Night Vision Equipment

[Kyle]

Does anyone own any night vision equipment and would be willing to lend it to me for a couple of days?

I've got three repos that I'm having trouble with mainly because they are out in the "sticks". Going on someone's property really concerns me, but even more so in the country. I'd rather repo cars in Oakcliff at night vs the boonies at night. I figure most if not all people living in the country own a firearm or 5, plus with dogs and other livestock walking around on someone's property isn't all that easy to do. I know it seems like an easy enough task, but I'd feel a little more comfortable if I could maybe survey the houses and parking situations from a little further out than what my eyes will allow at night. Shining a flashlight around isn't particularly appealing either.

I wouldn't mind buying my own equipment, but this isn't something that's common place so the price has to be right. I'd say my budget is $250 max and I'd imagine that isn't going to buy much in the way of this technology.

[Forever_frost]

Actually 200 bucks will buy you a monocular at walmart

[Reefer Rae]

You are right to be worried , if they are on rural property and you have a long distance to cover they are certainly at a advantage . Is there no way to get a sheriffs escort? My old electricity meter reader would have to call before I'd drive down to open the gate for him .

[Kyle]

You are right to be worried , if they are on rural property and you have a long distance to cover they are certainly at a advantage . Is there no way to get a sheriffs escort? My old electricity meter reader would have to call before I'd drive down to open the gate for him .

The sheriff more than likely won't get involved. This is a civil matter and unless there is a court order, I doubt a sherriff's department will even give me the time of day.

Texas is what is referred to as a self help state. As long as I'm not distrubing the peace I can perform my task without law enforcement being present. As long as I don't have to open a fence, door, gate, etc (also can't jump over fences walls etc, there has to be an unobstructed opening) it's on me if I want to trespass on someone's property. I also can't enter any type of structure ie shed, garage, etc (even a free standing carport).

Technically I'm trespassing and if caught I have to immediately identify myself and my reason for being on their property, assuming I have that much time. Contrary to popular belief, I don't have to carry my paperwork on my body (at least not in TX). If the skipper asks or tells me to leave then I have to leave immediately. Otherwise until they tell me to leave, I can stay on the property, ask me how many times this has happened lol! People will argue with you all night and never ask/tell you to leave. Also the definition of being off their property means that I can legally stay in the street, in front of their property if I want, as long as I'm not distrubing the peace.

Well I got a little off topic but that's the in's and out's of what I can and can't do. My goal though is to hopefully not get close enough to tip the owners off that I'm there, thus the need for some night vision. I just want to check for my vehicles and then leave. If I find the assest then I'll put one of my mobile GPS units on and quietly leave. I'll wait until they are at a more convienent location (safer for me) to pick it up.

[black2002ls]

If I find the assest then I'll put one of my mobile GPS units on and quietly leave. I'll wait until they are at a more convienent location (safer for me) to pick it up.

I helped with a few repo's a few years ago. We were no where as sophisticated as this. I just thought this was rather bad ass and had to comment.

[Ruffdaddy]

The gps things are legal? And don't expect a cheaper night vision system to give much distance.

[FunFordCobra]

Use thermal. They start at about 10k.

[Reefer Rae]

What you need is a drunk distraction. Car at the end of the driveway hazards flashing and hammered idiot knocking on the door talking about haw he just ran over a unicorn and he needs help getting the horn outa his radiator . Rednecks are forgiving of drunk rednecks beating the shit outta their door talking bout killin stuff . It will getcha close .

[UserX]

lol

[Jose]

Kyle, I have a cheapy first gen unit (Bushnell brand I believe) that you can borrow if you think it will help. Honestly it doesn't have much of a range on it so I'm not sure what you are expecting to use it for unless you find or borrow a high dollar one.

[Ruffdaddy]

Use thermal. They start at about 10k.

You can get a thermal system for much less. 10K will get you a pretty good military grade Thermal weapon sight with much more range and that can actually hold boresight. Granted a handheld FLIR camera is still 1.5K plus and he doesn't want to spend over 200.

[CJ]

You can get a thermal system for much less. 10K will get you a pretty good military grade Thermal weapon sight with much more range and that can actually hold boresight. Granted a handheld FLIR camera is still 1.5K plus and he doesn't want to spend over 200.

If you goto junkyards you can fine the elcan unit out of 2000 Cadillac Eldorados. You can spot them because they have a black cadillac badge on the grill. Behind that badge mounted to the impact absorber you will find a weapons grade elcan thermal unit. Give it 12V positive to the main lead and see if you hear the mirror spinning. If you do, it's a good unit. When you open the case you will see AV connections, yellow for video. You can add a simple LCD controller and upconvert it to 320x400. I've used one of these units before and it's completely accurate out to 1000 yards. However, you're not going to be able to make shit out with any thermal unless you spend 25k. All of the <25k units are 160 or sometimes 320 upconverted, not enough resolution to make out any movement or silhouettes, mostly just to see if there is anything alive over in that direction.

As for NV the best unit for the money is a Mum-14.

[FunFordCobra]

You can get a thermal system for much less. 10K will get you a pretty good military grade Thermal weapon sight with much more range and that can actually hold boresight. Granted a handheld FLIR camera is still 1.5K plus and he doesn't want to spend over 200.

Oh well in that case go to Walmart and spend 200 so you can see 7 or so feet in front of you.. Maybe they won't notice the IR beam pointed at them!

[Ruffdaddy]

If you goto junkyards you can fine the elcan unit out of 2000 Cadillac Eldorados. You can spot them because they have a black cadillac badge on the grill. Behind that badge mounted to the impact absorber you will find a weapons grade elcan thermal unit. Give it 12V positive to the main lead and see if you hear the mirror spinning. If you do, it's a good unit. When you open the case you will see AV connections, yellow for video. You can add a simple LCD controller and upconvert it to 320x400. I've used one of these units before and it's completely accurate out to 1000 yards. However, you're not going to be able to make shit out with any thermal unless you spend 25k. All of the <25k units are 160 or sometimes 320 upconverted, not enough resolution to make out any movement or silhouettes, mostly just to see if there is anything alive over in that direction.

As for NV the best unit for the money is a Mum-14.

Lol that's a badass idea to use the old caddy system. I would have never considered that.

But as far as the pricing of 25K is concerned...that's way too high for his application. I'm sure you can find a badass system for that but for a few hundred yards of surveillance with a small uncooled system, he doesn't need to spend near that.

And what are you referring to when you say 160 to 320? Detector size, video lines out? Array?

[CJ]

Lol that's a badass idea to use the old caddy system. I would have never considered that.

But as far as the pricing of 25K is concerned...that's way too high for his application. I'm sure you can find a badass system for that but for a few hundred yards of surveillance with a small uncooled system, he doesn't need to spend near that.

And what are you referring to when you say 160 to 320? Detector size, video lines out? Array?

video lines, output.