Thermal Monocular VS Night Vision: Which Should We Choose?
A good hunter will have a thermal monocular or night vision scope in their hands. We think both technologies are great and serve a purpose. But we know that many hunters are often torn between purchasing a thermal scope and a night vision scope. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each device and the differences between them. Instead of saying which is better, the thermal monocular or the night vision, it's more important to say which one is right for you.
Catalog
- What is thermal monocular?
- What is night vision?
- What is the difference between thermal monocular and night vision?
- Is thermal monocular better than night vision scope?
- How to choose
- Summary
1. What is thermal monocular?
A thermal monocular has the ability to detect heat (day and night). It is a vision device that uses infrared radiation to detect heat signals.
It can detect different levels of infrared light, which is invisible to our eyes but is felt as heat. The monocular records object temperatures and assigns specific hues to represent them, and through this color-coded representation we are able to perceive changes in heat levels relative to our surroundings. Thermal imaging scopes is unique in that it is able to detect heat signatures even in the absence of light. Thermal imaging scope can be used in complete darkness, making it an ideal choice for hunting and surveillance. It can clearly highlight the difference between the temperature of the target and its surroundings.
2. What is a night vision?
Night vision scope have the ability to provide a clear view in the dark. Night vision is an optical system that uses an image intensifier tube to bring in light and magnify the current situation, amplifying the weak light in dark environments and enabling night vision scope to provide a clear image.
Night vision technology utilizes two primary methods. One is the traditional night-vision monocular that uses photoelectric image intensification technology to detect and amplify the weak near-infrared light (0.85μm) reflected from an object, resulting in a distinctive green image. Now, another type of digital image enhancement has become a new innovation. It uses a digital image sensor to capture the available light and process the image digitally to present a full-color representation of the scene that closely resembles the observed scene.
3. What is the difference between thermal monocular and night vision?
(1) Function
Thermal monocular detect heat and night vision scope detect light. The main function of a thermal scope is to be able to distinguish between different temperature level changes, while the main function of a night vision scope is to see clearly at night.
(2) Environment
Thermal scopes can be used during the day and night. Night vision scopes can only be used at night, and cannot be used in a brightly lit environment during the day.
Thermal monocular need some difference in heat, and night vision scope is a better choice if it is extremely cold. Night vision scope require a little bit of low light, such as moonlight. Thermal monocular can be used in complete darkness.
(3) Images
Night vision magnifies the light in the scene and converts it into a green image. Thermal imaging converts thermal features into a clearly visible image. Objects with higher thermal features are displayed in bright yellow, orange or red, making it easier to distinguish between different objects.
(4) Usage Scenarios
Thermal monocular is usually used for hunting, security, tracking, surveillance, house and machinery inspection, while night vision scope is usually used for navigation, surveillance and astronomy.
(5) Price
Night vision is slightly simpler to manufacture, so the equipment is usually cheaper. Thermal imaging technology is superior, so thermal scopes are a little more expensive. Digital night vision scopes, which are more technologically demanding, are also not cheap. However, the price of thermal monocular has dropped to the same level as digital night vision scope. The cost of thermal imaging has dropped dramatically in recent years, making it more acceptable for a wider range of applications.
4. Is thermal monocular better than night vision scope?
Both thermal and night vision scopes have their own advantages and applications. Indeed, it may be that thermal scopes have an advantage in terms of technology. Night vision scopes will also catch up with their own digital night vision chips. Thermal scopes have the advantage of being able to spot prey more accurately. Night vision scopes have the advantage of providing a wider and clearer field of view at night.
Thermal scopes are able to detect hidden animals, such as those hiding behind fog or foliage, night vision scopes are unable to discern hidden animals. Thermal monocular can detects small temperature differences of 0.01 degrees. Thermal scopes require heat, for example, people, animals & cars have heat and are usually warmer than their surrounding
5. How to choose
It depends on what you want to do with it. And you need to consider your own financial situation. Do you want something more compact, or are you more interested in its features. If you need a natural image, consider economy and operate in low light conditions with some ambient light, then night vision scope may be a better choice. A thermal vision monocular is usually favored over a night vision for hunting in the dark or for sport shooting during the day. This is because it can track a target more accurately based on the heat it emits. Especially thermal monocular for hunting, you can try the Infiray T2 PRO, which uses your smartphone as a thermal camera and can spot animals up to 1300m at night.
6. Summary
Both thermal monocular and night vision cameras have their own pros and cons, and it's entirely up to your needs and budget to decide which one is best for you. The one that suits you is the better one.