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The ancient fear of darkness is one of those bits of programming that just won’t go away. There are tons of theories why we might be so scared of that which we cannot see. We have a collection of the best night vision binoculars coming right to you!
Studies have shown that humans are predisposed to a fear of darkenss and certain creatures like snakes and spiders. These things come to us at birth and they can be lifelong fears.
Scientists call this biological preparedness, funny enough. Yes, our survival instinct is a powerful one and unfortunately, it seems to be ignored by the modern human in many cases.
Thanks to technology, we can now see in the dark and it just keeps getting better! Infrared optics have never been more affordable. These provide civilians with options we never had before.
Our ability to cut through the darkness using a powerful lens is something our ancestors would have looked at as magic.
Are these powerful night vision binoculars something you want to add to your loadout? They could be the perfect things for your bugout bag. Maybe they are something you use to bug in and see the threats coming from far away.
There is a lot of variety out there and many features to choose from.
Optics as a Force Multiplier
The Norse God Odin sacrificed an eye to, essentially, see the world more clearly. It’s a very interesting way of looking at things but a great tale for explaining how the world is much more than a sensory experience.
Odin’s sacrifice cost him vision but he gained understanding and wisdom.
The proper use of optics is a force multiplier and one that can help us see more by looking less with our eyes alone. When you stare out into a dark field you depend solely on your eyes to calculate threats.
The best night vision binoculars give you a whole new perspective on it all. You can see things your humble eyes do not allow you to see. You can accomplish more and that is the definition of a foci multiplier.
A force multiplier, in military science, is basically a factor or combination of factors that allow you to do much more with what you have. The inclusion of night vision allows you to see the night world that is dark and terrifying to most humans.
Night vision binoculars are one of those tools that aren’t necessarily a preparedness imperative but if you need them, you are going to wish you had them. There is nothing we can craft to take their place.
From watching an aggressive force approach your home to even approaching your own bugout location, knowing what’s out there is a huge advantage over going in blindly.
Plan ahead or find trouble on your doorstep
Confucius
Not Just for Collapse
If companies built the best night vision binoculars for preppers only, well, they wouldn’t be in business very long. The market is not deep enough to support them.
There is a wide range of uses for night vision binoculars and they can be as much for business as they can be for the simple pleasures of life.
Of course, hunters use night vision binoculars both to spot prey and to kill it in the night, if regulations permit.
Wildlife photographers can also use night vision to spot that perfect shot. Some great stills of wildlife have been taken, and that is no easy feat, this type of gear allows you to set that shot up long before consulting the camera.
Wildlife observance is another great use of these binoculars. Despite popular social media training, we do not need to photograph every beautiful sight of our world.
Sometimes it’s just fun to watch the raccoons play at the edge of the woods.
That said, many of the binoculars that we found for you have the ability to record pictures and video! Some even come with SD cards that are hungry to capture your experience.
Night navigation, military, surveillance and law enforcement are the more common uses that come to mind when you think of night vision binoculars.
Dealing with Predators
For those of us who keep goats, chickens, guineas and other small livestock we know the struggle of dealing with predators. Wild predators come when you least expect it. They come when you think your fences are impenetrable and your animals are safe.
Our stomachs drop in the morning as we walk outside to whining dogs or confused children standing over the remains of an animal that we fed the day before.
That loss both enrages me and empowers me to take action. Sometimes losing an animal pushes you to fortify your pens and keeps the rest of the aniimals even safer.
Sometimes you just gotta get rid of the predators. Hunting or trapping predators is often times the only way to assure your animals are safe.
Any good hunter or trapper is going to do their due diligence long before they take action. Hunters call this scouting and its an attempt to understand the habits and habitat of the animals they are after..
Since most predators are nocturnal you will be able to watch them in action with a powerful set of night vision binoculars. These can go a long way.
If you can identify where the threats are coming from and what paths they are using consistently, you will be able to get rid of them. While killing animals is never something to look forward to, remember these predators are just trying to eat, it can be a matter of your food or their food.
In that case, you need an answer. A good pair of ‘Night Eyes’ might be just that answer.
The Best Night Vision Binoculars
This is our list of the best night vision binoculars on the market. We even found an exceptionally priced option for those on a budget.
CreativeXP Digital Night Vision Binoculars for 100% Darkness
The GlassOwl optic by Creative XP is a powerful digital night vision binocular. With its durable build, water-resistance and 1300ft viewing range at 1080HD these are the types of optic you want on your side if you are looking to peer into the dark night.
The GlassOwl is designed to address the many issues we talked about above. These optics also give you the option to captures stills or record videos. With that added feature these binoculars also come with a 32GB SD Card and that is going to allow you capture to your heart’s content.
These are also compatible with Bushnell tripods so you might have that added feature sitting at home already! If you are really going to take in the night environment I highly recommend a tripod.
If you are looking for the best night vision binoculars this product by GlassOwl is right up there with any comparable brand and they priced reasonably for all they offer.
