Generations of Night Vision

The use of night vision technology provides an unparalleled tactical advantage to anyone interested in hunting, home security, or surveillance. Apart from the occasional highly trained ninja or cat burglar, there is practically no adversary capable of overcoming the handicap. But first, understand the strata of night vision scopes, goggles with night vision, and binoculars with night vision .

Generation 0 - Developed by the United States Army for use in the First World War and Korean War, this grade of device provided marginal strategic advantages. These night vision goggles have an active infrared light, projected in a straight beam, much like a flashlight. This created a narrow field of vision for the user. To the chagrin of the U. S. government, the device was easily copied, leveling the field considerably. Not only could enemies use the technology, but they could also easily see the beam of infrared light coming from American soldiers' helmets.

Generation 1 - Whereas generation 0 used active infrared, the generation-1 night-vision devices employed passive infrared. Given the name "Starlight" by the U. S. Army, they used ambient light provided by the moon and stars as well as normal, environmental infrared light. Though they require no source of infrared light, they are rendered useless by cloud coverage or thoroughly darkened interiors. An optional active infrared light may be mounted on some, effectively reducing them to generation-0 night-vision goggles.