Night Vision Article and Rudy
03-31-2008, 05:20 PM
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The system works fine when it's cloudy -- it just has problems when it's raining...
03-31-2008, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='553890' date='Mar 31 2008, 06:20 PM
The system works fine when it's cloudy -- it just has problems when it's raining...
I Live in the Pacific Northwest
03-31-2008, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by calpalmer' post='553928' date='Mar 31 2008, 10:02 PM
I Live in the Pacific Northwest 
03-31-2008, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by pukka' post='553885' date='Mar 31 2008, 09:02 PM
I've done that too. Some required training is to drive around with them - the depth perception is pretty good.
The military uses light amplification instead of infra-red. L-A doesn't have the inherent flaw that I-R does. Thats why I asked my earlier question.
The military uses light amplification instead of infra-red. L-A doesn't have the inherent flaw that I-R does. Thats why I asked my earlier question.
Two, what would light amplification do with on coming headlights. My guess is be a complete washout. Could it also burn out the sensors, etc?
03-31-2008, 06:53 PM
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You know - I am really bummed. I was talked out of night vision by the salesman at one dealer I went to. He was adamant that it was a waste - so I didn't look into it any further. However, he was more focused on the drawbacks of it - clouds, fog, small objects like dogs and kids - not larger animals like deer, elk or moose. Given the large numbers of deer struck by cars in the areas where I drive at night - it would have been a big plus.
03-31-2008, 06:57 PM
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I have 2 thoughts. One, light-amplification won't cause objects such as animals or people to stand out. I-R is the choice for that.
Two, what would light amplification do with on coming headlights. My guess is be a complete washout. Could it also burn out the sensors, etc?
Two, what would light amplification do with on coming headlights. My guess is be a complete washout. Could it also burn out the sensors, etc?
Yes, washout could occur but could also be adjusted by software with no damage to the sensors. There is no workaround for the drawbacks to IR.
After thinking about it, I guess that you couldn't get the range that IR offers compared to LA.
03-31-2008, 08:45 PM
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I have flown several ILs approaches with a FLIR system developed by Gulfstream. The camera is mounted on the bottom of the forward part of the fuselage, just in front of the nose gear. There is a completely dedicated computer to analyze the information, and it provides amazing filters, as one thing you don't want on a crucial landing is a heat plume on the screen from errant or focused light. Although I did not fly the plane is rain conditions, I have a hard time thiniing that this system would be affected by it. The system is an option, and when I pressed the owner for the cost of the option, it turns out to be around 55k U.S. However, as costs come down, I can see in five years having this system sitting in my future M5. Most of you guys are too young to remember, but aviation gave us ABS brakes, as well as functional GPS. Both of these goodies were very expensive when they were first introduced, and I suspect that IR will continue to improve and become more affordable. I have found though, that removing my sun glasses after the sun goes down helps a lot in detecting stuff hidden by the dark. Just a thought. The demo on Gulfstream?s site does not do the system justice in real life, but it really shows the clarity that you can muster when you sell stuff to billionaires. Here is the link to the gulfstream site if you want to check it out: http://www.gulfstream.com/gulfstreamevs/#
03-31-2008, 09:04 PM
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I have a technical and very important question. If you're driving and your car is pointed towards a dark window and there happens to be a hot semi-naked woman behind it, would you be able to see her with NV??
03-31-2008, 09:15 PM
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It might work but I think the restraining order may prevent you from getting close enough to utilize this feature.
04-01-2008, 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by pukka' post='553955' date='Mar 31 2008, 07:57 PM
The system works "fine" on nights after days where there is more than enough sunlight to heat everything up. Then the NV system can display a sharp image due to the differences of heat radiation.
On days without adequate sunlight, objects absorb less heat, thus the images are nowhere near as accurate. The system still works but the range and clarity suffers.
On days without adequate sunlight, objects absorb less heat, thus the images are nowhere near as accurate. The system still works but the range and clarity suffers.
What pukka says is true .... for inanimate objects! That's what makes the IR tech so great, the contrast in temperature between surroundings (like signs, big rocks, trees etc.) and mammals such as deer, dogs, joggers, etc. makes them stand out even more! Their constant (elevated) body temperature is the key to this. Rain is the drawback in affecting range (I guess, haven't actually noticed that yet).
Cal
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