Is White Phosphor Better Than Green Phosphor Night Vision? Let's put that to the test!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 93

  • @PhotonisDefenseInc.
    @PhotonisDefenseInc. ปีที่แล้ว +48

    Another great video! We like your videos because they address details with explanations that most users don’t cover.
    From our testing, green phosphor has better contrast - even when the FOM/Gains are similar. 4G very high FOM (above 2500) Green Phosphor is what we use in our intensified digital night vision cameras, because the GP input to the CMOS provides more contrast to the CMOS, which enables maximum performance (output) since the image output from the CMOS is B&W.
    In terms of that testing summary, you flashed on the screen it would have been better if the organization doing that test had concentrated on object recognition in an obstructed environment instead of having a goal of shot placement using laser designators. The way they ran the test, the soldier’s brain function/hand to eye coordination was focused completely on shot placement. With the use of a laser designator, it wouldn’t make that much difference if you were using WP or GP as the soldier would focus solely on the spot on the target, and the results pretty much indicated that it really didn’t make a difference. Perhaps if the goal of the test was identifying objects or reading letters/numbers it would have produced a different result. With that said, even US Army testing has shown that it doesn’t make a difference to most people - however, it does make a difference within our own testing, which is why our intensified cameras use GP - and for other environments we use a variety of phosphor coatings in different colors based on the use of the image intensifier. At the end of the day (or night) what we always tell people is that everyone's eyes and brains are calibrated differently for image interpretation, and what looks best to them may not apply to someone else. Plus, if one adds other elements to the mix, such as our 50-degree objective lenses, it changes even more how the brain interprets contrast/resolution. Therefore, people should always get what looks best to them at the price they can afford no matter who makes the gear. After December 2023 ECHO tubes will phase out and only the higher end 4G tubes will be available (in varying FOMs), because of fewer fall-outs.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +11

      The green tubes are really overlooked for how well they perform.
      Thanks for the additional information and context once again. Can't wait to see what you guys are cooking up in the future.

    • @wylnd
      @wylnd ปีที่แล้ว

      Do you bond your CMOS to the fiber optic bundle or use a relay lens? I'm highly interested in making my own non afocal camera adapter and wonder how to correct for the rounded fiber optic output or whether I should contact Schott for a Sensor to fiber bond. On your website I can't really see what the cricket device uses, appears to be a relay lens though

    • @PhotonisDefenseNightVision
      @PhotonisDefenseNightVision ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It is bonded directly to the fiber optic bundle.@@wylnd

    • @ZIEKedit
      @ZIEKedit 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Does less dropouts and higher yields mean that 4G will be cheaper (compared to today)?

    • @wylnd
      @wylnd 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ZIEKedit Only when the US opens its ITAR floodgates or we get more serious european competition for Photonis. I really hate their monopoly, ITTs should not cost that much anymore. Especially with production speeding up because of Ukraine

  • @Hoplopfheil
    @Hoplopfheil ปีที่แล้ว +189

    Still waiting for amber phosphor tubes, truly the coziest color as proven by Fallout New Vegas.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +64

      Amber phosphor tubes, Project Nevada, Darker Nights, and the Anti Materiel rifle.
      Life was simpler back then.

    • @StacyTheDude
      @StacyTheDude 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Ahh a cultured individual

    • @whiplash5026
      @whiplash5026 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😂

    • @DylanClements98
      @DylanClements98 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Low light innovations sells an amber filter for the PVS-14 and NVG-40/50

    • @noahagee9905
      @noahagee9905 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The Wilcox Amber filter for the PVS 14 made the tube look completely amber, I really disliked it and removed immediately lol

  • @johndiaz3972
    @johndiaz3972 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Good shit brotha. I've been going back and forth between green v white phos tube's in regards to overall bang for buck, and your video has helped me come to a decision. For the cost and it's intended use, gen 3 green seems the best route. Thanks again.

