Technical Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does a high magnification device lend itself to better night vision viewing?
A. Not always. While a high magnification device in a lot of cases will increase the viewing distance, image gain and resolution are key factors to quality viewing. If a night vision binocular has a high magnification, of 7 times for example, but a low resolution and image gain, then the object viewed from a far off distance will be cloudy and dark. It is best to choose a night vision device with a good combination of high image gain, high resolution [23 lin./mm and up] and good magnification [2.0 or better].
Q. Why are the projected images always green using night vision technology?
A. Night Vision phosphor screen is purposefully colored green because the human eye can differentiate more shades of green than other phosphor colors.
Q. What is the main difference between Russian made and US made Night Vision Equipment?
A. The large majority of Gen. 1 and Gen. 1+ night vision products sold in the US are of Russian origin, packaged and branded locally, usually by large optical manufacturers. The United States produces primarily Gen 2 and Gen 3 night vision technology, which is employed by and large by the military and other governmental organizations, and far out of the reach of most consumers’ budget. Russia is the largest producer of Gen 1 and Gen 1+ image intensifiers in the world. Russian made night vision equipment, which also owes its origins to the Defense Industry, has always enjoyed a reputation of being among the best quality in the world.
Q. What is the effective viewing range of the Night Vision Device?
A. It varies anywhere from 30 to 300 meters [900 feet] for most Gen 1 devices. Generation II devices will permit the user to see 500 meters and beyond, depending on the item. By and large, the maximum viewing distance depends on the conditions of use. Overcast conditions, fog, rain etc. may reduce the effective distance of a night vision viewer. An Infrared illuminator will increase your viewing range, especially in enclosed spaces like a warehouse, garage or other enclosed parameters.
Q. Can I use a Night Vision device in extremely low light, or absolutely no light conditions?
A. Yes. While it is true that your Night Vision device needs some available light to work, it is still possible to see a bright image in low light or no light conditions with the use of an Infrared Illuminator, which can be either built-in or attached to the device. On most of the Night Vision Goggles Dot Com product line, the Infrared Illuminator is either standard, or available as an option.
Q. Which Night Vision Goggles product would you recommend for a first-time buyer?
A. The Rigel 3200 night vision goggles offers the highest optical features and quality. Since night vision goggles are worn with a mask, the weight of the item should also be a consideration when purchasing. Further, our Rigel 1100 night vision monocular and our Rigel 2100 night vision binocular are also popular among non commercial users who are looking for a high grade night vision device.
Q. What type of light source can be harmful to a Night Vision Device?
A. Your night vision device is designed to be used to assist your viewing in the dark. It may be harmful and will likely damage the device if you use it during the daytime, or whenever there is sufficient light to see the object. Strong direct light, such as projectors, car headlamps, strong flashlights and so on, may be harmful to your night vision unit if you direct your device at the source of these intense lights.
Q. Can a Night Vision device and/or Infrared Illuminator be harmful to an individual?
A. All our Night Vision Optics products comply with US and international regulations in terms of safety for an electronic device, similar to other electronic devices such as televisions, and radios. Individuals with sensitive eyes such as those who experience eye fatigue while watching television, may experience the same sort of fatigue if they use their night vision viewer for a prolonged time.
Q. Are Night Vision Goggles Dot Com products waterproof?
A. In general, no. Exposure to water and other liquids and even high humidity may damage night vision devices that are not specifically protected against these elements. All our models are weather resistant, which means they can withstand short exposure to light rain or high humidity conditions.
Q. What are the black spots which sometimes appear on the image lens?
A. Provided your lens is clean, the black spots are cosmetic blemishes in the image which are inherent in the production process. In other cases, as dirt builds on the lens, black spots are also visible. Black spots resulting from the production process neither influence the image quality nor interfere with night observation. Spots which form due to dirt should be removed carefully with a soft cloth.
Q. What type of batteries do Night Vision Goggles Dot Com devices use, and how long will they last?
A. All our devices use commonly available batteries, such as 1,5V AA type, 9Volt square type, or 3V Lithium type. Generally the device will last up to 20-40 hours of continuous use if the Infrared Illuminator is in OFF position. If used with the IR Illuminator, expect 30-40% less operating time. All Dipol brand products are shipped with one battery free of charge.
Q. What is the warranty-coverage on Night Vision Goggles Dot Com Products?
A. Every Night Vision Goggles Dot Com device comes with a 12-month warranty on parts and labor for malfunctions due to the production process. For additional questions, consult your owner's manual. We will also service your device after the warranty period.
Q. Is it really safe to purchase online using my credit card?
A. Yes. Our secure server software (SSL) is the industry standard and the best software available today for secure e-commerce transactions. It encrypts all of your personal information, including credit card number, name, and address, so that it cannot be read as the information travels over the Internet.
If you still have questions, or would like further information, please feel free to contact our customer care department directly by e-mail at sales@night-vision-goggles.com or by telephone in the United States at (1) 360-835-5629. We will be happy to assist you.
FAQ support courtesy of www.nightvisionbinoculars.com.
Trouble Shooting
Possible glitches and common troubleshooting methods
| Glitch |
Likely Reason |
Solution |
| Image is not appearing |
Batteries are dead |
Insert new batteries |
| Image is not appearing |
Contact has been cut off between the batteries and the connection points |
Restore the poor contacts |
| Image is not appearing |
Lens cap is still on |
Remove lens cap [provided the natural environment is dark] |
| Projected image is dim |
Battery current is low |
Insert new batteries |
| Projected image is dim |
Natural illumination level is low |
Switch on the IR illuminator |
| Projected image is cloudy |
Objective lens is dirty |
Clean objective lens with very fine cloth soaked in alcohol |
| Projected image is cloudy |
Focus is distorted |
Focus in on object, or if too close to the object, move back |
Product User Manuals
If you have purchased a product from Night Vision Goggles Dot Com and have misplaced or lost your user manual, contact us help@night-vision-goggles.com and we will be happy to send you a new copy. Always make sure that you closely follow the guidelines for use, as all our products are sophisticated electro-optical devices.
Product Hints and Guidelines
Night Vision Binoculars