Test of first generation night sights.
Test of first generation night sights
1. PNS — D- 4.6*52
2. NVRS
3. D 143
4. Daedalus 160
5. Baigish 10
6. PKN -01 3M «Kayot»
7. NP 75.
A hunter has always dreamed of seeing a target under any conditions, regardless of lighting, weather conditions and other atmospheric factors. The modern level of technology development has made it possible to create compact in size and weight night sights for small arms. However, for a long time they remained inaccessible to hunters due to their high cost and legislative restrictions.
Finally, the Law «On Weapons» in 1993 allowed the use of such devices for hunting purposes. At the same time, many domestic defense enterprises entered the market of night vision devices (NVD), offering conversion equipment to the mass consumer.
A little theory.
First of all, we would like to give brief general information about night vision devices. They can be divided by the following features.
Functionally, NVDs include:
— Sights for weapons. They can also be divided into night and universal (day-night mode).
— Observation devices — monoculars, binoculars
— Infrared illuminators — are used to improve the characteristics of NVDs
— Special night equipment — devices that do not fall into the previous classes, designed to solve highly specialized problems. These include photo and video shooting kits, night optical locators, etc.
By operating principle:
— Passive night vision devices. They convert the light reflected from objects of external sources (moon, stars, city lighting, etc.). They work in the visible and near infrared (IR) range.
— Active NVDs. They use special illumination of objects using IR diodes or lasers. They work in the near infrared range.
— Thermal imagers. They work in the far IR spectrum and use the principle of converting the thermal radiation of the target and surrounding objects into an image.
Of practical interest to the consumer are primarily IR devices, since the cost of thermal imagers is still very high. As for IR devices, the best results are naturally shown by active NVDs.
There is only one circumstance that prevents their use — active radiation can be detected by devices and the shooter's position is unmasked. But this is relevant only for the armed forces, and there is no such restriction for hunters.
NVG consists of the following elements: optics, an image intensifier (EIC), a power supply, as well as a housing and an eyepiece.
Light reflected from the object, passing through the lens, is projected at the input of the image intensifier tube, where it is amplified many times with the help of electronics and transmitted to the eyepiece.
Accordingly, the consumer qualities of the NVD directly depend on the quality of the above-described elements of the devices.
Optics
The same requirements apply to it as to «daytime» optics — the quality of the coating and the diameter of the eyepiece. The higher these parameters, the more reflected light can be sent to the image intensifier and, accordingly, the better the image quality will be (all other things being equal).
EOP (electronic-optical converter).
The main element of any night vision device. They are divided into generations (I, II, III and their modifications) in accordance with the sequence of their release on the night vision equipment market. The staged development of EOP manufacturing technology, starting in the 60s, determined significant differences between the generations of EOPs, both in characteristics and in price.
The first generation of devices is the oldest, and, as you probably guessed, the cheapest.
The image intensifier has a glass vacuum flask with a photocathode sensitivity of 120-250 mA/lm. The light gain of these image intensifiers is 120-900, the resolution in the center is 25-35 lines/mm.
The distinctive feature of these devices is that the image is clear only in the center, with distortion and lower resolution at the edge. In addition, if bright light sources, such as lanterns, illuminated windows of houses, etc., fall into the field of view, they can illuminate the entire image, preventing the possibility of observation.
Due to low gain, single-stage devices of the 1st generation are very critical to the aperture ratio of the optics and the parameters of the image intensifier tube. Only devices with selected image intensifier tubes in combination with particularly high-aperture optics (focal number no more than 1.5) can provide acceptable parameters for observation in the evening and at night with 1/4 of the Moon in the sky. At lower illumination, infrared (IR) illumination is required. It is easy to distinguish devices of the 1st generation from the 2nd and 3rd: after turning off the power, the 1st generation NVDs continue to work for some time.
Testing
The subject of our test was the most accessible to the average consumer 1st generation devices, as well as IR illuminators, with the help of which the characteristics of these devices can be significantly improved.
The test was conducted in early June. This time was not chosen by chance — the absence of the Moon at this time gives a more objective picture of the operation of the devices. In addition, to eliminate the effect of illumination from the city (street lighting, houses, car headlights), it was decided to conduct the test in one of the hunting grounds of the Klinsky district of the Moscow region.
Observation was carried out from various distances, objects were selected in an open field and against the background of a forest.
The test group consisted of two representatives of the magazine «CALIBR.RU» and an independent hunter.
Sights
The participants in the test were first-generation devices.
— Baigysh 5P, Kazan, «KOMZ»;
— Baigysh 10, Kazan, »KOMZ»;
— Dedal-160, Moscow, «Dedal-NV»;
— D-143, Belarus, «Dipol»;
— NP-75, Krasnogorsk, «Zenit»;
— NVRS, Belarus, Lida;
— Night super 3*78 Rogachev, Belarus;
— PKN-01 3M «Kayot» Rogachev, Belarus;
— PNS-D- 4.6*52 Vologda.
