In April of this year, the Digisight NVD line was updated by Pulsar. For beginners in this topic, it should be noted that the work of these sights is based on the basis of a CCD matrix, which is similar to the technologies used in digital cameras. The Belarusian manufacturer presented the new product at an exhibition in Germany, where it received well-deserved attention.
Classic NVDs operate using electron-optical converters (EOP's), which react poorly to bright light. In contrast, digital night sights behave perfectly and work great even during the day. In this article, we consider one of the representatives of this line - "Pulsar 970".
It should be noted that another device, along with the above, for night hunting and observation are thermal imaging sights (thermal imagers). They are the most advanced devices in this area, but also the most expensive, and digital NVDs belong to the middle price category.
"Pulsar 970": characteristics
Compared with the old model, the updated device parameters are as follows:
- makes full use of the capabilities of the lenses during the day;
- has variable adjustable magnification;
- the possibility of electronic control of the side block;
- reticle in the amount of fifteen pieces;
- the presence of an integrated laser range finder (NVD "Pulsar" 960 and 970);
- no parallax;
- advanced features for adjusting the image;
- a connector for connecting a DVR that will record the image on a memory card;
- there is a color inversion function;
- increased spectral sensitivity, allowing the use of infrared illumination (the main difference from previous models), not visible to animals and NVD on image intensifiers;
- Pulsar night sight has the function of connecting an external power source to increase operating time;
- the ability to record information in the current time;
- auto power off is available if the device is not in use;
- You can set the power-saving mode;
- the ability to select a variety of original brackets on which additional devices are installed;
- the device’s operating temperatures range from minus twenty-five to plus fifty degrees Celsius, which allows it to be used freely in severe frosts.
In more detail "Pulsar 970" and a description of the above functions will be considered later.
About shock load
From the previous series of representatives of the new line distinguishes not only the software, but also the hardware.
In general, the efforts of engineers and designers of the company achieved the greatest optimization of control ergonomics by changing the design of the sight. At the same time, the overall recognizable shape of the devices was saved.
As before, a durable and lightweight composite is used to manufacture the device case. This material allows the night sight to withstand considerable shock loads that can occur as a result of shock, equipment fall or when used on large-caliber hunting weapons or pneumatics.
Rangefinder features
In order to hit the target, the absolute condition is to accurately determine the distance to it. Otherwise, no one can guarantee that the action will achieve the expected result at a distance of a direct shot, which is approximately fifty to one hundred meters. In order to avoid this situation, Pulsar developed digital NVDs with a rangefinder.
This device is located on the body on the left and provides distance measurement to the target within four hundred meters. The range finder works in two modes: single metering and continuous scanning. The measurement error is up to one meter.
The memory of the device stores three varieties of the meter, each of which enables the user to calculate the approximate distance to a conditional target with a height of 30, 70 or 170 centimeters. To do this, the hunter draws the bottom solid line under the victim’s feet, and combines the top with the desired touch of the scale.
Device management
Easy control, mainly by buttons (with letters and pictograms), which are located on the upper case:
- ON - turning on / off the night sight, as well as putting it into standby mode (turning off the display) in case of a break during the observation;
- IR - turn on, turn off and change the power of the glow of the infrared built-in illuminator;
- "□" - introduction to the field of view of the device of the stadiometric rangefinder (rangefinder scale);
- "ο" - turn on / off double digital zoom;
- The wheel adjusting the brightness of the display is located near the lens.
All buttons are large, easy to use, there is one programmable, the purpose of which can be selected by the user. The remaining functions are activated using a special dial switch and encoder.
Another plus is the ability to control the NVD "Pulsar 970" wireless external remote control.
Innovative mode
One of the first-class solutions was the use of the Freeze mode, which allows using just one cartridge to make a full weapon targeting due to the formation of a freeze frame of the target after the first shot. In addition, it is absolutely not necessary that after this the condition of complete immobility of the weapon is met.
Sighting corrections are stored in the device’s memory, which makes it possible, if there are several barrels, to leave settings for each and use if necessary.
The parameters are in the device, even if it was used with different weapons, all kinds of cartridges and unequal distance. The night vision "Pulsar 970 is capable of" reproducing fifteen (five pieces in three profiles) sighting marks that can be selected for specific weapons and ammunition.
Side blockage - on control
The weapon deflection sensor has proved itself to be an excellent function: if the slope is more than five degrees, the screen signals this with pyramidal arrows, while informing about the direction and degree of obstruction by the number of horizontal strokes.
The tasks of this sensor also include the measurement of elevation.
Also a useful innovation is the goniometer, whose function is to take into account the angle of the arrow position and, depending on this, calculate the real horizontal distance to the object of observation.
