Technique.

Manual vs Automatic Gain in Night Vision

A wheel under your thumb, or a sensor thinking on your behalf: two ways to control a tube's brightness, two very different philosophies of use. Here's how they actually work

How Does a Thermal Sensor Work?

No stars, no moon, total darkness — and yet the image stays crisp. Here's how a thermal sensor manages to "see" without any light at all

Halo Effect and Bloom in Night Vision: Explained Simply

A car's headlights, a flashlight, a distant streetlamp — and suddenly your image drowns in a white glare. Here's what's actually happening inside the tube, and how to keep it under control

Image Intensifier Tubes: Understanding Generations 1, 2, 2+ and 3

From an entry-level night-vision tube to a professional system, here is what the four generations really change

Night vision in Norway, Sweden, and Finland: 2026 legal guide

Norway, Sweden, Finland: three countries, three different regulations on night vision and thermal imaging. Discover what's permitted, restricted, or banned in each Scandinavian country in 2026.

Buying Night Vision Gear in the US or Europe in 2026: ITAR, Customs, and VAT — The Complete Guide for European Buyers

ITAR restrictions, customs fees, import VAT: this complete guide breaks down the pitfalls of buying night vision from the US and helps you choose the best option in 2026.

Understanding the FOM of NNVT Night Vision Tubes

Figure of Merit, resolution, SNR: a complete breakdown of the key indicator that truly determines the quality of an NNVT image intensifier tube.

Iris in night vision: what is it really for?

Tube protection, glare reduction, contrast enhancement: discover what the integrated iris on night vision devices is actually for.

Auto-shutoff and IPD on a night-vision binocular

How does a light intensifier tube work?

Night Vision and Airsoft MilSim: Why the Weight of Your NVGs Changes Everything

The legendary PVS14: its origins, evolution, and why it remains an absolute benchmark in night vision.

FOM, SNR, and Autogating: Understanding NVG Tube Specs in 10 Minutes

Resolution, SNR, FOM, autogating... behind the technical jargon of image intensifier tubes lie three essential metrics. Here's how to decode them and invest wisely.

Aluminum 7075 vs. MJF PA12: The Material Trade-Offs Behind Our NVG Housings

Aluminum, titanium, carbon fibre or additive manufacturing? Discover why MJF-printed PA12 nylon became the reference material for our LAB-NVS structure, combining extreme lightness with military-grade durability.

CivTAK / ATAK / Meshtastic tools in night vision devices versus the KiSS options from Silicate Systems

ATAK, CivTAK, Meshtastic: these connected tactical tools are reshaping the night vision industry. Silicate Systems explains why the KiSS philosophy — simplicity, ruggedness, autonomy — remains the safest choice in the field.

From NVT4 to CLASS S+: Decoding NNVT’s New Nomenclature and the "NVT8" Myth

JPNV has overhauled its technical naming system, introducing CLASS C, B, A, A+, S and S+. Silicate Systems breaks down this new grid, its equivalence with the former NVT system, and debunks the "NVT8" myth — a designation that doesn't officially exist.

P43 Green vs. P45 White: Which Phosphor Should You Choose for Your NVG?

P43 green or P45 white: a choice that may seem cosmetic, but is actually rooted in physiology and real operational performance. Here's what our field tests in the Brocéliande forest — and the science — reveal.

Analog or digital night vision: why analog technology remains the standard

Discover why analog night vision remains the benchmark over digital systems: low-light sensitivity, zero latency, superior battery life, stealth and unmatched modularity.