Thermal Vision Goggles
Thermal Vision Goggles
The first thing you think about when you hear thermal vision goggles is probably the latest spy or war movie. The hero straps on a pair of night vision goggles and sees images of the enemy in red, orange and yellow streaks right before the surprise attack that saves the day. In reality, most people associate thermal vision devices with soldiers or law-enforcement officers who use them for security and surveillance, but outdoor adventures are also using them for hiking, camping and hunting.
Image Enhancement vs. Thermal Imaging
There are two different types of night vision technology to chose from, image enhancement and thermal imaging. Image enhancement collects small amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, which is not generally visible to the human eye and magnifies it so that it can easily be seen. The technology behind thermal vision goggles works by capturing the upper part of the infrared light spectrum. This light is emitted through the heat of an object and the imaging captures portions of the heat that is given off. The viewer sees the heat of the person or object, not a clear, crisp image. The hotter the object, the more light is emitted and the easier the object will be seen. A human or animal will emit more infra red light than an inanimate object such as a tree or rock.
Why Choose Thermal Vision Goggles?
Thermal vision goggles can be handheld or worn on the head. The goggles may have a single lens or two eye pieces, depending on the model. A spotting scope for focusing in on a target is also an option to consider. Goggles that strap to the head are the best choice when the activity requires an abundance of moving around, they stay in place and allow the hands to be free. The other benefit to thermal imaging is that reflection of light is not required to see a live object in complete darkness. With the right kind of thermal vision goggles, objects can be seen in the dark or in extreme weather conditions over 200 yards away.
There are many styles and models to chose from and usually require only two AA batteries to operate. Thermal vision goggles can be purchased relatively inexpensively from outdoor, camping or online retailers. Thermal vision goggles are a great purchase for anyone who enjoys camping, hiking or hunting and can add a new dimension of adventure to any outing.