Electronic workers, and not only them, who deal with the maintenance of the most complex electronic and mechanical systems, are convinced that the proper use of equipment, systematic inspections, and routine maintenance will keep it from unnecessary repairs, downtime, and emptying your pockets on expensive repairs. The same is true for such gadgets as night vision devices (NVD). A device that is practically woven from microneedles, the latest miniature semiconductors, fragile lenses, and the unfussy thought process of its creators. Think about it, it is a vacuum photoelectronic device for conversion in the infrared, ultraviolet, or X-ray spectrum, invisible to the eye image of an object into a visible one, or to enhance the brightness of the visual image. It is difficult to fit all this process in the head, so we simply find understanding. There are passive, active, and active-pulse devices working in conditions of natural night illumination, with backlighting, in the near-infrared range and backlighting in the strobing mode of the photocathode. They both enhance the brightness of the visible image and convert IR and UV radiation into visual. Initially, night vision devices were developed for defense purposes. The sights mounted on the weapon enlarge the image and have a sighting reticle. There are also night vision attachments today riflescopes, which must withstand the weapon's recoil. However, not all sights can be used on high-powered firearms. As an alternative, the infrared laser designator mounted on the gun, the beam invisible to the eye, can be seen through night-vision goggles. Night vision devices are installed on military vehicles and integrated into the sighting systems.
The history of night vision devices began a long time ago. After the invention of the first telescope, scientists tried to
to create a device able to "consider" distant objects at night. The activity of the so-called zero-generation NV units refers to the opening of the second front in Europe. They were big, power-consuming devices requiring active illumination with infrared illuminators with an electro-optical converter with a photocathode, which allowed to display the situation illuminated by infrared light in the eyepiece in the visible spectrum. The disadvantages were the lack of flash protection and the de-emphasis of IR illuminators. In the mid-nineties, the world's first mass-produced active night vision devices mounted on tanks appeared.
Almost at the same time as combat, armored personnel carriers began to be equipped with infrared illuminators, ensuring the operation of the device to seven hundred meters. And most importantly, an experimental batch of infra-red sights was produced, which were mounted on machine guns with a range of fire of up to one hundred meters in a twenty-minute operation. There was only one embarrassing thing - the weight of the sight together with a battery weighed 35 kg in an unpacked state.
Since then, the countdown of generations of PNV began with the development and advancement of more and more new models. In the first generation appeared photomultipliers placed between the photocathode and eyepiece, which allowed multiple amplification of visible and infrared light and its conversion into visual range. The second one used microchannel technology, which made it possible to get rid of parasitic flare. The third used gallium arsenide photocathodes, which reduced the size of the devices and increased the light amplification factor.
And again, we shall return to the indisputable truth: a simple or the perfect device should be kept in proper condition, systematically and properly maintained as it is used. It is a surveillance NV unit consisting of a lens, radiation receiver, amplifier with an image display device, a simple night monocular with low magnification, night vision binoculars with enlarged stereoscopic image, and pseudo binocular night vision goggles. All of these require constant maintenance. And maintenance, by all rules, is pretty darn effective.
WAYS TO CARE FOR YOUR NIGHT VISION DEVICE
The responsible owner is not the one who repairs but takes care of it regularly. General recommendations will help you extend the life of an expensive device for many years. You need to understand the essential criteria of your gadget. For example, with proper care, solid-state thermal cameras will last you for many decades. The life of an electronic scope is limited due to the wear and tear of the lenses, and the choice of model will depend on whether they will work five or fifteen thousand hours. For each user of night vision equipment, it is essential to remember some important rules which will allow us to minimize the risk of damage to the equipment and avoid expenses connected with its possible repair taking into account experience and mistakes made by us. I offer you the approximate step-by-step instruction for prolongation of service life of your device.
STEP 1. essential recommendation. Read your device manual. It says it all. As simple as it sounds, many users neglect this advice and look into it only when they need to contact a repair shop. The manufacturer is quite clear about the conditions under which you need to use the UAV and how it can fail. Avoid tampering with the device yourself, even if it seems like a minor malfunction. Manufacturers specify in the user manuals of different models a list of technical tasks and the regularity of performance of each. Undoubtedly, the intensity of operation between servicing means a lot. But simply following the manufacturer's instructions is surprisingly effective as well.
STEP 2: Preparing for the hunt. Before you go out into the night, you should check the device's condition and mounting, clean it from dust, and wipe the body with a soft rag and expensive lenses with special wipes that do not leave streaks on the glass. Check the operability of night vision devices by selecting the reference point for aiming.
Important! At removal and installation of supervision devices, be careful, excluding the possibility of blows on optical elements.
STEP 3: Hunting. Remember, the most common causes of failure of a night vision device, not counting mechanical damage, are moisture entering the device. Ensure that the battery compartment covers and external power connectors are tightly closed. After disconnecting the external battery, hunters often forget to close the connector cap, and the device gets water when exposed to rain. Of course, it is better not to change the batteries under running water. And one more basic rule - keep the NV unit with lens cap attached. You should get in the habit of leaving the equipment switched off with the lens cap on. Running your night vision device during the day without the cap will damage the sensitive optics and require repair or, in some cases, purchase a new one.
STEP 4: Important points. Take it, as a rule, to switch your equipment off when you are not using it. Treat it carefully: don't drop it, and don't leave your night vision device switched on during the day, even with the lens cap on. Use only regular rechargeable batteries, check their condition systematically, and, if necessary, recharge or replace them. If you use "store-bought" batteries for power, use batteries from reputable manufacturers. Check the expiration date and the date of issue of the batteries. To maximize battery life, always turn off devices when not in use. Even if you plan to go somewhere again tomorrow, take them out anyway. Otherwise, it so happens: the trip did not take place, but the batteries remained in the device for more than one month, or even more.
We hope that these simple guidelines will help you enjoy hunting.