Double-Cut During the War of Resistance: My Wife Came from 1937

"Night vision goggles?"

Xia Weiwei was somewhat puzzled.

This was the first time he had ever heard this name.

However, as the name suggests, this is an instrument that allows people to see at night.

Ma Hongwei said, "The earliest night vision equipment was developed in Germany in the 1930s. In 1936, the German company AEG started research on infrared photoelectric conversion technology and produced the night vision scope for the Vampire rifle."

"However, that was in 1944. At that time, the German army on the Western Front was equipped with the STG44 assault rifle, which relied on an external infrared searchlight to illuminate the target and the instrument to receive the infrared image."

"However, this type of infrared night vision is self-exposed due to the light source, and it is also very bulky with heavy batteries. Its performance is also poor in rainy or foggy weather."

"The U.S. military also conducted research and development during World War II, but only a small number were deployed in the Pacific War against Japan in 1945."

"It wasn't until the 50s that the United States developed the image intensifier tube, also known as the low-light tube. With this, there was no need for an external infrared lamp; it could amplify light using only faint moonlight. However, if the moonlight was blocked, the effect would be worse."

"By the 70s, there were already three generations of low-light tubes that could be used for long-distance observation even in the dark of night without moonlight, but those were all controlled items."

"Digital infrared night vision devices, thermal imaging night vision devices, and first-generation low-light tube night vision devices are all available for purchase."

Upon hearing this, Xia Weiwei's face lit up with joy, and she exclaimed, "Doesn't this mean we can buy night vision goggles in bulk?"

"With these night vision devices, the Eighth Route Army soldiers no longer have to worry about night blindness during night battles!"

Although the Eighth Route Army suffered from night blindness, they were still formidable in field raids.

Once they buy the night vision devices, wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger?

"Let me see!"

Ma Hongwei did a quick search and said, "These digital infrared night vision devices have either color or black and white images, and they're the cheapest, costing only a few hundred yuan, and at most a few thousand yuan."

"It will emit a faint red light, which may give you away, and the image will also be delayed. The so-called delay means that, for example, a fly has already flown past you, but you only just saw the fly approaching."

"The first-generation low-light tube night vision device presents a green image, so there is no risk of exposure, but it is more expensive and relatively bulky, and it requires moonlight to operate."

"But if exposed to strong light, the dim light tube will be burned out, so you must never turn it on during the day."

"Only thermal imaging can be turned on around the clock, is not afraid of strong light, and is more concealed, but the image quality is not as good as the other two. This one is specifically designed to see the temperature outline, so it can only see the heat source of people or animals and cannot see specific details."

Upon hearing Ma Hongwei's explanation, Xia Weiwei asked, "Then, can this thermal imaging penetrate walls?"

"No!"

Ma Hongwei shook his head and said, "Thermal imaging is actually the passive absorption of infrared rays emitted from the surface of an object, and infrared rays cannot penetrate it."

"As long as there are brick walls or thick wooden boards, infrared radiation can be blocked. Even sheet metal and steel plates can reflect infrared radiation."

"What can penetrate objects are X-rays and radar rays, not infrared rays."

After a pause, Ma Hongwei continued, "However, if the Japanese soldiers patrolled on the city wall, with parts of their bodies exposed, they could be seen."

"I see!"

Xia Weiwei nodded and said, "Then let's place the order quickly!"

"Don't rush!"

Ma Hongwei said, "Let me check if there are any manufacturers producing these products in Hebei Province and the surrounding Central Plains Province."

"If we could buy directly from the manufacturer, the price would definitely be cheaper than online shopping malls."

"oh oh!"

Xia Weiwei also felt that for such large-volume purchases, it was cheaper to buy directly from the manufacturer.

Ma Hongwei did a quick search and exclaimed with delight, "Wow, I was shocked by what I found!"

"It turns out that our Central Plains Province is a hub for the domestic civilian optical and night vision device industry. There are many factories here, and it is also the first choice for procurement in North China."

"According to my search, the wholesale price of a large quantity of bare digital infrared night vision devices without logos is only 260-320 yuan per unit. These are low-end products."

"If it's a mid-to-high-end digital infrared unit, it costs 780-900 yuan per unit, but it can sell for over 1700 yuan online!"

"Thermal imaging is much more expensive. Even at wholesale price, one unit costs 3200-3800 yuan, and a mid-range unit costs 4800-5600 yuan."

"Although first-generation low-light tubes are available for purchase, there are still purchase restrictions, and the number that individuals can buy is limited."

"If you buy 5 units or less, you can place an order directly and it will be shipped normally. But if you buy 20 units, the seller will ask about the intended use and even register your information. If you buy more than 20 units, you must be a company with purchasing qualifications."

At this point, Ma Hongwei said, "In that case, let's order 20 first-generation low-light tube night vision devices from JD.com!"

He directly chose the more expensive ones, priced at 15000 yuan each, for a total of 300000 yuan for 20 units.

"My god, the price of 20 of these is almost the same as the price of 15 catties of rice."

Xia Weiwei couldn't help but mutter, "That's really expensive!"

"Therefore, for bulk purchases, you should still buy digital infrared night vision devices, the higher-end kind, which can adjust the brightness and turn off the IR fill light to reduce red light leakage. They only cost around eight or nine hundred, which is relatively cheap!"

As Ma Hongwei spoke, he began contacting the manufacturer.

"Hello, are you the manufacturer of head-mounted digital infrared night vision devices?"

Ma Hongwei asked, "I'd like to buy a batch, but I don't know the price?"

How many do you want?

The manufacturer asked, "If you buy 500 units at once, I can give you the lowest price. If you buy tens of thousands of units at once, I can lower the price by another 10%."

"Can I get a 10% discount if I buy over 10,000 units?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Hongwei quickly replied, "Then give me 10000 units first!"

"You really want ten thousand units?"

The manufacturer was somewhat surprised.

Many people buy night vision devices, but not many companies buy so many at once.

"That's right, I want 10,000 units. Anyway, they won't spoil if they don't sell."

Ma Hongwei nodded.

Without much thought, the manufacturer immediately inquired, "Which model do you want to buy? The entry-level basic model, with a factory price of 234-288 yuan for a batch of 10,000 units, comes standard with straps, basic infrared, and can also record video..."

"Video recording?"

Before the manufacturer could finish their presentation, Ma Hongwei asked directly, "Could you please send me all the video recordings? We don't need them!"

They're not enforcing the law or arresting criminals, so why would they need a video recording function?

Leaving the video recorder running all the time will also waste precious electricity.