NIGHT VISION available through 3rd party...

[marcx5]

I was unhappy that BMW was not able to get Night Vision in the X5.... however i've now learned that NavTv.com will sell you the same unit and help with installation... which is supposedly very easy. integrates right into nav screen.

anyone else done this?

i'm thinking about it.... although seems crazy expensive through NavTV and i'm guessing there is an easier way to get these parts than paying $5,000....

[brian5]

Have you (or anyone else here) used night vision in a car before? I haven't seen it in operation but, based on the pictures, I guess it would be useful for driving in the countryside on smaller roads where you might have animals roaming around? I do that very infrequently.

[lakai]

On my mother's new S550 she has nightvision. It is absolutely the coolest thing ever. It's a 8" screen built into the dash where normally your speedometer and tach would reside, you can literally drive using only the screen, the details are so crisp and clear. I'm not sure how the bmw nightvision is, but its definitely a cool thing to have.

[SANguru]

the company that developed the night vision is FLIR in Goleta, CA. They are a customer of mine and their technology is pretty impressive. From what i understand w/ talking to them, you can get a kit from them. Same technology they use in the Apache helicopters but slightly scaled down.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by lakai

On my mother's new S550 she has nightvision. It is absolutely the coolest thing ever. It's a 8" screen built into the dash where normally your speedometer and tach would reside, you can literally drive using only the screen, the details are so crisp and clear. I'm not sure how the bmw nightvision is, but its definitely a cool thing to have.

Thanks. I wouldn't think that it would work that well built into the Nav screen though? Maybe if it was on the head-up display?

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by SANguru

the company that developed the night vision is FLIR in Goleta, CA. They are a customer of mine and their technology is pretty impressive. From what i understand w/ talking to them, you can get a kit from them. Same technology they use in the Apache helicopters but slightly scaled down.

damn, no 30mm cannon attachment?

I live in the 'country side' so to speak, I routinely see deer on my way to work in the middle of the road. I don't however see a need for night vision IMO. And at 5,000 I really don't see a need for it

[lakai]

night vision technology is evolving quite fast whe compared to what was used and seen during the first gulf war, and the one now in was of contrast ,clarity. I don't know how to really explain. There is a video on you-tube that shows the difference and enchancements from then up to now. If I can find it I'll put it up.

[X5FX]

unless its integrated into the HUD, it seems to be dangerous.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by X5FX

unless its integrated into the HUD, it seems to be dangerious.

That's what I was getting at in my previous post. The MB solution, that lakai referred to, may be OK though... But HUD would definitely make sense.

[marcx5]

Originally Posted by X5FX

unless its integrated into the HUD, it seems to be dangerious.

no, apparently your eyes notice any bright white spots peripherally and you don't need to take your eyes off the road as much as you'd think.

HUD certainly would be nice too...