Detecting With Night Vision Goggles?

[laidback4sho]

Anyone have any experience with using night vision goggles while detecting? And for the record, I'm not talking about trespassing on someone's property at night to metal detect. I work 2nd shift and get off work at midnight. I'm thinking about getting some night vision goggles for detecting when I get off work. I would use a headlamp, but I really don't want to be bothered while detecting. And at that time of night, a headlamp would certainly draw attention.

So does anyone have any experience with this? Would I even be able to see a coin in the dirt? Would it be too cumbersome? What potential problems would I be facing?

Found some nice 2nd generation NVGs on Amazon for a little over 1,600 bucks. Don't wanna spend that kind of cash if I won't be able to use it.

 

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[Deft Tones]

Use a headlamp with red or green light on it. Much less likely to draw attention. Red won't destroy your eyes night vision like a white lamp will. At a distance a red light will be much less visable to the enemy.

They're no good for details. Bulky and annoying.

 

[gunsil]

Night vision goggles work off infra red which sees heat, OK for spotting people and animals but won't see a coin in the dirt. I just use a small flashlight to see in the hole at night and don't use any light while hunting to see around me, only turn on the flashlight to find targets.

 

[jadocs]

My advice is don't bother. 2nd gen is old technology as well. Walking with NVGs can be difficult if your not used to it because it provides zero depth perception, that's why you often see soldiers extend the goggle out from their eye a little bit so they can see what's going on with their feet. I suppose if the device had an IR (infra red light) attached you could turn it on and it would help you see what's in the hole when you're digging, but keep in mind everything will still be shades of green.

 

[adamBomb]

Night hunting does not sound very fun...

 

[The Beep Goes On]

You only need to see where your coil is and where your feet are going. Before I say this, I understand that it might interfere with the coil electronically and would have to be tested.

A tiny "color of your choice" low-intensity LED placed at the bottom of the lower rod. The light would be confined to ground level and much less likely to be spotted from afar. Maybe add a dimmer control. I'd place the LED(s) securely, tape any wires securely to the shaft up to the battery pack placed somewhere appropriate - can't have wires, etc. moving around as you swing.

 

[Nitric]

I would think a guy walking around in the dark without a light would draw my attention and curiosity quicker!

I have hunted with a flashlight but I found it to be a pain!! It was more fun to go to lit up small parks, even though most signs say close at dark, I have never been stopped. Of course I wasn't there at 2 or 3 in the morning either. Never tried night vision! sounds fun! Imagine what a cop walking up to question that would think! Too funny!!!

 

[Liu21]

Yep, as nitric said, guy with no lights out in the dark, is going to get challenged much quicker than some guy with lights pointed down towards the ground....

 

[s.c.shooter]

Seems high $ for 2nd. generation Nods !