DIY 3D printed night vision scope

In this video, I make a fully functional night vision camera that can see in the dark.
For a detailed tutorial and parts/tool list please visit my instructable here -- www.instructab...
Main Parts:
Camera - www.banggood.c...
Near eye display - www.banggood.c...
Micro DVR - www.banggood.c...
*affiliate links from banggood -- helps support the channel
Hey everybody!!! This is my latest night vision camera and it is awesome! I've spent lots of time and money on building and developing these little devices. This particular NV camera I've dubbed the "Eagle Scope 1.0" named after the camera inside.
It's a pocket-sized, 3d printable digital night vision monocular that you can build yourself for ~$200. Oh, and it is top of the line, with a near-eye display (that doesn't burn out your eyeball), a .0001 lux camera with an OSD, a rechargeable 3hr battery, and an (optional) external DVR for recording the footage. Best of all, it fits in your pocket! This thing kicks some major buttocks.
I've been building these devices for years now and built a total of 4... wait... 5... no... 7 night vision cameras (I can never remember how many). Some made out of scrap parts and old cameras, others made out of brand new parts. The Eagle Scope 1.0 is by far the best I've built so far.
So as for seeing in the dark, it all depends on the lighting conditions. Some nights have lighting conditions that the camera is far superior to my own eyes and other nights it is only a very slight improvement compared to my own eyes (given that your eyes have adjusted to the dark for ~10 min). It especially excels when you have a lot of light pollution such as in a city or development.
I would definitely recommend an infrared light (completely invisible to the human eye except for a faint red glow on the "light bulb" itself). Even though it isn't completely necessary all the time it helps provide a MUCH better picture. It will come in very handy believe me. Especially indoors.
The bright "circle" in the NV camera footage is simply the beam of the infrared flashlight helping to illuminate the image if it is too dark for the camera alone to see.
Music:
ThefatRat-Xenogenesis (credit Tasty records)
/ tasty
• TheFatRat - Xenogenesis
• TheFatRat - Xenogenesi...
/ @thefatrat
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My video production gear:
Editing Software - Final Cut Pro
Main Camera - amzn.to/3137O82
Second Camera - amzn.to/2LXfXr1
Tripod - amzn.to/2LXgTM3
Protective Case - amzn.to/3167QvW
Computer - 2015 13” macBook Pro
Microphone- amzn.to/2GE9ehq
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*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tripled keywords to boost vid in search --
night vision goggles night vision scope goggles nv digital night vision homemade diy how to make night vision goggles
DISCLAIMER:
This video is purely for entertainment value, any and all replications of any experiments, projects, and creations or similar are the sole legal responsibility of the person(s) involved in replicating them. I can not be liable for any information or misinformation, wrongful use, damage to personal property, death or any circumstances that result from replication (or attempt to replicate) of any projects seen.

[@rodrigo_dm]

3 years later, how is this project? could this be done in a cheaper way? or new hardware? would love to see a pt2, amazing video!

[@HappyMadScientist]

Pt 2 may be coming this summer depending on college and work schedule. I want to make it smaller, cheaper, and easier to use. I’m looking at making a custom circuit board... I’m going to put a lot more R and D into v2. I’m looking at possibly editing the firmware of the camera itself to allow slower shutter speeds and such.

[@Ignis_1]

I'd love to see it

[@LibertySon1776]

I'd love to see this as well. In particular, one that takes AA, AAA, or CR123A batteries like most other nightvision. Also, a way to mount to a J-arm like a pvs-14.

[@LibertySon1776]

Is their a way to use a round lcd display to make it feel more like the military nightvision?

[@davay2533]

@@LibertySon1776 I think near eye displays are the best for this because they are really high resolution and don't need lenses or anythign to make them look good. LCDs jsut look bad

[@HappyMadScientist]

I'm watchin this video like two years later and that intro sounds like I'm about to sell you a 30-day course to become financially independent or something 😂

[@ikermorell1078]

Would the display work with a camera like this one? : amzn.to/3hxV3fb

[@HappyMadScientist]

I think so

[@michaelmaroney1660]

2 things. Have you considered mounting just the camera and screen in a pair of googles with the internals and power source in a box behind the head? Also, what about shock hardening for a weapon mount behind a night vision compatible optic?

