Cheap Stereoscopic Nightvision

CAPABLE OF VIEWING UP TO 50FT WITH INFRARED


I don't exactly remember what sparked this project and technically it still continues in a different format, but I think I was trying to find out about OLEDs an HUD's before realizing you had to have something to make things up close appear farther away to focus appropriately. If this was done well then something rather close could appear normally spaced. The thought of using multiple cameras to create an image that would emulate full field of vision with periphery was evaluated; however, the only project that seemed within the scope of my means and ability was to create a way to cheaply have stereoscopic nightvision.

All of that to set up for NIGHTVISION what is it? well it's being able to see more than you would normally by amplifying the light as it comes in through a lens (some commercially available monoscope and nightvision binoculars use this approach). Light covers a wide bandwidth that the human eyed doesn't see all of. Infrared light is out of the average human range of sensitivity; however, camera sensors are sensitive and usually have filters to prevent infrared light from "washing out" images. The dashcams used in this project are sensitive to infrared light and include LED's that emit infrared light to enable "nightvision." The viewfinders on the view-master toy weren't quite suitably spaced and needed some adjustment to accomodate true stereo vision. Since these don't magnify I won't try to call them binoculars but closer to goggles as what is seen is presented nearly 1:1 with very little disorientation.

Cheap Nightvision Binoculars

Pictured is a proof of concept using cameras with screens marketed as car dashcams mated with a hacked up set of View-Masters. You know View-Master with the image reel insert things.