NCJ Number
136276
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1992) Pages: 24-25,42-44,47
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement has been using night vision equipment for years, but the technology is becoming more complex.
Abstract
Night vision equipment is used by law enforcement in various ways, such as night sights on sniper rifles, night vision lenses on still and video cameras of narcotics or organized crime surveillance teams, and night vision goggles worn by police helicopter pilots. The four most common individual products offered are handheld pocket scopes which can become camera or video lenses, binoculars, goggles, and rifle scopes. Five different levels of technology are available to choose from when selecting individual equipment or a system: active or zero generation, first generation passive, second generation passive, advanced second generation passive, and third generation. Active products see invisible infrared light and convert it to visible light. First generation passive products provide clear and sharp center resolution which is ideal for night photography. Second generation passive products incorporate light gain technology, while third generation passive products offer highly increased sensitivity in the part of the light spectrum where most starlight is found. Brief descriptions of available night vision equipment are provided, and cost data are included.