Nitron XD Pro vs SiOnyx Nightwave Digital: Marine Night Vision Camera Comparison
Same boat. Same night. Same screens. We mounted the Black Oak Nitron XD Pro and the SiOnyx Nightwave Digital side by side, ran them at the same time on matching Garmin 8619 chartplotters, and filmed both screens on a moonless night in Sarasota, Florida. No IR light on either camera. Watch it and decide for yourself.
Already running another night vision camera? Get up to $400 trade-up credit.
The side by side test
Left screen: Black Oak Nitron XD Pro (HDMI). Right screen: SiOnyx Nightwave Digital. Both feeds recorded live, at the same moment, on the same boat.
Specs side by side
Every number below is the manufacturer's own published spec. We tested the HDMI version of the XD Pro.
| Spec | Black Oak Nitron XD Pro | SiOnyx Nightwave Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Image | Full color | Full color |
| Video into your MFD | HDMI 1080p or analog 720p | PoE network video (H.264) |
| Frame rate | 60 fps | 30 fps |
| Minimum illumination | 0.0000025 lux | Under 0.001 lux |
| Field of view | 50° | 44° |
| Waterproof rating | IP69K | IP67 |
| Mounting | 2" upright, 4" tall upright or undermount, manual tilt | See manufacturer |
| Warranty | 2 years, plus 30 day money back | See manufacturer |
| Price | From $2,995 (sale) | $2,995 |
SiOnyx and Nightwave are trademarks of their owner. Black Oak LED is not affiliated with SiOnyx. Competitor specs and price are taken from published listings as of October 2026 and may change.
What those numbers mean at the helm
Engineered for night, on current imaging technology
Low light imaging has moved fast in the last few years, and the Nitron line is built on a current generation sensor platform rather than an older one. That is the starting point, not the whole story.
We engineer the camera as a night navigation system. The sensor, the optics and the image processing are tuned together for one job: putting a clean, full color picture of dark water on the screen you already run. Noise reduction keeps the horizon readable instead of grainy. Color is tuned so a red marker reads red and a green can reads green. The picture stays smooth at 60 frames per second when the boat is moving.
Pick your Nitron
The XD Pro is the camera in the test. If you want full color night vision at a lower price, the XR1 is the right camera for most boats, and it can be paired with Black Oak IR lighting as a complete system.
Nitron XD Pro
Flagship · the camera in the test- 0.0000025 lux, up to 4K, 60 fps
- 50° field of view, IP69K
- HDMI 1080p or analog 720p
- Standard, tall or undermount, manual tilt
Nitron XR1 Color
Full color for most boats- Full color night vision, up to 4K, 60 fps
- 42° field of view, IP67
- HDMI 1080p or analog 720p
- Available as a complete camera and IR system
Already have a night vision camera? Trade up.
If you are running another brand of marine night vision or thermal camera today, we will put money toward your switch to Nitron. No shipping your old camera back. Keep it, sell it, or move it to a second boat.
- Take a photo of your current camera installed on your boat.
- Email it to sales@blackoakled.com with the subject "Nitron Trade-Up", or call 1-800-348-1287.
- We send you a personal code. Use it at checkout on blackoakled.com, on top of the current sale price.
One trade-up credit per customer and per camera purchased. Photo must show a night vision or thermal camera installed on a boat. Codes are personal and single use. Valid on blackoakled.com orders.
Common questions
Is the Nitron a thermal camera?
No. Nitron cameras are low light color cameras. Thermal cameras show heat as a monochrome or false color image. Nitron shows the scene in real color, so markers, buoys and other boats look like what they are.
Will it work with my chartplotter?
Nitron connects to any MFD or display with an HDMI or analog video input, including Garmin, Simrad, Raymarine, Lowrance, Furuno and Humminbird. See our compatibility list by model, or call 1-800-348-1287 and we will confirm your exact unit.
Do I need IR lighting?
No. The test above used no IR at all. IR adds reach on the darkest nights, which is why we offer the XR1 as a complete camera and IR system engineered together.
What is the difference between the XD Pro and the XR1?
The XD Pro is the flagship, with the most sensitive imaging in the line, a wider 50° view and an IP69K housing. The XR1 brings full color night vision at a lower price and is the right camera for most boats.
How does the trade-up credit work?
If you already own another brand of marine night vision or thermal camera, email a photo of it installed on your boat to sales@blackoakled.com. We send you a personal code for $400 off a Nitron XD Pro or $250 off a Nitron XR1, on top of the current sale price. You keep your old camera.
What is the warranty and how fast does it ship?
Nitron cameras carry a 2 year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. Each camera is assembled to order in Sarasota and ships the same or next business day.
See the water at night, in color
Questions about your boat or your MFD? Call 1-800-348-1287 or email sales@blackoakled.com.