[@FunkadeliccCheese]

Looks like the nightcam eagle 3 v2 is a whole lot better now and it does color surprisingly well. Would be cool to try this, only thing I notice is real hard to find is the near eye display. Wonder if doing a dual setup with some cheap FPV goggles would do it.

[@EpicBigWhale]

RunCam Night eagle is the cam you used. I got one just for this lol very nice. Glad to see I'm not the only o e trying crazy new things.

[@Themorello91]

I am using Sony effio cam, and it is much better than run cam. I fit, display and camera in military ANPVS 18

[@zacmaxwell4475]

@@Themorello91 is it the same wiring with the effio? The effio is cheaper so I would prefer that

[@Themorello91]

@@zacmaxwell4475 yes - video, + and ground You can use analog camera viewfinder, it is cheeper than that LCD from aliexpress, and quality of image is much much better because it has tube like old tv's, not pixels like lcd displays

[@zacmaxwell4475]

@@Themorello91 would that be a CRT viewfinder? They seem hard to find but ill keep looking.

[@Themorello91]

@@zacmaxwell4475 yeap CRT viewfinder

[@jakemakes]

Super video man! Great job.

[@HappyMadScientist]

Thanks! I'm sooooo tired. I just finished butchering ~140 chickens = ~1,200 lbs. Ughhhh. Just me, Dad, and two of my little bros... not fun. 6:00 am - 8:00 pm... did I mention I'm tired?

[@jakemakes]

Oh me, that sounds fun 🙄 Some of our friends raise meat chickens. Always fun when they have a big butchering party.

[@HappyMadScientist]

My aunt and uncle raise 60,000 -70,000 at a time for Bell and Evans. Luckily Bell and Evans does the butchering.

[@markwalker674]

These camera are for drones and are pants in low light condition. Also if you wasnt using a ir torch to light the field up then where was that shadow coming from?

[@HappyMadScientist]

I know. This particular camera has a lux rating of something like .0001 lux. It’s made for extremely low light flying but is extremely useful for this type of application as well. I was in my front yard and the light coming through the windows of my house (about 100yds away) was giving just enough light to give some shadows. It could also be the moons shadow you’re complaining about.

[@jafinch78]

Was wondering about the performance for spectroscopy for like a webcam spectrometer? Any ideas regarding the performance? Guessing I'll read into more to see what the CCD is and then search for the datasheet that hopefully contains a spectral response graph. Thanks for sharing!

[@makersdigest4752]

This is great, I'm going to have to build one!

[@AlaricYim]

How much latency is there between the jmage captured and when its on screen? Is there a big lag?

[@HappyMadScientist]

It is pretty much instant. These fpv cameras are designed for extremely low latency.

[@hellmutmatheus2626]

I will do one with picatinny rail and attach to my aeg. Thx bro!

[@HappyMadScientist]

Did the same thing! Though I think it would be much more effective if it was mounted to a helmet... If you do mount it to your airsoft gun you might want to get a lens that is more “zoomed in” so it is easier to aim. They are pretty common and relatively cheap. Btw you can make crosshairs digitally in the camera. An IR laser sight would also be super cool to help assist with aiming. One more thing-if you do decide to build this nv scope or similar, and using it for airsoft, I would really recommend getting an IR flashlight (invisible to the human eye) which should help brighten the image and make opponents much more visible.

[@Icerise88]

As it seems you are regularly building such devices.. Any new version or improvements? :)

[@HappyMadScientist]

No new versions as of yet... I’m currently going to school for mechanical engineering and I have almost no free time with which to make anything :( Over winter or summer break I have a plan to make a new version that will make this one look like a piece of junk 👌

[@Icerise88]

@@HappyMadScientist that sounds great ;D then i will probably wait until you come out with that one! Probably you already know your stuff but if you need any electrical assistance feel free to ask and i will happily contribute (already finished my electrical egineer some time ago). Good luck with your studies.

[@HappyMadScientist]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@felipepereira1554]

mate if i had a 3d printer, I'd be doing Sam Fisher Night Vision only goggles. 2 "slots" for IR flashlight and the middle one slot goes the camera. I would have to work a screen for the internal part.

