In this article I will tell you how to make simple night vision goggles. Of course, they will not be super powerful like real ones, but getting to the right place in the room in the dark will not be so difficult. All the necessary parts can be found at your home, you can order them from the Chinese, or you can just read this article for general development.

The design of the glasses contains an action camera; in fact, this is one of the main parts, so in the daytime they can be used as a first-person camera and shoot interesting videos.

You will also need an infrared flashlight with a light wave of 850 nm, since this is the light that the camera perceives best, but you can try replacing it with infrared LEDs with similar characteristics, if such suddenly become available. It’s convenient to use the flashlight because you don’t need to make a separate box for power supply and attaching it is much easier.

If you turn on the flashlight and look at the diode through the camera, you can see a lilac glow, this is infrared light. It is not visible to the human eye, but through a camera please!

But not all cameras alone perceive such radiation well, so the author used an action camera, since it coped with the task better than others, and besides, such a camera has many settings that will help improve the perception of radiation.

We will also need lenses for glasses virtual reality, which were purchased by the author on Aliexpress, they are needed to focus the eye on the camera screen, since the human eye is not able to focus on objects located directly in front of it at a minimum distance.

To fix the lens, you need to assemble a frame. Auto used a dark plastic drink bottle for this purpose.

The lens fits exactly the diameter of the neck, all that remains is to fix it there.

To do this, you don’t need to glue anything, you just need to cut out the middle part of the cork from the same bottle using a blade or knife.

Then we place the lens in it and screw it onto the bottle. It seems that the lens was specially made according to the diameter of the neck, since the stopper easily twists and fixes it.

Now you need to cut top part bottles, while choosing a comfortable length at which the focus will be set correctly.

Next, you need to come up with a holder for the camera, to which the assembled optics will subsequently be attached. The author used foamed PVC plastic, which is used when assembling models. It needs to be cut into pieces according to the size of the chamber to make boxes and glue them together with super glue.

Then you need to attach the optics from a section of the bottle to this viewing window. To do this, mark the edges of the window with masking tape and cut off all excess without touching the tape. You will get two protrusions that should easily be inserted into the edges of the window, after which we glue everything with super glue to fix it.

After assembly, the camera fits very tightly into the resulting box and there is a possibility that it will not be possible to pull the camera back out, so the author decided to make slots for fingers and a record button. After a little modification, the camera can be removed from the box without any problems.

To protect glasses from chips, we glue the glasses with masking tape. Take a crown and drill a hole in the center evenly on both sides. The author recommends not drilling all the way, leaving thin plastic, then finishing the hole with a stationery knife, this will help avoid possible chips and cracks when drilling.

After the hole is made, the optic should be freely inserted there, but as you can see in the photo, the camera is pointed to the side and needs to be aligned.

Then I sanded all the edges and used super glue to glue everything in place.

To attach the lantern, plumbing clips of the required diameter were used, which were selected based on the size of the lantern.

The clips are attached to the side of the glasses using bolts and a nut. After which the lantern is easily fixed and securely held in place. The infrared flashlight can be replaced with a regular one and, as mentioned above, removed good videos first person.

For a more reliable fixation, the author recommends securing the 32nd tube with nylon ties, since the camera is heavy and the super glue mount may not be able to withstand it. To do this, using a drill and a screwdriver, we make three holes in the pipe and three in the glasses opposite each other, insert the ties into them and tighten them, now it’s definitely secure!

Just 60 years ago, only birds and animals could see in the dark. But the rapid development of science and technology has opened up this opportunity to man. Thanks to numerous experiments, German developers were able to create night vision goggles (NVGs), which are now indispensable in many areas of human life.

What are NDCs?

This is a special device that allows you to distinguish objects in the absence of light. The device has double eyepieces and is mounted on the head or helmet using special straps. Such convenient design makes it possible to use glasses while driving.

NVGs have a built-in infrared brightener and, depending on the model, can provide visibility from 100 to 600 meters.