  • @testboga5991
    @testboga5991 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Wow, I'm surprised by the benefits of green. Especially in the forest! So much more shading.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yep! We do think the Photonis green tubes are very overlooked for some of the benefits they provide.

  • @MarcusJGrey
    @MarcusJGrey ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thanks for the upload, your other upload(s) have been instrumental in me making a well informed decision on my purchase. Went for BNVD 1432s with NVT5 WP tubes, 1800 FOM. Not the greatest but pretty decent for someone just starting out and honestly, probably wouldnt see or appreciate the difference at my current level of use anyway.

  • @jester4348
    @jester4348 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Such an informative and excellently executed video. bravo

  • @DylanClements98
    @DylanClements98 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This is an excellent video, really making me feel good about picking up GP!

  • @Kaotix_music
    @Kaotix_music 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    they really are just "different", i dont really think one is better than the other. Its truly a preference matter. A while ago I got to look through some SOCOM spec L3 UFWP tubes and I was so excited and the first difference right away was obviously the color. It was a pretty dark night, no moon, overcasted, we were 40 miles away from the nearest town at this event and I did see more of that "Black and white" look to them. I have an Omni 8 L3 tube which I have tested along side some pretty high spec elbit and L3 tubes, so I am very confident when I say my Omni 8 tube certainly exceeds minimum DoD specs, especially in gain and SNR - I put my GP omni 8 tube right next to that WP tube and....the image was deff the same in terms of what I could see and not see. Because "white" almost feels like a damn flashlight is shined into my eye...I had to turn the gain down on the WP unit so it wasnt so bright. It wasnt so bright as in "I can see more than my GP tube", it was just the color of the WP tube was to intense to my eyes, that I had to turn down the gain. Its like looking at a website that doesnt have a dark theme at 2 in the morning, you have to turn "night mode" on your phone so its not too much on your eyes. I find with GP, I actually have *less* eye strain and my entire military career...never once got a headache because of my nods. I got headaches from the helmet itself and long term use during operations. I didn't wear it JUST at night...its obviously worn during the day aswell.
    WIth WP, i saw why people love manual gain. Like I said, I had to turn the gain down again simply just because of the color being more sensitive to my eyes and being more "bright". Not because it had more "gain". With GP? I use ABC on my device. I removed the pigtails off my tubes. I prefer ABC...but with GP. Deff not WP. And, to your point, GP is cheaper so I run GP not because I like it "better", but because it was much more cost effective. Omni 8 tubes when I bought them were about 1200 still in the package. Elbit XLSH tubes were in the 2500+ range. For the price of 1 WP tube, I got 2 GP tubes. If I want a more "WP look"? I just throw a filter on my device. I know LLI has their filters (which I own), but if you really want an actual "WP" look? Get blue filters on ebay. MUCH MUCH more WP looking and actually dont cut down on the light to your eye than purple filters do.
    As you said, all this comes down to preference. Do I prefer WP? Yes. Do I 'NEED" WP? No. I chased wanted WP tubes so bad until I looked through them, I realized id be spending thousands to change out my tubes...literally for a different color of phosphor...for what? To Be cool? Nah. LOL until the money is there to throw at it...Ill be sticking to my GP Omni 8 tubes for a long, long time.

    • @mrgrump2534
      @mrgrump2534 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Makes sense to me

  • @loadmastergod1961
    @loadmastergod1961 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I've got several hundred hours on green phosphorous NVG from the military. My only experience with white phosporous is the rifle scope my dad and I bought for coyotes. don't know if it's my eyes, or the time I have only green nogs, but I prefer the green so far.

  • @cjr4286
    @cjr4286 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    My take-away is that white phosphor "feels" more natural and is less harsh on the eye, whereas green is harsher on the eye and less "natural" feeling, but allows you to see greater contrast and detail in extreme low-light conditions. WP might be great for general use, whereas green would be helpful for picking up the outline of things trying not to be seen.

