8 replies to this topic

[LightBaka]

Hi,

 

I’m relatively new to NV astronomy and was wondering if the LiDAR sensor of an iPhone 15 pro max can damage an analog NVD (specifically OVNI-M, since I ordered one) when trying to take pictures/video through them?

 

I personally tested this once with a NVG10 (digital NVD) and the LiDAR grid emitted by the iPhone seemed to have (temporarily) caused some sort of burn-in (grid pattern of dots) on the screen inside. It persisted for a few minutes before fading away gradually.

 

Does this also happen with analog night vision?

 

My apologies if this is a stupid question or if it has been asked before. 

[WheezyGod]

Hi,

I’m relatively new to NV astronomy and was wondering if the LiDAR sensor of an iPhone 15 pro max can damage an analog NVD (specifically OVNI-M, since I ordered one) when trying to take pictures/video through them?

I personally tested this once with a NVG10 (digital NVD) and the LiDAR grid emitted by the iPhone seemed to have (temporarily) caused some sort of burn-in (grid pattern of dots) on the screen inside. It persisted for a few minutes before fading away gradually.

Does this also happen with analog night vision?

My apologies if this is a stupid question or if it has been asked before.

I really hope not. I’ve been using the iPhone 15Pro Max and a few others have as well. We’ve been using the Astroshader app which probably doesn’t make a difference in this regard but could.

[spicerack0]

lasers are pretty intense- i imagine its like pointing one at your eyeball-    would be wise to not use it. 

[sixela]

You're not going to direct it at the photocathode...and it all depends on energy too. It's a lclass 1 laser and it never directs its power on the same spot for very long. Yes, such a LiDAR would quite likely appear bright in an NVD, and it's possible that it would cause temporary blooming, but I thik it's unlikely it will damage the photocathode. As with all light sources, I wouldn't point it to the photocathode, but it really is not a problem when used on the other side.

Edited by sixela, 15 October 2024 - 09:08 AM.

[Bearcub]

Hi,

 

I’m relatively new to NV astronomy and was wondering if the LiDAR sensor of an iPhone 15 pro max can damage an analog NVD (specifically OVNI-M, since I ordered one) when trying to take pictures/video through them?

 

I personally tested this once with a NVG10 (digital NVD) and the LiDAR grid emitted by the iPhone seemed to have (temporarily) caused some sort of burn-in (grid pattern of dots) on the screen inside. It persisted for a few minutes before fading away gradually.

 

Does this also happen with analog night vision?

 

My apologies if this is a stupid question or if it has been asked before. 

Wait.. is it visible? Do all phones have that lidar? can it be turned off?

[sixela]

Not all phones have it (in fact few have it). Mainly recent iPhone Pro and iPad Pro.

Edited by sixela, 15 October 2024 - 02:56 PM.

[LightBaka]

You're not going to direct it at the photocathode...and it all depends on energy too. It's a lclass 1 laser and it never directs its power on the same spot for very long. Yes, such a LiDAR would quite likely appear bright in an NVD, and it's possible that it would cause temporary blooming, but I thik it's unlikely it will damage the photocathode. As with all light sources, I wouldn't point it to the photocathode, but it really is not a problem when used on the other side.

Yes, I rather meant when taking a picture through the eyepiece/ocular lens as opposed to the front lens of the NVD. So if I’m understanding correctly, taking pictures through the ocular lens should be fine then.

Edited by LightBaka, 15 October 2024 - 05:50 PM.

[LightBaka]

Wait.. is it visible? Do all phones have that lidar? can it be turned off?

As far as I’ve looked into it, it cannot be turned off. It is “always on” with most camera apps (those that have autofocus) opened (native or third party). You can somewhat safely test this by opening a camera app and pointing the phone towards a wall, floor or ceiling and looking at the “projection” with the NVD. You will see a bright flashing grid of dots. As sixela has explained, just never point it towards the front lens of the NVD.

I guess it should be fine if you take pictures through the ocular lens. People that have used iPhone 15 pro max to take images through NVDs also don’t seem to complain as far as my research on this forum goes, so that’s a little reassuring as well. But some (or perhaps most?) seem to use Astroshader to take pictures. I did the same test and to my surprise I could see no LiDAR grid! I am guessing that this is because Astroshader does not have any autofocus (only manual focus) and therefore the LiDAR is not turned on. If that theory is correct, then I definitely recommend sticking with camera apps that only have manual focus like Astroshader.

For extra protection/measures when using camera apps that do use the LiDAR, I guess you could tape off the LiDAR with some electrical tape or put some blu tack putty on it to cover it as much as possible (a protective lens cover for the iPhone might make application easier). The flashing might still “bleed” through the surrounding glass, but the LiDAR grid won’t be visible anymore.

Edited by LightBaka, 15 October 2024 - 06:07 PM.

[LightBaka]

I really hope not. I’ve been using the iPhone 15Pro Max and a few others have as well. We’ve been using the Astroshader app which probably doesn’t make a difference in this regard but could.

According to my testing, the Astroshader app does not activate the LiDAR sensor on the iPhone as opposed to most of the other camera apps (both native and third party). Likely because it relies on manual focus as opposed to the auto focus in other apps.

Thanks a lot for the suggestion, I will definitely be using this app instead going forward.