Features of the ONV

1. Wide range of models. Today, night vision goggles are produced by many foreign and Russian manufacturers. They make different models, which differ in functionality and cost. Thanks to the large selection, both amateurs and professionals can easily choose the right glasses.
2. No magnification. NVGs do not enlarge objects.
3. Wide field of view. Due to the lack of magnification, the glasses have the largest field of vision among all night vision devices.
4. Ease of use. All NVGs can be worn in two versions: working and folding. In the first case, the glasses are at eye level. And when there is no need to use the device, it can simply be folded up. This allows you to do work that does not require glasses.
5. Possibility to use additional attachments. If necessary, you can attach attachments to the glasses to increase magnification or an infrared illuminator, which allows you to increase the range of the device.

Advantages

A regular ONV model costs about 10 thousand rubles. Therefore, many buyers wonder about the advisability of the purchase. According to experts, night vision goggles are the optimal device for long-term night observations. The fact is that monoculars and binoculars have good characteristics, but when looking at them for a long time, your hands quickly get tired. Well, if it is possible to mount the devices on a tripod or other support, you will only have to conduct static observation. At the same time, when using the ONV, your hands are completely free and you have the opportunity to move around the terrain in any direction. And when they are not needed, it is enough to put the glasses in the non-working position without removing them from the head.

Types of NVGs: which one to choose?

Today, there are two types of NVGs: binocular and pseudobinocular. The first type of glasses consists of two identical channels for the left and right eyes. Each channel contains a lens, an electron-optical converter and an eyepiece. In such ONVs, the image is processed separately by each channel. Most models have a special regulator that allows you to adjust the distance between the pupils. Therefore, each operator can customize binocular night vision goggles for himself. A photo of a device of this type is presented below.

Binocular NVGs allow you to quickly determine the distance of objects to the lens, but they are heavy and expensive. Their use is justified only when performing tasks that require quick assessment of distance and speed. Therefore, binocular glasses are most often used by special forces and helicopter pilots for night operations.

In pseudobinocular glasses, the image that enters the lens of the optical channel is amplified, followed by its division into two eyepieces. This type of goggles is ideal for night fishing and hunting.

Operating principle

Infrared night vision goggles allow you to see in complete darkness thanks to the use of special illumination. It enhances light that is usually not perceived by the human eye.

Light reflected from objects hits the lens, which focuses the image on the surface of the electron-optical converter. The task of this element is to enhance the flow of light entering through the lens and transfer the image to the screen. It shows the observer viewing objects through an eyepiece.

This mode of operation is called passive, since the glasses only enhance the light flux. Well, if there is no light at all, the electron-optical converter cannot make it visible. To solve this problem, most modern models ONVs have infrared brighteners. This element serves as a light source and is used in cases where natural light is not enough for night vision goggles to work.

Areas of application

Night vision goggles are designed for observing objects and navigating the terrain at night. This device is used for security and patrolling of territories, military special operations, control of aircraft and ships, emergency and rescue operations, and even for traveling in extreme conditions. Many people use NVGs for hunting and fishing in the dark.

Night vision goggles for hunting

Night hunting glasses are an indispensable device in the field. It not only makes it possible to get close to game unnoticed, but also serves as eye protection from possible injuries.

Hunting glasses are also divided into several types. Monoculars are considered the most popular. They are securely attached to the hunter's head, thereby freeing his hands for careful aiming. The only drawback of such glasses is the limited panorama vision.

Expensive models of glasses for hunting allow you to adjust the optical zoom and magnify the image.

How to make an ONV yourself?

Night vision goggles have long been part of the life of the average person. Professional devices are usually expensive, so more and more people are trying to make such a device themselves.

To make night vision goggles with your own hands, you will need two unnecessary mobile phones, old glasses, a lantern and a children's metal construction set.

So, you need to take two identical working mobile phones with cameras. Remove the lenses from the glasses and install two identical magnifying glasses in their place.

Make two brackets from a metal children's construction set that should attach phones to glasses. When locked, the brackets should face forward. The mounting method depends on the design of the phones. In each case, the type of fixation must be selected individually.

Then you need to attach the phones to the glasses at a distance at which the image on the screens is clearly visible. It’s great if phones allow you to turn on cameras without SIM cards. Well, if this is not possible, you need to insert cards into each phone.

After this, you should redo the usual LED flashlight to infrared. To do this, you need to unsolder the white diodes, and in their place, observing the polarity, solder infrared ones. Now you can start testing homemade NVGs.