  • @jbdub08
    @jbdub08 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Very informative video. Thank you!

  • @JasonBelliveau
    @JasonBelliveau ปีที่แล้ว +10

    this is a great example on why you should have thermal. scan with thermal and identify with NVG.

    • @IntrepidDivergence
      @IntrepidDivergence ปีที่แล้ว

      Which color phosphor would you choose for identifying with night vision?

    • @JasonBelliveau
      @JasonBelliveau ปีที่แล้ว

      @@IntrepidDivergencethe one that works for you. not everyone is the same and not everyone has the same free money. i would love white but cant afford them.

  • @Mr_Glenn
    @Mr_Glenn ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was the video that was promised to me after my reddit post. Nice!

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      We live to give.

    • @Mr_Glenn
      @Mr_Glenn ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@coldharboursupplyI really appreciate your willingness to help! I'm really happy with my 2337 WP Echo. Seeing this almost makes me want to buy a green as well, but there is not much of a use for me. It would still be nice to have, though. 😂

    • @RunningWithSauce
      @RunningWithSauce ปีที่แล้ว

      My 2600 FOM Photonis absolutely wrecks my Omni 7 cripsy GP contract tube in low light. They human eye sees low gain much much better. He talked about that in the beginning but to really see it, its not this "Night and Day" different shown on video. @@Mr_Glenn

  • @styxrf
    @styxrf ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Having used both in the military, I prefer green.

  • @himawaricopter
    @himawaricopter ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I don't think prices will fall that much for new commercial GP tubes. GP tubes are a little cheaper right now, but manufacturers are also making fewer of them since the industry has moved fully on to WP.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Within the American market that may be true but outside of the US green production is still steady for now. However, this is a rapidly evolving industry and time will tell if the context of this video changes in the future.

  • @sbeattie4263
    @sbeattie4263 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    great videos...really helps me out on making a decision and 💰

  • @Arrogan28
    @Arrogan28 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I imagine that the reason we see green more accurately is simply because we have three cones(well most of us) and all three of those cones have a range, they see in, that is almost like a gaussian distribution over blue, green, and red regions of the EM spectrum. And since green in right in the center it means no only do you hit the green cone right at it's peak, you also have both the red and the blue cones picking up some of the color as well, so effectively your brain is getting more information to work with to discern the scene. Where say if you picked the red region, then the blue cones would not really be picking up any information, leaving only the green and red cones to try to discern what your eyes are seeing.
    I however can also understand how despite that being the case, eye strain from looking at a green monitor is gonna likely be annoying. Anyone who used to use the only apple II+ machines in the day, or most old PCs, all used green monitors as well. However I do agree that when you look away from the screen, after looking at a green screen, your eyes adjust quicker to seeing regular dark surroundings, then if you have been staring at a bright white screen. So despite eye strain being greater, it could make the difference in warfare if your eyes adjust quicker to seeing your dark surroundings then if you remove your headgear with white phosphorous and now you are effectively blind for a moment waiting for your eyes and brain to be able to adjust. Again it likely has to do with how much each of the cones has been stimulated and for how long, etc....Or it could just be purely a neuron thing, I guess if you observed how big someone's iris was after viewing green vs white phosphorous screen, and measured how big the iris was immediately after removing the headgear. It could be literally that the brain is telling your eyes to keep your iris smaller for longer with the white. Else if there is no difference in iris, but there is a perceived difference from user testing that your eyes adjust quicker, it must be how much light has been simulating the cones and rods with green vs white phosphorous... it's interesting video, thanks!

  • @nicofi286
    @nicofi286 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    As usual perfect video but I would like a video: echo white vs gen3 omni8 green !!!! Please!!!!!

  • @kdkinen
    @kdkinen 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Unbelievable, you sold me back on greens... I have 2x pvs14 in white, which are awesome.. but that gain

  • @travislupum
    @travislupum 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I finally got a white phos set up and i was shocked my green 14 can see in darker conditions up close its the difference between tripping over the coffee table or dog and not

  • @ilovethefederalgovernment
    @ilovethefederalgovernment ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Welcome to Dubai gentlemen.

