How Do Night Vision Binoculars Work? (Explained)

"RangeFinder Today is reader supported. When you purchase through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you."

​​Whether you’re out late hunting, camping, bird watching, or want to check the perimeter of your property before bed, night vision binoculars will allow you to see things that would otherwise be lost to the darkness. And while night vision is commonly associated with the military, we civilians can get our hands on some of their technology.

What are night vision binoculars?

Night vision binoculars are exactly what they sound like – binoculars that allow you to see things in the dark or low-light. These battery-operated long range viewing devices are a favorite tool among nighttime animal watchers and hunters looking for an edge over the elements.

Night vision binoculars function by amplifying existing ambient light. The ambient light is then intensified and presented to us through the binoculars, recreating the scene in front of us. Technically it’s more “image-enhancement” than true night vision, but the result is close enough.

The nighttime scene shown through the binoculars is usually some shade of monochrome green as it’s been determined to be one of the easiest colors for the human eye to look at during extended periods in the dark.

So while you won’t be seeing a vibrant array of colors you’d otherwise see during the day, you’ll still be able to find what you’re looking for in the dark.

Night vision binoculars have been around for a while now, but with all the advances in technology, it can be challenging to understand precisely how they function, and which one is best suited for your needs.

What should I look for in night vision binoculars?

What to look for is entirely up to your specific needs of the binoculars, but some good areas to start would be:

• Image Quality
• Weight
• Magnification
• Eye Comfort
• Price

Image Quality – What’s the point of getting a pair of night vision binoculars if the image you get from them looks like a green blur? Before buying a pair, look up reviews or ask an expert about the image quality of that particular model. Better glass and lens coating will result in improved image quality and a much more enjoyable experience.

Weight – Not to be overlooked, it’s essential to feel how heavy the binoculars are. If you plan on holding the binoculars up to your eyes for a while, the heavier models will wear you out. Plus, you have to think about how you’ll be transporting these night vision binoculars. Whether stored in a backpack or slung around your neck, you’ll be carrying extra weight.

Magnification – the higher the magnification, the less light is needed for the binoculars to show a clear image. While you will pay to play, higher magnification night vision binoculars will provide the best viewing experience.

Eye Comfort – If you’ve ever used a paper towel tube as a telescope, you’ll understand why eye comfort is so essential in a pair of night vision binoculars. You’re going to be looking through the binoculars for extended periods; make sure you choose a pair that’s going to feel comfortable pressed against your eyes.

Price – Always a consideration; price shouldn’t be a barrier for getting into the night vision world. And with so many options on the market today, you don’t have to splurge on the most expensive pair of binoculars to get a tremendous nighttime image. You can get these Creative XP digital night vision binoculars for under $300!

How far can night vision binoculars see?

This depends entirely on which generation of binoculars you choose to go with (there are four).

Gen. 1 and Gen. 2 night vision binoculars will give you a good useful range between 75-200 yards, with Gen. 2 outperforming its predecessor. All models vary, so the exact distance is going to depend on the specifics of your chosen pair of binoculars.

Gen. 3 and Gen. 4 are going to give you the longest range in night vision as these are the “gold-standard” in night vision technology. Your useful range with a pair of these binoculars is 300+ yards. These binoculars are mostly used by military and law enforcement, so you can count on them to reliably perform at their best.

It’s important to remember the distinction of “useful” range. If a product boasts that it has a viewing range of 500 yards, make sure that the image is clear at that distance. Otherwise, you’ll just see shapes moving about in the dark.

What are low-light vision binoculars?

Low-light vision binoculars help you see in darker conditions by capturing surrounding light sources using a special combination of lenses and prisms. These lenses and prisms reveal the scene in front of you with more detail than what your eyes would be able to pick up on their own.

Low-light binoculars don’t need a power source to display the nighttime scene, unlike night vision binoculars, so they often weigh less than a pair of true night vision binoculars. This also eliminates the need to recharge or replace any batteries within the unit.

The cardinal difference between low-light and night vision binoculars is the scene itself. Low-light binoculars retain the existing light to reveal imagery. The quality of your image will rely on the amount of ambient light being captured.

So if there isn’t much light, your image quality will suffer with a pair of low-light binoculars. Night vision binoculars actively brighten the scene through a power source.

Can night vision binoculars be used in daylight?

While it would be great to have an “all-in-one” binocular solution, there aren’t many products with this technology that can do the job effectively. Not only were night vision binoculars designed to operate in low to no light conditions, you can also do serious damage to your binoculars by using them during the day.

There are a few night vision binoculars that are designed for both daytime and nighttime viewing, but if your binoculars have intensifier tubes on them make sure you keep them out of use in the light. These tubes are what allow you to see in the dark and they can be damaged by the sunlight.

Unless you’re willing to shell out a few hundred-to-thousand more dollars for a dedicated pair day/night binoculars, it’s best to purchase two separate units specializing in only one of the functions.

What’s the difference between night vision goggles and night vision binoculars?

Think of this as roughly the same comparison between swimming goggles and regular binoculars – goggles will allow you to see whatever you would be able to see with your natural eyesight, binoculars will give you the ability to see farther away.

