LowLightVideos's video: Review Demo - Night Owl Optics Night Vision Binoculars Model NONB2FF - How to Record NV Goggles

These high resolution Generation 1 Binoculars feature Russian optics and two matched image intensifier tubes (IIT) with an infrared illuminator. I noticed that there are a few ads on YouTube for these binoculars but not really the decent review that these great binoculars deserve so I am attempting to fill that gap. This Video was filmed on a homemade binocular holder, with tripod mount, and the Fujifilm W3 3D Camera. I added a diffuser to eliminate the IR hotspot at the center of the image, (see the video for details). It uses one CR-123 3-volt lithium battery. If you don't need the infrared illuminator you can turn the power off and still see for 20 minutes (yes, they work for a very long time, without power, in the dark). The small battery may cost $10 but it can last for a few days (20-40 hours of continuous use) since even if you leave it turned on (with the IR off) it only sips enough power to keep the tubes lit, unlike other types of night vision devices (without an IIT) that require the IR to be turned on all the time to see a limited distance. Image sharpness is excellent in the center of the field of view and much less so at the edges, like any other IIT night vision device, but the optics of these binoculars are specially designed to correct the image and provide a very clear image over most of the field of view. The performance of Gen 1 night vision binoculars compared to an infrared camera or the so-called nightshot of some Video cameras is quite literally like night and day, there is simply no comparison. These binoculars provide a very clear image without noise, unless there is truly almost no light; then there is a wonderful show of scintillation along with your image. Any noise or poor focusing that you see in this Video is from the video camera and not from the binoculars. Likes: Battery lasts much longer than "IR on always" Camera based Night Vision Equipment (IR Cameras), but costs $10, and lasts from 1 to 3 nights. Despite the very bright image there is no 'green eye glow' and they are silent when turned on, even the switches are extremely quiet. The soft eyepieces are comfortable and the microdetent focusing adjustment is easy to use. Complaints: My first complaint is that the IR field of illumination is claimed to be 32 ft diam. at 150 ft. (12° Projection Angle). The IR Light is too narrow for camera field of view and it is not adjustable, that means that you get a big bright spot in the center of your image and darkness at the edges. I made a diffuser for my binoculars to eliminate this problem. It is unfortunate that none of their Binoculars have variable zoom. A 0.5x to 8x would be wonderful but even a 1x to 4x would be better. My third complaint is the limited resolution of the IITs. The binoculars resolve sharply enough (have enough resolution) for small objects from 18 to 100 feet or more, and they resolve well for tiny objects that are from 8 to 15 feet (thus allowing walking on trails) they resolve poorly for objects that you might want to view from 6 feet or less (small writing) and for objects at 200 feet or more (facial or clothing details). If you had any thoughts about using these binoculars to read a map in the dark you can forget about reading any small printing or fine details. The focus adjustment (not the resolving power) of the eyepieces allows you to look at objects that are as close as 1 foot away but the limited resolution makes reading fine printing impossible. Some may also not like the more than 15 turns it takes to screw on the battery cap. This seems an unnecessary number of turns since the unit is not rated for underwater use and the Instructions say to store it a cool, dry place. It does survive a light rain without any problems (thus far) and would likely survive a snowstorm (due to it's -22°F rating). Remember the Tubes are (Russian) Mil-Spec IITs so they are fairly good. Finally the Day/Night adapter (lens covers with pin holes in the center) have a hole that is slightly off centered and not properly tapered. This causes the binoculars to loose a lot of resolution and have blurry off-centered edges. This is a minor complaint since you can see very easily with your eyes long before you would need to put the lens covers on. http://www.nightowloptics.com/ - Product Link: http://www.nightowlstore.com/product/635328171226.html Production Executive: Rob Music by : Kevin MacLeod - http://www.incompetech.com/ Mechanolith, Decisions, Prelude and Action, Dangerous, Arcadia, Constance, Chase, Mistake the Getaway (Remixed), Hero Down, Stoneworld Battle, Five Armies. (Limit of Description length reached or I would write more.)