    • @borrago
      @borrago 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      "A local airborne insurgency has infiltrated the U.S zone designated as 'my pants', sir!"

  • @VitalyMack
    @VitalyMack 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I think white phosphorus is definitely better for spotting movement.

    • @ilovethefederalgovernment
      @ilovethefederalgovernment 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      I think white phosphorus is better at ending movement

    • @mrgrump2534
      @mrgrump2534 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Nope, they’re about the same. Depends on the person.

    • @mrgrump2534
      @mrgrump2534 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Dude, literally just proved you wrong in this video

  • @carlh4350
    @carlh4350 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video. Thank you

  • @gomergomez1984
    @gomergomez1984 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Was issued a AN/PVS-7s during Desert Storm and they were B/W and much easier to drive with than the older dual green ones.

  • @sejsmo
    @sejsmo ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great job, but .... The description is wrong. 10:20 there is 0.01 mfL and at 10:38 there is 0.05 mfL (shown as darker), and at 11:01 there is 0.01 mfL again (described as even darker than earlier). And there's something wrong with the system gain measured I'm affraid. For SG 4500 when optics is standard military (i.e. Carson) PR must have been over 1700 uA/W to give this high system gain. Photonis doesn't produce this powerfull photocathodes yet. For the second NVG with SG about 5360 with ratio of tubes luminance gain between the two about 1.38 photcathode response should be extreeemly poor for the second tube in comparison if the optics are similar.. :-)

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for the feedback. Mentioned the editing error in the video description.
      As for the SG the Hoffman reads what it reads. Sample size of one and all. Trying to keep settings consistent. There's no user input for the system gain tests of the Hoffman other than the unit calibration when you put the probe on the lenses. Gen 3 typically puts 8K+ SG so Photonis pushing 4-6K is not too out of the ordinary given the difference between Multi-Alkali tubes and GaAs ones.
      If you can procure some better results we would love to see it.

  • @dave4956
    @dave4956 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good video

  • @CLARENCEUNFILTERED
    @CLARENCEUNFILTERED ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I notice you guys don’t carry the green for Jerry 31s.

  • @CaptApollo101
    @CaptApollo101 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    you guys should get your hands on a sionyx opsen and put it through the testing regime

  • @danveda
    @danveda ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video

  • @Anon88-b9s
    @Anon88-b9s 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Makes me wish I’d gone GP for my ECHO over WP 😢

  • @Mr_Glenn
    @Mr_Glenn ปีที่แล้ว

    How would the WP stack up against a GP with an amber/white filter? Everyone knows that filters eat performance, but how bad is it?

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You will get some loss of brightness an image with any filter you put on your lens. We would say you get slightly less brightness than the WP Echos we posted here, so it brings it down a notch. That being said, you also don't get that eyestrain you might get, and it lowers the signature of the NOD considerably.
      It is removable so for users needing max gain, you can simply remove it. Personally, I find that because the Echo GPs are not as bright or as harsh as most GaAs (gen 3) tubes, I run without it. YMMV.

  • @MOAON_AABE
    @MOAON_AABE ปีที่แล้ว

    What price should I expect for unfilmed gen 3 WP/GP
    SNR: 30
    EBI: .8
    FOM: 2000
    HALO .8
    LP/MM (64 to 72)
    ?????

    • @TRUMP-od7vi
      @TRUMP-od7vi ปีที่แล้ว

      3000 to 3300. Custom nvg sells tubes with those specks for that price.

    • @MOAON_AABE
      @MOAON_AABE ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TRUMP-od7vi I have seen a l3 Harris unfilmed 35 SNR , .5 EBI, .7 HALO, FOM 2200 for 3900$, what do you think of that price with a 10 year warranty?

