E-Mail 'Stalking the Night- Part 1, by Mark B.' To A Friend

13 Comments

1. When I was in Iraq we liked to use our NVGs in conjunction with flashlights with infrared filters. We could point the light in windows and alleys and see without the enemy knowing.

   1. Jesse, do you know where we can get IR filters for flashlights?

      1. Should have done my homework before asking :). Lots of IR illumination gear out there.

2. Would you please also discuss the current trend of identifying some night vision products as “digital or digitally enhanced” or electronically enhanced”? Is this actually a different type of night vision of just a gussied up version of an earlier type? They seem to have gps, digital photography and other add ons, but frequently don’t talk about gen 1, gen2, or technical info such as lp/mm, or maybe rates that you see on gen 1 and 2 items. Great article, btw, and timely. Thanks,

   1. That should read mghz rates in last line, not “maybe rates”, I hate auto correct! Thanks,

3. Retired cop- yes different type, more like a camera than a true NV device.

4. Reminds me of an account told by my brother. Alone in the North Cascades in the middle of the night. He heard heavy breathing (no gun) so he froze deep into his sleeping bag. Heavy foot steps and then he was picked up in the bag and shook by something with TWO hands. He was dropped to the ground and heavy footsteps walked away. My brother is not a fabricator of stories. There IS something out there in the dark. Be afraid…very afraid.

   1. Maybe it was a caveman…love a good campfire tale.

5. I like the dark. I too admit to a few camping hiking trips where as darkness surrounded me I felt alone and vulnerable. A normal reaction and one that once accepted and understood can be kept under control. I have hiked in the wilderness at night and have some suggestions: attach a glow stick to the end of a two foot long stick. Hold this down and just in front of you while walking and you can see the trail and any obstacles. To better protect your night vision place a barrier between the glow stick and where it attaches to keep the light from directly hitting your eyes. Wear safety glasses to protect from the occasional twig/branch you might encounter. A hat is good to also protect your noggin from branches. Buy an eye patch from your local pharmacy and wear it all day and night. Only remove it in darkness and even then briefly to protect that acquired night vision. This works, it gets even better after about three days. It isn’t nearly as good as night vision devices but it is cheaper, always available, doesn’t require batteries and doesn’t reduce your natural night vision when used.

6. The champion of hide and seek was near you that night most likely.

7. I got to live in the Powderhorn Primitive area one summer. But I used 2 horses. Best job I ever had. Only had 2 dozen visitors use any of the 40,000 acre area that whole summer, as 11,400 feet elevation at the highest plateau separates the hardy from those of lesser fitness.

8. Just have to comment on the pic of ‘first night vision device’. I am LMAO!

9. Now I agree these GEN 3 type devices are excellent, but pricey. I have a Sightmark Photon XT 4.6 power IR NVD. True it has its own IR illuminator, which makes it vulnerable to anyone on the other end with a IR detector. But the price was only 450.00 and it uses AA batteries. I have made out people and animals easily at 160 yards when mounted on my Remington R-15 ( really an AR ). I guess it just depends on who you think your potential adversaries are going to be. If it is any unit of our current spec ops or even regular army/ marine troops you are screwed, I don’t care what goodies you or your group has. But My group is likely to be faced by inner city gangs, who are raiding the more affluent sunburbs when they run out of places to loot in the city. They are unlikely to even know what an IR or NVD is, much less defend against it. Of far more important ace would be vigilant night guards who will warn of any attempted intrusion and allow your defense team to react and gain the upper hand. A few shots out of the dead of night that hit home will likely cause these predatory punks to flee immediately.

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