Camera
The design of the Pulsar 970 NVD is based on a camera having a highly sensitive black-and-white CCD by Sony. It is characterized by a high resolution of half an inch in size with a photosensitive sensor (from three ten thousandths to thirty thousand lux) at the input and an OLED display (six hundred forty-four hundred eighty pixels) that displays the image at the output. The photosensitivity parameters correspond to wide-spectrum illumination - from bright sunlight to moonless night darkness.
The diameter of the lens is fifty, and the removal of the exit pupil is sixty-seven millimeters.
The physical dimensions of the device are proportionally related to its sensitivity - with a larger area, the device collects more light. In practice, this means that with such parameters, the use of an infrared illuminator at night may not be necessary at all. Passive mode is also perfectly supported by the software part - the SumLight function increases the sensitivity of the equipment. Compared to the previous series, this parameter is doubled.
Tests showed that when working at night, in full cloud cover, the camera made it possible to see an animal the size of a hare from a distance of about one hundred meters, and a human figure from three hundred. At the same time, the range margin was obvious. It is interesting that in both modes - with and without a illuminator - the image quality was practically the same.
The built-in IR illuminator is equipped with a three-stage power adjustment, is absolutely safe for human eyes and has a wavelength of 915 nm. Thanks to this, the camera is able to work in conditions of minimal visibility or complete darkness.
Digital zoom
The next advantage of the Pulsar 970 NVD is its variable multiplicity, which allows digitally (stepwise or smoothly to choose from) to disperse the magnification, which has a base value of three and a half times, to fourteen. This characteristic allows you to confidently hit the target from a distance of two hundred meters at night or in poor visibility at a distance of detecting large game half a kilometer from the location of the shooter. It is interesting that not all the more expensive sights have this quality.
Energy Saving and Nutrition
To increase the energy saving rate of the device, an auto power off function is provided. It is activated after the weapon is tilted - seventy degrees vertically or thirty degrees horizontally - more than ten seconds. This is an additional convenience for the hunter, since he will not have to remember turning off the sight when moving or changing position.
This function will also save battery power if the device was not accidentally deactivated.
In addition to the fact that the device is powered by four AA elements, it is possible to connect an external power source to it through a special socket on the front, which is closed with a plug if not used. This allows you to increase the life of the device.
Thermal Sights
Along with digital sights, the company produces Pulsar thermal imagers - the best solution for night hunting. This device allows you to detect an object from a distance of one thousand six hundred meters and shoot at a medium-sized target with three hundred.
The thermal imager makes it possible to use weapons in all weather conditions and lighting conditions. And even rare thickets will not interfere with its use.
This device is hermetic - will continue to work after a short immersion in water to a meter deep - and also shockproof.
With such characteristics, Pulsar thermal imagers have only one drawback - the high price, which starts with two hundred sixty thousand rubles.
Prices
Sights on image intensifiers have an average cost of ninety thousand rubles, and the same indicator for digital devices ranges in the amount of sixty-five thousand. And this despite the fact that their characteristics significantly exceed the parameters of older models.
Device Opinions
The general opinion of hunters is as follows:
- owners of smoothbore guns claim that the device perfectly tolerates the strong recoil of the twelfth caliber;
- all buyers without exception are satisfied with the price of the device;
- hunters positively note the auto-contrast function for adjusting image clarity, whereas earlier it was necessary to make a hole in the lens cap and use the scope when closed;
- users like having an analog video output to which you can connect an external device with a memory card and save pictures and recordings there.
Hunters about the device "Pulsar 970"
The reviews for this model of sights read as follows:
- users are satisfied with the resource of this sight - it is more than twenty-five thousand hours;
- fans of crossbows find the presence of a reticle and range finder useful, which is convenient when shooting from different distances;
- many note the usefulness of the ability to use the device even before dark;
- the owners also talk about such convenience as the size and weight of the device - the length is three hundred and forty millimeters, and the weight is up to one kilogram;
- such equipment is especially useful for those who like sitting out;
- happy with the presence of an additional (now there are two of them) Weaver strips - you can fix another illuminator on it if necessary;
- hunters note the successful location of the control unit - switches and buttons, allowing you to quickly and easily activate the necessary functions in the field conditions;
- the device is especially suitable for those people who are observing or hunting animals that are active in the dark, regardless of the speed of their movement - the camera manages to track their movement perfectly.
Positive feedback is also voiced by employees of security agencies and athletes who are keen on night terrain orientation.
In general, it is worth noting that the creation of this series enables shooters to take the hunt to a higher level and enjoy the results of using such a technique.