Selecting a Night Vision Device

If you read much about post-TEOTWAWKI survival scenarios, the value and benefit of night vision devices quickly becomes apparent; nothing like seeing in the dark. I’m not an expert on night vision, but have been researching it for several months to select the most appropriate device for my bug out plans and after.

There are two basic categories of night vision devices; image intensification and thermal imaging. While thermal imaging devices are probably superior, they’re also several hundred or thousand dollars more expensive than their image intensifying counterparts, so I’m not considering them.

There are five broad “generations” of image intensification night vision;

• Generation 0 – The original night-vision system created by the United States Army and used in World War II and the Korean War…
• Generation 1 – … Once dubbed Starlight by the U.S. Army, these NVDs use ambient light provided by the moon and stars to augment the normal amounts of reflected infrared in the environment…
• Generation 2 – … They offer improved resolution and performance over Generation-1 devices, and are considerably more reliable. The biggest gain in Generation 2 is the ability to see in extremely low light conditions, such as a moonless night…
• Generation 3 – Generation 3 is currently used by the U.S. military. While there are no substantial changes in the underlying technology from Generation 2, these NVDs have even better resolution and sensitivity…
• Generation 4 – What is generally known as Generation 4 or “filmless and gated” technology shows significant overall improvement in both low- and high-level light environments…

I haven’t seen any generation 0 equipment for sale. There are also a few sub-generations or types, for example generation 1+ that falls in-between gen 1 and gen 2. Usually gen 1 and gen 1+ are the most affordable under $500, while gen 2 will deliver a much better image for $500-1,000 over gen 1 devices. Gen 3 gets into the multi-thousand dollar range and breaks my budget.

Finally there are three general applications; monocular, binocular, and scope (for mounting to firearms). Monoculars and binoculars can be mounted in headgear for hands free operation.

Many units come with an IR illuminator, that puts out a beam invisible to human eyes but that will work like a flashlight for the night vision device. From what I’ve read this works well but there are two major downsides. First, it uses batteries much faster. Second, and perhaps more important in a SHTF situation, the IR illuminator will be a beacon to anyone else using a night vision device, so can give away the fact you’re even there as well as your exact position.

I haven’t decided on which type I’ll purchase, but have narrowed it down to monocular (could be used driving) or scope (no need to elaborate). Probably a gen 1+ but maybe a low-end gen 2. In a bug out scenario, having night vision could make the difference between success and failure. However, it’s also a fairly large investment that won’t get much use unless TSHTF, so I’m not in a rush to spend perhaps $500 that could go to food storage, medical supplies, savings or other necessary preparations.

As always, you need to evaluate your specific circumstances and how you might use such equipment post-TEOTWAWKI. My primary application would be for bugging out, but night vision would also be very useful for keeping watch at a retreat.

Buying a Generator

Last winter the DC area was hit by a few snow storms that left tens of thousands without power for several days. From what I heard on news radio (WTOP 103.5 in the metro area), recent thunder storms have resulted in more days of lost power than the snow storms. Apparently blackouts are a growing problem in the U.S., with even “non-disaster related outages affecting at least 50,000 consumers” up 124 percent in the past two decades.

Although last winter’s blackouts didn’t affect my household, I’ve decided to invest in a generator in case we face an extended loss of power. I don’t see this as primarily for a TEOTWAWKI type event (i.e. total collapse), but more for localized disasters for short relatively short periods of time – days up to a couple of weeks. Anything beyond a couple of weeks and my guess is it’s nearing time to bug out.

There are a lot of different options to be aware of when searching for generators and what you need will depend on where you are and how you plan to use the generator:

• Purpose: Will it be a smaller portable unit, or a whole home installed generator? For running appliances directly, or charging batteries that power your home through an inverter?
• Capacity (wattage): What items will you need to power (at the same time) in your home, RV, or other location? Are the appliances you’ll need to use gas or electric?
• Fuel: Primary choices are gasoline, diesel, propane, and natural gas. What do you already have? What can you easily obtain and store?

I’ve decided on a portable option that will be able to power some lighting (high efficiency bulbs), communications (internet/phone), the fridge in warm weather, and a few small appliances at one time. Because we rent, I will not install a switchover box to power the entire home, which would also connect a lot more items that would be needed, putting more of a load on the generator.

Adding up the wattage of the items I’d normally want to power at one time comes to 1,500 watts or less. Occasionally I may want to run some devices that pull up to 2,000-2,500 watts. From what I’ve read, generators do better with a lower load, and even fuel consumptions list running times based on half capacity. So I need something at least in the 3,000-4,000 watt range.

I did consider planning for bare bones eclectically service – a few lights, and small appliances only – in the 1,000 watt or less range, but rejected this. For not much more money a lot more capacity can be had, and you can do a small job with a larger generator, but you can’t do a big job with a small one.

For fuel my options are gasoline and propane; diesel generators tend to be cost prohibitive, and I don’t know if my next location will have natural gas available. However, there are a lot more options for gasoline generators and (currently) gasoline is easier to obtain. If I want to use propane or natural gas later, there are tri-fuel conversion kits available.

I haven’t purchased one yet, but it’s on the short list. Reviews at Amazon.com have convinced me that I don’t want the cheapest one of a certain wattage, just not worth the hassle of oil/fuel leaks and other malfunctions. I’ve mostly been looking at Amazon, but recently found this site that has a good selection with similar prices and mostly free shipping.

If you’re considering alternative power sources, see this site for information on generators, another for bike powered devices, and a howto for converting a lawnmower engine into a small generator.

400 Hours of Candlelight for $4

A few years ago I was looking for candles in case of power outages, etc. Then I happened to notice tealight candles at Ikea. At the time I probably paid about $3, and they’re advertised online now for $3.99 for a bag of 100. Rated at 4 hours each, that 400 hours of light for $4 – hard to beat. I like them because they’re small and unlikely to break, and has an aluminum candlecup so melted wax won’t get all over the place. I have several bags of these, and keep a few loose candles in various packs ready to go. For whatever reason, some places offer the same type of candles with the same burn time for five times as much, so it’s worth it to do little research online and have an idea of a good price.

Update: I’ve tested two of these candles over the past few nights; one made it to 4 hours 40 minutes, the second to 5 hours 20 minutes, so more than advertised. On the downside, after an hour or so of burning, all the wax melted inside the aluminum candlecup, so one would have to wait for the wax to solidify before moving on.