big_ipaq

Yes, S-Klasse already have this. Now I've seen it available on 5er and 7er.

You don't need to glance it. The BMW imagery is not in normal spectrum (like Mercedes is using). Short story: while nothing in front, everything on screen is dark grey or close. If something warmer cames up, like a pedestrian, screen will show it white, so easily to pick it up with your periferic vision at night. BMW's using far infrared (thermal) IR, and Mercedes is using near infrared (illuminated from car) IR, like night TV cameras.

ScottishBimmer

Found some info on this at germancarfans.com. From the pictures it looks pretty neat. the objects on the road are really visible on the monitor.
cool gadget but a bit expensive?!?

BMWDoug

What is the range, I can see all three people in the picture through the windshield, why would someone need night vision?

Evenflow545

Chicks would like it.

I can see it now:

Q. "Oh, baby, are you running night vision? Will it make me infrared? Show me your heatseaker, you sexy, latex-coated hunk. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A. "Yes. And I have to admit something to you, my love. I am . . . . . . THE BATMAN. Now please hop in the back seat immediately."

If that option's not worth two grand, I don't know what is.

Merv the Derv

My friend is a mole and he thinks its a great idea! He also has a bat friend who will order it too.

jet190rs

I believe the whole point of this new Night Vision is that its a substitute for high beams? Because it projects IR, pedestrians and oncoming cars won't see it. Therefore the driver will be able to see further up the road without blinding oncoming cars/pedestrians with high beams. The driver is also supposed to be able to see things further ahead than high beams.

Since none of us have used it, who knows if its actually useful....

As far as the old Cadallac version goes, well I guess BMW is just inventing the wheel again. (Didn't Chevy, Cadallac or Corvette have HUD in the 80's? Didn't the Citroen DS have swivelling headlights in the 50's?)

I think BMW made it available only because MB came out with it in the new S Class.

0700700

haha Merv , good one

browellm

Post of the day

pharding

The proliferation of night vision will only lead to more pedestrians walking in the street. I maintain that it is the fear of getting run over that keeps people from needlessly walking in the street. Nightvision is not needed if one drives with reckless abandon. People naturally, by instinct, jump out of the way.

big_ipaq

Sorry jet190rs, but no way. I explained above a little but it seems I failed to do it properly.

Night vision googles, not the army ones, and TV cameras, have a system that is using near infrared spectrum. This is very close to visible light spectrum. This means, the subject is illuminated with a tv-remote like infrared invisible light, then camera can also pick images illuminated in this way and convert them to visible spectrum, on the screen.

This is the system Mercedes is using. I don't know about Cadillac. Wild life TV crews use this kind of imagery and also BigBrother used such TV cameras.

BMW system is using far infrared. From my knowledge, this sistem does not illuminate the subject. Far infrared is not working like near infrared. Far infrared waves, are actually thermal waves and work picking up the heat in different objects to form an image. This is also the system in fighter jets and bombers. Images you saw when an intelligent bomb was guided over Baghdad were also using far infrared, thermal imagery systems.

Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. I'd like more the BMW system.

Near Infrared
Pros:

• Images and more "human readable"
• You can more easily distinguish inanimate obstacles in your path

Cons:

• Needs more attention from the driver
• Live animals and pedestrians are not clearly distinguished from other obstacles
• Subject needs IR illumination which can lead to blinding the system with incoming car's IR beams. I think this could be circumvented technically. IR cameras are not human eyes which take long time to readapt and lower the sensitivity when powerfully illuminated.

Far Infrared (BMW)
Pros:

• Driver does not need to keep eyes on screen. Obstacles can be seen in a nightly lit cockpit with periferic vision.
• Live animals and pedestrians are very clearly visible in white
• Does not need illumination, hence will not be blinded by incoming traffic.

Cons:

• Images are not very "human readable". Because they pick thermal waves instead of light closed to visible spectrum.
• Obstacles are not contrasting enough to be able to distinguish. Each object has it thermal signature, but it may not be enough. However a car engine is clearly seen.

More info on infrared wavelenghts, very easy to understand