[@Decimus1988]

Is it possible to pair the ir camera with a thermal camera? If so could you do a video on how to do that? This was Hella cool.

[@HappyMadScientist]

Thanks! It would be possible to overlay the video I think if the cameras were close enough together… though, thermal would be pretty pricy.

[@Decimus1988]

For instance: the Flir one pro or something like that. Yeah, it would be more expensive, however, not as expensive as it would cost to buy a pvs14. Also, making it helmet mountable would be cool as well.

[@sayemyaqub7846]

if there is no sun no moon no stars the how you cap made some shade on your eyes ? and for waht you wearing a cap in the night ????

[@vancarlo8179]

Hi. How about the eye relief, does it require your eyes to be so close to the eye piece? Cheers!

[@HappyMadScientist]

Yeah pretty much.

[@vancarlo8179]

@@HappyMadScientist Cool. What is the max distance between the display and the eye? Haven't seen any info about this on google or other places :)

[@HappyMadScientist]

Maybe 1-2 inches at best. The screen gets very small very quickly the farther you go. Right up against is the best.

[@BrandonPyle]

Awesome video dude!

[@HappyMadScientist]

Thanks!

[@jackfisher4061]

What settings did you set the Run Cam too? I made this but it doesn't seem to perform the same as yours

[@HappyMadScientist]

Turn the contrast up and the brightness. Mess around with the settings and see what works best for ya. An IR flashlight helps a ton. It’s pretty much a must-have for anything other than a clear night with a moon in the sky. I recommend one of the evolva future technology ir flashlights. They are like 40 bucks and work very well. They let you see in pitch black and the light coming out is invisible to the human eye and most other mammals.

[@oldfartgaming148]

Hi, I just found your project and will be attempting to build it however the runcam night eagle 2 is discontinued. As the new runcam night eagle 3 is identical in function but only differs in dimensions, would a few spacers and/or an stl resize be enough to make it work?

[@LibertySon1776]

Their is an updated version on Amazon called the runcam night eagle 3.

[@yoowicked]

I think foxeer night wolf has better low light performance

[@HappyMadScientist]

hmmm... I'll look into it. Right off the bat though they have the same lux rating (.0001). Thanks for the tip!

[@V1P3RSlab]

Hi! Is there a way to remove the voltage OSD from the screen?

[@alexandramiller4011]

Yea, don't Connect the battery to the VBAT terminal on the camera.

[@V1P3RSlab]

@@alexandramiller4011 so i get NO character? or a 0v? ... i suppose no character, but just to be shure :D

[@alexandramiller4011]

@@V1P3RSlab I haven't tested that in this camera specifically. But normally with any other camera I had it would just show no character.

[@matatisan]

Check out sony imx225 sensor. nice build! is this monocular screen good?

[@HappyMadScientist]

Okay, thanks I'll check it out. Yeah, it's pretty good (compared it to is those CRT displays from the old camcorders). There are some higher priced displays (like double the price) but I haven't got around to testing them yet.

[@seekmontana9159]

Make Me One!

[@minekoiwa2971]

Do you have any case available for sale? I don't have 3D printer.

[@HappyMadScientist]

Actually my 3D printer is broken down at the moment... but I have a new one set to arrive dec 3 and prob a week later could have a case ready. I was a 3D hub until they kicked all their little guys off (also the printer broke down with a $400 repair) Had completed 17 or so orders all with 5 star customer reviews so I do have experience selling 3D printed stuff. I think I’ve been charging $30 for a case including shipping. Email me if your interested. (You can find my email in the “about” section of the channel) Have a great day!

[@HappyMadScientist]

If your still interested I have my new printer hummin

[@jeffjefferson2676]

Hello, I was wondering how the performance is of the near eye display. It looks so so, but good enough to see what is what. I bought some IMX 335 chips, its a 5MP camera chip, and some lenses. So i want to play around with it. But a monocular would be best while if you hold a phone, you will see the light of the phone and thus exactly where you are. I dont want that. So im wondering of this near eye screen was good enough. I hope the 5MP will show in the monocular, and gives an even better image your night vision has. Its wishfull thinking, thats all.. Greetings, Jeff

[@HappyMadScientist]

In my experience they are pretty good. What you saw in the video is pretty much what the near eye display will produce (just on a smaller screen)

[@marcogrilo448]

Did you used the runcam as it came from factory or did you removed IR filter ?