Image brightness and contrast. Unanimously, preference was given to the DEDAL-160 device. It provides the highest image brightness, has a slightly larger angle of view than the NVRS. In terms of image contrast, it is definitely the best. This NVD has the most powerful IR illumination of 75 mW, which is 2-3 times better than its competitors.
It is worth noting the convenient control of the device. The internal lens focusing with a side handle ensures that the zero point of sight is maintained.
Powered by commonly available AA batteries.
The scope mount is designed for a Weaver-type rail only.
The worst in the test was the PNS-D-4.6*52. The sight was quite compact in appearance, had the highest magnification (4.4x), but the image was so dark that even in very high illumination, when an accurate shot from a good day sight is still possible, it is already problematic to shoot from this one. The built-in illuminator is low-power and does not illuminate more than 50 meters. There are serious doubts about the effectiveness of this device.
The Baigish-10 is also an outsider. The image turned out to be dark, with a large curvature of the field and poor clarity. The Baigish-10 is not equipped with an illuminator.
Several products were included in the middle group: D-143, NVRS, «Kayot», NP-75 and Night Super 3*78.
The difference in image brightness between these products is not so significant, this parameter is slightly better for D 143. This product has a large field of view, contrast and image clarity. In addition, D 143 has small dimensions and weight. The built-in illuminator is a little weak — the range of confident operation is no more than 80 meters.
Alignment of the mark in the bracket with a click mechanism. The fact that there are locking screws is alarming, there may be problems with maintaining «zero». Very small pupil removal, which will lead to problems when installing on a weapon.
The IR illuminator is located at the bottom, which can lead to overexposure of the front sight.
Mounting only on a Weaver-type rail.
The Night Super 3*78 sight has the highest angular resolution and, therefore, a greater range in this group. This is achieved by increasing the dimensions of the sight. As a result, the enormous weight is as much as 2 kg!
The built-in IR illuminator is low-power and works no further than 70 meters.
The reticle alignment is internal and quite correct. It is possible to install various mounts, the eye relief is large. The problems of adaptation to various weapons can only arise due to the large weight of this product.
Despite a number of advantages of this product, we believe that it is unlikely that there will be a large number of hunters to buy the Night Super 3 * 78 due to its huge size and weight.
The NVRS and «Kayot» sights occupy an average position in the middle group.
At the initial moment, «Kayot» had less brightness, but after 20 minutes it «flared up» and became equal to its analogues.
The image quality of these two devices is average. It lacks a bit of contrast and clarity compared to the best models. We also noted a smaller field of view, but the products are clearly ahead of the outsiders.
NVRS has very ergonomic controls, a more powerful illuminator. The package includes a remote control button, fastened with a belt to the fore-end. (In our opinion, it is unacceptable for hunting due to the additional noise caused by the wire rubbing against the weapon). It is somewhat difficult to replace the batteries (2 pcs. type AA). Mounting only on a Weaver-type bar. Internal adjustment.
A significant drawback has been noted: when the IR illuminator is turned on, the brightness of the mark changes greatly until it disappears completely. Replacing the mount with a different type is possible, but very problematic. There is no lens focusing.
Beautiful appearance, good packaging, high quality finish, many accessories with average technical parameters make NVRS the most attractive as a gift for a person who is unlikely to hunt with it.
PKN-01 3M «Kayot» has a slightly higher magnification and a greater range in passive mode, but in the dark with an IR illuminator it works at a distance of up to 70 meters.
Internal adjustment, convenient. Various types of mounts can be installed. There should be no problems with adaptation.
Unfortunately, there is no lens focusing. The device and the IR illuminator have separate power supply of 2 AA batteries and separate switching on, which is not very convenient.
The main disadvantages are the large weight (1.4 kg) and weak IR illuminator.
The middle group is closed by the NP-75. With a similar picture brightness, the device loses in contrast and image clarity. The advantages include a low price, the fundamental possibility of adaptation to various guns (unfortunately, the manufacturer does not produce other mounts), and a large eye relief. There are significantly more disadvantages: push-button control for turning the device on and off and adjusting the reticle brightness is completely unacceptable for hunting and causes nothing but irritation, the reticle is very unsuccessful (see below).
No lens focusing.
Unfortunately, the «Baigish 5P» product turned out to be faulty and did not turn on.
Distortion. Significant distortion (distortion of the object's shape) was noted in the Baigish 10 device, followed by the D-143 («Dipole»). NVRS has less distortion, but due to worse contrast it slightly loses out to the D-143 in range. And again the best results were shown by the «Dedal».
Reticles. Dedal 160, Baigish-10, D-143, Night Super 3*78, have a sighting mark in the form of dark «ticks», NVRS in the form of a red cross.
