Definition of Stepless Zoom
Stepless digital zoom is a technology that allows for continuous and smooth image adjustment through electronic control. The magnification can vary continuously without fixed gear limit, enabling any setting between the minimum and maximum magnification.
Compared to traditional zoom systems, stepless zoom offers more flexible options, allowing users to stop at any magnification level, making it more similar to the optical magnification effect produced by traditional day scopes. Hence, it is popular among users.
Common Magnification Methods and Their Disadvantages
Currently, thermal scopes support magnification by button, rotation by the traditional encoder, and rotation by the stepless encoder.
- Magnification by Button
Most compact thermal scopes achieve integer multiples of magnification such as 1x/2x/4x/8x by button. This magnification method is the easiest to implement. However, it is difficult for hunters to quickly locate the corresponding button at night. Moreover, since the device has just one button for magnification, users can only adjust the magnification levels in one direction. For instance, to switch from 4x back to 2x, the user needs to complete the whole cycle. This unidirectional cycle also means that only a few magnification levels are usually available, which cannot meet hunters’ demand for precise observation.
- Magnification by Traditional Encoder
For the Tube series thermal scopes, the traditional encoder is embedded at the ELEVATION Adjustment position, supporting magnification by rotation. This method is also suitable at night and allows for bidirectional zoom cycling. However, the traditional encoder has low precision within a 180-degree rotation range. It merely supports 5-10 zoom gears graded by 0.5x.
- Stepless Magnification
The RICO2 performs stepless zoom via a lever at the eyepiece. The method is more similar to zoom by the day scope. The device is easier for hunters to operate and more convenient to use at night. The RICO2 adopts the stepless zoom solution, offering 150-plus magnification gears within a 120-degree rotation range, allowing users to adjust to any desired gear.
How to Implement
The RICO2 addresses the specific needs of hunters, who often wear thick gloves and hunt in near-total darkness. This makes it challenging for them to locate the magnification button quickly through touch in the dark.
- Equipped with a new and higher-precision encoder coupled with a high-precision detection system;
- Higher magnification precision requires higher processor performance, i.e., to process detection and magnification in hundreds of gears within one second and provide real-time response for signal and image processing;
- The device features an outstanding HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design, which presents users with continuous and smooth magnification effects based on a specially designed magnification curve via countless gears and corresponding magnification adjustment.