Boating New Zealand — December 2017

118 Boating New Zealand

Standard binoculars will, somewhat surprisingly,

often give a brighter view in low-light conditions

than the naked eye. This is because the large

objective lens gathers more light than your eye, and

concentrates it into the small pupil diameter.

But you still cannot see what is not there, and

since there are no streetlights out on the ocean

there may still be times when we cannot see where

we are going. A night-vision scope, or binoculars,

may be the solution.

Numerous models are available, and they vary

widely in capability and price. Different technologies

are available, including infra-red, thermal imaging

and image intensification, and these come with

different capabilities and price points.

Although a full binocular night-vision solution

may be beyond the budget of most recreational

boat owners, monocular night vision scopes

with modest magnification are somewhat more

reasonably priced. We had a look at the Minox

NV351 night vision scope, priced at $559 and

available through Kiwi Yachting.

The NV351 offers both image intensification and

infra-red illumination, and in standard mode the

residual light amplifier will enhance any speck of

ambient light. This is perfect for dusk, or nights where

there is moonlight or any sort of background light.

With a 2.5x magnification, the NV351 will

not give as much magnification as a typical set

of binoculars, and of course the single lens,

while keeping costs down, will also not give full

perspective view.

But the built-in infra-red illuminator also enables

the unit to be used in absolute darkness. Pressing

a button turns the IR spotlight on, which can

illuminate objects up to 70m away. Anyone who has

come through a narrow channel like Man of War

Passage on Great Barrier Island in pitch dark will

appreciate how valuable this feature could be. Find

a mooring buoy in the dark, or just as importantly

avoiding other moorings, is another situation where

the ability to see in the dark would be valuable.

NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS

WIN

a RED PADDLE Co SUP valued at $ 1599

The versatile Red Paddle Co 10’ 8” Ride

is the world’s most popular inflatable SUP.

It offers stability and volume,

and is preferred by families.

Thanks to the SUP Centre

we have one to give away to a lucky reader.

To enter the draw – sign up

to the Boating New Zealand newsletter at

http://www.boatingnz.co.nz/WINSUP

Winner drawn 1st February 2018