Technology seems to outpace most of us in one facet or another. Most civilians don't even consider the usefulness of inexpensive night vision equipment. But it can be invaluble to the health and saftey of any individual or family. No longer is night vision equipment relegated only for military purposes. The dropping price of such equipment has bought within reach for the average person what was once only available to major armies of the world. In fact United States other countrie's citizens now enjoy full access to what is highly controlled and wanted to be kept out of the hands of rogue nations and those who would use such nafariously.

Night Vison, or NV for short, describes an array of optical aids that enable the human eye to see under the cover of darkness. Rated in Generations, such as Gen 1, or Gen 2, or Gen 3 & 4,  with each successuvely higher number denoting increased brightness and ability to see in the dark. A variety of technologies include seemingly miraculous abilities to amplify the existing light and intensify it until the image is much brighter than the naked human eye alone can see.

For the most part--images are 256 shades of green, but even as nearly monotone, such image gradations can make seeing in the dark a reality. Since this technology relies on existing ambient light such as from the hue of the city or from the moon, most systems utilize a back-up infrared light which, when directed onto a scene, cannot be ditinguised by the human eye, but  when viewed through a night vision device, becomes readily visible--casting light on even the total darkness inside an enclosed buiding or inside a cave.

Themal imgaing devices also are used for night vision. Animals, machines, electrical devices, and even human bodies give off heat. Thermal imaging devices are able to pick up the latent infrared, so called because it falls above the hue of red in the human eyes' ability to see. These devices detect the heat radiating from these sorces and can be detected under ruble such as that caused from natural desasters, or hidden within dense forests and, of course, the cover of darkness.

Practical applications for civilians range from hunting, where such devices are legally allowed, to emergency preparedness purposes, which most citizens will encounter at one time or another during their lives. The natural desasters such as those seen during 2005 underline the importance of being prepared for such events. Every family and extended family or group should have a plan for such realities, including evacuation plans, communications methods, kits containg vital items for 36 hours or more--allowing time for civil authorities to gain control of situations and bring relief. As witness in the events of 2005, there is a time-lag between the catastrophy actually occrring and the possibility of emergency recue efforts reaching those affected.

As was seen, even in the United States, the previously untinkable was evident when Katrina hit. A state of anarchy briefy existed when marauding bands took advantage of the situation to prey of  the misfortune of others. Unfortunately there will always arise that small element of society to wreak havock upon the law-abiding citizens, who are caught in such unfortunate circumstances. Civil authorities simply can not be relied on to protect and rescue citizens--at least during that vital lag time.

The civil authorities even tried to curb civil libeties of citizens by declaring the possession of firearms illegal. This was swiftly struk down by the courts as a violation of the constitutionally garanteed rights of the people acertained by the Second Ammendment. It becme apparent during this time that idividuals needed the right during such times more than ever, to possess firearms to protect against bandits and evil-doers.

The ability to see in the dark, without being seen is one way that civilians so afflicted by natural desasters might avoid these elements of lawless anarchy. Although very few had the luxury of such night vision devices, hindsight illustrates that every person could have benefited from its use.

The cover of darkness has been used since the beginning of time both to make good the escape of those seeking saftey from the afflictions of others as well as to catch unaware those who would be victimes. Armies are making full use of all manner of night vision gear from goggles, to weapons aimers, rangefinders, and weapons scopes..

Peaceful and everyday uses of such equipment range from marine saftey to wildife observations and photography. Vermin of all kinds are dispateched easily while attempting to prey on domestic animals with the help of simple Gen 1 night vistion weapons scopes or other gear. A night vison rifels scope with a common Weaver rail mount, which provides both intensification of exesting ambient light to where one can easily see animals and objects if complimented by the infrared accessory light to assist in darker envoronments. These can be had for well under $500, the same as a moderately priced hunters' regular  rifle scopes..

A Gen 1 monocular with suplemental IR unit can be purchased for less than $150 on eBay. Such a palm-held devices can be variabley focused and would provide an easy means of navigating oneself through trecherous terrain, escaping anarchy caused by natural desasters without detection, locating animals for food or sport and for simply seeing what goes on in the world of darkness. The ability to see without being seen opens up all manner of activites both for fun and utility.