For those who happen to be fans of wildlife documentaries, you might know how much animal and birdlife activity goes on during the dark cover of night. Bird spotters and safari goers in general understand the importance of getting the best night vision binoculars for wildlife to get you close to wildlife without disturbing their peace.
Night vision binoculars will go a long way in opening the scene after dark without the aid of flashlights, headlights, or even a full moon phase.
They used to be quite expensive and out of reach, though advancement in night vision technology has brought them within reach.
There are many options in the market and choosing what’s best for you can be quite a challenge, so below is a list of some of the best night-vision Binoculars to suit your needs.
Updated 01/12/23
But First: Why Would You Get Night Vision goggles On A Safari or for Wildlife?
1. To see after dark.
Well, deu, the main reason to have a night vision pair of binoculars is to enable you to see when the sun goes down 😉
Most carnivorous animals are diurnal in that they are most active in the darkness of night, whereby their senses give them an advantage over their prey.
Having night-vision Binoculars will enable you to view this spectacular show, which is not available to most.
2. To minimize disturbance to both birds and animals at night.
Lions and other predators use their superior sight during dark hours to hunt their prey, and tourists and their guides will interfere with the process by using artificial lights at night.
This addition of artificial light leads to some disturbance and may even reduce their chances of having a successful hunt.
Having night-vision binoculars will ensure you are part of the action without disturbing the animals in their natural habitats.
Want to find the best binoculars for a safari? Check out my blog post here!
What To Look For When Buying Night Vision Binoculars
1. Image quality and resolution
The image quality of a particular device dictates how clear and sharp the image appears.
But there are many factors that dictate the image quality of a device: The CMOS sensor size of digital night vision binoculars, generation of the vacuum tube/ light enhancing tube, and the power of the IR illuminator a device is equipped with.
2. Magnification Factor
For use in a safari, the Magnification factor is important. Usually indicated on the device details, magnification helps you see further than the eye can.
For daytime binoculars, magnification can even reach 10X, but most night vision Binoculars have a magnification of between 1X and 5X.
The values are usually stated in formats of 4X30, or 5X25, in which the first number states the Magnification value, while the second value is the diameter of the objective lens. In using them to watch wildlife.
3. Detection Range
The range is the distance from which the Binoculars can detect and focus on objects.
For night viewing, there isn’t a lot of available light, so the Binoculars will be used to focus on objects that are relatively close by.
When looking at the detection range, focus also on the close focus, or the minimum range.
4. Durability
Based on where you plan to go for a safari and at what time of the year, then you need to know whether you will be dealing with a lot of dust, water, or humidity.
This is important as night vision binoculars are extremely sensitive devices and the internal components will damage very easily from water or dust ingress.
Make sure the binoculars are made of durable materials and whether they are waterproof.
And if they are water and dustproof, also note the level of protection against dust and water that they have.
Because some devices may have a waterproof label but will get damaged from being used in the rain.
The waterproof rating was for light splashes instead of a heavy downpour or total Immersion in water.
5. Field of View
This is the visible area or the scope of the binoculars. The field of view is usually expressed in degrees or feet at 100 meters.
A wide field of view makes it easy to spot and track wildlife with little head or binocular motion.
6. User Friendliness and Design.
Most night vision binoculars are quite heavy due to the technology in use. This is something you should consider if you plan to use them for prolonged periods of time.
This also extends to the battery life if you plan on using the device for prolonged durations and in locations that are far away from power outlets.
It will be worth your while looking for one that has rechargeable batteries, that may be cheap to sort after.
Some models have a lot of buttons, and this may pose quite a challenge when you’re out and about viewing wildlife.
Look for models that have a limited number of controls and buttons that are easy to see and use.
Would you like to learn more about night vision and how night vision goggles work? Check out this blog here!
Product Reviews: the 7 best night vision binoculars.
Here are some of the best night-vision Binoculars, you can find on the market.
