Night Vision Gadget [Archive]

RoscoeRules

10-02-2009, 01:41 PM

We all know one or two of our friends who are gizmo/gadget addicts who are always buying frivolous high-tech’ toys and then, almost as an after thought, try to justify it by rationalizing it away with spurious claims of its usefulness. This came to mind when I just read the article in the latest BMW ON magazine about the guy who installed a FLIR camera/display on his GS. I’ve got a far cheaper solution; it’s called a properly-aimed high-beam headlamp and slowing down after dark and no gizmos or gadgets necessary.

hlothery

10-02-2009, 02:05 PM

KGT1200

10-02-2009, 02:17 PM

I don't think it would work for me any more than breaking my concentration to text somebody.

Moving down the road at speed, I would prefer to keep my speed in check, hand on the brake, and my vision peeled for the furthest distance.

Or just stay put after darkness falls.

I know that the last two weeks in Minnesoters, the 5:45 AM stat time has left me riding in a soup of fog and darkness, and honestly is starting to give me the willies! The deer are on the move.

When does time change anyway? Anybody out there know?

RTFlyer

10-02-2009, 02:21 PM

If it were a heads-up type thing it would make some sense to me, but I don't want to be watching a screen above my handlbars to see what's in front of me. I'll settle for my less than perfect human night vision. I'm sure its a great technology and I can hardly believe that I'm not being taken into it being the gadget lover that I am.

hlothery

10-02-2009, 02:53 PM

jpberens43639

10-02-2009, 03:26 PM

Install these, pretty dang good, no need to dim for oncoming traffic, really light up the sides of the road.

Speed / skill / reaction time wil still vary by user.

CATZ lights off.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm6/jpberens1993K1100RS/Picture014.jpg

CATZ lights on.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm6/jpberens1993K1100RS/Picture013.jpg

From the front, GREATLY enhances your visability to oncoming traffic.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm6/jpberens1993K1100RS/Picture006.jpg

hlothery

10-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Wow!

AKBeemer

10-02-2009, 03:58 PM

I don't know......FLIR is pretty neat. This brings to mind shenanegans I used to pull when younger, and in the Army. While we were out on deployment, I used to borrow night vision goggles for me and my jeep driver, and drive through the area after dark and toss CS granades and artillery simulators. :whistle Great fun, until someone spotlighted us. :laugh Massive retaliation was almost certain. :hide Wish I could afford all the toys out there.

Want a gut wrenching terrifying thrill? Sit in the passenger's seat of a Hummer on a zero illumination night while the driver is wearing night vision kit and driving across the desert at a high rate of speed.

RTFlyer

10-02-2009, 04:13 PM

I suspect it is an acquired skill, and one must learn to trust it. Certainly, pilots, both fixed and rotary wing, have learned to do it, and it has probably significantly increased capability and saved may lives. Who knows..........would I recognize the future if it showed up?:scratch

As far as I know, their stuff is generally helmet mounted and image enhancement technology vs. infrared. I've used them myself in the early '80's. It was a beautiful sight to see...showers of sparks from Huey's skidding down the runway after autorotations to a completlely dark runway in the middle of the night! Man I'm getting old.. In any case, the pilots sight picture is exactly what he'd see if it wasn't there, only enhanced. He looks through a monocle or binocular type device.

This device mounts like a GPS. You have to look at it instead of the road.

Sit

10-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Two things, pilots and military drivers using night vision generally have a co-pilot or a-driver without night vision on to double check things as night vision is not very good with depth perception etc, or previously mentioned it is a monocular type device so you have one eye that is still normal.

The other thing, to stay smooth and balanced, what do they always tell us, eyes up! This is going to bring your eyes down. Now maybe some sort of hybrid system that projects a limited over lay on your visor or windscreen to just illuminate hot objects etc so deer or people would stand out, that my not be so bad, but I bet it would be $$$$$$$

RTFlyer

10-02-2009, 05:21 PM

Now maybe some sort of hybrid system that projects a limited over lay on your visor or windscreen to just illuminate hot objects etc so deer or people would stand out, that my not be so bad, but I bet it would be $$$$$$$

Cadillac did it! Why not BMW??

Pat Carol

10-02-2009, 06:51 PM

The gadget's and gizmo's are really slick. I think it is great that someone steps up and shares their knowledge. The F.L.I.R system does make sense but, I have a cheaper way. AVOID RIDING AT NIGHT!
Now I am not trying to burst anyone's bubble. There is so much impressive technology out there designed by motorcyclist for motorcyclist.
BMW has added some superb advancement's on their machine's. The only problem I have is something breaking and the high cost of repair. I guess I'll stick too my 97 1100rs until the wheel's go square. That is advanced as I'll get for now.
One other issue I have about all the gizmo's and gadget's is the fact of being a distraction while riding a motorcycle. It is not much different from texting and driving.
When I travel, I never take a road map with me. I just go in the direction I want to go in and get lost. That is fun when you have the time. I will admit that the GPS is a superb tool for motorcyclist. Especially for you folk's that play in the dirt. I'm just not a techno savvy guy.

Take Care & Ride Safe
Pat Carol

MotorradMike

10-02-2009, 07:29 PM

Cadillac did it! Why not BMW??

Answer is before question.

RTFlyer

10-03-2009, 10:05 AM

Answer is before question.

:rofl:rofl:rofl

I avoid riding at night, but like most, I do get caught out from time to time.

A friend was travellling by cage at night through Atlanta on Thurs and hit a tire tread that was shed by a truck. It damaged her lower valance and that was it. I told her she was lucky. It could have killed someone on a bike. Those are the things that make this a roll-of-the-dice sometimes.

RandyB

10-04-2009, 11:56 AM

Want a gut wrenching terrifying thrill? Sit in the passenger's seat of a Hummer on a zero illumination night while the driver is wearing night vision kit and driving across the desert at a high rate of speed.

We did an assault landing several years ago and the bikers were wearing NVGs. Dude rolled off the ramp and took off, only to hit a runway light (blacked out). WHEEEE! Being about 19 years old, he got up, looked at the totaled bike and took off on foot to his position. To be young and indestructable again....

Motorcycle content: I try never to ride at night, even on a slab.