You can check the performance of the device in an ordinary room. At night, you need to turn off the lights and put glasses on your head with the cameras turned on. Illuminate the room with an infrared flashlight. It is important that phones be canceled automatic shutdown backlight and set its minimum brightness.

All objects that fall within the scope of the flashlight should be visible on the screens. But only their image will be white, and not green, as on factory-made devices.

If you can’t make the ONV yourself, but you still need them, the only option left is to buy a ready-made device.

Dipole glasses

Dipole night vision goggles have been produced for over 20 years. Thanks to the latest technologies and extensive experience, the manufacturer manages to create high-quality devices at an optimal cost.

The main advantage of Dipole glasses is the ability to easily change lenses from different types no magnification additional settings. All ONV models use eyepieces with a large pupil diameter. This greatly simplifies the use of the device, since there is no need to adjust the interocular distance.

The glasses fit comfortably on the head and do not cause discomfort even with prolonged wear. They are lightweight and easy to use. The simple design allows you to quickly adjust the position of the glasses and tilt them to a vertical position.

Other advantages of the Dipole ONV are the reliability and durability of the device. The device has excellent mechanical, optical and ergonomic characteristics. To create glasses, the manufacturer uses a high-quality alloy of impact-resistant plastic and aircraft aluminum.

ONV "Vis Max"

High-quality products with excellent optical characteristics are produced by the well-known American company Astronics Corp. It produces Viz Max night vision goggles for airplane pilots. Thanks to unique technology The devices allow you to clearly see the space even through fog and smoke. The goggles help pilots accurately see trees, lines, obstacles and important flight landmarks. Also, when using the Viz Max NVG, spatial orientation improves and fatigue decreases.

The use of "Vis Max" glasses allows you to minimize or even completely eliminate the likelihood of meteorological interference during the flight.

Vision is the most important way of perceiving the surrounding reality. Visually we receive most of the information about the outside world. Our eyes are an amazingly complex and perfect mechanism given to us by nature. But, unfortunately, their capabilities are somewhat limited.

A person is able to perceive only a very narrow optical range of the entire spectrum electromagnetic radiation(it is also called the visible part of the spectrum), in addition, the eye can perceive the “picture” only in conditions of sufficient illumination. For example, if it falls below the 0.01 lux level, then we lose the ability to distinguish the colors of objects and can only see large objects that are nearby.

This is doubly offensive, because because of this feature of our vision, we become almost blind in the dark. Man has always envied other representatives of the animal kingdom for whom the darkness of the night is not an obstacle: cats, owls, wolves, bats.

The military especially did not like this limitation of human vision. But the situation was radically changed only in the middle of the last century, when, thanks to advances in physics, night vision devices appeared, allowing one to see at night almost as clearly as during the day.

Currently, night vision devices are not only in army arsenals; they are happily used by rescuers, hunters, security units, and special services. And if we talk about thermal imagers, the list of their uses is even wider.

Today, a huge number of different types and types of night vision devices (NVDs), made in the form of binoculars, monocles (monoculars), sights or ordinary glasses, are available for free sale. However, before talking about the design of a night vision device, a few words should be said about the physical principles on which the operation of such devices is based.

How does he work

The operation of night vision devices and thermal imagers is based on the physical phenomena of internal and external photoelectric effects.

The essence of the phenomenon of external photoelectric effect (or photoelectron emission) is that solids under the influence of light emit electrons, which are captured by the NVD. The basis of any night vision device is an image intensifier - an electron-optical converter that captures weak reflected light, amplifies it and turns it into an electronic signal. This is exactly what a person sees through the NVG lens. It should be understood that no night vision device is capable of “seeing” in absolute darkness. True, there are also active night vision devices that use their own source of infrared radiation to illuminate objects.

Any night vision device consists of three main components: optical, electronic and another optical. The light is received by a lens, which then focuses it on an image intensifier tube, where the photons are converted into an electronic signal. Maximum amplified signal is transmitted to a luminescent screen, where it again turns into an image familiar to the human eye. The design described above is generally typical for any generation of night vision devices; it’s just that modern night vision devices (second and third generations) have a more advanced signal amplification system.

Thermal imagers capture the own radiation of any body or object whose temperature is different from absolute zero. The main part of thermal imagers are so-called bolometers - complex photodetectors that detect infrared waves. Such sensors are sensitive to wavelengths corresponding to the temperature range from -50 to +500 degrees Celsius.

