A question from Harry

I'm a novice, so a few silly questions- 1. Why not just buy ready-made night vision monocular? Aren't the basic ones on places like Amazon now 3rd gen? 2. Where would I get the battery pack that powers the lens? 3. I have a decent Sony camcorder and want to affix the night vision to it. How would I do that? Thanks!!

Hi Harry,

Most monoculars have av out but the resolution isn't that good unless you have a lot of money for a higher quality one. Also they are digital nv not proper intensified nv. These cascade p8079hp 3 stage nv tubes are the best resolution for gen 1 at a cheaper price. They are big, but worth the trouble for the ease of using different lens's and camcorders. The battery pack I used here isn't required. I only used it for the switch and voltage reg which wasn't needed either. I'll be doing an update build soon and show that a 6 volt torch battery with alligator clips is best. But you still need a switch to turn on/off. To fit a camcorder to one of these tube setups you'll need a bracket or mount of some sort to screw the camcorder to. see my last picture above. If you are speaking of using a monocular with a camcorder, you'll need a similar setup. But you'll need to get the camera very close to the window for focus. These p8079hp tubes benefit from the cameras zoom. I hope I answered your questions. If you have more don't hesitate to ask. Thanks Brian P.

Harry

Thanks Brian! I wish I was better at this type stuff. I'm planning a trip to the ECETI Ranch and want to be prepared. The Cascade seems to be what a lot of people go with. Then I need the pos/neg wiring that will go to the 6v battery? I don't see much on Amazon as far as a battery casing and switch for a 6v battery. Then a 50 MM lens goes between the Cascade and the camcorder? 

No worries Harry.

If you look at this guys video, I learnt from him years ago. He shows how to wire it up. But myself and others have worked out a different battery setup. All you need is a switch and a heavy duty 6volt battery. Like the big square torch batteries that have the springs pointing up on them. And a way of connecting the wires to it. I use large alligator clips. You don't even need a switch if you disconnect one of the alligator clips. But it's a bit safer. The nv tube needs a lens to focus through. You don't need to put a lens between the camera and tube. Here is my one below. You'll have to set the right distance for the tube to the lens. A 50mm lens is about 35mm to the tubes input window from the lens rear glass. Here is that guys yt video link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n31TE8bqL0Q&t=228s    He explains better than I can :)

Harry replies,

I had watched that video. Do you think the Sony Nightspot capability just can't handle things up in the sky? If it's already illuminated wouldn't it show up? If an orb is emitting infrared light and we can't see it, would the camera be able to capture it? The models people have recommended are the HDR CX-900 and FDR AX-53/55. Thank again! Harry

Hi Harry

Sony nightshot is limited but can be used for UFO hunting, I started with a sony handycam, see below, my first recorded UFO event. Military helicopters, one hovered on the spot, the other flew in a circle around its mate, a while later a UFO comes into view.

UFO comes in at 07:48

More Nightshot vids by me

So yes, nightshot can be used but you will need a good lens to go with it, Im not the tech guy, so I will need Brian or Darren to discuss the right magnification. My old hanycam in 0 lux. (one of the x ray types)

Nightshot is great to start out with, but there are problems. If your using a Hi-8 tape version, digital conversion creates massive files. Youtube degrades the original considerably.

If you have "video out" its worth connecting a separate mobile DVR, but if you are going to that expense you may as well buy a digital NV monocular with built in DVR.

Good points, changeable lens, massive zoom. Battery lasts a looong time.

Bresser Digital Night Vision 5x50 video for comparison. NV monocular with video out to a DVR

Hope I was of some help Harry.

Sony Xray cam guide

http://www.x-raycameras.com/cameras.htm

Hi Harry,

The model camcorder in my photo above with the nv device is a Panasonic HC-VX980M it has nightshot on it, but I don't use it because it requires IR illumination to see. You will most probably catch every bug in sight with it. The P8079HP night vision tube requires no illumination and for its price has a great resolution and can be recorded at a faster framerate or even in 4k using a 4k camcorder. I'm not sure the nightshot can record in a higher framerate or not.

I've used digital night vision as well but I ended up coming back to the P8079HP tube. Just something about its depth of field and the green screen appears almost in 3D. That's my preference anyhow. If you're short on time to get something to use, then a nightshot camcorder will be handy for now and used later on the P8079HP tube if you decide to go that way. Cheers.

Hello Gentlemen,

I recently purchased a Nikon P900, and are intending to convert it to full spectrum. If I add some type of ir illumination to the mix will it benefit me in any way? I'm wanting to mostly sky watch and some land features. A mix of video and photo. Any other suggestions is also appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi ryder403, Adding Infrared illumination to your p900 will benefit the camera as it is not very good in the dark unless there is a bright object. Although if you use an infrared filter eg. 720 nm or 800 nm it could still be a bit dark. I tested mine using a 720 nm filter and my generation 1 night vision monocular IR illumination. The monocular illumination suits the unit it is attached to as it is a 5x zoom fixed. But the p900 starts less and increases to 83x. You would need a larger illuminated torch or led setup to see a wider area. But be aware the IR illumination will pick up moths and bugs etc. Here is a link to my p900 and IR illumination test I did in my dark passage at home. https://youtu.be/PhhqcLSgkHI PS. I also sent this info via the email section too.

Hi ryder403,

As Brian mentioned and you have now probably found out by now, the P900 isn't too great in low light or dark conditions, especially in filming mode. when using dedicated night vision, IR illuminators can come in very handy when filming at night as they are a safer alternative to green lasers. Stealthy UFOs that have the ability to refrain from our eyesight but are detectable in the infrared spectrum can presumably detect IR light themselves. An IR illuminator or IR laser will highlight every bug in the sky, but it will potentially act as a relatively safe attractor when scanning the night sky.

Thanks guys for your thoughts, I appreciate it! I haven't gone ahead with the conversion yet, but will let you know how I make out!

Yes, keep us informed how you went ryder403 :)