The test group's opinions differed regarding this form of marks.
On the one hand, the red mark disappears at distances of about 30 m when the IR illumination is on. The black aiming mark is much more visible.
The winner of the test is the Dedal 160
Technical data.
Magnification, x 2.1 (4.2*)
Field of view, deg 17
Lens 64mm/1.2
Exit pupil distance, mm 45
Diopter adjustment +4, -4
Overall dimensions, mm 180x99x65
Weight, g 850
Power source — 2 AA batteries
Voltage, V 3
Continuous operation time, h 40
On the other hand, aiming with the «check marks» is less convenient than with the «cross».
Perhaps a close to ideal option would be one with a black «cross».
The Kayot has a slightly irregularly shaped red dot reticle. It is highly contrasting and easy to aim quickly, but the dot does not allow you to control the vertical tilt of the weapon when shooting. Note that placing the red dot in the 1st and 2nd generation sight is not strictly correct, since when the shooter's orientation changes in azimuth, the zero point of sighting changes. For such products, the error can reach 40:120 mm at a distance of 100 meters. This parameter was not measured during the test.
The NP-75 has the worst reticle — green, glowing in the form of a ring with a dot in the center. When placing a mark on a target, at any level of reticle brightness, the target is not visible through it, precise aiming is impossible, and it is impossible to control the verticality of the weapon.
External inspection
All devices can be divided into three groups by appearance.
The best impression is made by NVRS, starting from the box and ending with the presence of a cloth for wiping the optics and all sorts of papers about the quality guarantee. A clearly Western approach to the development and presentation of the product is traced, which is perhaps lacking in other manufacturers.
The outsiders include the products «Baigish 10» and «Baigish-5P» city of Kazan. The packaging and quality of the products themselves make a repulsive impression even before testing. The products are clearly from the stagnant times.
The other products were of approximately the same level, had a black color and good quality of the surfaces of all elements.
The best transport cases were Dedal-160 and D 143 (Dipol). Average quality cases — NVRS and NP-75. All other NVDs were equipped with bags, which, against the background of competing products, leaves much to be desired.
Infrared illuminators
An important addition to night sights is an IR illuminator, which allows you to increase the effective range of the NVD.
The company «Mediton» produces several types of illuminators, differing in radiation power and IR beam convergence characteristics. They were also tested during the first generation sights test.
When aiming at a target with a night vision device with the illumination turned on, the picture becomes bright, many details become clearer, and the object recognition range increases.
The МDS 50 illuminator (based on an IR laser) made an impression, allowing the beam to be focused to the size of the object and having a clear concentric spot of illumination. The greatest efficiency of the laser IR illuminators was achieved when the target was against the background of the edge of the forest.
All devices have a shockproof housing (metal) with a black matte surface.
The illumination devices come with mounts for various types of night vision devices, in some cases, custom-made mounts are made.
Night optical locator
Taking advantage of the opportunity, we also decided to test the Titan-740 optical locator, a joint production of Mediton and Dedal. These tests were conducted «out of competition» for informational purposes, since there was no «opponent» for this device.
The Titan-740 is a unique multifunctional device designed for observation in adverse weather conditions.
It consists of the observation binocular itself and pulse illumination. The device operates in two modes: passive (like a 2nd generation device) and active-pulse mode. The use of the latter mode allows achieving unique results for NVDs — the image quality does not deteriorate even with oncoming light interference, the operating range of the device increases 4 times (compared to conventional 2nd generation NVDs). «Titan» can operate in fog, rain, smoke and in complete darkness. With the help of «Titan» you can observe even through tinted car windows, as well as through tree foliage.
Another useful function of «Titan» is the presence of a rangefinder with a range of up to 1000 m.
Conclusions
The first generation devices provide the ability to shoot in the evening and at night with a sufficiently high level of illumination of 1/2 or 1/4 of the moon. In darker conditions, the sights work only with IR illumination. Therefore, the presence of a powerful IR illuminator is a mandatory requirement for first generation sights. The IR illuminator is effective only in open spaces, when there are no bushes or trees between the shooter and the target, even on the sides. Otherwise, nearby trees begin to glow brighter than the target, which sharply reduces the visibility of the latter. Practice shows that given the small brightness gain coefficient of the devices, in some cases there is no efficiency in using IR illumination. The probability of successful use of first generation sights in hunting is about 50%. The most successful can be hunting for wild boar from a tower.
For comparison: second-generation sights solve 85% of the same problems, third-generation sights 98%.
The test is published with abbreviations.
Source — KALIBR.RU No. 7-8 2002 (July-August)
We thank ZAO «Firm «GIMEX» for providing the night vision equipment for testing. (095) 269 37 64.
«Firm MEDITON» (095) 554 32 53
Alexander Kudryashov
Nikolay Dergachev