These reviews contain affiliate links and images from Amazon, no extra charges for you.
Night vision goggles number 1: Nightfox 100v Digital Night Vision Goggles
Nightfox 100V Handheld Digital Night Vision Goggles
Buy Now →Technical details
Brand – Nightfox.
Weight – 0.66kg (1.3lbs)
Magnification – 3X
Objective lens diameter – 20mm.
Detection range – 300ft/91m.
Minimum detection range – 30ft/9.1m.
Batteries – 8 x AA batteries.
Pros
- They produce a good quality image relative to their price.
- Easy to operate
Cons
- The batteries drain pretty fast, as the average usage time is about 6 hours.
- Narrow field of view
Conclusion
These are a pretty good pair of night vision binoculars that will not break the bank.
They are quite good to use when in a rested motion with little motion or on a tripod.
Night vision goggles number 2: SIGWEISS Night Vision Binoculars
SIGWEIS Digital Infrared Night Vision Binoculars
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Brand – SIGWEISS.
Weight – 1.5kg (3.3lbs)
Magnification – 3X optical (4X digital)
Objective lens diameter – 25mm.
Detection range – 1000ft/304m.
Field of view – 525 ft/160m.
Batteries – 6 x AA batteries.
Items included – military-grade carrying case, lens cleaning brush, 1 x 32 GB sd card, soft carry case, neck strap, and instructions manual.
Waterproofing – IP56 waterproof rating.
Pros
- They get an average battery life of about 16 hrs, depending on the level of IR illumination.
- Have a rugged and durable construction.
Cons
- They are quite bulky and heavy.
Conclusion
The SIGWEISS night vision binoculars are great for their price point, offering good features, and image quality.
They are able to reproduce images both in black and white and in color format and have a recording function to help you capture your best moments.
Night vision goggles number 3: CREATIVE XP Night Vision Goggles.
CREATIVE XP Pro Night Vision Binoculars – Digital Infrarede
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Brand – CREATIVE XP
Weight – 1.29kg (2.86lbs)
Magnification – 7x
Objective lens diameter – 31mm.
Detection range – 1340ft/408m.
Batteries – 8 x AA batteries.
Waterproofing – IPX4 level.
Items included – instructions manual, protective case, memory card reader, 32 GB sd card, neck strap, and USB cable.
Pros
- Have a rugged and durable construction.
Cons
- The battery can last up to 4hrs when using the IR illuminator at its brightest setting.
- Only has two zoom settings, thus the object is either too near or too far.
Conclusion
These are perfect for viewing wildlife, and the IR illuminator helps see objects quite far even in pitch darkness.
They are able to record images and videos onto a memory card and they have high-quality nighttime images.
Night vision goggles number 4: JStoon Night Vision Binoculars
JStoon Night Vision Goggles Night Vision Binoculars
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Brand – JStoon.
Weight – 0.54kg (1.2lbs)
Magnification – 3x optical and 4x digital.
Objective lens diameter – 25mm.
Detection range – 984ft/300m.
Close detection range – 5ft/1.5m.
Batteries – 6 x AA batteries.
Waterproofing – IP56 waterproof level.
Items included – instructions manual, protective case, carrying bag, 32 GB sd card, neck strap, cleaning cloth, and USB cable.
Pros
- Great Image quality.
- Great for beginners or kids.
Cons
- Batteries are not included with Binoculars upon purchase.
- The battery life can be low when the IR illuminator is at max brightness.
- Not advisable to use rechargeable batteries.
Conclusion
These binoculars are a great purchase for your kids, and ensuring they are not left out as your view the night around you.
They are easy to use and the recording capability ensures you save your viewings for future applications.
Night vision goggles number 5: Nightfox Corsac HD Digital Infrared Night Vision Goggles
Nightfox Corsac 1080p HD Digital Infrared Night Vision Goggles
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Brand – Nightfox.
Weight – 0.64kg (1.44lbs)
Magnification – 6x.
