Are thermals bad for our eyes?

neorubio · Jul 23, 2017

I was hunting last night with the Pulsar Trail XP50 and after scanning the field with it for a few minutes I realized that I couldn't see almost anything with my right eye, everything was blurry and like darker. It took it around ten minutes to be able to see again. This happened every time I used it for a few minutes. I was thinking about buying a thermal monocular and mount it on a helmet but now I'm having second thoughts. What would happen to my eyes if I spent 4 or 5 hours using it non-stop? Is it bad or just normal?

FrankT · Jul 23, 2017

I am going to guess there has NOT been a study. The thermal guys are certainly not going to do it. I am guessing when Todd starts missing and cannot see well anymore we will have our answer. I cannot believe use all the time like some do it cannot be the best for your eyes.

neorubio · Jul 23, 2017

FrankT said:
I am going to guess there has NOT been a study. The thermal guys are certainly not going to do it. I am guessing when Todd starts missing and cannot see well anymore we will have our answer. I cannot believe use all the time like some do it cannot be the best for your eyes.

I don't know if Todd usually uses night vision or thermal for scanning. Are night vision devices better for our eyes? Maybe I should buy one for scanning. The problem is that thermal are much better for detection.

OneK · Jul 23, 2017

Did you try to adjust the brightness level?

FrankT · Jul 23, 2017

He uses both

RattlesnakeDan · Jul 23, 2017

It's probably just the light dilating your pupil...it takes time for the eye to get back to normal.

Bacon8tor · Jul 23, 2017

Lol thats normal. Dan has it right. You lose your natural night vision when you look through the bright screen of the thermal like that. Your eye will adjust again after a few minutes. I don't think there would be any negative affects from it.

FrankT · Jul 23, 2017

well obviously it has blinded some such as the dirt clod shooter and serial misser

neorubio · Jul 24, 2017

OneK said:
Did you try to adjust the brightness level?

Yes, I changed the brightness level at 12 out of 20.

neorubio · Jul 24, 2017

Bacon8tor said:
Lol thats normal. Dan has it right. You lose your natural night vision when you look through the bright screen of the thermal like that. Your eye will adjust again after a few minutes. I don't think there would be any negative affects from it.

That's good to know. It's a strange sensation when suddenly you can't see.

djones · Jul 24, 2017

i've been using nv for quite a while, thermal... just recently. i haven't noticed any adverse effects from either. the rubber eyecups, however, tend to rub my eyebrows a little

neorubio · Jul 24, 2017

djones said:
i've been using nv for quite a while, thermal... just recently. i haven't noticed any adverse effects from either. the rubber eyecups, however, tend to rub my eyebrows a little

That was quite scary!

Brian Shaffer · Jul 24, 2017

Here is the what is going on. The pupil most definitely is NOT dilated. It is constricted, but it is a fast reactor. This has been studied extensively by science. The real issue at hand is going to be the rods...

Why does it take so long for our vision to adjust to a darkened theater after we come in from bright sunlight?

Shooter · Jul 24, 2017

i gave up using the cups long ago. They are used in order to cover the Thermal or NV shadow on your face which can be spotted at distance in the night. there may be other reasons but that is the primary consideration. No need to worry about that here

chthump · Jul 24, 2017

I thought you only lost your if you played with self to much

Curly Shuffle · Jul 24, 2017

Dad always said hey son if you do that to much you go blind!!! Hey dad I'm over here!! Looking at some of the shots taken by a couple folks out hog hunting it definitely messes with your sight!!!

BANG BANG!!

Shooter · Jul 24, 2017

chthump said:
I thought you only lost your if you played with self to much

i often wondered about that !!!!!

Is there such a thing as "too much"

OneK · Jul 24, 2017

Shooter said:
Is there such a thing as "too much

Depends on who is doing the playing!

pruhdlr · Jul 25, 2017

Don't know about ya'll,but my mother used to tell me to move back away from the TV or it will hurt your eyes.
Thermal ='s Small TV sooooooooo yeah. --- pruhdlr

Bearclaw · Jul 30, 2017

neorubio said:
Yes, I changed the brightness level at 12 out of 20.

I usually run my Pulsar units under 5 brightness and 7-12 contrast. 12 brightness would be super bright for me.

Are thermals bad for our eyes?

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