Monoculars. I have one eyepiece, one electronic optical converter and one channel of amplification of light. Hence, in fact, the name "mono" means "one." The night monocular has, usually either a built-in IR illuminator or an attached removable one. The most common are budget monoculars on an electron-optical converter of the first generation. They can be used in conditions where the illumination is 0.05 lux (a quarter of the moon). From a distance of 100 to 300 meters, you, looking at such a monocular with confidence, identify the human figure (ie, you can say with certainty that you are the person); the range of detection of the same human figure will be 400-800 meters. The image of this figure will be slightly increased: the multiplicity of the monocular on electron-optical converters of the first generation does not exceed 2-3 times. In conditions of illumination below 0.05 lux, it is necessary to use the above infra red illuminator. It, however, is not always useful: in a dense spring forest, for example, the rays emitted by an IR illuminator will reflect from the foliage and branches and light up all the panorama observed by you in the ocular. Hunters, tourists, drivers of small ships, nature researchers enjoy using inexpensive, but such useful monoculars on 1st generation electron-optical converters. Moreover, some models of monoculars of this variety can be combined - with the help of special adapters - with a video or a camera.
Monoculars on an electron-optical converter of 2, 2+ and 3 generations are designed for observation in difficult conditions and are used mainly by trained people under specific circumstances: military, rescuers or any extremals. However, just "extreme" such monoculars are too expensive: the cost of these monoculars is tens of times higher than that of monoculars on an electron-optical converter of the first generation and reaches several thousand dollars. Monoculars on an electronically-optic converter of the 2nd generation are excessively large, and are therefore more and more rare in recent times.

Night vision binoculars. In essence, night vision binoculars are two monoculars of night vision, combined into one design. Ie, the night vision binocular has two eyepieces, two electron-optical converters, two channels of light amplification ... and a double cost compared to the monocular of the corresponding model. As a rule, monoculars are connected in night vision binoculars on 1st generation electron-optical converters. With monoculars of generations 2 and 2+, such manipulations are usually not made: because of the huge cost of these devices. If you still want to look at such a monocular with two eyes, use the binocular attachment intended for this, which will transform the monocular into some kind of binocular.

Night vision goggles. What distinguishes this class of night vision devices is the presence in the design of a special mask that allows to fix the device on the head of the observer. Thus, you can observe and at the same time do something with your hands that remain free. For ease of use, two positions of the night vision goggles are provided. In the first - working - the eyepieces are directly opposite your eyes, and you are watching. In the second - when for "inspection of the terrain" you have your own vision - the glasses are thrown up. Night vision goggles, as a rule, do not have an increase (that is, their multiplicity is one). But in this case, the lack of increase is an advantage. You evaluate the surrounding objects in real time and can safely perform the actions you need. (Night vision goggles, in fact, are designed to work in the dark - so the increase is not provided, if you do not need to combine observation with the active actions produced exactly at that moment, then a monocular or night vision binoculars to you more suitable). As a rule, night vision goggles are a very compact night vision binocular attached to the mask on 1st generation electron-optical converters. There is a simpler and much less reliable option, in which a monocular is used instead of the night vision binoculars (also on 1st generation optical converters). A military and rescue for particularly difficult tasks use complex designs with a monocular 2+ or 3 generation and a binocular attachment.

Night Vision Devices: a few more remarks. The first thing to remember about a night device and that, strangely enough, is constantly forgotten. Night Vision Devices are designed for use at night or at least in the twilight. In the afternoon, the night vision lens must be covered with a special lid, which must be included in the kit.
Please do not forget this! The night vision device, like all other products, is bought in the afternoon, so the risk of absent-mindedness to remove protective covers by sunlight is enough

In the end we'll share one small trick. On the power supply unit, the voltage is kept for a while after the device is turned off. This can be used: turn on the device for 20-30 seconds, and then turn it off. And the device will work for some time with the battery off. Such an amusing trick will help you save a lot of battery life.

"RONBO.RU" Moscow
2007