One of the reasons people go camping is to enjoy nature and wildlife. Sure, there's the appeal of "roughing it," and sleeping outside under the stars. But the outdoors wouldn't be as grand if not for all the creatures that live in it. During the day, it's easy to spot birds, deer, or other forest-dwelling animals, and a good pair of binoculars can make that experience even better. But what about nocturnal animals? You don't want to miss out on those, right? Not to mention, it might be a good idea to be able to view the perimeter of your campsite for safety's sake. The answer? Night binoculars.

Most people are familiar with night vision goggles, whether because they own a pair, or they've seen them used on television or in movies. They're a standard piece of military equipment, issued to infantry divisions and other specialized units for performing security duties in the field. Military-grade night vision optics are usually quite expensive.

Hunters also use night vision optics in the field when tracking nocturnal game. These often come in the form of night vision scopes or monoculars because they're meant to either attach to a rifle, or just be light, portable, and unobtrusive.

Because of those specialized uses, you may not realize you have a reasonably priced night vision optics available to you. You don't need to be military or a hunter to enjoy their benefits. A good pair of night binoculars can give you some of the same features and capabilities as the higher cost goggles and scopes.

Some models of night binoculars can retail for more than $700. They may include such features as an infrared illuminator in addition to regular night vision. You can also find good quality night binoculars for around $300, and even night monoculars for just over $100. It all depends on the features you need, and your budget.

Night vision capability doesn't just come in handy for hunting and camping. If you're a boating enthusiast, night binoculars can help with nighttime navigation. You won't have to worry about losing sight of land or landmarks in the dark. They're also helpful for night fishing. Night binoculars are also an important tool for security purposes. If you have a job that requires keeping a business or home safe during the night, the ability to see in the dark is invaluable.

It should be noted that night vision binoculars are not helpful for viewing the night sky. There are special astronomical binoculars for star gazing. Night vision optics work by enhancing ambient light to allow the eye to see in the dark. Trying to view something that is already illuminated, such as a star or planet, will result in too much light and an inability to see the object in question. In addition, it may damage the optics. Also, night binoculars should not be pointed at any land-based light source to avoid damaging the them.