Detection range – 599ft/180m.
Batteries – 6 x AA batteries.
Items included – instructions manual, protective case, carrying bag, 32 GB sd card, neck strap, cleaning cloth, and usb cable.
Pros
- Great price point.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- The detection range doesn’t go quite as far as other binoculars.
Conclusion
These are a lightweight and fairly priced pair of night vision binoculars that offer great images at around 180m, which is plenty of distance.
You have the ability to record and later share on what it is you’re viewing. It’s designed in a manner that ensures less fatigue on the eyes over prolonged usage cases.
Night vision goggles number 6: FVTGA night vision Goggles
Fvtga NV4000 Night Vision Goggles – 4K
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Brand – Fvtga.
Weight – 0.46kg (1lbs)
Magnification – 5x.
Detection range – 492ft/150m.
Batteries – 4000mah rechargeable lithium ion battery.
Items included – instructions manual, 32 GB sd card, neck strap, cleaning cloth, and usb cable.
Pros
- Great price point.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Lcd screen brightness can be too high.
- Low detection range when compared to other models.
Conclusion
This is a lightweight pair of night vision binoculars that are perfect for just about anything up to 100m. They fit well, and can be used for prolonged periods of time, with an impressive image quality for their size.
Night vision goggles number 7: VABSCE Digital Night Vision Binoculars.
VABSCE Night Vision Goggles, 1080P Night Vision Binoculars
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Brand – VABSCE.
Weight – 0.6kg (1.43lbs)
Magnification – 10x.
Objective lens – 31mm.
Detection range – 980ft/300m.
Batteries – 8 x AA batteries.
Items included – instructions manual, protective case, neck strap, cleaning cloth, av output cable, power bank band, cleaning cloth and usb cable.
Pros
- With an external power point, the detection range can go as far as 1640ft/500m.
- The device can support memory cards of up to 128GB.
Cons
- Batteries are not included with the device.
Conclusion
These binoculars have impressive image quality for their price, and the IR illuminator is glow-free which makes them completely invisible in the dark.
Also, the fact that the addition of an external power bank will increase the effective range which is quite impressive.
Also, their ability to have extendable memory of up to 128 gb, means you can save as much as possible.
Want to find the best binoculars for a safari? Check out my blog post here!
Furthermore: How Do Night Vision Goggles Work?
How they work depends on what type of night vision device you’re using, as there are two. These two technologies are thermal imaging and image enhancement.
1. Image Enhancement Night Vision
These devices enhance and magnify the available light from sources such as bulbs, moonlight, and stars. The incoming light falls on a photocathode plate within the night vision goggles.
The light is magnified and travels within a vacuum tube to a microchannel plate that results in an illuminated image in the same pattern as the light striking the photocathode plate.
This technology changes the way light particles behave by changing them into electrons then back into light photons, and in the process intensifying or brightening the image.
The image reproduced usually has a green glow to it because the image-intensifying screen is made from phosphor which glows bright green when struck by electrons.
The green phosphor is chosen because the human eye is better suited to seeing green images for prolonged periods of time, and can see more details.
2. Thermal Imaging Night Vision Devices
These devices have a unique technology that allows them to detect heat instead of light. They use an infrared sensor that can locate heat emitted by objects, and the sensor is sensitive enough to pick up the smallest amount of heat in the environment.
The image produced is usually displayed in black and white, with the different heat levels showing as different shades of either black or white.
These devices have a unique technology that allows them to detect heat instead of light. They use an infrared sensor that can locate heat emitted by objects, and the sensor is sensitive enough to pick up the smallest amount of heat in the environment.
The image produced is usually displayed in black and white, with the different heat levels showing as different shades of either black or white.
Different Types of Night Vision Devices
There are three types of night vision devices on the market: Night vision goggles, Night vision binoculars, and night vision monoculars. These three types of devices can either use thermal imaging or image enhancement to produce their night vision.
