Thermal imaging scopes

[Brent Swain]

Doing so much of my cruising here in winter at night, I am considering a thermal imaging scope.
I found the generation one Russian made night vision scope relatively useless.
I am undecided between a Flir Scout, or a Leopold scope.
Anyone here have any experience with either, who could give me some comparisons and feedback?
Thanks

 

[savageseadog]

The Russian night vision scope is an image intensifier scope which is sensitive to visible light and very sensitive to near infra red as well. The generation one scopes aren't very good, sensitivity and resolution, and are prone to burning out permanently. The generation 2 and 3 scopes can be very good indeed. Thermal imaging is useful for spotting heat sources such as MOB, whales etc but if you want to see anything and everything at night an intensifier is better.

 

[sarabande]

There are two systems for enhancing visibility in low light conditions (aka "night vision"). I use both for specialist shooting as a contractor.

Thermal Imaging. Detects a source of heat which is not the same as the immediate environment. Depending on the sensitivty of the instrument, and the way you have set it up, an object (heat source) will stand out in colour or brightness against the background. Unless you have a military spec TI unit, the resolution, however will be modest.

Image Intensifier. These devices takes whatever light (luminance) is available and increase it. Depending on the size of the pixels in the scope, you will see a shape (animal, buoy, etc) which is able to be interpreted from the background. However, if the target is standing in shadow (cave or tree) then low light level will mean no perception.


I use Pulsar TI units,

http://www.pulsar-nv.com/products/thermal-imaging-scopes/

and Archer II.

http://www.starlightnv.co.uk/

The Image intensifiers are frequently used in conjunction with an infrared source, which acts as an (almost) invisible searchlight, but quite susceptible to back-scatter.