Neat new toy for me, finally bought night vision gear (PVS-14)

[GatorFarmer]

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the thing. I tried it out, and good old U.S. Gen 3 technology is everything I remembered it being, and probably a bit better, compared to the PVS-7B goggles that I had a chance to play with a bit years ago. I was surprised at the optical clarity and how - even in moderately dim conditions with ambient street lighting - that an area looks clear as day. The PVS-14 also seems fairly light, and while not exactly bombproof (as some Acogs more or less literally are), it seems to be a durable and well made unit.

My set up only came with the funky head band arrangement, so now I need to get one of the flip mounts currently all the rage and figure out how to mount this thing to either my M4 clone or Sig 556. I also need to scrounge up one of the direction finding compass accessory units if I want to play with it for land navigation.

I think I've seen a couple of photos of other users that have these attached to their EBRs. Any suggestion on what mount to use and what electro optical gizmo they work best with? My old EoTech actually had the NV settings, but I never really liked it so I traded it off. I currently have a C More, my dubious Sig Holosight, and an older Aimpoint Comp M to play with. Do I want to get the 3X unit for the Aimpoint, or do I want the one meant for the PVS-14? Are the various IR gizmos - lasers, lights, IFF beacons, light sticks, IR only tracers - worth messing around with?

Anyone thinking of trying one of these things out, I think that it worth the price hit compared to all the Russian stuff and various Gen I and II units floating around.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the thing. I tried it out, and good old U.S. Gen 3 technology is everything I remembered it being, and probably a bit better, compared to the PVS-7B goggles that I had a chance to play with a bit years ago. I was surprised at the optical clarity and how - even in moderately dim conditions with ambient street lighting - that an area looks clear as day. The PVS-14 also seems fairly light, and while not exactly bombproof (as some Acogs more or less literally are), it seems to be a durable and well made unit.

My set up only came with the funky head band arrangement, so now I need to get one of the flip mounts currently all the rage and figure out how to mount this thing to either my M4 clone or Sig 556. I also need to scrounge up one of the direction finding compass accessory units if I want to play with it for land navigation.

I think I've seen a couple of photos of other users that have these attached to their EBRs. Any suggestion on what mount to use and what electro optical gizmo they work best with? My old EoTech actually had the NV settings, but I never really liked it so I traded it off. I currently have a C More, my dubious Sig Holosight, and an older Aimpoint Comp M to play with. Do I want to get the 3X unit for the Aimpoint, or do I want the one meant for the PVS-14? Are the various IR gizmos - lasers, lights, IFF beacons, light sticks, IR only tracers - worth messing around with?

Anyone thinking of trying one of these things out, I think that it worth the price hit compared to all the Russian stuff and various Gen I and II units floating around.

 

[mwtdvm]

I suspect most of us are ignorant in the advantages of the different generations,1,2,3,4.
I would appreciate your evaluation on cost vs generation for those of us looking to make a smart cost effective purchase.

 

[m657]

haven't shopped for years...what's the latest 'best price' on such gear?

I've got an old pair Russian Binos Gen 2 I think.

Clunker workhorse, great for what it cost and still works as good as ever...*kaff*kaff*....

 

[silvercorvette]

lways felt using a light was giving up home court advantage in your house. I can pretty much walk around my house in total darkness without bumping into anything. But when I first moved into the house I would bump into something if I had to get up in the middle of the night. If someone gets into my house he is going to have a hard time not making noise by bumping into something. Night vision seems to be the best way to see without giving away your position

 

[GatorFarmer]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/...stems/ground/nvg.htm scroll down and there is a summary of the three primary generations.

Long story short, the later the generation, the better the light gathering abilities and the longer the tubes will last. They also become mush less dependent on an external/secondary method of (IR) illumination to get good results.

Some of the Russian units, when they first came on the market, actually reportedly in some cases at least, released Xrays. That's what I read at the time anyway. Most of the stuff I've seen for sale (imported) was Gen I and II, many of which relied on an IR illuminator. The infrared illuminators, well think of them as a flash light that only your NVG can see. The Russian stuff seemed bulky and didn't seem to give good resolutions. If some did, they weren't ones that I got to see. Periodically aquaintances would get a Russian unit and let me have a look through it. I wasn't impressed enough to get one for myself.

Anyway...Downsides to relying on an illuminator is that they drain a lot of power and anyone with their own gear sees you lit up.

The PVS14 unit that I have, apparently one of the newish single AA units, gives about 60 hours of viewing on a battery and is supposed to have a tube life of around or over 10,000 hours.

ITT and Litton make reputable gear, there's another company called ATN that one hears bad things about from time to time.

My unit was made by ITT here in the United States and sold through their commercial sales unit, which simply means in this case that it didn't come with all the weapon's mounts or specific gear that the Army issues, but seems to be basically the same unit.

There are some differences in PVS-14s that can alter price, including what extras you get. Basically you're looking at between 3 to 4 grand for a unit from a reputable source (and not a stolen Army one). Mine cost me a nice FAL carbine, two dozen mags, and about a thousand rounds of .308 FMJ. The previous owner bought it on a whim, turned it one once, and then wanted something more useful.

