Therefore, night vision scopes can only be used at night and cannot be used during the day (except for digital night vision goggles with CCD technology installed inside). However, night vision technology is also constantly improving. Onick has launched several new models with "strong light protection" function, which can greatly reduce the damage to the phase-increasing tube when it is opened by mistake. For example, NVG-M, NVG-W, and NVG-B night vision goggles will automatically turn off the night vision program if they encounter strong light.

The advantage of digital night vision goggles is that they can be used day and night, with photo and video recording and storage functions. However, because it is a built-in LCD screen, the LCD screen is too small and limited, and the resolution is low, and the field of view will feel very small when observed directly. And most digital products have the disadvantage of fast power consumption. If used on a gun for a long time, the recoil will cause vibration and damage to the CCD screen. However, modern technology has been developed, which has wireless transmission WIFI function. For example, the NB-500 binocular night vision device can be connected to a mobile phone for observation and shooting, which is a powerful partner for law enforcement workers to collect evidence at a distance.

Night vision device VS thermal imager

If used properly, thermal imagers and night vision devices can play an important role in nighttime long-distance patrols, but how to choose between the two? Before making a decision, please ask yourself these questions.

1. Patrol environment

It is important to understand the environment of the area you are going to patrol in advance. If there is a dense jungle or heavy fog, then a thermal imager will be more suitable. Because whether it is a dense forest or heavy fog, it will not affect its detection of heat at all. But if you are going to an extremely cold ice and snow, then a thermal imager is not suitable, because the extremely low temperature will affect the quality of thermal imaging. At this time, it is wise to choose a night vision device.

2. Demand and budget

For most people, price is an important consideration. Generally speaking, the price of a night vision device is about a quarter of that of a thermal imager. Different configurations have different prices, such as: the resolution and frame frequency of the thermal imaging detector; the generation of the phase-increasing tube of the low-light night vision device, currently there are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations. The larger the generation, the clearer the image and the more expensive the price; whether the image is color or black and white (thermal imager, digital night vision device); whether the content is recorded directly on the SD card, or needs to be connected to the camera with a data cable to record; the flexibility of zooming in and out; the difficulty of installation... All of these affect the price of the instrument. Only by knowing the needs and budget can you make a good choice.

3. Light

Remember that image-enhanced night vision devices need light sources to form images. If you are going to work in extremely remote mountains, it is likely that you can't see your fingers around you and there is no light. Only thermal imagers can come in handy. If the patrol is often clear and bright, with stars in the sky, then night vision devices can also be used.

Summary:

The advantages of thermal imagers are that they can be used in all light conditions, day or night, in deep mountains and dense forests; and they can also track residual heat, such as recent footprints. Its disadvantages are that it is expensive, large, heavy, and has low clarity; because it relies on temperature differences to form images, it is not possible to see the target clearly through glass lenses; if the temperature is extremely low, the image quality will also be affected.

The advantages of night vision goggles are that the image is more natural and clear, the body is relatively strong, the price is cheaper than thermal imagers, and the field of view is relatively large. The disadvantage is that the field of view is easily obstructed, and shadows, haze, hunting dogs, and camouflage may block it, and visible light must be used to see the target clearly, so it cannot be used during the day.

You can use a handheld thermal imager to search for prey, but use night vision goggles when aiming. Handheld monocular thermal imagers are cheaper and lighter than thermal imaging scopes, making them easy to pass between partners. They are very useful for locating and monitoring target people in the woods, so they are more suitable for use in actual search and reconnaissance. When the criminals have to be subdued and arrested, it is better to use night vision goggles to assist aiming.

Night vision goggles or thermal imaging goggles - this is a difficult decision. I hope that everything analyzed by the editor above can make your choice easier.