Nightfox 100V Widescreen Digital Night Vision Infrared Binocular
Whats a best-of list without a value-focused product. Night vision has come a long way as far as civilian accessibility. I remember when the Flir Monocle came out and was one of the first “affordable” night vision options it was priced at $700!
The Nightfox is affordably priced it is just incredible to see such a change in cost over the last few years. While this optic is not comparable to the GlassOwl, it is an option for the people who are on a budget when it comes to night vision.
These are not as durable as others on this list but they feature an 18-month warranty plan. They offer up 6 hours of run time on a single battery charge. You will need 8 AA batteries to get the Nightfox up and running.
While not the best overall these optics are about as good as it gets for the price point. The reviews are decidedly positive and the people are consistently surprised at the range and clarity of these night vision binoculars.
Bestguarder NV-900 4.5X40mm Digital Night Vision Binocular
Bestguarder is another high powered pair of night vision binoculars that is at the top of this list. These binoculars feature a massive 4-inch viewing screen. The single-screen allows you to view while wearing glasses.
While these optics are very similar to the GlassOwl there is one feature that sets them apart. You can recharge these with a 5-6V power bank. That means that the need to carry batteries is no longer an issue. It also means that you are going to be able to carry a small solar array and keep these things going infinitely.
A few years ago my family and I made a push towards getting away from batteries that weren’t rechargeable. We moved to flashlights and other tools that can be powered through a micro USB.
For this reason, I am partial to Bestguarder’s recharging feature.
Another great feature of these night vision binoculars is the tough padded strap handles. Rather than holding the unit itself, you can get a real grip on the Bestguarder with these quality handles.
Bushnell 260500 Nightvision, 2×40 Equinox Z Digital Binoculars
Bushnell has a reputation when it comes to optics and that is something we all should consider when on the market for a pair of night vision binoculars.
The rugged and water-resistant housing of the Bushnell looks a lot like other products they have on the market. These binoculars are powered by infrared and offer an incredible view in the dark.
These are actually a monocular lens that projects onto two screens in the eyepieces. So, they are not actually binoculars but they are infrared night vision and the tech is on par with the price.
The durability of the product is great but the binoculars themselves will not blow you away. If you are used to Bushnell products there are things here that will feel familiar and some that will feel, kinda clunky.
Yukon Tracker 3×42 Night Vision Binoculars
These optics have very unassuming packaging when they arrive but they are pretty good night vision binoculars. They are a little pricey in comparison to others on this list.
The dual infrared pro pulse system works best in open areas. The distance and quality of view changes significantly in the forest. This is pretty common with most night vision.
These battery-powered binoculars will require you to carry spare batteries if you are going to depend on them regularly. While this is not a massive burden it can put a stop to things if your batteries run out and you don’t have extra.
Multi-coated lenses and lens caps are going to protect your field of view while these are not in use. When I saw the look and name of these night vision binoculars I thought they were going to stand out a little more on this list.
They are a quality product but would work best for someone who is after this brand’s particular features.
Conclusion
There are a whole host of reasons that one might invest in a pair of night vision binoculars. If we are honest about using and buying them they could be just as important to a photographer or wildlife observer as they are to a survivalist.
From the point of view of a consumer, there are some important things you need to consider when shopping for these optics.
- Durability
- Image Clarity
- Power Source
- Purpose of Use
We have researched and collected a great group of night vision binoculars in this article. Any pair would be a great addition to your survival system or even your camping bag.
In extreme situations, you are going to want to have every advantage you can. Chaos is born at a moment’s notice and while I write this article the doctors in China and the people are getting upset about government-imposed quarantine because of the virus.
The seed of chaos has been planted.
People behave badly in times of chaos and you may choose to bugout under the light of the moon or you might be part of a larger security watch for your neighborhood. If you can see the threat coming, it will make a huge difference.
No matter the reason you invest in night vision, don’t forget to enjoy them. There is a world out there that you so rarely get to see.
4 Responses to “The Best Night Vision Binoculars for Preppers”
Good article but seeing them, no matter the predator type, is great but dealing with them requires yet another tool. Given my limited budget I’d rather have the scope or the goggles with IR laser. That’s the direction I went first. These are a “maybe later” item.
While binoculars may help you see night time dangers, animals, predators, etc., they do not allow one to effectively deal with such issues. Could you provide a similar review of night vision rifle scopes? And could you provide your opinion as to which is a better option? Binoculars or scope.
Your readers should be made aware that when the IR is used that they will shine like beacons if intruders are using night vision. Another night vision binocular using IR with many more features and made by a trusted firm is “ATN BinoX-HD 4-16x/65mm Smart Day & Night Smart HD Binocular w/1080p Video, Geotagging Rangefinder, WiFi, E-Compass, E-Zoom, 3D Gyroscope, IOS & Andro. It is priced similarly on Amazon, has stabilization, has greater magnification, etc.
Night vision devices that multiply slight ambient light and not using an IR feature will not give away their position. The downside is they are very expensive.
Great info Thanks