If you’ve ever watched an old war movie or played a classic video game, you might have a distinct memory: soldiers peering through a dark landscape bathed in a glowing red hue. This iconic image leads many to ask a direct question: did night vision goggles use to be red? The short answer is yes, but the reasons and the technology behind that crimson glow are fascinating. It’s a tale of evolving science and practical design choices that shaped how we see in the dark.
The red image you recall is from a specific generation of night vision technology. It wasn’t just a stylistic choice; it was the fundamental way early devices worked. Understanding why requires a quick look at the core components.
Did Night Vision Goggles Use To Be Red
The iconic red glow was a hallmark of first-generation (Gen 1) night vision devices, prevalent from the 1960s through the 1980s. This characteristic red image was not a filter or a screen color choice. It was the direct result of the type of phosphor screen used inside the image intensifier tube. These early tubes used an S-1 photocathode and a P-20 phosphor screen that emitted a red light when struck by electrons. So, the view through the eyepiece was literally glowing red.
How Early “Starlight Scopes” Actually Worked
Gen 1 devices, sometimes called “starlight scopes,” amplified available ambient light. Here’s the basic process:
* Objective Lens: Gathers tiny amounts of light (from stars, the moon, etc.) and focuses it.
* Photocathode: This converted photons of light into electrons.
* Microchannel Plate (MCP): In Gen 1, this component was basic. It multiplied those electrons, creating a cloud.
* Phosphor Screen: The cloud of electrons hit this screen, causing it to glow. The specific phosphor type (P-20) glowed red.
* Eyepiece Lens: You looked through this lens to see the glowing red image.
The red color was simply a byproduct of the most effective and affordable phosphor available at the time. It had nothing to do with preserving night vision, a common myth.
Why Did They Move Away From the Red Display?
The shift from red to green was a major advancement. Green phosphor (P-43) became the new standard for several critical reasons:
* Human Eye Sensitivity: The human eye can discern more shades of green than any other color, including red. This allows for better contrast, detail recognition, and reduced eye strain during prolonged use.
* Improved Resolution: The green phosphor screens offered a sharper, clearer image with higher resolution. The red images tended to be fuzzier and lower in detail.
* Longer Tube Life: Devices using green phosphor generally had a longer operational lifespan compared to their red-emitting predecessors.
* Reduced Eye Fatigue: Staring at a monochromatic green display is less fatiguing over long periods than staring at a red one, allowing for longer missions.
By the time Generation 2 night vision was developed, the green phosphor screen was firmly established. It provided a massive leap in performance, relegating the red glow to history.
Common Myths About Red Night Vision
Let’s clear up some persistent misconceptions:
Myth: Red preserves night vision. This is false for the goggles themselves. The concept of using red light to preserve your eyes’ natural dark adaptation is true (like in a submarine or darkroom), but the red image inside the goggles has no effect on your outside vision. Your eyes are adapted to the bright screen, not the dark environment.
* Myth: All old night vision is red. Only Gen 1 devices typically had the red output. Some very early experimental models or specialized devices might have used other colors, but red was the Gen 1 standard.
* Myth: Military still uses red for stealth. The green light from modern goggles is contained entirely inside the device. There is no external green glow that gives away a user’s position (a common movie error). The concern is “light leakage” from the eyepieces, not the screen color.
Identifying Generations of Night Vision Technology
Knowing the generations helps you understand the evolution. Here’s a simplified guide:
1. Generation 0: The earliest, active infrared systems. Required a big IR illuminator (like a spotlight). Not the passive devices we think of today.
2. Generation 1 (Gen 1): The first passive “starlight” amplification. Requires bright ambient light, has a shorter range, lower resolution, and the famous red phosphor screen. Often has a distinctive “halo” effect around light sources.
3. Generation 2 (Gen 2): Introduced the improved Microchannel Plate (MCP) for much greater amplification. Better performance in lower light, longer range, higher resolution, and the switch to the standard green phosphor screen.
4. Generation 3 (Gen 3): The current military standard. Uses a gallium arsenide photocathode for exceptional sensitivity, especially in the near-infrared spectrum. Superior performance in very low light, excellent resolution, and long tube life. Image is green.
5. Generation 4 / “Filmless” Gen 3: Further refinements for reduced noise and better performance in dynamic lighting. The visual output remains a high-definition green image.
If you come across a device with a red display, it is almost certainly an older Gen 1 unit.
Where You Might Encounter Red Night Vision Today
While largely obsolete for serious military or law enforcement use, red phosphor night vision isn’t completely extinct.
* Collectors and Historians: Original Gen 1 devices like the AN/PVS-2 “Starlight Scope” are collectible items.
* Budget Civilian Market: Very low-cost night vision toys or novelty items might simmulate the red look, though they are often just digital screens.
* Film and Media: Period-accurate movies, TV shows, and video games will correctly depict soldiers using red-glowing devices for historical settings (like the Vietnam War era).
It’s important to note that modern digital night vision displays can be set to any color, including red, white, or amber, via software. But the highest-performance analog devices (Gen 2, Gen 3) universally use green phosphor for the physical and optical reasons stated earlier.
Practical Considerations for Modern Users
If you’re looking to purchase night vision today, you’ll be dealing with green displays. Here are some key points to consider:
* Set Realistic Expectations: Modern green images are clear, detailed, and not the blurry red scenes from movies.
* Understand Generations: Gen 2+ is a common starting point for civilians. Gen 3 offers pro-level performance but at a higher cost.
* Try Before You Buy: If possible, look through different models. The difference between generations is very noticeable.
* Check for Blems: All intensifier tubes have minor cosmetic spots. Understand the blemish rating before purchasing.
The journey from red to green is a perfect example of technology adapting to human biology. We didn’t change our eyes; we changed the machine to work better with them. The red glow served its purpose, launching a revolutionary capability, but the quest for clarity and efficiency inevitably led to the green world of modern night vision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why were old night vision goggles red?
They used a phosphor screen type called P-20 that naturally emitted a red light when electrons hit it. It was the standard material for first-generation image intensifier tubes.
What color are night vision goggles now?
Modern night vision goggles (Gen 2, Gen 3, and beyond) almost universally display a monochromatic green image. This is because the human eye sees more shades of green, leading to better detail and less strain.
Did the red light help with stealth?
No, not in the way most people think. The red image was only visible to the user inside the goggles. It did not project a red light onto the environment or make the user more invisible. The myth likely confuses it with using red lights to preserve natural night vision.
Can you get night vision in different colors?
Yes, but mainly in digital night vision units. These devices use a digital sensor and screen, allowing the output color to be changed to white, black, amber, or even red via settings. High-performance analog (tube-based) night vision uses a fixed phosphor screen, which is almost always green for optimal performance.
Are red night vision goggles worse?
Yes, devices with a red phosphor screen are first-generation technology. They are significantly inferior to modern green phosphor devices in terms of resolution, light amplification, range, and reliability. They require more ambient light to function and have a shorter operational life.