Night Vision
How to choose night vision
Infrared or thermal
These do different jobs. Digital infrared shows you a detailed picture of what is in front of you, in full darkness, and most units record video, which is good for identifying an animal, reading terrain or capturing evidence. Thermal shows heat rather than light, so it finds a warm body through scrub, long grass or fog where infrared sees only foliage. Thermal locates; infrared identifies. People who do both usually carry a thermal to scan and a digital to confirm.
Magnification, and why more is not better
Every step of magnification narrows the field of view and multiplies any shake in your hands. High optical zoom is useful on a tripod, at a known distance, watching one spot; scanning open country is easier at low magnification, because a wide field finds movement and a narrow one walks past it. Digital zoom enlarges the pixels you already have and adds no detail, so read the optical figure. One eye or two changes how long you can use it: a monocular is lighter and leaves your other eye dark adapted, binoculars are more comfortable over long periods and judge distance better.
Compare the types
 Digital monocular |  Digital binoculars |  Head mount goggles |  Thermal monocular | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shows | A clear black and white picture, out to the illuminator's reach | The same, with depth perception and a screen | The same, hands free | Heat shapes: what is warm, not what it looks like |
| Records | Yes, on most | Yes, to a card | Yes, to a card | Streams to a phone or records internally |
| Hands | One | Two | None | One |
| Suits | Walking in, a quick look | Watching one spot for a long time | Moving over rough ground in the dark | Finding an animal or a person in scrub |
| See | Digital Night Vision Monocular 5X | Digital Night Vision Binoculars 4K | Head Mount Night Vision Goggles | Handheld Thermal Monocular |
Buying guides
Night Vision Buying Guide NZMonoculars, binoculars, thermal and what DOC allows
Three technologies, one categoryJump to this section of the Night Vision Buying Guide
Where you can use these in New ZealandJump to this section of the Night Vision Buying Guide
Related
Trail Cameras 4G Security Cameras Security Cameras & Surveillance Equipment
Common questions
Do they work in total darkness?
Yes. Infrared units have their own illuminator; thermal needs no light at all.
Can I record what I see?
Most digital units record video and stills to a memory card, and the thermal unit streams to a phone.
What does Gen 1+ mean?
An image intensifier tube that amplifies the light there already is, rather than a digital sensor and an infrared lamp. It gives the classic green image, runs 10 to 20 hours on small batteries and does not record; the listing gives the range.
Where can I use night vision in New Zealand? NZ law
Owning and using night vision needs no licence. On your own land, anywhere. On someone else's land it is the landowner's call. On public conservation land the standard DOC hunting permit conditions prohibit shooting after dark and hunting with night vision or spotlights, so read your permit, including any special conditions, before you go. A night vision rifle scope goes on a firearm, and the firearm needs the licence it always did.