In fact, thermal imagers have a fairly simple design. Each such device consists of a lens, a thermal imaging matrix and a signal processing unit, as well as a screen on which the finished image is displayed. Thermal imagers come in two types: with a cooled and uncooled matrix. The first ones are the most sensitive, expensive and massive. Their matrix is ​​cooled to a temperature of -210 to -170o C, usually liquid nitrogen is used for this. More often they are used on large military equipment (for example, any tank night vision device).

Thermal imagers with an uncooled matrix are an order of magnitude cheaper, they are smaller in size, but their sensitivity is much lower. However, most of the thermal imagers that are on the market today (up to 97%) fall into this category.

One of the main features of thermal imagers, which largely determines their high cost, is their lenses. The fact is that ordinary glass used in most optical instruments is completely opaque to infrared radiation. Therefore, rare materials such as germanium are used for thermal imager lenses, the market price of which is approximately $2 thousand per kg. The average germanium lens for a thermal imager costs about 7 thousand dollars, and the price of a good one can reach up to 20 thousand dollars. Today, both in Russia and abroad, they are actively looking for a replacement for germanium, which in theory can reduce the cost of a thermal imager by 40-50%.

History and classification of NVGs

The classification of night vision devices is based on the sensitivity of the photocathode, the degree of light amplification, and the resolution at the center of the resulting image. As a rule, there are three generations of NVDs. In addition, early night vision devices with an additional source of infrared radiation are often classified as a separate generation. On manufacturers' websites you can find information about NVGs of the so-called intermediate generations, such as 1+ or 2+. However, such a gradation is more for marketing purposes than a reflection of real differences.

The improvement of the design of NVDs and the emergence of new generations of these devices proceeded sequentially, one after another. Therefore, it is more convenient to consider the classification of night vision devices together with the history of their development.

On August 23, 1914, near the Belgian city of Ostend, the Germans managed, with the help of direction finders, to detect a British squadron consisting of armored cruisers and destroyers. And not only to detect, but also to adjust artillery fire with the help of these devices, preventing enemy ships from approaching an important port. It is believed that it was from this moment that the history of night vision devices began.

In 1934, a real breakthrough occurred in this area: the Dutchman Holst created the world's first electron-optical converter (EOC). Two years later, Russian emigrant Zvorykin developed an image intensifier with electrostatic focusing of the signal, which later became the “heart” of the first commercial NVD of the American company Radio Corporation of America.

The period of rapid development of NVGs was the Second World War. Hitler's Germany became the leader in their development and application. The first prototype of a night vision sight was created by the German company Allgemeine Electricitats-Gesellschaft (AEG) in 1936, it was intended for installation on Pak 35/36 L/45 anti-tank guns.

By 1944, German Pak 40 anti-tank guns could fire using night vision devices at a distance of up to 700 meters. Around the same time, the Wehrmacht tank forces received the Sperber FG 1250 night vision device, which was used in the last major German offensive on the Eastern Front near the Hungarian Lake Balaton.

All of the above night vision devices belong to the so-called zero generation. Such devices were characterized by very poor sensitivity, so for their normal operation an additional source of infrared light was needed. For example, every five German tanks equipped with the Sperber FG 1250 were accompanied by an armored personnel carrier with a powerful Uhu (Filin) ​​infrared radar. In addition, zero-generation NVGs had image intensifier tubes that were sensitive to bright flashes of light. That is why at the end of the war, Soviet troops often used conventional searchlights in the offensive. They simply blinded the German night vision devices.

The Germans also attempted to create night vision devices that would provide a greater vision range (up to 4 km), but due to the significant size of the IR illuminator, they were abandoned. In 1944, an experimental batch (300 pieces) of Vampir NVGs was sent to the troops, intended for installation on German Sturmgever assault rifles. In addition to the sight itself, it included an IR illuminator and accumulator battery. The total weight of the device exceeded 30 kg, the range was 100 meters, and its operating time was only 20 minutes. Despite these rather modest figures, the Germans actively used the Vampire in the night battles of the final stage of the war.

