Green vs white phosphor
The color of the night vision picture. Green is traditional; white shows black and white. Many people find white more natural, but it is a preference.
What it means
At the back of a night vision tube is a phosphor screen that glows when electrons hit it. The type of phosphor sets the color of the picture. Green phosphor, often called P43, has been used for decades. White phosphor, often called P45, gives a black-and-white picture and is widely sold today.
Phosphor color is separate from tube quality. A green tube and a white tube can have the same figure of merit.
What it changes in the field
Many users find white phosphor more natural and easier to read for shapes and contrast, and some report less eye fatigue over a long night. Others prefer green, saying the eye picks out more shades of green, or simply that they are used to it. There is no settled answer, and claims either way are mostly users’ experience rather than measured results.
White phosphor tubes have often cost more than green tubes of similar performance, though pricing varies by seller and tube.
What to look for
- Try both if you can, on a dark night, for a long session.
- Compare tube specs first, then phosphor. A better green tube beats a weaker white one.
- Sellers name phosphor in different ways, such as in a model code or a word like “white” or “ghost”. Check the spec if it isn’t obvious.
How we use it on this site
We record phosphor as green or white from the maker’s specs. It is not scored.