1. Night Vision Goggles
Night Vision Goggles have dual eyepieces and no magnification which makes them and allows them to be mounted on a head piece and to be used while in motion.
These are good for use on a night drive in the savannah, whereby you observe the animals at a very close distance. These come with headgear or straps so they can be fitted onto the head and used without hands.
2. Night Vision Binoculars
These are in a basic sense, night vision goggles with magnification. Their magnification ranges from 2x to 5x, and although this is adequate for many, for some it doesn’t see far enough. Because of the magnification lens, they are quite heavy and cannot be used while in motion.
3. Night Vision Monocular
These are sometimes called night vision scopes, and these devices have only one eyepiece. They are small, lightweight, portable, reliable, and cheap, and they are held over one eye, and if you experience eye fatigue, you can switch eyes.
How To Take Care of Your Night Vision Device
Make the instructions manual your friend. The instructions manual will give you tips on how best to care for your device, and how to avoid mishandling it. It also has specific instructions on how to use the device and when to prevent accidental damage.
Night vision goggles are electronic devices that require the same attention and care you use while handling your other electronic devices ( phones, smart watches and cameras).
Even though you may purchase a device that is waterproof and weatherproof, it is good to keep them out of harsh environments, as they are usually rated for typical outdoor use
Those devices that are not waterproof or water-resistant should be kept in a dry place as exposure to high humidity or water will damage them.
Also if your unit doesn’t have a gated tube, then looking at strong sources of light such as vehicle headlights, projectors, strong headlights and so on can damage the device permanently.
Remember that your device uses batteries, and if they are the replaceable kind, then don’t leave them inside the device for long periods of time if you aren’t using the device.
Some dry cell batteries leak when left unused for too long within a device, so to prevent that; don’t leave them in the device if you don’t plan on using the device for a while.
When replacing batteries, ensure they are of the same brand or all have the same charge levels to prevent an imbalance whereby the stronger battery discharges too fast which may cause leakage.
The objective lens in these cameras is usually covered by a special coating that is both sensitive and delicate.
When cleaning the lens, refrain from touching it unnecessarily as the oils from your hands may damage the special coating.
Also use a soft, non-abrasive and clean cloth to clean it, and always refer to the manual on how best to clean it.
How To Turn Your Night Goggles On?
Night vision goggles or binoculars are not as easy to use as normal daytime binoculars as they are electronic devices.
Most night vision devices have three controls: the front lens focus, eyepiece focus, and the on/off switch.
There are devices that have IR illuminators, to provide some light when there isn’t any available natural light.
These devices may have two separate switches; for the main power and the IR illuminator.
While other night binoculars may have a toggle switch, similar to the ignition key in vehicles, toggling from off, main power on, to main power on plus IR illuminator.
These switches also control led indicator lights, red to show the IR illuminator is on and green to show the main power is on. To note is that the beam from the IR illuminator isn’t visible to the naked eye, and leaving it on even accidentally will drain the battery.
FAQs on night vision goggles.
Furthermore, we are answering a few more questions for you on night vision binoculars!
What is the difference between Night Vision Goggles and Night Vision Binoculars?
Night vision Goggles usually have a 1X optical magnification for use in close-range situations, whereas night vision binoculars have a Magnification of the best night vision binoculars between 3x to 5x enabling use in viewing long distances.
Can you use Night Vision Binoculars through windows?
The answer is yes. Most Night Vision Devices enhance and magnify the available natural light, such as from moonlight or the stars. Thus, these devices can see through glass.
There are instances where these devices may not be able to see through glass. This is when it is pitch black and there is the need to use an IR illuminator.
The windows will reflect the IR light from the illuminator.
Can Night Vision Binoculars be used in daylight?
If your night vision device uses an intensifier tube as a means of amplifying available night, then using it during the daytime will damage it.
