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+---- Thread: Lack of Night Vision contrast (/showthread.php?tid=73595)
Lack of Night Vision contrast - Raimo5 - 09-01-2023
Hello,
Wondering if others are experiencing same kind of behavior with night vision system as I do.
Some days (or nights) the system works wonderfully and produces a nice image from everything around me. Trees, houses, cars, even clouds tens of kilometers away and moon in the sky. Other nights the lack of contrast is so bad that the image on the CID is completely black and I can only see faint traces of heat of cars passing by. I once even got a CC message stating that night vision is restricted due to lack of contrast. Even the system understood that it can't see crap.
Is this a normal behavior influenced by atmospheric conditions or is there something wrong with the system? Car is G11.
Thanks
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - M-Simon - 09-01-2023
It is normally not a problem with the software. The problem is that the unit is not dense, and condensate is building up from inside the lens. Check if water can go inside the system.
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - psya - 09-01-2023
Exact what Simon Said. It could also be the lens in the camera it self.
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - Raimo5 - 09-01-2023
Thank you both for advice.
I know that lens repair kits come with new seal and lens shroud. Is it possible to dismantle the lens shroud non-destructively and seal it afterwards using the same parts? Seal I guess should be replaced once opened. Is it a typical o-ring or something fancier?
I am also wondering at what level of stone chip damage does the lens become unusable? I have few chips in it, but at days when it works as it should, the image it produces is so clear that I don't think this level of chipping has any impact.
Thanks
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - maxwell4321 - 10-01-2023
(09-01-2023, 18:10 PM) Raimo5 Wrote: Thank you both for advice.
I know that lens repair kits come with new seal and lens shroud. Is it possible to dismantle the lens shroud non-destructively and seal it afterwards using the same parts? Seal I guess should be replaced once opened. Is it a typical o-ring or something fancier?
I am also wondering at what level of stone chip damage does the lens become unusable? I have few chips in it, but at days when it works as it should, the image it produces is so clear that I don't think this level of chipping has any impact.
Thanks
It has a heater that prevents condensation so maybe that isn't working, not sure if you can test the heater with ISTA but also check the connections. See attached for sealing ring info.
Info from TIS:
The Night Vision camera is installed behind the left ornamental grille. Rain, dirt, snow or ice can impair the functionality of the camera. The camera is automatically heated at low ambient temperatures. When the headlights are cleaned, the camera is automatically cleaned as well.
The Night Vision camera consists of a heated protective glass, optics and the thermal imaging sensor. The image can be renewed at a rate of 30 time per second. To achieve a consistent image quality, the camera must be calibrated every 120 to 180 seconds. This calibration can take up to approx. 0.3 seconds. For this reason, the image can be observed to freeze briefly in the display.
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - Raimo5 - 11-01-2023
Thanks maxwell,
From the document that you posted, it is evident that the sealing ring is not a typical o-ring. Non the less, it looks like it is reusable if handled properly. Same goes to shroud. If needed, I will of course buy a lens renewal kit, but I'd rather not if it's not needed. Those Germanium lenses go for €400.
I'll check ISTA if there are any meaningful ABL's for NV camera. I'm also planning on removing it for inspection at first convenience.
Cheers
RE: Lack of Night Vision contrast - Raimo5 - 22-01-2023
Time for a conclusion.
I removed the night vision camera for inspection. Word of advice - do not attempt to do it on G11 without opening the radiator blinds. You might be able to wiggle it out with blinds closed, but there is no way to install it with blinds closed. Use ABL from ISTA.
As for the camera, it looked perfectly fine. I removed the lens shroud and there was not a spec of dust or moisture underneath it.
I have read up on long wavelength infrared systems and also test drove it in few different environments and come to a conclusion that what I experience is an environmental factor. The camera itself is good and system operates to its abilities.