There were also attempts to create zero-generation night vision devices in the Soviet Union. Even before the war, the Dudka complex was developed for the BT family of tanks, and later a similar system appeared for the T-34. You can also recall the domestic Ts-3 night vision device, which was developed for the PPSh-41 submachine guns. They planned to equip assault units with similar weapons. However, NVGs were never widely used in the Red Army. At that time, night vision devices were still exotic, and the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War certainly had no time for it.

The experience of World War II showed that night vision devices have excellent prospects. It became clear that this technology could seriously change the way warfare is conducted not only on land, but also in the air and at sea. However, for this, zero-generation NVGs had to get rid of a large number of their inherent disadvantages, the main one of which was their low sensitivity. It not only limited the range of the NVD, but also forced the use of a bulky and very energy-intensive IR illuminator together with the device. And in general, the design of the first night vision devices was too complex and not sufficiently reliable.

Soon, primitive NVDs of the war period were replaced by first-generation devices based on image intensifier tubes with electrostatic focusing. They were capable of amplifying the input signal several thousand times. This, in turn, made it possible to eliminate the need for additional lighting. IR spotlights not only made the system unnecessarily heavier, but also unmasked the fighter on the battlefield. The first generation NVGs reached their peak of perfection in the 60s of the last century; the Americans actively used them during the Vietnam War.

Second-generation night vision devices appeared thanks to the advent of revolutionary microchannel technology in the 70s. Its essence was that now the optical plates were dotted with hollow tube-channels with a diameter of 10 microns and a length of no more than 1 mm. Their number determined the resolution of the light guide plate. A photon of light entering each of these channels causes the knockout of a whole cascade of electrons, which significantly increased the sensitivity of the device. For second-generation NVDs, the amplification can reach 40 thousand times. Their sensitivity is 240-400 mA/lm, and resolution is 32-56 lines/mm.

In the Soviet Union, based on this technology, Quaker night vision goggles were created, and in the USA - AN/PVS-5B.

Later, night vision devices appeared in which there is no electrostatic lens at all and direct transfer of electrons to a plate with microchannels occurs. Such NVDs are usually classified as generation 2+. Based on a similar design, domestic night vision goggles “Eyecup” or their American analogue AN/PVS-7 are manufactured.

Further efforts by scientists to improve night vision devices were aimed at improving the photocathode. Philips engineers proposed making it from a new semiconductor material - gallium arsenide.

This is how third generation night vision devices appeared. Compared to traditional multi-alkaline photocathodes, their sensitivity became 30% higher, which made it possible to carry out observations even under cloudy, moonless night conditions. The only problem was that the new material could only be produced in a high vacuum, and this process turned out to be very labor-intensive. Therefore, the cost of such a photocathode turned out to be an order of magnitude higher than that of its predecessors. At the same time, third-generation NVDs can amplify incoming light by 100 thousand times. We can also add that only two countries can produce gallium arsenide on an industrial scale - the USA and Russia.

If you see information anywhere about the sale of NVGs fourth generation, then keep in mind: most likely, you are being deceived. It does not exist yet; it is not even clear what criteria to use to define this group. Although, of course, research to improve existing “night lights” is being conducted in dozens of countries around the world. For thermal imagers, they are looking for a budget replacement for germanium glass; the main problem of NVDs is the search for a cheaper analogue of gallium arsenide photocathodes. At the beginning of the 2000s, the Americans announced the creation of a new generation of NVGs, but some experts believe that it can rather be called generation 3+.

Applications and prospects

Devices that allow a person to see at night are becoming more popular every year and are finding new areas of application. Modern “civilian” night vision devices have a very affordable price, so they can be afforded by hunters, security agencies, as well as other categories of citizens who need night vision.

The most interesting thing is that today there are all three generations of NVGs on the market. Many night vision devices for hunting are of the first generation or even zero and have IR illumination, which is absolutely unacceptable for military night vision devices. In civilian life, third-generation devices are also used (you can see them even in basements). The technologies used to create them are no longer secret; the devices are simply very expensive. NVG sights can also be manufactured using elements from different generations.

