Night Vision options in Australia

[aperturefever (Sean)]

Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong spot, but I can't see much about night vision astronomy in Australia and what the best options there are. Obviously ITAR means no Gen 4 tubes from the US, but presumably you could get them from Europe?
Does anyone have any experience in this regard? Or if this has been discussed previously can I get a steer?
Thanks guys!

[astro744]

Tele Vue have produced some NV accessories and also sell NV gear but not OS due to restrictions. It is a pity that restrictions are in place but I can understand why for not everyone wants to use it for astronomy.

See https://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=36

(Some links at the bottom of the page may be useful).

In fact I think that if you are in the US and at a star party with NV gear on show, you are not allowed to look through not being a US citizen. I cannot remember where I read that and could be mistaken.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by astro744

In fact I think that if you are in the US and at a star party with NV gear on show, you are not allowed to look through not being a US citizen. I cannot remember where I read that and could be mistaken.

You aren't mistaken. On the page at the link supplied, there is a disclaimer...
"Also, it is illegal to allow a non-US Citizen to look through US Gen3 Night Vision Devices, even on US soil. Again, this is a crime punishable by fines and prison sentences."


While I find that incredibly odd (within context) I also wonder how they enforce it.

[astro744]

Thanks for finding that. I should have read it again as it was quite a while ago I first read it but not being able to do much with it I left it. It’s a very resourceful web page.