Which would you choose for your BOB?

Digital Night Vision such as the Newton Twilight Hornet 5x50

versus the Bresser Nautic 7x50 WD Marine Binocular

Neither. Too heavy.

I would vote for the binoculars without knowing more. Though I have often been tempted to buy, I have never even looked through any (relatively) low cost night vision equipment. I have questions about the durability of this type of equipment, the gizmo's dependence on batteries as well as how useful it really is at this low price point.

For me, the decision ultimately might depend on some environmental factors . In the winter when it gets dark so early, the night vision might make more sense. If the area is very wooded, the binoculars won't do you much good so again I would lean towards the night vision.

Of course the ultimate advantage of the binoculars is that they would be useful during daylight when the night vision device is worthless.

I have the Yukon/Newton YUKON / NEWTON Twilight Hornet 5X50, (actually a re branded Bresser 5x50NV) which I purchased at a local Lidl discount store in the UK for around $135. The imaging device is actually a Sony Super HAD ICX405AL CCD chip as used in a Starlite Express SXVF-M5 imaging camera.

http://www.starlight-xpress.co.uk/SXV-M5.htm

with the following specifications

CCD type: Sony ICX405AL SuperHAD CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.

CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 9.8uM x 6.3uM, Image format: 500 x 580 pixels

CCD Image area: 4.9mm (Horizontal) x 3.65mm (Vertical).

CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 10 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).

Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~60%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 600nM.


Here are some users videos showing the output to a video recording device for the Newton NV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBNIEXJ15gI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6ekKQRaPJ8

As you can see the M45 Pleiades open cluster is shown quite nicely at the end of the video. So performance isn't too bad in low light conditions without using the built in IR illuminator. Seems to be better than Gen 1 technology (probably nearer Gen2 performance) with the added advantage that video output can be recorded as shown here with a similarly priced Yukon Ranger Digital NV, which is also 2x approx the weight of the Newton Hornet 5x50 at 440 grams (esp if searching for Sasquatch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX0hATbIvUg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x43UgIaVURk

The Newton Hornet is capable of being used during the daytime unlike conventional image intensifier technology because of it CCD camera imager. But of course even a Nikula 7x18 monocular would easily beat it for performance during the daytime.

The main advantage over high light gain binoculars such as mil spec 7x50 bins is that observations can be made covertly using the IR illuminator with ranges out to about 150-200 metres in complete darkness (although the IR illuminator is still slightly visible with its reddish glow). Looking at the spectral response of the Sony Super HAD ICX405AL and using a Fenix T1 flashlight it may be possible to extent the illumination range of this combination out to 500-600 metres i.e. 3-4 times the range of the Fenix T1, although not being covertly used.)

Another advantage is the ability to pick out other folks employing covert IR illumintors in the apparent dark. (for the E&E BOB requirement for those who think that they need this requirement)

I suspect that 7x50 bins designed for low light conditions combined with night adapted vision will out perform the Digital Night Vision for the majority of the time.

Digital NV is perhaps too specialist to be of real use in a Bug out situation unless you are really spooked about the beasties circling your campsite. They make for a fun toy especially when using the video out for recording when going a ghost hunting at spooky castles or scanning the skies for UFOs.

Binos. Weight, no batteries.

NVGs can be useful, but on a truly dark night - no moon, total overcast, in the woods - they are pretty much dead weight. Been there, done that. The batteries are sometimes specialized, and usually not rechargable. Plus, if you wear glasses, they can be a pain to use.

Remember, it's a BoB, not a tactical fighting rig.

Binos can be very helpful at night as well. High quality ones with coated lenses have great light gathering properties. In many situations they can be more practical than night vision, especially the GEN 1 or 2.

I do have a Russian night vision monocular that is hand cranked instead of battery powered. I bought it from a web sight several years ago, can't remember which one or the name of the scope. It is mainly good for looking for lost scouts if I have tagged them with a chem-light or other light. it does not magnify and it is not very clear, but it does detect weak lights in the gloom.

AFLM,
For me, those were great links. For once, you have probably saved me money. That should help make up for the vast amounts spent on LED lights you suggested at Deal Extreme.

I found the resolution much better than I expected when looking at the raccoon in the Sasquatch video. But with the IR spot turned off or rendered ineffective by distance, I was disappointed. The video of the cars in the distance seemed to show much less than I would think I could see with some 7x50s -- even with eyes that are only moderately adapted to the darkness.

The image of the Orion Nebula -- while clearly showing where the nebulosity was located -- was far inferior to views I've seen through binoculars that are less than ideally suited to night viewing (like 8x42s).

For me, the usefulness of full color (natural) vision -- even at night -- along with higher detail available from binoculars (vs. NV's 500x580 pixels) makes the NV seem like a weak second choice.

I'm second to that.

After doing a little research, the little Bresser Digital NV Camera is apparently capable of being used as the basis for a Heath Robinson Night Vision weapons scope with quite high performance according to this review.

http://www.riflesunlimited.co.uk/showarticle.php?id=30

I will see if I can adapt the Bresser Digitial NV in a similar manner to produce a sub $250 weapons scope with Gen2+ performance.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B12...Jm&hl=en_GB

I will probably need a replacement lens for the Bresser i.e. a Yukon 2x24 or 3x42 for around $50-$70 and use it in conjunction with the Scope already fitted on my QB-78 air rifle.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26216

Addition illumination can be cheaply provided with this combination.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.976
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12625

I already have most of the parts already but I would need a secondary aspherical front lens to tighten the IR beam to match the sights FOV.

I could perhaps even attach one of these

http://www.myvu.com/crystal-ev.aspx

and use my airgun like a F-35 driver.