Since these devices are made to amplify the little available light at night, i.e. from the moon and stars, using them in sunlight can lead to irreversible damage to both the interior and exterior components. Also, they may overwhelm and even damage your retinas.
Thermal night vision devices register heat emitted by objects at night, but they won’t register much in the higher heat levels of daylight. Also using them in the daylight may lead to them overheating and frying their internal components leading to permanent damage.
How long do Night Vision goggles last?
Since most consumer night vision devices utilize generation 1 technology, the intensifier tube has a life expectancy of about 2000 hours.
Gen 2 devices are more expensive than Gen 1 and primarily used by law enforcement and professionals and have a life expectancy of about 4000 hours.
Do Night Vision Binoculars work in total darkness?
No, they cannot. Since they work by amplifying any available natural light. But if your unit has an IR illuminator, then this will provide the necessary light for the device to function.
How far can Night Vision Binoculars see?
Most Night Vision Binoculars have a resolution of up to 1000 and can see animals, or objects at a distance of up to 300 meters.
Is it legal to own a Gen 3 Night Vision Device?
Yes, it is absolutely legal to own a gen 3-night vision device. But in the US, both thermal and image enhancement night vision devices fall under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which means its against the law to take the devices outside the country unless you have a license and approval from the U.S. state department.
What is Auto-gating?
This is a feature in some advanced night vision devices, that helps them to give clear visuals even in harsh conditions; those of sudden and frequent bright lights.
A device is placed within the intensifier tube enabling the amount of light reaching the intensifier to be automatically controlled or gated, which protects the sensors from bright lights.
Related article:
My Final Conclusion.
I hope that you found this article on the best night vision binoculars informative enough but if you have any more questions on this topic, please feel free to ask them down below in the comment section, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can also join me on my social media channels or Facebook group for more pictures of my travels, African animals and more!
I wish you happy travels!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
I now have a YouTube channel as well!
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Hello Africa travellers!
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
I wish you happy travels!
Kind regards
Lizzy
Thank you for sharing such an informative and detailed article on the best night vision binoculars! As someone who enjoys outdoor activities, I have always been curious about the technology behind night vision binoculars and how they can enhance outdoor experiences.
Your article provided a thorough breakdown of each product, including their features, pros, and cons, which makes it easier for readers to compare and make an informed decision on which binoculars to purchase.
Additionally, I appreciated the inclusion of a buyer’s guide that explained the different factors to consider when purchasing night vision binoculars. This was very helpful and will definitely come in handy for anyone looking to buy one.
Overall, your article is well-written, informative, and insightful. Keep up the great work!
All the best,
Fred.
Hi Fred,
I hope that you will enjoy including a night vision binocular on your outdoor activities soon and thank you so much for the positive comment!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
Hey Africafevers! I stumbled upon your article about the best night vision binoculars, and I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed. Your article is not only informative but also friendly and approachable.
I appreciate how you have given detailed reviews of each product, and your personal experience with them makes it so much easier to relate to. It’s always reassuring to read a review from someone who has actually used the product. Your friendly tone throughout the article makes it feel like I am taking advice from a friend.
Your article is also well-structured, with a clear list of pros and cons for each product, making it so much easier to compare and contrast. Plus, the addition of pictures and gifs adds an extra layer of visual interest to your article.
I’m sure anyone looking to buy a night vision binocular will find your article helpful and approachable. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to research and write such a helpful article. Keep up the great work, Africafevers!
Hi there!
Thank you for your expanded and positive comment and compliments and I hope you can do some night gazing at animals soon!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
I was wondering if there are any specific brands or models that you would recommend based on your personal experience or expertise.
I can also recommend checking this Night Vision Scopes under budget
Overall, I would highly recommend this article to anyone who is interested in purchasing night vision binoculars, as it provides a lot of valuable information and guidance.
Hello,
I have personally used the FVTGA night vision Goggles, as they are amongst the lightest,which is quite important for me when on a safari.
Kind regards,
Lizzy