HOW NIGHT VISION WORKS

HOW STARLIGHT TECHNOLOGY WORKS

Night Vision Devices gather existing ambient light (starlight, moonlight or infra-red light) through the front lens. This light, which is made up of photons goes into a photocathode tube that changes the photons to electrons. The electrons are then amplified to a much greater number through an electrical and chemical process. The electrons are then hurled against a phosphorus screen that changes the amplified electrons back into visible light that you see through the eyepiece. The image will now be a clear green-hued amplified re-creation of the scene you were observing.
 

1. Front Lens

2. Photocathode

3. Micro-Channel Plate

4. High Voltage Power Supply

5. Phosphorus Screen

6. Eyepiece

FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION

A Night Vision Device can be a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation unit depending on what type of light intensifier tube is used in that particular device The light intensifier tube is the heart and soul of a Night Vision Device.

Generation 1 is currently the most popular type of night vision in the world. Utilizing the basic principles described earlier, a 1st generation will amplify the existing light several thousand times letting you clearly see in the dark. These units provide a bright and sharp image at a low cost, which is perfect, whether you are boating, observing wildlife, or providing security for your home.

Generation 2 is primarily used by law enforcement or professionals as the cost is considerably higher than 1st generation. These units have a micro-channel plate (MCP) consisting of millions of short parallel glass tubes directly behind the photocathode which work as an electron amplifier. When electrons pass through these tubes, thousands more electrons are released allowing greater light amplification than 1st generation giving you a brighter and sharper image.

Generation 3. By adding a sensitive chemical, gallium arsenide to the photocathode a brighter and sharper image was achieved over 2nd generation. An ion barrier film was also added to increase tube life. Generation 3 provides the user with good to excellent low light performance.

Generation 4 / Gated Filmless tube technology represents the biggest technological breakthrough in image intensification of the past 10 years. By removing the ion barrier film and "Gating" the system Generation 4 demonstrates substantial increases in target detection range and resolution, particularly at extremely low light levels.
 

Generation 3 and 4 technology is not available for export outside the USA

INFRA-RED ILLUMINATORS

All Starlight scopes need some light to amplify. This means that if you were in complete darkness you could not see. Due to this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI) on all of our scopes. Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of infra-red light that is near invisible to the naked eye but your Night Vision Device can see it. This allows you to use your scope even in total darkness. The IRI works like a flashlight and the distance you can see with it will be limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe illuminator on the market. This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards However, because of the power at a short distance the IRI may cover only 40 - 60% of the viewing area.

HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE?

There are many different variables that can affect the distance that you can see with a Night Vision Device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the object the easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there or maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100% determine who or what it is. This is called detection range. Secondly, another variable is lighting conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared light) the better and further you will be able to see You can always see further on a night where the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast. We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female or a dog and a deer at about 75m to 100m. However, if you were looking across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a house 500m away.
Remember, that the purpose of a Night Vision Device is to see in the dark not necessarily a long ways like a binocular.

BLACK SPOTS ON THE SCREEN

As you look through a night vision device you may notice black spots on the screen. A Night Vision Device is similar to a television screen and attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be cleaned. However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal. Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will not affect the performance or reliability of the night vision device.