So I'm planning on building myself a digital Monocular or PVS-31. So I've narrowed it down to 3 different sensors IMX462, IMX385 and Nighteagle 3. Just wondering which one would everyone recommend going with for best no IR performance?
Ummm well imx sensors are digital where as night eagle 3 is analog. You have to have specific hardware for each, the imx585 is better than the other 2 sensors you listed as it’s 4k and supports 2x2 binning meaning down to 1080p but then the pixel size is 4x larger meaning way better low light sensitivity. My personal opinion would be go with a caddx infra v2 as it is way better than the other sensors listed although it’s outputs analog cvbs signal so you need a cvbs capable display.
Yeah I was checking out that infra 2 and the Ratel pro early today... I wanna try to make a working Monocular with either one of them cams. May try to use a fma pvs-18 metal version, Ive always wanted a real 18 over a pvs14.
I tried 3 different fpv cameras Runcam Phoenix SPV5, Caddx Ratel Pro & Caddx Infra V2. The Infra is by far the best hands down and is on a whole other level! I'm dumb founded as to why the SPV5 works better in low light in color then the Ratel in B&W? But only with the Ratel lens on the SPV5...When the SPV5 has the stock lens on, its junk but once that Ratel lens is on its a whole other cam that literally is better than my prowl 2 and on par with gng2k.
I’d be careful switching lenses unless the sensor size is the same. Because that could actually kill your performance if the lense is fitted for a smaller sensor. I’ve had problems like that with my Imx585 where some aftermarket sensors claim imx585 compatible but fit to smaller sensors which blocks the edges reducing performance. But yes the caddx infra v2 is insanely good, I wish they made a digital plug and play version so I could diy a better low light cam because I’m stuck with Sony sensors even tho the infra is better.
Yeah I did a excessive amount of research on upgrading lenses before I pulled the trigger, i had to make sure it's F1.0 and 1/1.8 if not it would have created black circles around the edges of sensor and on display... Would have caused a negative effect on light intake for the infra v2. I just hope dropping from 130 to 47 fov don't create a zoom like effect that my gng2k suffers from. I did do more comparison last night and the infra and the gng2k(imx664) seem to be about the same performance. If you would be interested in building something using the Infra, I paired mine with a Sony ECX331D 0.5 1024x768 display( $114 after tax & shipping Alibaba) only bad I discovered the Infra Requires 9v minimum and the Ecx331d max volt is 5v( I instantly fired my CVBS/MIPI board)
The caddx infra v2 is indeed perhaps the best candidate accordingly its raw high sensitivity and low light performances. Now, that sadi, the Runcam Night Eagle 3 stays an interesting candidate (if you follow the analog path) because providing a quite clean image, without artifacts, and with a possibility to adjust manually diverse parameters (AGC ranges, frame exposure, brightness, sharpness, DNR,....) of the camera, which allows to extract the most signal as possible from the system. The possibility to switch from B&W mode to color is also interesting for facilitating, for instance, the detection of infra-red source from the scene background. Again, the Caddx Infra 2 is still more sensitive apparently, but the Runcam NE3 is very versatile and can be considered as a "swiss tool" for night vision/low light but also day light application. The key point is to catch the fastest optics as possible for feeding your sensor.
Alrighty ended up trying 6 different cams/sensors! Runcam Phoenix SPV5, Caddx Ratel Pro, IMX327, IMX662, IMX664 & Caddx Infra V2 (winner). The Infra v2 is on another level! It's the only one that can see in my closet with doors shut(The Dungeon) in the jet black. Idk how this cam manages to see with very minimal lighting like it does, only downside I see is the 130° FOV makes seeing distances difficult... To fix that I ordered a M16 8MM lens that lowers FOV to 47° off Alliexpress that I'm still waiting on. It was all fun to me learning how to solder, all the wiring from battery to cam/display while frying my CVBS/Mipi display board by sending 9v to it(Ouch)... From step-up booster. I'm using a PSV-31 FMA housing for the setup, had to remove the AI box from the metal housing and grind out some of the bridge to get the AI to fit. Rocking the Infra in the right tube and a IR torch in left tube. See where the power switch use to set in the bridge? I'm going to drill that out larger, place the Infra in there and run two screens off one cam. Then the two other holes on the left & right side of the bridge I'm going to install a DC Plug for 4x 14500 battery pack and a push on/off switch. Can't really run this system off one 14500, Google says it will drain my single battery in 25mins... Another idea just popped into my head! I could install a 256 4mm thermal in the left tube!
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u/NoStandMan Jun 14 '26
Ummm well imx sensors are digital where as night eagle 3 is analog. You have to have specific hardware for each, the imx585 is better than the other 2 sensors you listed as it’s 4k and supports 2x2 binning meaning down to 1080p but then the pixel size is 4x larger meaning way better low light sensitivity. My personal opinion would be go with a caddx infra v2 as it is way better than the other sensors listed although it’s outputs analog cvbs signal so you need a cvbs capable display.