Getting the most from the great outdoors

Why you should have night vision goggles for camping

why you should have night vision goggles for camping

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If you spend any time camping then you will know just how dark it can get as soon as the sun goes down.

The further you are from populated areas, the darker it becomes and this can present numerous dangers if you need to move around or navigate at night time, and to be fair, you really cannot see anything when in forests or other remote areas.

You can of course use a flashlight but if you need any level of stealth, for example for hunting or wildlife watching or tracking, then any form of light will disturb your prey and reduce your chances of success.

if you are planning a camping trip out into the wilderness then you should take with you a pair of night vision goggles which will help you to see and navigate your way safely when it is dark. You may be wondering what night vision goggles to get and to help with this we have listed the top pairs of night vision goggles for camping trips.

Types of night vision goggles

There are two types of night vision goggles that are available and suitable for use when camping:

Infrared Night Vision Goggles. By relying on the light that is outside the visible spectrum, infrared night vision goggles illuminate images when it is dark.

These goggles are okay but will not work in total darkness .

If there is no light at all then the goggles cannot create the images that you want to see and, if they are exposed to bright lights ( which can happen by accident ) then they can be permanently damaged making them unusable.

Thermal Night Vision Goggles. These types of goggles rely on heat detection and thermal radiation to create visible images when it is dark.

The images produced are not as clear as the infrared goggles, but thermal night vision goggles can be used in complete darkness. if you are looking for night vision goggles that will work when there is no light at all, then these are the best type to choose.

Generation Levels

Night vision goggles, like most technology, vary in terms of performance and features. As enhancements and improvements have been introduced different ‘generations‘ of goggles have become available.

Currently there are four generations and, the higher the generation number, the better the goggles.

Generation 1 Goggles

Basic entry level goggles 

Lowest resolution levels

Short battery life

Cheapest to buy

Generation 2

Good for hunting, shooting and general outdoor activities

Varies but normally a 200 yard range

Reasonable battery life

Distortion levels can be controlled

Generation 3

Excellent quality

Military grade

Approx 300 yard range

Long battery life

More expensive

Generation 4

Most expensive

Front line military grade

Sharp image production

Stable and not damaged by daylight

Night Vision Goggles for Camping Overview

Top Rated
AGM Global Vision 12AA9123353111 Model Apache A9 Aviator Night Vision Bi-Ocular Gen 3 Auto-Gated “White Phosphor Level 1”, 1X Magnification, 1.3cy/mR System Resolution, 25cm to Infinity Focus Range
Superior Tactical PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle GEN 3 A-Grade
AGM PVS-14 3AL2 Night Vision Monocular
ATN NVM14-2 2nd Generation Night Vision Multi Purpose Monocular
Night Owl Pro Nexgen Night Vision Binocular (3X)
AGM Global Vision 12AA9123353111 Model Apache A9 Aviator Night Vision Bi-Ocular Gen 3 Auto-Gated "White Phosphor Level 1", 1X Magnification, 1.3cy/mR System Resolution, 25cm to Infinity Focus Range
Superior Tactical PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle GEN 3 A-Grade
AGM PVS-14 3AL2 Night Vision Monocular
ATN NVM14-2 2nd Generation Night Vision Multi Purpose Monocular
Night Owl Pro Nexgen Night Vision Binocular (3X)
Generation Level
3
3
3
2
1
Weight
18 oz
1.5 lbs
0.7 lbs
18 oz
29 oz
Top Rated
AGM Global Vision 12AA9123353111 Model Apache A9 Aviator Night Vision Bi-Ocular Gen 3 Auto-Gated “White Phosphor Level 1”, 1X Magnification, 1.3cy/mR System Resolution, 25cm to Infinity Focus Range
AGM Global Vision 12AA9123353111 Model Apache A9 Aviator Night Vision Bi-Ocular Gen 3 Auto-Gated "White Phosphor Level 1", 1X Magnification, 1.3cy/mR System Resolution, 25cm to Infinity Focus Range
Generation Level
3
Weight
18 oz
Superior Tactical PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle GEN 3 A-Grade
Superior Tactical PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle GEN 3 A-Grade
Generation Level
3
Weight
1.5 lbs
AGM PVS-14 3AL2 Night Vision Monocular
AGM PVS-14 3AL2 Night Vision Monocular
Generation Level
3
Weight
0.7 lbs
ATN NVM14-2 2nd Generation Night Vision Multi Purpose Monocular
ATN NVM14-2 2nd Generation Night Vision Multi Purpose Monocular
Generation Level
2
Weight
18 oz
Night Owl Pro Nexgen Night Vision Binocular (3X)
Night Owl Pro Nexgen Night Vision Binocular (3X)
Generation Level
1
Weight
29 oz

1. Apache A9 Aviator Generation 3

2. PVS-7 Tactical Generation 3

Superior Tactical PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle GEN 3 A-Grade
  • Waterproof Goggles
  • Mil-spec Compliant Housing
  • Weather resistant
  • Can be used hand-held or mounted

3. AGM PVS-14 Generation 3 Military Spec

4. ATN NVM-14 Generation 2

ATN NVM14-2 2nd Generation Night Vision Multi Purpose Monocular
  • Compact, rugged design
  • Is waterproof
  • Weapon Mountable

5. Night Owl Generation 1

Night Owl Pro Nexgen Night Vision Binocular (3X)
  • Generation 1 technology; central focusing; integrated infrared all-glass optics
  • Field of View: 70 feet at a distance of 200 feet
  • Minimum Focus Range: 6.6 feet
  • Interocular Distance: 2.27 to 2.95 inches

Conclusion and final thoughts ????

Night vision goggles can be a useful piece of equipment for you to have when you venture out into the wilderness to camp.

In addition to the safety benefits they can be useful for watching wildlife and for moving around the campsite after dark.

Whether you decide upon a basic, introduction level set of goggles or need a military grade specification for more nocturnal activities, there are options available to suit all needs and budgets.

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