Night Vision Technology

Night vision devices are an invaluable tool for a many people across different industries and hobbies. A good pair of night vision goggles can make life in the dark much easier. However, it is important to note that there are substantial differences in the types of night detective devices offered in the marketplace. Read on and learn about the different night vision technologies.

Image enhancement technology

Image enhancement is the type of technology most people assume with night vision. It is what everyone sees in the movies and television. Image enhancement technology uses very small amounts of light, including light that is not visible to the naked eye, and amplifies it to the point where the average person can observe an image.

Thermal imaging technology

While image enhancement is the more popular and widely used night vision technology, it does have its drawbacks. Since a tiny bit of light is required to amplify, this technology does not work in areas where there is total and near-total darkness. In these cases, thermal imaging technology is used. Thermal imaging uses heat rather than light to capture images. Most objects emit heat in the form of infrared light and the warmer an object is, the more infrared light is emitted. This makes this technology ideal for use on living organism, particularly humans, as they are usually much warmer than their surroundings.

While both of the technologies discussed enable people to see in the dark, the way they operate and their practical uses are very different. Image enhancement technology works well in most situations, particularly outdoors, since the moon provides enough light to amplify. Thermal imaging on the other hand, is perfect for detecting living organisms and objects that radiate heat in absolute darkness.