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A Night Vision Device can be either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or
4th generation unit. What this stands for is what type of image
intensifier tube is used for that particular device; the image
intensifier tube is the heart and soul of an NVD.
1st Generation: Currently
the most popular type of night vision in the world. Utilizing the basic
principles described earlier, a 1st generation unit will amplify the
existing light several thousand times letting you clearly see in the
dark. These units provide a bright and sharp image at a low cost, which
is perfect, whether you are boating, observing wildlife, or providing
security for your home. You may notice the following when you are
looking through a 1st Gen. unit.
- A slight high-pitched whine when the unit is on.
- The image you see may be slightly blurry around the edges. This is
known as Geometric Distortion.
- When you turn a 1st Gen. unit off it may glow green for some time.
- These are inherent characteristics of a 1st Gen. unit and are
normal.
2nd Generation: Primarily
used by law enforcement or for professional applications. This is
because the cost of a 2nd Gen. unit is approximately $500.00 to $1000.00
more then a 1st Gen. The main difference between a 1st and a 2nd
generation unit is the addition of a micro-channel plate, commonly
referred to as a MCP. The MCP works as an electron amplifier and is
placed directly behind the photocathode. The MCP consists of millions of
short parallel glass tubes. When the electrons pass through these short
tubes, thousands more electrons are released. This extra process allows
2nd generation units to amplify the light many more times then 1st
generation giving you a brighter and sharper image.
2nd Gen. IIT: ATNs standard 2nd
generation tubes are high quality with exceptional brightness and
resolution. Each tube has a micro channel plate, multi-alkaline
photocathode with built-in power supply.
2nd Gen. IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Multi-Alkali
- Resolution from 40 to 45 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio from 12 to 20
- 5,000+ hour tube life
CGT IIT: The CGT type of Image
Intensifier tubes are engineered for significantly enhanced performance
over current 2nd generation IITs. The CGT IIT is a Multi-Alkali compact
18mm format MCP Image Intensifier. Highlights of the CGT specifications
are typical SNR of 16-22 and resolution of 45-54 lp/mm. CGT IITs are
sensitive in a wide spectral band and thus provide good contrast in all
scene circumstances.
CGT IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Multi-Alkali
- Resolution from 45 to 54 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio from 16 to 22
- 10,000-hour tube life
HPT IIT: HPT tubes are an upgrade
of the CGT Generation tube. They are a Multi-Alkali compact 18mm format
MCP Image Intensifier. The HPT tube increases sensitivity, resolution,
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF).
These improvements produce an exceptional image clarity and brightness.
Most HPT specifications typically are equivalent to standard 3rd
generation. Highlights of the HPT specifications are the typical SNR of
22 and resolution of 64 lp/mm.
HPT IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Multi-Alkali
- Resolution from 55 to 72 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio from 16 to 24
- 10,000-hour tube life
3rd Generation: By adding a
sensitive chemical, gallium arsenide to the photocathode a brighter and
sharper image has been achieved over 2nd generation units. An ion
barrier film was also added to increase tube life. 3rd Gen. provides the
user with good to excellent low light performance.
3rd Gen. Standard IIT: Our standard
3rd generation image intensifier tubes are of the highest quality. They
have a micro channel plate, GaAs photocathode, and a completely
self-contained integral high-voltage power supply. These 3rd Generation
tubes provide a combined increase in resolution, signal to noise and
photosensitivity over tubes with a multi-alkali photocathode. Generation
3 is the standard for the USA military.
3rd Gen. Standard IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Gallium Arsenide
- Resolution 64 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio 22 Typical
- 10,000-hour tube life
3A Gen. Premium Select IIT: Our 3A
Gen. Premium select IITs are the highest quality of our generation 3
IITs. These IITs are hand picked to provide the highest quality and
specifications available in our 3rd Gen. line. They have a micro channel
plate, GaAs photocathode, and a completely self-contained integral
high-voltage power supply.
3A Gen. Premium Select IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Thin Film GaAs
- Resolution from 64 to 72 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio 26 Typical
- 10,000-hour tube life
3P Gen. ITT Pinnacle™: ATN Night
Vision units with the 3P designation use ITT Pinnacle™ Image Intensifier
tubes. The industry leading ITT Pinnacle™ image tubes utilize a gated
power supply providing truly outstanding performance in high-light or
light-polluted areas, such as urban environments. The Pinnacle™ tube
with gated power supply minimizes any “halo” effects. “Halo” is often
associated with using night vision devices in an urban area where random
street lights are often an issue with early Generation Night Vision
devices. Night Vision units with Pinnacle™ tubes have a resolution of
64-72lp/mm and a typical signal to noise ratio of 26. All Night Vision
devices utilizing Pinnacle™ Image Intensifier tubes come with ITT data
record sheet. Units with Pinnacle™ tubes are not available for export. A
signed export compliance and end use statement is required prior to
shipping of these units.
*Pinnacle is a
registered trademark of ITT Night Vision
3P Gen. ITT Pinnacle™ IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Gallium Arsenide
- Resolution from 64 to 72 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 25-30
- 10,000-hour tube life
4th Generation: Gated/Filmless
technology represents the biggest technological breakthrough in image
intensification of the past 10 years. By removing the ion barrier film
and “Gating” the system Gen 4 demonstrates substantial increases in
target detection range and resolution, particularly at extremely low
light levels.
The use of film less technology and auto-gated power supply in 4th
generation image intensifiers result in:
- Up to 100% improvement in photo response.
- Superb performance in extremely low light level (better S/N and
EBI).
- At least triple high light level resolution (a minimum of 36 lp/mm
compared to 12 lp/mm).
4th GEN. GATED/FILMLESS IIT: ATNs
Autogated / Filmless inverting image intensifier tubes improve night
operational effectiveness for users of night vision goggles and other
night vision devices. The filmless micro channel plate provides a higher
signal-tonoise ratio than standard 3rd Gen. IITs, resulting in better
image quality under low-light conditions. An Autogated power supply
further improves image resolution under high light conditions and a
reduced halo effect that minimizes interference from bright light
sources. The reduced Halo maximizes the effectiveness of the Night
Vision device in dynamic lighting conditions such as those experienced,
for example, in night operations in urban areas.
4th Gen. IIT Features:
- Photo Cathode type: Filmless GaAs
- Resolution from 64 to 72 lp/mm
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio from 25 to 30
- Autogated power Supply
- 10,000-hour tube life
With significant improvement in contrast level and in performance
under all light conditions, 4th generation represents the top of the
line performance in the night vision market. |
1st Generation
2nd Generation
3rd Generation
All Starlight scopes need some
light to amplify. This means that if you were in complete darkness you
could not see. Due to this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI)
on all of our scopes. Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of
infra-red light that is near invisible to the naked eye but your NVD can
see it. This allows you to use your scope even in total darktness. The
IRI works like a flashlight and the distance you can see with it will be
limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe illuminator on the market.
This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards However, because of the
power at a short distance the IRI may cover only 40-60% of the viewing
area.
