So, you didn't heed our guide on How to Take Care of Night Vision, and now you find your device tainted. Whether it's from neglect, a laser encounter, or some questionable moon-staring, we get it. We've been there, and we feel your pain. The good news? There's a potential solution that might just be your best shot at recovery: Black Boxing.
Why Black Box Night Vision? Photocathode oversaturation damage – that's the culprit. Too much photon exposure, whether from leaving your device on in a lit closet or a laser encounter, can leave unsightly blemishes. To combat this, enter the world of Black Boxing.
What is Black Boxing Night Vision? It's not rocket science; it's the night vision version of turning off and on again. Simply put, it involves running your device in complete darkness. If the damage occurred due to oversaturation of the photocathode with photons, the idea is to run it without any incoming photons, attempting to "reset" that area of the photocathode.
What Will Black Boxing Fix? It's not an exact science, but generally, it can fix minor over-exposure blemishes, reduce the severity of medium ones, and might not do much for severe cases. For instance, dark spots from porch lights during surveillance might be treatable, while a high-power laser blemish might be tougher to erase.
How to Black Box Night Vision: Now, for the practical steps to execute the black boxing technique.
Step One: Put Your Caps On Simple, yet crucial. Use caps designed to block all light, not just any caps – we're talking about those specifically created for the job.
Step Two: Put the Device in a Dark Container The darker, the better. Place your night vision device inside the darkest container available, usually the small hard case it came in. Turn the device on with a fresh battery and close the lid.
Step Three: Put the Box in a Dark Place Darkness is key. Find the darkest spot available – a closet, a drawer, or any secluded area will do. Ensure no light reaches the device.
Step Four: Let it Run for a Few Days Exercise patience. Change batteries as needed. For a PVS-14, expect around 2 days of battery life at room temperature. Dual-tube devices should be changed every night, running the process for about a week if possible.
Step Five: Pray At this point, it's in the hands of luck and the gods of image intensification. Pray, make deals with the devil – do whatever it takes.
Did it work? We hope so. If not, don't despair. Many people soldier on with blemished tubes. As civilians, we have the luxury of spec sheets and cosmetic choices. Even with a permanent blemish, your night vision device is likely still usable for most purposes.
Conclusion: So, there you have it – the art of Black Boxing. We hope this guide brings your night vision device back to life. If not, remember, you still possess a superpower. Enjoy the night, appreciate what you have, and stay tuned for more informative content from us.
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