See clearly on the water at night with Black Oak LED marine night vision camera systems. The Nitron XR1 and Nitron XD Pro are full-color, ultra low-light cameras built for boats. They show a live color picture on the chartplotter or MFD you already run, inshore and offshore, and pair with our 850nm infrared light bars for runs with no light at all. Every Nitron is assembled to order in Sarasota, Florida, and ships same or next business day.
Understanding Marine Night Vision Technology
A marine night vision camera is a low-light color camera built for the boat. The Nitron uses an ultra low-light sensor that gathers the faint light from the moon, the stars, shore and docks and turns it into a color picture on your chartplotter or MFD. Add an 850nm infrared light and the camera can see the water ahead even when there is no ambient light at all, because infrared is invisible to your eyes but bright to the sensor.
On the water the camera has to live with salt spray, washdowns, vibration and heat. The XR1 housing is rated IP67 and the XD Pro is rated IP69K, and both run on the boat's 12V DC system.
Why Night Vision for Boats
At night your eyes give up long before the water gets empty. A night vision camera helps you spot channel markers, pilings, docks, other boats and floating debris that your eyes and your running lights miss, so you have more time to slow down or change course. It works alongside your radar: radar tells you something is out there, the camera helps you see what it is.
Because the picture is in full color, red and green markers look red and green, and a lit vessel looks like a lit vessel. You navigate without blinding spotlights, and your crew keeps its night vision.
Marine Night Vision vs Thermal Imaging
A thermal camera shows heat differences. On the water, that works against you at the times boaters run most: around dawn and on calm nights, the water, the air and a channel marker or floating log can all sit at nearly the same temperature, and a thermal picture loses the contrast it needs. A low-light color camera does not depend on temperature. It shows you the actual scene, in color, with the detail to tell a marker from a buoy.
Thermal still has its place, such as spotting a warm body in cold water. For everyday navigation, fishing and cruising after dark, a color low-light camera paired with IR gives you a picture you can read at a glance.
Choosing the Best Marine Night Vision Camera System
Start with five questions:
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What display do you run? Its video input, analog (BNC) or HDMI, decides which camera version you order. If it has HDMI, choose HDMI for the best picture. Check your model on our compatibility chart.
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Where do you run at night? Both cameras work inshore and offshore. For the best picture and the darkest nights, choose the XD Pro. For runs with no moon, shore or dock light, add IR to either camera.
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How wide a view do you want? The XR1 sees 42 degrees, the XD Pro 50 degrees.
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Where will it mount? On top of the hardtop looking forward is upright. Under the T-top or hardtop is undermount.
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Where will the IR light go? Behind the camera, never in front of the lens.
Nitron Camera System Configurations
Every Nitron is assembled to order in Sarasota, Florida, and ships same or next business day. The XR1 comes as the camera alone or as a system with one of four IR packages: Enhanced IR, Enhanced IR Plus, Low Pro IR and Low Pro IR Extreme. The XD Pro comes in white or black, analog or HDMI, on a standard, tall or undermount base, and pairs with the Low Pro IR bar for runs with no light. Pick the options on the product page, or call 800-348-1287 and we will match a configuration to your boat.
Will a Nitron camera work with my chartplotter?
If your display has an analog (BNC or RCA) or HDMI video input, yes. If it has both, choose the HDMI version for the best picture. Our night vision camera compatibility chart lists 241 Garmin, Simrad, Raymarine, Furuno, B&G, Lowrance and Humminbird displays, which camera version each one takes and any extra cable it needs. Not sure? Text a photo of your helm to 941-408-5516 or call 800-348-1287.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marine Night Vision Cameras
Which should I buy, the Nitron XR1 or the XD Pro?
Both are full-color, ultra low-light cameras, and both work inshore and offshore. The XD Pro is the more capable camera: about twice the viewable pixels and twice the sensitivity of the XR1, rated to 0.0000025 lux, with a wider 50 degree view and video up to 4K. Choose it for the best picture and the darkest nights offshore. The XR1 (42 degree view, 1080 video) is a strong full-color camera at a lower price. Add IR to either one for runs with no light. Still deciding? Call 800-348-1287 and tell us how you run.
Will the camera work with my chartplotter or MFD?
If your display has an analog (BNC or RCA) or HDMI video input, yes. That covers most Garmin GPSMAP, Simrad NSS and NSO, Raymarine Axiom Pro and XL, Lowrance HDS, Furuno TZtouch and B&G Zeus3 displays. Displays with no video input, or network-only camera inputs, such as Garmin ECHOMAP, Simrad NSX and Humminbird SOLIX and HELIX, will not work. Our compatibility chart lists each model, or text a photo of your helm to 941-408-5516 and we will confirm.
Do I need the Analog or the HDMI version?
Match your display's video input. If your display has an HDMI input, order the HDMI version: it gives about twice the picture quality of analog on any display, so if your display has both inputs, choose HDMI. Displays with only analog (BNC or RCA) inputs take the Analog version. Watch for displays whose HDMI port is output only, such as Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv and Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro; those take the Analog version.
Do I need an IR light with my camera?
Near shore, usually not; the camera works with the light from the moon, stars, shore and docks. Offshore where there is no ambient light, our team recommends adding an 850nm IR light. IR pairs with either camera: the XR1 IR packages pair the camera with the right light, and the Low Pro IR bar adds IR to an XD Pro or a camera you already own.
Where should I mount the camera and the IR light?
Keep the IR light behind the camera, never in front of the lens, or it can cause glare that washes out the picture. The two layouts that work best: the camera under the T-top or hardtop with the IR light on top, or the camera on top with the IR light below it. Keep white light bars out of the camera's view the same way.
Can I mount the camera upside down under my T-top?
Yes. Order the undermount version and we build the camera for inverted mounting, so the picture is right side up. Most displays cannot flip the image on their own.
What comes in the box, and is there anything else I need to buy?
You get the camera, a 25 ft wiring harness that ends in a standard BNC (coax) connector or an HDMI connector to match the version you order, a BNC to RCA adapter, and the mounting hardware; the XD Pro adds a 5 A inline fuse, an aluminum mount and dielectric grease. Some displays need the maker's own video cable: Simrad NSS evo2, evo3 and evo3S use part 000-00129-001, and Lowrance HDS uses part 000-11010-001. For runs with no ambient light, add IR.
Is the Nitron a thermal camera?
No. It is a low-light color camera. It shows the actual scene in color instead of heat differences, so it keeps its picture when the water and the objects on it are close to the same temperature, which is common around dawn.
Can a night vision camera see through fog?
No. No night vision camera, ours or anyone else's, sees through fog. In fog, slow down and use your radar.
Does the camera record video?
The camera sends a live picture to your display. Whether you can record it depends on your display, not the camera.
How much does a marine night vision camera cost?
Nitron XR1 cameras, XR1 IR packages and the Nitron XD Pro are shown on this page with current prices. Your final price depends on the video output, mount and IR options you choose.
How fast does it ship, and what is the warranty?
Every Nitron is assembled to order in Sarasota, Florida, and ships same or next business day. Cameras carry a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I own the original Nitron XD. Can I upgrade?
Yes. Existing Nitron XD owners can move to the XD Pro through the Nitron XD Pro Existing Customer Upgrade.
Need help choosing? Call 800-348-1287 or text a photo of your helm to 941-408-5516. We will match the camera, the video input and the IR to your boat.