[@HappyMadScientist]

As it came from the factory.

[@johncoleman8298]

Very cool.

[@HappyMadScientist]

Thanks!

[@Decimus1988]

Rather than using the near eye display couldn't I use a round lcd display from say a smart watch? If so, how do I go about doing that?

[@HappyMadScientist]

Well it depends on what you want to use it for. I use the near eye display because it’s made to go right up to your eye which doesn’t allow any light to escape and give away your position. You can use any display you like but if you want to be discreet you probably should have a display that goes up to your eye. You could do this with the smart watch display that you mentioned and then find a lens that helps your eye focus on the close display.

[@Decimus1988]

Cool man, thanks!

[@Decimus1988]

@@HappyMadScientist so this has the ability to record? Say I didn't want all that. No video recording, no audio recording. Just nightvision capability. What should I get? Also, your links don't take me to your parts anymore. They devert to the Baggood home page.

[@HappyMadScientist]

You should just get everything except the fpv recorder. Have you checked out my instructable? There should be better directions there… Oh okay thanks for letting me know! I’ll have to see if I can update the links or heck… maybe it’s time for an updated design 🤷‍♂️

[@Decimus1988]

@@HappyMadScientist you should make an updated model. That would be awesome!!!

[@whoami4635]

is there any micro display that is has greater eye relief?, just like Chinese PVS-14? sorry for my bad english

[@whoami4635]

i want to make digital NVG for my TMC PVS18 dummy model

[@HappyMadScientist]

I’m not sure.... they are pretty hard to find. You could try finding a loupe that magnifies it correctly.

[@adamn.9393]

Hi, does the camera work with 940 nm illuminator?

[@HappyMadScientist]

Yes it does!

[@user_4137]

What is the name of the software?

[@HappyMadScientist]

Fusion 360

[@dtice123]

maybe thermal instead?

[@HappyMadScientist]

I’ve thought about thermal... it’s much more complicated and somewhat more expensive for a very pixelated picture.... at some point I’d really like to make one though cause they’re just plain cool imo

[@gisacani]

It can be done using a sony imx307 sensor?

[@HappyMadScientist]

I am going to try and up the sensitivity of the device in the next iteration. That could mean a new sensor like a Sony or lowering the gutter speed.

[@gugligup]

@@HappyMadScientist Two questions if I may, at what max framerate does the current setup with night eagle run ? and would it be possible to wire up one of those expensive sony oled viewfinders normally found on DSLR?

[@HappyMadScientist]

​@@gugligup Not sure... best guess is either 30fps or 60fps in NTSC. 25fps in PAL. I am trying to lower that rate to 10fps and boost the shutter speed to hugely increase sensitivity but it's not that easy as it turns out :) I could... but like you said they are expensive. Also they might require their own circuit boards and coding. The near eye display I'm using now has high enough resolution (almost better than the camera itself). It would be nice though to not have the backlight.

[@Themorello91]

@@HappyMadScientist I am using Sony Effio cam, it is better than Runcam. I fit everythig in military ANPVS18 cover

[@atoluveswuh3682]

Sir cn u plz sell it to me I rlly need it.

[@HappyMadScientist]

I don’t like to do that because if it breaks for some reason then you will not know how to fix it. Plus it’s a good learning experience.

[@Themorello91]

I am making one, but i Will fit it i to military An18

[@HappyMadScientist]

Nice

[@Themorello91]

@@HappyMadScientist mine Fpv monocular is broken. 2 mounths waiting and nothing. Have U one of these fpv? Is it possible to sell me and send it to me?

[@Icerise88]

You got any instructions / pics of your pvs18 version?

[@Themorello91]

@@Icerise88 only 3d print files

[@Icerise88]

@@Themorello91 wow this was fast. Got any link on these? Would highly appreciate!

[@Knoti]

Geometry dash music anyone?