If you’re looking for hands-free vision in the dark, night vision goggles are the solution for you. These will allow you to see shorter distances, around 30 yards in the dark. Night vision goggles are used in more tactical environments where you don’t need to see far away and need both hands accessible for handling materials, tools, weapons, etc. Night vision goggles offer a wider field of view than binoculars at 40 degrees compared to binoculars’ 20.

The main difference between the two is magnification. Night vision binoculars will allow you to survey an area from a distance, often with 2x-5x magnification abilities; something missing from night vision goggles. You will have a more contained field of view with binoculars, but a much further one.

What is Gen 4 night vision?

Gen. 4 night vision is the most advanced technology on the market. These products are reserved for the most intense hobbyists, as well as military and law enforcement. They are typically very expensive and mostly unnecessary for civilian use. These night vision binoculars will produce the brightest and clearest image available. It should come as no surprise that these are also the most expensive choice of night vision on the market.

You can also expect increased depth perception with Gen. 4 night vision. This is the closest you’ll get to natural eyesight in the dark.

What is better thermal or night vision?

Thermal imaging binoculars detect heat signatures instead of images. This makes it possible to see through smoke, fog, and other obstructions that would normally block traditional night vision. Thermal imaging is best used to detect small details in your target image that would be otherwise lost with night vision.

Thermal is also a popular piece of equipment for hunters whose targets are more nocturnal, such as wild hogs.

A major advantage thermal imaging has over night vision is detecting camouflage. If what you’re looking for is hiding in dense trees or brush, night vision won’t help you identify them. With thermal imaging, you’ll be able to pick up on the heat signature of whatever you’re looking for and locate it quickly.

Thermal imaging is great for detection but worse for recognition, making it less than ideal for defense scenarios as you won’t be able to reliably identify a threat over a friendly.

To determine which is better between night vision and thermal imaging, think of how you will be using each device and how much you’re willing to spend.

Thermal imaging will be significantly more expensive than night vision and is often unnecessary for the recreational user. Night vision can fill a variety of roles, but it will have some drawbacks in specific environments.

Who makes good night vision binoculars?

There are many good brands of night vision binoculars in today’s market, but there are a few brands worth considering more than others depending on your budget:

Creative XP makes an expert pair of night vision binoculars for an entry-level price. This unit is completely waterproof, features a fully multi-coated lens system, and has a 7x optical magnification.

The ATN BinoX is a mid-tier priced model of night vision binoculars that have the ability to work in both daylight and night. Equipped with an infrared illuminator to identify animals in thick brush and a battery that will last for 15 hours, it’s easy to get a full day’s use out of this pair of binos.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, look no further than the Armasight Discovery. This pair of Gen. 3 night vision binoculars has a long-range infrared illuminator, allowing you to see in complete darkness. As well as a state-of-the-art bright light cut-off system, which will prevent your image from being washed out by excess light.

Are Swarovski binoculars worth it?

With all the advancements in technology today and the number of brands producing high-quality binoculars for less than half the price, I don’t see the value in Swarovski binoculars for the average user.

But “worth” is subjective and I’m only interested in the casual use of night vision.

If you’re looking for crystal-clear detail and exceptionally sharp views, Swarovski is your brand. You’ll also be well-equipped if you’re trying to view something from very far away, as Swarovski’s magnification range can extend to 18x magnification – making them perfect for long-range hunters and stargazers alike.

The main factor in the high prices of Swarovski binoculars (between $2000-$4000) is the lens quality. Swarovski produces some of the best lenses in existence, creating a brighter, more colorful, detail-enhanced scene than its competition.

Due to the quality of both lenses and glass used on Swarovski’s models, they also perform at their peak in low-light situations.

So whether you’re looking for life on the moon or eyeing up your target from hundreds of yards out, you’ll get a phenomenal picture with Swarovski.

What binoculars do the Navy Seals use?

The PVS-14 is a night vision monocular that has been consistently used in the military for years. Lightweight and attachable, the PVS-14 has the ability to mount to a helmet or rifle for hands-free use. This model is also fully waterproof, rugged, and can have higher magnification lenses attached for a longer range of view.

And while it’s not a true pair of “binoculars,” this night vision monocular gets the job done. The PVS-14 is not to be confused with the specific goggles the Navy Seals use; that’s a different story.

The Navy Seals use something called the Ground Panoramic Night Vision Goggles or GPNVG-18 (with 18 referring to the 18mm imaging tubes the unit uses).

These goggles use four image intensifier tubes, as opposed to the usual two, to increase the field of view from 40 degrees to 180. This is especially important for night missions when the SEALs must have a full view of their surrounding environments.

The GPNVG-18 is lightweight, waterproof, and utilizes Gen. 3 night vision technology allowing for a clear image and 30 hours of sustained performance.

If you’re a military or law enforcement agency and you’ve got $42,000+ laying around, you can pick yourself up a pair!

Final Thoughts

When selecting night vision binoculars or goggles, it is important to consider the intended use. If you are looking for a pair of binoculars to take on hikes at night or watch wildlife, then Gen. 1 or Gen. 2 will get the job done.

If you are in need of thermal imaging technology or better nighttime image clarity for military or law enforcement purposes – or you’re an intense hunter/sporter – then you will want to look for a pair of Gen. 3 or Gen. 4 night vision.

The technology behind night vision devices is always evolving, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase. Ultimately, choose based on need rather than want.