We have been looking at buying a night vision waterproof monocular for those sailing times where we venture into night and need to use our spotlight to get around reef markers making our way back to the marina. I noticed that a first generation night vision monocular is a fairly inexpensive piece of equipment and wanted to get osme opinions on just how well they in the dark. Has anyone used one for navigating through the markers? Is the illumination on these cheaper units sufficient to see markers and objects in the dark? Before I take the plunge on the purchase ($250 or thereabouts) I would like to get first hand use feed back. Thanks Bob Catalina 30
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Marginal
I have a generation one marine unit. It is worth it for two hundred bucks plus and it is always on deck for night use. It has helped me figure out a tug and tow, for example, that wasn't clear on radar and the orientation of some boats/ships. As far as navigational aids, I don't think they are that useful, but have only tried it with offshore bouys which tend to be lit. Borrow a pair and see what you think. I have also used a third generation unit which was not in the same universe. Wonderful resolution, nearly like daylight. However, at $3K, a tad bit out of pocket. Rick D.
I have a generation one marine unit. It is worth it for two hundred bucks plus and it is always on deck for night use. It has helped me figure out a tug and tow, for example, that wasn't clear on radar and the orientation of some boats/ships. As far as navigational aids, I don't think they are that useful, but have only tried it with offshore bouys which tend to be lit. Borrow a pair and see what you think. I have also used a third generation unit which was not in the same universe. Wonderful resolution, nearly like daylight. However, at $3K, a tad bit out of pocket. Rick D.
You get what you pay for...
I bought one of the cheaper $ 200.00 ones, and a friend lent me his good ones. The difference is considerable, but without a lot of background lighting, you should be able to pick up the markers without destroying your night vision with a spot light.
I bought one of the cheaper $ 200.00 ones, and a friend lent me his good ones. The difference is considerable, but without a lot of background lighting, you should be able to pick up the markers without destroying your night vision with a spot light.
Good Binoculars??
If you haven't tried them you might be surprised by how much a good pair of binoculars helps. My 7 X 50,s with a compass help a lot. A night scope is on my wish list but pretty far down the list.
If you haven't tried them you might be surprised by how much a good pair of binoculars helps. My 7 X 50,s with a compass help a lot. A night scope is on my wish list but pretty far down the list.
2nd vote for marginal
With a limited field of vision, and no stabilizers, I can't see this as much help on a pitching sailboat, at night,but I suppose it's better than nothing. I use a 2 million candle power handheld spot light, and have had no issues with significant loss of night vision. Looking for markers relatively close to shore, I have found that house lights and such tend to cause more problems in that area. I try not to sail into unfamiliar anchorages in the dark. I'd be more inclined to use the gps track back feature to navigate around the reefs and shoals.
With a limited field of vision, and no stabilizers, I can't see this as much help on a pitching sailboat, at night,but I suppose it's better than nothing. I use a 2 million candle power handheld spot light, and have had no issues with significant loss of night vision. Looking for markers relatively close to shore, I have found that house lights and such tend to cause more problems in that area. I try not to sail into unfamiliar anchorages in the dark. I'd be more inclined to use the gps track back feature to navigate around the reefs and shoals.
I second the binos
Used my astronomy binos 10x80 for years in the military and the amount of detail is amazing. I find the 10 power a challenge on a pitching boat however. If you go this route you are looking for the lowest power (the first number) and the biggest objective lens (the second number). 5X100 would be excellent They have a much larger field of view than NVGs. Course if you get the NVG head gear you can't really compare them as having your hands free is a really big plus. One interesting note, NVGs do sense very long wavelength infrared. That means you can see things that are 200+ deg F in total blackness! Great for finding that hot spot in an alternator or some such thing that is running hot. Now if you want to talk IR, that is the CATS MEOW!!! Nothing like it and they even have marine units that you can mount on the bow and pump the image into your raymarine video port. Steerable too. Way cool. See through fog, see in the dark, see stuff that used to be there, see stuff in broad daylight that you can't see with your eyes (rabbits in the grass come to mind). I can't even imagine what kind of advantage they would give during a night time MOB event.
Used my astronomy binos 10x80 for years in the military and the amount of detail is amazing. I find the 10 power a challenge on a pitching boat however. If you go this route you are looking for the lowest power (the first number) and the biggest objective lens (the second number). 5X100 would be excellent They have a much larger field of view than NVGs. Course if you get the NVG head gear you can't really compare them as having your hands free is a really big plus. One interesting note, NVGs do sense very long wavelength infrared. That means you can see things that are 200+ deg F in total blackness! Great for finding that hot spot in an alternator or some such thing that is running hot. Now if you want to talk IR, that is the CATS MEOW!!! Nothing like it and they even have marine units that you can mount on the bow and pump the image into your raymarine video port. Steerable too. Way cool. See through fog, see in the dark, see stuff that used to be there, see stuff in broad daylight that you can't see with your eyes (rabbits in the grass come to mind). I can't even imagine what kind of advantage they would give during a night time MOB event.
Spot Lights Are Great, But.......
I agree on the spot light as I have two onboard and am not shy about getting the zillion-trillion candlepower units either. I think the nightscope technology is fascinating and I was wondering just how the less expensive units would do. We do not get much of a knock on the lake, especially when winds die down at night and its rare to see a vessel at night on the water anyways. Your only concern on Lake Lanier is not running aground and knowing where the markers are. I see this more for ICW navigation work at night in the future if you get caught traveling in the dark. Appreciate the honest opinions on the monocular units thus far. Thanks Bob
I agree on the spot light as I have two onboard and am not shy about getting the zillion-trillion candlepower units either. I think the nightscope technology is fascinating and I was wondering just how the less expensive units would do. We do not get much of a knock on the lake, especially when winds die down at night and its rare to see a vessel at night on the water anyways. Your only concern on Lake Lanier is not running aground and knowing where the markers are. I see this more for ICW navigation work at night in the future if you get caught traveling in the dark. Appreciate the honest opinions on the monocular units thus far. Thanks Bob
Not worth it
I tried a first generation unit and compared it to 7x50 binoculars. The 7x50 was much better and I returned the first gen unit. Allan
I tried a first generation unit and compared it to 7x50 binoculars. The 7x50 was much better and I returned the first gen unit. Allan
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