Infrared Night Vision Range What The Metre Figures Mean

The Figure Describes Illumination Not Detection

A three metre night vision range means the infrared array lights a subject up to three metres away well enough for the sensor to resolve it. Beyond that the image goes dark, not blurry. In this catalogue ranges run from three metres on the WF-1080ACN to six to eight metres on the DVR-1080PDC and eight metres on its feature list.

LED Count Is The Honest Indicator

The DVR-1080PDC carries 36 infrared LEDs for its six to eight metre range. The WF-1080OKC carries six for three to five metres. When a specification sheet gives a range without an LED count, treat the range as optimistic until somebody confirms it.

Invisible LEDs Versus Visible Ones

Standard infrared LEDs glow faintly red in a dark room, which defeats the purpose of a concealed camera. The DVR-1080PDC uses 36 invisible LEDs and the WF-1080HKC pairs an invisible lens with an infrared array. If a unit does not say invisible, assume the glow is visible.

Automatic Switching

The WF-1080ACN switches its infrared on at 10 lux and off at 70 lux automatically. That hysteresis gap matters, because a unit that switches at a single threshold flickers between modes at dusk. Manual switching is worse again, because it is almost always set wrong.

Placement Beats Specification

A five metre range covers a normal bedroom from the far wall and does not cover a warehouse aisle at all. Measure the distance from the intended position to the area that matters, then choose the model. The WF-1080SAC at five metres suits a living room; a loading bay needs the camera closer rather than a bigger number.