White Phosphor Vs Green Night Vision
Night vision is a large purchase, and one of the most typical inquiries from new buyers is: What's the difference between green and white phosphor, how does it effect performance, and which one should I get? I struggled when I acquired my first smartphone. Night vision can't be tested like a car, so it's even tougher to buy.
Thanks to night vision's rising popularity, new purchasers have more information and firsthand experiences to draw from. Unfortunately, it implies more misinformation or uninformed forum posts. Let's move on to the facts of the Green vs. White Night Vision dispute and let you decide.
What is a Night Vision Phosphor Screen?
First, what is a phosphor screen? First, it's not phosphorus. You don't need scorching white phosphorus to see at night and commit war crimes.
The phosphor screen is analog TV-like. After all the magic in your night vision tube, the magnified electronic particles reach the phosphor screen, which glows according to the electrons being input. It's the last step before fiber optics, and your rear lens focuses that into an image. Making sure the phosphor screen shines long enough to produce a usable image without image lag requires more science.
The manufacturer can choose any hue for the phosphor screen, not only white or green. Adams Industries even makes a dual-channel phosphor screen that changes color depending on the light's wavelength.
So, why green vs. white phosphorus?
Science and history are involved. Night vision was invented in the 1940s, but it wasn't used until the Vietnam War, and then only in limited amounts. It's known that humans see more green shades than any other color. If we can only see green, it's evident. More shades improve contrast, definition, and object identification.
Night vision was likewise terrible until the OMNI III contract (see our "Night Vision OMNI Contracts" blog), which was the first Gen 3 device. OMNI I and II are controversial but similar to Gen 2 devices. The US military does not fight a significant war after Gen 3 in 1990 until the Global War on Terror in 2001.
So what? Because now we have a force that spends substantially more time under night vision and, for the first time, genuinely finds out the technological inadequacies in an actual fight. White phosphor reduces eye fatigue caused by long periods of night vision for combat pilots and special operators.
Since door kickers use white phosphor, it's the "cool guy's" night vision color. Green phosphor has endured for 70 years for a reason, so let's compare, which is why you're here.
Which is better, green phosphorus or white phosphorus?
One thing is critical.Soldier combat effectiveness did not differ between green and white phosphor night vision.Thus, let's examine their pros and cons:
Green Phosphor
What we all saw in movies, video games, and pop culture today It predates white and is still used today.
Green phosphorus advantages
- Evolution: Green has more shades than white. Green tubes of equal specs appear clearer, with better definition and contrast, according to research.
- Cost: A green tube with the same performance will cost less than a white tube because of green's higher production and white's Gucci tax.
Disadvantages of Green Phosphor
- Eye Strain: About 5% of people have trouble seeing green, which can cause eye strain and headaches. Depending on how long you used green phosphor tubes, you may see purple for a few minutes after removing them.
- Flexless: We know you're enjoying night vision since green phosphor tubes are harder to flex. forcing the poor
White Phosphor
White phosphor tubes, the latest night vision technology from aircraft and special operations, are now considered cool-guy tubes in the general market.
White phosphorus advantages
- More Natural: White phosphor was designed to reduce eye strain for long-term NVG users, and white tubes feel natural to most users, reducing the learning curve.
- Higher Spec: L3 filmless tubes only come in white phosphor and have improved SNR and Halo specs. White or green phosphor works equally well in other L3, Elbit, and Photonis tubes.
White phosphorus disadvantages
- Cost: Seeing in white may not be worth the cost. Compared to Gen 2+ white phosphor tubes, Gen 3 green phosphor tubes are cheaper.
- Contrast: White phosphor may have less contrast. We can't predict how you'll feel because it's subjective.
Which is better for night vision: white phosphor or green phosphor?
As we stated at the outset, the decision is entirely yours. Night vision is expensive, and we're not here to advise you on how to spend it. However, we can provide some guidance on how to make a decision. First, set a budget for how much you're prepared to spend on your gadget (don't forget to budget for a helmet, mount, laser for your weapon, and so on). Once you've determined your budget, look into what's available and pay close attention to specifications.We wouldn't recommend choosing a Gen 2+ Photonis Echo tube over a Gen 3 Elbit XLSH tube just because it's white, because you'll be paying more in terms of real tube performance. We also wouldn't recommend downgrading from a twin-tube device to a single-tube device simply to have that Gucci-Gang L3 Filmless White Phos hotness that everyone is talking about on Instagram. However, you may feel differently.
Ultimately, though, the decision is yours. And at the end of the day, when the sun goes down, you'll have a superpower that very few people ever have. So whether that superpower is green or white doesn't appear to matter all that much.
Best White Phosphor Night Vision
White phosphor night vision helps users see in brighter light, whilst green night vision helps users notice objects in low light. In addition to providing higher contrast and visual acuity than green phosphor, white phosphor night vision targets all receptors in the eye, resulting in reduced eye strain.
Here are best white phosphor night vision options:
ST PVS-14 Night Vision Moncular White Phosphor L3Harris Unfilmed 18UM 10 Year Waranty - check on amazon
AGM Comanche-40ER 3APW Extended Range Night Vision Clip-On System - Check at Amazon
The AGM Comanche-40ER 3APW Extended Range Night Vision Clip-On System is a mid-range nighttime shooting night vision clip-on system. It is equipped with a Gen 3 Auto-Gated 2000+ FOM White Phosphor IIT.
AGM PVS-14 3AW1 Night Vision Monocular - Check at Amazon
The AGM PVS-14 ECHO Tactical Night Vision Monocular is a monocular night vision goggle with an autogated White Phosphor IIT from Photonis. It's a portable, multi-purpose gadget designed for consumer electronics.