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Conventional nightvision relies on an image intensifier to convert weak light from the visible and near-infrared spectrum into visible light which can then be seen by the human eye. But nightvision can only work with what it’s got, so when nightvision confronts a scene which is completely dark, it has no light to enhance, and thus becomes useless.
But a new combination of technologies allows a handheld device to perceive great detail in total darkness without emitting a visible beam of any kind. The nine-pound Tiger Vision unit built by MobileLED uses an array of powerful infrared LEDs to shine an invisible beam before it, and has a special digital camera which converts the infrared light into the visible spectrum. It then displays the scene on a built-in four-inch LCD monitor, or on a remote eyepiece which can receive the camera’s signal from up to a hundred yards away. It’s basically a flashlight whose beam is visible only to the light’s operator.
I describe a technology very similar to this in my as-yet-unfinished novel… but the guys at MobileLED actually built the thing, so they are fair bit cleverer than I.
Further reading:
Product details page from tiger-vision.com
MSNBC Article on TigerVision
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I think that sony camcorders have been doing this for a long time. This article deals with it a bit http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,14447,00.html
Nothing new here.
Space Monkey said: “I think that sony camcorders have been doing this for a long time.”
True, the general idea is the same, but the TigerVision bumps it up a notch with a powerful LED array, interchangable lenses, and a nice little tactical package including a wireless eyepiece. I suppose one could use a NightShot camera to the same ends, it just wouldn’t be quite as flexible or powerful.
Thanks for the link.
You’re right, the TigerVision is more powerful, but the nightshot in conventional digital cameras are the original inventors of the technology.
For those interested in exploring more, here are two articles about DIY infrared vision, both via the blog hack a day:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.johnson2/IR/
http://geektechnique.org/index.php?id=254
Active IR, that’s WWII SOTA, I’m looking forward to 5th gen passive li/ti…..wooooooooot
You’re writing a novel? What’s it about?
Hey Alan, FYI the links have expired on the tigervision. Time to refresh or something ya think.