Owlset Night Vision Parameter Explaination: Everything You Need To Know To Make the Best Purchase

So you’re considering getting a new night vision device but keep seeing words and phrases you’re confused by. Don’t worry - I’ve been there. 

Purchasing something new, especially something as technologically advanced as night vision, can be intimidating. In this article, I’ll break down the most crucial terminology into simple, easy-to-understand terms so you can make the perfect purchasing decision and enjoy your night vision for years.

Once you finish reading, you’ll sound like an expert on night vision the next time you talk with your buddies.

You can take a look at Vector Optics' new night vision, Owlset 8x50mm HD Night Vision Scope, recently as your references. 

Primary Parameters for Night Vision

The following parameters for night vision are in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. You must decide which ones are most important to you as the user.

● Angle of Field of View

● Detection and Recognition Distance

● Eye Relief

● Magnification

● Power of the Infrared Illuminator

● Resolution

● Sensitivity

Angle of Field of View

The field of view, indicated in degrees, characterizes the size of space observed through night vision. In digital night vision, the objective lens's focal distance and the sensor's physical size define the field of view. 

In basic terms, a larger sensor or smaller focal distance equals a greater field of view angle, allowing you to see more area through the device. 

The field of view is inversely proportional to magnification. Zooming in will reduce the field of view. 

Detection and Recognition Distance

Detection distance is the maximum distance the device can detect a man-sized object. Recognition distance is the maximum distance the observer can recognize the object.

Magnification, resolution, sensitivity, conditions, the object, contrast, and infrared illumination all factor into a night vision device's detection and recognition distance. 

Higher magnification, resolution, and sensitivity will increase the overall distance. Weather conditions play a significant role by reducing or increasing the amount of natural light available for the device to pick up. The more the object contrasts with the surrounding environment, the farther the detection and recognition distance will be. Lastly, an infrared illuminator will increase the overall distances.

Eye Relief

The eye relief is most important for scopes and firearm sights, as it is the distance from the lens to the observer’s eye for optimal visibility. 80-100mm is ideal, and 50mm should be the minimum to avoid injury from recoil. 

Eye relief in night vision is the length of eye shade necessary to mask illumination of the image intensifier screen. 

Magnification

Magnification is how much the image of the object exceeds the size of the object seen by the naked eye. In other words, how much can the night vision device zoom in to make the object look more prominent and more evident?

Increasing the magnification tends to reduce light-gathering power, making objects more difficult to detect and recognize. Magnification (zooming in) is typically done digitally with night vision, but these devices can also use analog functions, just like traditional scopes and binoculars. 

Most night vision devices range from 1x to 5x magnification. 

Power of the Infrared Illuminator

The quality and strength of the infrared illuminator you choose will also drastically affect the clarity of the night vision. Most night vision devices have an integrated IR illuminator, but you can also purchase accessory IR illumination devices. 

There are two variations of IR illuminators: LED and laser. Laser illuminators consume less energy and are considered the better option. Still, they also tend to be more expensive and dangerous to the human eye when the radiation exceeds 1st class laser safety. 

Resolution

Resolution is the ability of night vision to distinguish between two lines or points in close proximity to each other. 

Higher resolution provides a clearer image. The higher the resolution value in lines per millimeter and the lower the value in angular units, the higher (clearer) the resolution is on that given device. Night vision should have at least 25 lpm to distinguish an object at 100m. 

Sensitivity

The sensitivity is the minimal value of power of infrared light that enters the device, with the device still producing a distinguishable image at 100m. 

The quality and power of the objective lens, size and type of sensor, brightness, contrast, resolution, Signal processing algorithms, and circuitry quality all factor into the sensitivity of night vision devices. 

We generally want a device with as high sensitivity as possible because this device will gather more light photons and transfer them more efficiently from the objective lens to the sensor.

Concluding Thoughts: Parameters of Night Vision

By understanding these fundamental parameters of night vision devices, you’ll be equipped to make the best purchasing decision because you can see through all the marketing schemes and know what truly makes a high-quality optic. 

Author bio:

Sam Jacobs is a passionate advocate for Second Amendment rights and an avid historian. As lead writer for Ammo.com, he delves into the intersection of firearms, freedom, and corporate power. With a penchant for defending individual liberties, his work sparks discussions in various publications and platforms.