Super Simple Night Vision

This project diagrams the build of cheap but effective night-vision "goggles" elsewhere sold at twice the price.  These pick up near-infrared light emmited from a bunch of IR LEDS.  All the parts can be bought from Amazon.com for about $50, minus the enclosure.  This thing is great for campouts, hunting, party tricks, night paintball and much more. 

Sorry, but I do not have any pictures of the real thing, as it broke in a 20 foot fall out of my window.  Suprisingly, the camera and LEDs survived, but the monitor and box did not. 

This is a submission to the "Make it Real" and "Spy" contests. 

Step 1: Materials:

First you need to buy or find the materials.  All are avaliable on Amazon.com. 
1 x automotive backup camera (avaliable at  http://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-License-Plate-Backup-Camera/dp/B0049LBJ56/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1338242181&sr=1-1) $13.1


1 x automotive backup monitor (avaliable at http://www.amazon.com/3-5-Inch-TFT-Monitor-Automobile/dp/B0045IIZKU/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b) $21.7 

1 x 9.6V RC car battery (avaliable at http://www.amazon.com/Tenergy-2000mAh-NT8S600B-Transmiter-Airplanes/dp/B00384JI3K/ref=sr_1_13?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1338242492&sr=1-13) $8.75

1 x box, I used 6-1/2" x 5" x 3", but anything that fits all the components will work.  I made mine from leftover acrylic spray painted black, so cost is neligible.   

1 x power switch, avaliable on amazon, or radioshack.  $0.5

1 x IR led array (avaliable at http://www.amazon.com/Board-Plate-CCTV-Security-Camera/dp/B0057DPXI4/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1338242899&sr=1-11) $5.6 

total price: 49.65

Comments

[BasementBuilder]

These safety goggles are impossible to knock off. I have gotten stuck with them on multiple times. The steroscopic night vision is a good idea though.

[jduffy54]

Okay. The other issue might be focal distance. You need a fairly uncommon lens (concave lens) to see the screen, plus you do have to consider the torque of pulling the very front straight down.

[jduffy54]

Not sure if safety goggles could support everything, but maybe a magnifying visor with the magnifier removed could.

Also, I recently took apart some disposable cameras, and noticed that the viewfinder lenses can be taken out, and allow you to focus on large objects close-up, which could allow you to reduce the size of the unit significantly. Also, maybe even use two small screens and two cameras for stereoscopic night vision.

[BasementBuilder]

I'm thinking about spray painting a pair of old safety goggles block and slapping this on it

[jduffy54]

I've had some questions about the connections. They're fairly simple, all red wires or wires marked + except the battery are connected to one end of the switch, all the black wires are connected together (including the battery), then the video (yellow or white) jack from the camera connects to the monitor.

[Suraj Grewal]

Good project
,I,ve also tried building one but with lenses so as to reduce distance of lcd from eyes
suggestion-use video glasses for lcd,it will become compact

[jduffy54]

I have just looked said glasses up on amazon.com, and the cheapest was $60, for ones which attach to an ipod. They may be modifiable, but I wouldn't risk it with such pricey shades. The cheapest ones that would work out-of-the-box are about $200, and the reviews don't make them seem very good. I would go with the screen and no lenses. I did originally tr to add lenses, but it didn't work well.

[jduffy54]

Yes, originally I wanted to do that, but they are harder to find and more expensive. I didn't use lenses just for simplicity, and because it works fine without them. Also, the glasses would be dificult to mount the camera, battery, and LCD on without them becoming way too heavy to wear.