Gear Ex Historiam: Night Vision Recoil Staff February 10, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. “Throughout the history of warfare, the cover of darkness has provided a tactical advantage to one or another of the opposing forces. In their quest for a physical and psychological edge over their foes, military leaders since time immemorial have sought artificial means of penetrating the darkness and turning night into day.” This installment of Ex Historiam discusses the development of Night Vision. The music in this video plays like something from an old SyFy movie, doesn't it? Like they should have had Les Tremayne narrate it. It's definitely interesting to see how they looked at NODs (or NOGs or NVGs or whatever your preferred acronym is). Practical military use night vision devices have definitely come a long way from the so-called “snooperscope” and “Vampir” system used with the Sturmgewehr 44, even since the Gen 1 optics of the Vietnam War. As interesting as these older NODs to watch and play with, until they come up with some good night vision contacts we' d just as soon stick with GPNVG18s should we have to go into harm's way. Thing about it. Hog hunters and recreational outdoorsmen are using equipment that is by an order of magnitude more efficient than what GIs were using during wartime just a few decades ago. Makes you wonder well we'll be when the kids in elementary school now are the officers and NCOs doing work. After all, they have (apparently) already developed an eye drop that improves night vision with the use of Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a material taken from deep sea fish. Ce6 has previously been used in cancer treatment regimens and more recently in treating night blindness in subjects with visual impairment. More recent tests indicate it could do much more than that. We'll see. Meanwhile, here's a blast from the past. Ex Historiam: Night Vision Read previous Ex Historiam and watch their videos right here on RECOILweb. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
