“The intracoastal waterway is actually scarier than being on the ocean because there are so many more things you can run into,” said Mike Bader, CEO of OceanView Night Vision Cameras. “Night vision gives you a tremendous degree of confidence.”
Low-light or thermal cameras can take the worry out of navigating in low or no visibility. Low-light cameras optimize your vision on the water by amplifying the amount of ambient light. The performance (and price) of monocular night scopes are primarily based on its light amplifier type, followed by the lens quality and overall construction.
Predicated on heat detection rather than light amplification, thermal cameras allow boaters to see in total darkness and work the same during night or day. Because glass acts as a barrier to heat, thermal devices should be mounted outside of the cabin with the video cable running from the unit to an inside monitor. Position your night-vision camera wisely as sea spray has affected picture quality for many boat owners. Spray will likely soften the image from a thermal camera as it does not see through water.
For smaller boat owners with smaller budgets, FLIR hand-held thermal cameras start at $2,000 and can be suction-cup mounted on the hard top of your vessel. Most models have a video out that you can connect to your monitor, laptop or tablet (via an RCA jack). There is virtually no training required for entry-level cameras, according to Bader, whose company sells 20 models that range from $5,000 to $200,000.
Cameras that integrate the low-light and thermal technologies provide a much larger spectrum of vision. (Whether at anchor or in a marina, many yacht owners also use night-vision cameras for security/surveillance purposes.) A key caveat about night-vision cameras: they don’t work well in fog. In such conditions, radar is the right navigational choice, although thermal cameras will allow you to see farther than the naked eye.
With so many camera choices on the market, most of which cost a pretty penny, be sure to ask a lot of questions before buying. What is the product's range? What advantages do the multiple settings offer? What about camera stabilization? A test run before you make a purchase is a good idea.
Remember that mariners have been navigating at night for a long time without the benefit of these sophisticated tools. High-tech won’t help you avoid a wreck if you gloss over basic boat safety measures. Veteran captains will tell you that slowing down, maintaining a careful lookout and using your spotlight when necessary will go a long way to getting you on your way — safely.
Photo credit: OceanView Night Vision Cameras
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