The use of thermal imagers has also long ceased to be the exclusive prerogative of the military. In addition to hunting and observation at night, such devices are increasingly used in scientific research. With their help, for example, spaceships are checked before launch: a thermal imager perfectly shows various leaks that can lead to disaster. The thermal imager is also indispensable in the energy sector. This device can easily show where heat is most actively being lost from a building, and will also allow you to detect places maximum loads in energy networks. Thermal imagers are also used in medicine: using the temperature map of the human body, you can even make some diagnoses. Every year such devices become cheaper, so the scope of their application is steadily expanding.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

The Optics Trade company has been actively operating in Moscow since 1992, specializing in the sale of various optical-mechanical products for professional activities and hobbies. Among the wide variety of products you can find binoculars, scopes, night vision devices, including special glasses for hunting.

Which glasses are better to choose?

Modern devices for observation at night and in poor lighting due to weather conditions are now produced as convenient and suitable for use as possible. Night vision goggles, available for purchase in Moscow from the OpticsTrade online store, allow you to fish with special comfort - the hunter’s hands are freed, and the functionality of the device is increased. This device can be used for an unlimited time. If the need arises, hunters move it upward and are distracted from observations by any other activity.

Night vision goggles for hunting, the price of which can vary due to professional components, can be expensive or more budget-friendly. This type of night vision device is distinguished by the fact that it does not have a magnification factor. In case of poor visibility, this characteristic is considered an advantage, as it allows the hunter to more adequately assess the situation at the current moment. More productive observation is possible thanks to a wide field of view coupled with excellent quality optics.

Having decided to purchase night vision goggles in Moscow, hunters often additionally use infrared (IR) illumination or flashlights, which can be simply and quickly attached to the body without much effort and skill. Such a purchase will increase the observation range and detail the object. In addition, it is possible to equip the device with an attachment that increases the magnification of the existing optics. Now you can buy in Moscow any model from different world manufacturers, including exclusive models.

Advantages of the service and a large selection

Selling night vision goggles for hunting in our company has a number of advantages:

• a large selection of models of different configurations and complexity of execution;
• the price of night vision goggles can be high or budget - it all depends on the choice of model and brand;
• the company changes the product if something about it does not suit the client, or returns 100% of the cost;
• service is carried out throughout the entire operational period - the company maintains contacts with all manufacturers;
• offer of post-warranty repairs for devices not purchased in our store;
• Payment is accepted only after managers confirm the availability of the ordered model in the warehouse.

If you decide to purchase a device at a retail outlet, specialists can help you install the bracket on the weapon. opens from 9:00 to 21:00 without breaks, 7/7. Experienced managers are always ready to provide advice and select a model for a specific purpose of use. Depending on the price of the product and the chosen delivery method, payment methods may be different - cash on delivery, partial or full prepayment.

Pickup of goods from different stores of the company, courier delivery in Moscow and the region within 4-24 hours are possible (provided that the order amount is at least 12,000 rubles). Postal delivery or delivery by courier service EMC Russian Post or SDEK is also possible.

We present to your attention the section with night vision goggles. These modern devices, which give a person the ability to see in complete darkness, have one big advantage over similar devices. This is a convenient attachment to the head using a special helmet mask. Users no longer need to constantly hold the high-tech device in their hands; in addition, in this position it can be perfectly adjusted to their vision parameters once. The scope of application of glasses is not limited to night hunting; they can be successfully used by tourists, rescuers, sailors, security workers, lovers of observing the life of animals whose activity manifests itself in the dark, etc.

Night vision goggles for hunting

If you consider yourself an avid hunter, we advise you to buy night vision goggles from our range. Here you can choose a model that is ideal for any of your requirements. Image intensifier tube brand, photosensitivity, presence or absence of IR illumination, durability and reliability of operation in almost any conditions. If you are choosing night vision goggles, the price of which is in the middle price range, we recommend that you pay attention to the products of the Pulsar or NPF Dipol brands. These devices can serve you for many years. The operating period of devices of this class goes far beyond the warranty period. The ability to see in complete darkness or at very low light levels gives the hunter undeniable advantages that he can take advantage of during the night hunt for a wary animal.

Price of night vision goggles

If you are in search of modern night vision goggles, we recommend that you pay attention to the assortment in the corresponding section. A wide selection and loyal pricing policy will allow you to choose modern device, which will fully satisfy your requirements. The low cost of night vision goggles for hunting will allow you to go practice your favorite hobby as early as next weekend.