    • @TRUMP-od7vi
      @TRUMP-od7vi ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@MOAON_AABE your paying for a warranty. The tube won't go bad for a long time and there are tubes out there that last 30+ years. Heck even some gen 1 tubes still exist. So I'm my opinion the warranty is not very important.

    • @MOAON_AABE
      @MOAON_AABE ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TRUMP-od7vi thanks so much, and what a about good used PEQ 15, what do you think a FAIR price for that is

    • @TRUMP-od7vi
      @TRUMP-od7vi ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MOAON_AABE to be honest I couldent tell you. I'm more just eyeballing the nvg market rn trying to get a good deal.

  • @tfunai8164
    @tfunai8164 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    White phos auto corrects to white phosphorus haha. I’ve looked through some high spec green tubes that look freaking amazing. Shouldn’t we all be buying supergain tubes then?

  • @WeatherMan404
    @WeatherMan404 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    when will cold harbour get gen3 tubes?

  • @Tattlebot
    @Tattlebot ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Bluish emission of P45 stimulates rod cells, which are far more efficient than cones. The notion of P43 having higher gain based on photopic daylight weighting is thrown into doubt.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      We always encourage buyers to do their own research, some research papers we read show the benefits of p45, some show the benefits of P43. I still prefer P45 but I would say phosphor choice alone is not the only determinative matter when choosing nods.

    • @Tattlebot
      @Tattlebot ปีที่แล้ว

      @@coldharboursupply Do lenses have variants for the two?

  • @Mini-Hakkero
    @Mini-Hakkero หลายเดือนก่อน

    Need red phosphor nightmare vision.

  • @ronbaer67
    @ronbaer67 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I know it useless but they actually do popular color by region

    • @Tillice
      @Tillice ปีที่แล้ว +2

      what does that even mean?

  • @AH-ut2lz
    @AH-ut2lz ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

    • @borrago
      @borrago 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@AH-ut2lz Ah. I see you learned the common core version in school.

  • @m.7n6
    @m.7n6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    White phosphor doesn't work for me I can't see anything with white phosphor

  • @noThing-wd6py
    @noThing-wd6py 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    But here is one thing that can't be measured with numbers ... the drip factor of White phosphorus 😌

    • @mrgrump2534
      @mrgrump2534 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What’s does that even mean 😂
      I came here to see what was gonna show me the best thing under low light
      I could give a fuck less about “drip factor”🤡

    • @mc-sillix961
      @mc-sillix961 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      U gay

  • @Tattlebot
    @Tattlebot ปีที่แล้ว

    Human vision hue discrimination is relatively weak in "green". It has the best spectral discrimination between green and red (noticing when fruit is ripe) as well as blue-green. The GP region of 540-550 nm is the weakest area of hue discrimination outside of the spectrum ends.
    Edit: the premise of these test is wrong. You are not simulating human vision with a camera.

    • @coldharboursupply
      @coldharboursupply  ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Nor do we claim to simulate human vision with a camera as that's impossible as we've implied.
      We just wanted to see the performance of the tubes in some environments, mostly looking at the gain spec differences and how that would change the image between WP and GP Photonis Tubes.

    • @Panzerwitch69
      @Panzerwitch69 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

    • @mrgrump2534
      @mrgrump2534 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      dude he was just clearly trying to share the difference from green and white. It doesn’t matter what the icon see versus the camera because we can clearly see on camera green is the better option for seeing in darker places

    • @Tattlebot
      @Tattlebot 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@mrgrump2534 what I've learnt in 6 months since posting that is that for a given electron energy level, fewer photons are produced by WP, because blue is more energetic. There are also very few S cones in the fovea which results in poor blue spatial resolution. The greatest blue resolution is 10° off the visual center. P43 green is far better in all respects and production of P45 seems unnecessary.

  • @_NCO
    @_NCO 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You rook rike perlson who eadda lodda lice

    • @bmbullman
      @bmbullman 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fuck is wrong with you?