Weaver nightview

Once upon a time darkness was the perfect cover for activities you didn't want observed. Of course the downside was you ran into things. Near the end of World War II both the U.S. and Germany developed bulky infrared illumination systems. Then, during Vietnam we learned about the famous Starlight scopes that amplified even the smallest amount of ambient light and made sitting ducks out of the enemy. Those technologies have evolved to the point where night might sometimes be the preferred combat setting.

Of course the military stuff is scarily-expensive but some spin-offs have trickled down to the civilian side. Weaver's Nightview is a great example. It's a digital night scope coupled with an infrared illuminator that is easily held and operated with one hand.

Controls are simple. There is an on/off button at the front and then a pair of +/- switches to control gain (image brightness) and IR light source. Both are adjustable in 100 steps from least to most. There is an optical zoom pushbutton that switches from the normal 1.5x to 3x, as long as it's depressed. There's also an output jack to go to a VCR or monitor. The unit needs 6AA batteries, which provide approximately three hours when the IR output is at 100-percent.

Unlike many of the early image intensifier devices the Nightview is not harmed by daylight operation and that is the best way to get familiar with operation. What you see is a monochromatic gray digital image, but the unit also includes red or green filters to give more contrast or to protect night vision. I don't know what the distance limit will be, but at 50 yards on a dark street it was easy to see obstacles on the sidewalk, pedestrians out for a stroll and considerable detail on parked cars.

For more information, contact Weaver Optics, (229) 227-9053, www.weaveroptics.com.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group