Comparison Dipol D125 vs Pulsar Challenger GS 1x20

The greatest distance at which a night vision device is capable of detecting individual objects.

The methods by which manufacturers determine this parameter may vary in detail, but the general principle is the same. Usually, the distance is indicated at which, with an illumination of 0.05 lux (a quarter of the moon) and a medium-contrast background, a rather large object can be seen — for example, a human figure with a height of about 170 cm is most often taken. of this object, but only to notice the very fact of its presence. Simply put, a detection range of, say, 200 m means that “something that looks like a person” can be seen in such a device at a distance of 200 m, but individual parts (head, hands) cannot be disassembled.

It is also worth noting that in fact this parameter is highly dependent on the characteristics of the situation. For example, a dark object on a very light background will be visible further, and on a dark one it may not be noticeable even up close; a similar phenomenon is observed for thermal imagers (see "Type"), only regarding the difference in temperature, and not in colours.

The generation of the image intensifier used in the device with the corresponding principle of operation (see above).

— I. The earliest and, accordingly, the least perfect generation of image intensifier tubes presented on the modern market. Allows relatively comfortable use of night vision devices under the condition of fairly bright "night" lighting (for example, on a moonlit night); in weaker light, active IR illumination is required. At the same time, image intensifier tubes of the first generation are inconvenient when working with point light sources — parasitic illumination appears and the light source “blurs” on the screen. And accidental illumination (for example, hitting the light of car headlights) most likely disables such a device: automatic protection against it is extremely rare, and it is not always possible to close or retract the lens in time. In addition, closer to the edges of the field of view, the resolution of the image in such an image intensifier tube noticeably decreases and distortions appear in it (for example, a square may look like a “cushion”). Simplicity and, accordingly, low cost can be called the unambiguous advantages of the first generation devices. The resource of such a converter is on average about 1000 hours, which is quite enough for infrequent "forays" into nature, but not enough for permanent use.

— I+. An improved and modified version of the...I generation image intensifiers described above. The main improvement was the use of the so-called fibre optic plate — thanks to it, it was possible to make the resolution the same throughout the entire field of view, and also to almost completely get rid of distortion. On the other hand, due to some technical features, such night vision devices at the same magnification turn out to be more expensive (sometimes several times) and bulkier than their predecessors, and they have no advantages over them, in addition to those described above. Because of this, the improved version of the first generation image intensifier is less common than the original.

— II. The key difference between the second generation image intensifier tube and its predecessors was a two-stage light amplification scheme: in the traditional way, as in the first generation, and then using a microchannel plate. This made it possible to significantly increase the degree of amplification, which made it possible to use night vision devices even on a dark night — by the light of stars in light clouds. In this generation, it was also possible to ensure uniform image quality over the entire field of view, to get rid of significant spurious flare (a point light source in the field of view almost does not blur). In addition, automatic protection against backlight has become almost mandatory for such devices, and the resource, compared to the first generation, has increased significantly — up to 3000 hours in some models. However the cost of night vision devices with such converters has increased significantly.

— II+. Improvement of the second generation transducers (see above), aimed, in particular, at reducing the size of night vision devices and further improving the quality of the "picture" (albeit at the expense of some reduction in the light amplification factor). Note that under this designation, both the “original” generation II + and its improved version Super Gen II + can be hidden. The latter option is able to provide a visibility range almost at the level of the image intensifier tube of the III generation, and at the same time it costs much less (although still more expensive than the device of the original generation II +).

— III. In the third generation of image intensifier tubes, manufacturers used an innovative material in the design of the photocathode, which made it possible to significantly increase the sensitivity (both general and in the IR range). Converters of this generation are capable of operating in extremely low light, provide a clear, high-quality image with high detail and have a resource of about 10,000 hours; thus, they are the most advanced on the modern civilian market. However, the main users of such equipment are the military and representatives of special services: it is for them that the described advantages are critically important, and III generation image intensifier tubes cost 1.5 – 2 times more expensive than II + (which are not cheap in themselves), which makes it difficult for civilians to use such devices. Another disadvantage of converters of this type is considered to be a rather significant sensitivity to side illumination.

The diameter of the entrance lens that the lens of the night vision device is equipped with.

This parameter is one of the most important for any optical device, including night vision devices: the larger the lens, the more light (or infrared radiation) enters it and the more sensitive the optics are, all other things being equal. The downside of this is an increase in the size, weight and cost of the device. In addition, do not forget that various tricks and additional technologies can be used in the design; therefore, by itself, a large lens is far from always an unambiguous indicator of a high class.

The focal length of a night vision device. This term means such a distance from the optical centre of the lens to the photocathode of the image intensifier tube or the matrix of a digital device(see "Operation principle"), at which a clear image is obtained on the photocathode/matrix.

In general, long focal lengths are characteristic of optical systems with a high degree of optical magnification (see above). However, in the case of night vision devices, this dependence is not rigid — it is simply easier to ensure a high magnification with long-focus optics. In fact, this means that models with the same focal length can differ markedly in magnification. But what this indicator directly affects is light transmission: other things being equal, longer optical systems transmit less light, which negatively affects the capabilities of the device. This is also true for thermal imagers (see "Type"), because their working infrared range in this case also obeys the general laws of optics.

The resolution of the visible image created by the night vision device. Indicated by the number of lines (strokes) per millimetre; the higher this indicator, the more detailed the image is capable of creating the night vision device, the better small details will be visible on it. However such devices will cost accordingly.

In models with an image intensifier tube (see "How it works"), the resolution is highly dependent on the generation of the transducer.

The size of the area visible in the night vision device from a distance of 100 m — in other words, the largest distance between two points at which they can be seen simultaneously from this distance. It is also called "linear field of view". Along with the angular field of view (see below), this parameter characterizes the space covered by the optics; at the same time, it more clearly describes the capabilities of a particular model than data on viewing angles.

The angle of view provided by a night vision device — that is, the angle between the lines connecting the observer's eye with the two extreme points of visible space. Wide viewing angles allow you to cover a large area, but the magnification factor (see above) is low; in turn, increasing the magnification leads to a decrease in the field of view.

The smallest distance to the observed object, at which it will be clearly visible through the night vision device. For normal use of night vision devices, it is necessary that this distance does not exceed the minimum expected distance to the objects in question; thus, it must be borne in mind that the higher the magnification factor (see above), the greater the focus distance, usually.

The offset is the distance between the eyepiece lens and the exit pupil of an optical instrument (see "Exit Pupil Diameter"). Optimum image quality is achieved when the exit pupil is projected directly into the observer's eye; so from a practical point of view, offset is the distance from the eye to the eyepiece lens that provides the best visibility and does not darken the edges (vignetting). A large offset is especially important if the night vision device is supposed to be used simultaneously with glasses — after all, in such cases it is not possible to bring the eyepiece close to the eye. It is also relevant for devices that can be installed on a weapon: the greater the distance to the eye, the less likely it is to get injured due to recoil.