Military and Nightvision Goggles

[Smooth Groove]

Do soldiers ever NV goggles in broad daylight?  I was wondering 'cause I was playing Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and you could use NV during the day. 

Also, there's a segment in MGS4 where you have to use them for tracking purposes.  How realistic was that?

[duckman2000]

The ones I've tried out for possible future purchase have been all but impossible to use during the day. I wasn't told of any direct limitations, but I'd imagine it would be downright damaging to use them even in semi-bright daylight. I'm not military so I don't know if they use different ones or different tech even, but I think these were made by Bushnell.

Keep in mind, though, that according to the Tom Clancy universe, goggles can be readily switched between EM, NV and Thermal imaging. And that they apparently work best when they glow.

[Smooth Groove]

Yeah, I was thinking of the damage aspect as well.  Also, it seems way harder to see things in daylight when everything is green and white.  That's why I was like WTF when I had to use them for tracking footprints in MGS4.  Some guys also used NV goggles in MGS4 to shoot more accurately but I've never heard of NV goggles being used that way. 

Funny you mentioned how goggles work in Clancy's world because I've always thought that thermal goggles and NV goggles are kinda redundant.  Thermal imaging seems to be a lot more efficient for combat purposes. 

[duckman2000]

I'd imagine it wouldn't be so great for reconnaissance though. Good for when you have high contrast targets around, not so good for navigation or keeping track of the location.

[Smooth Groove]

What are you using NV goggles for, btw?   

[JustinP]

those aren't nightvision goggles in MGS4.  they are infrared - or at least based on infrared technologies.  you can use infrared during the day.  i don't think it's supposed to be super realistic in MGS4 though. 

only experience i have with actual NV goggles was at night, but i'm pretty sure they are useless in bright light.