The development of night vision devices has been accelerated by their use in the military and indeed it was during the Vietnam war when night vision was first really seen by the public. Since then the technology has evolved. Every new evolution of night vision technology is known as a Generation. These days you can find 4th Generation Night vision devices, but the costs of the devices usually means that they are mostly used by the military and other law enforcement forces.

The most widely used night vision equipment are still 1st Generation devices (Gen 1) and this is mainly due to cost. Gen 1 night vision goggles, binoculars and monoculars can offer a cheap way of "seeing" in the night. So on this page, we will explore some cheap night vision goggles, discuss how they are different to binoculars and minoculars and take a look at exactly how a 1st Gen Night vision device works.

Before we get into some of the best cheap night vision goggles, I thought it may be usefull to explain how a Gen 1 night vision device works.

Using the image of the Bushnell Night Vision Monoculars on the right for reference, any available light enters the objective lens (3) and focused on the image intensifier (1), here a photocathode is "excited" by the light and converts this energy into electrons. These electrons then accelerate across an electrostatic field inside the intensifier and strike a phosphor screen (2) which emits an image that you can then see when you look through the night vision equipment.

Whilst ATN (American Technologies Network Corp.) is not a well known brand worldwide, in the world of night vision scopes, binoculars and goggles, they produce some of the very best products on the market.

The ATN Viper Night Vision Goggles do not dissapoint, and if you are looking for some cheap night vision goggles, these are probably your best bet. As they are the most affordable, lightest and smallest night night vision goggles on the markey - They retail for around $250 to $300 which is way cheaper than many of their compeditors products.

They come with headgear, but you can also remove it and so the device can also be used as a night vision monocular.

Main Features:

• Max range: 150 yards
• Magnification: 1X
• 1st Generation Night Vision Device
  
• Battery life is 8-10 hours of continuous use

For a full review of the product, take a look at my review on my Best Binoculars website: ATN Viper Night Vision Goggles.

Bushnell produce some of the best and cheapest night vision devices on the market. The Bushnell 1X20 Night Vision Gen 1 Goggle comes with Headgear (261020)that can be removed and so also be used as a pair of binoculars.

Compact and lightweight, they come with a built in infrared illuminator to enable them to be used in almost complete darkness

Their range of view is from half a foot up to 100 feet and so are excellent for close range uses where you need both your hands free.

Features

• Gen 1 Hands-Free Goggle & Headgear that is detachable for use as a binocular
• Built-In IR
• Water-Resistant

Below are a few links related to Night Vision Goggles and Night Vision Devices in general that you may finde usefull, if you are looking for more information. A few of the links are from some of my own websites.

Night Vision Night Vision Glasses & Devices
This is my own guide to Night Vision Glasses & Devices reviews some of the best devices and lists the cheapest places to buy them and includes Binoculars, Monoculars, Goggles & Scopes.

ATN Viper Night Vision Goggles
Review of the popular and cheap Viper Night Vision Goggles on the Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews website.

Night Vision Binoculars & Goggles
Short guide to some of the best night vision goggles and binoculars for safaris.