You do have to be a U.S. citizen to buy one and agree not to export it or transfer it to third party nationals, it's some law related to not transfering U.S. made Gen III technology to the wrong hands. Some places want military or LE ID to sell you one, but that isn't always the case. They're sometimes sold to boaters, for taking night camera shots, and other commercial uses.

The PVS 14 does have an optional IR illuminator so that you can read maps in your tank or if you're in a cave or something and there is absolutely no light to gather. At its best it works without the IR illuminator on and gathers and intensifies available light.

You then get the "green view" seen in many movies and video games. Though at least on this unit it is about as clear and distortion free as you're going to get.

I'm not sure how good it is indoors, I only tried it outside thus far. There were some depth perception issues, and the field of view is smaller and takes some getting used to compared to natural vision. You're supposed to "scan" your surroundings with one and that seems to take some getting used to.

Most of the people I've seen with them have them mounted on an AR with a mount to flip it out of the way during daylight use.

I had the chance to see PVS-7 goggles and try them out about a decade ago and came close to buying a pair, but found them a bit awkward to wear. This newer unit is pretty light and is about as big as many of the Aimpoint sights.

So far it is a fun toy to play with in a techno nerd sort of way.

There is a "one up" from what I have, sometimes called "Gen 4" technology as seen here http://www.nightvis.com/nv_sig...sal_Night_Sight.html in the form of the ANPVS 22, but they run about 11 grand and thus aren't commonly seen.

 

[rburg]

They're interesting to play with. The first owner of yours is probably the typical user, and he was smart to find a buyer when he realized he wasn't going to play with it.

Mine was a cheapo Russky model. I sprung for it so we could play with it years ago. I made a killing on some sale (probably broke even, but when you normally take losses, even that is a Godsend.) Anyway, the vendor at the gunshow knew me from seeing my over the years. I handed my oldest son $100 and sent him to buy it. Yes, Gen 1 was kind. Maybe it was Gen .5 or lower. But it did what I wanted.

I could go out back on the deck at night and see all kinds of things going on.

It rained the next evening, and I wanted to play with my new toy. So Kittycat and I headed for the dark basement, aka Dungeon. I closed the door behind me with her leading. I took the caps off the lens and with just the ambient light I could see her out in front, marching proudly. I realized the red LED from a clock was providing plenty of light, but just for fun I turned on the IR illuminator. The instant I hit the light, Kitty spun around like I'd shot at her or something.

And that was the big revelation to me. I had no idea why cats see at night, but now I do. Cats see IR! Who'd a thunk it? Makes good sense.

 

[zoom6zoom]

It's definitely cooler than using the IR mode on my Sony Handycam.... which looks really silly duct taped to my head.

 

[S-W4EVER]

LarueTactical.com makes a couple PVS-14 mounts. Their stuff is expensive but you get what you pay for.

 

[marine2541]

My night vision gear is a Surefire led defender flashlight. It's so bright it is like a hand held search light!

 

[S-W4EVER]

Mine is a Surefire M600C Scout Light (with Larue Tactical mount) connected to a TangoDown QD Vertical Grip, but I'd use a PVS-14 too if I could afford it.

 

[Bassamatic]

Why would a civilian need night vision gear unless, of course, he was planning an insurrection?

You just made Janet Napolitano's subversive/terrorist list.

 

[Careby]

I had a little hands-on time with AN/PVS-5 (dual tube) goggles twenty or so years ago courtesy of the Navy, and I always wanted a pair for my own entertainment. I recently bought ATN's version of the PVS-7 (single tube) goggles. I got the 3rd gen (US made) tube, but in the worst available 'B' grade (has some visible black marks on the screen) and saved some cash. I'm guessing they buy the tubes as seconds from ITT. I can't stand the head harness. The helmet mount is much better, but then you're wearing a helmet. For casual use I just hold them in my hand like binoculars. They have great novelty value. I also got a 3x magnifier which is nice for viewing, but don't try walking or driving with it attached!

I don't really expect to ever put them to any "serious" use, but you never know.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I've got a Surefire M4 "Devastator" light, among other lights. I like the melodramatic name though, and it was better shaped for beating someone with than the brighter M6. Apparently others had that same idea, since the front of it is nice and pointy, ostensibly for using it as an impact weapon.

There are much brighter lights available, some of which will allow long range target aquisition.

The 3rd Gen NVG is supposed to allow one to recognize a human form out to about 500 meters, which surpasses what most flashlights will do. It also doesn't drain batteries as fast (with the extra bright bulb, my Devastator drains a number of expensive 123 cells in 15 minutes, whereas 1 AA battery powers the PVS14 for 40 to 60 hours).

The big issue of course is that someone else can see your light and it makes you a target.

Other than being verboten to export without proper paperwork - or transfer to non U.S. citizens at all, 3rd Gen U.S. made NVGs aren't regulated. Thus far my wife hasn't been asked about me when renewing her security clearance. They're routinely used by some photographers, boaters, and professional exterminators and civvy SAR groups. A few spelunkers also seem to invest in them. Me, I'm a... uh... bat watcher. Yeah. That works.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
Why would a civilian need night vision gear unless, of course, he was planning an insurrection?

You just made Janet Napolitano's subversive/terrorist list.

I figure you're just being facetious

, but I'll answer anyway: I am an LEO with 55 year old eyes working nightshift (by choice) who is allowed (by an enlightened Chief) to carry his personally-owned M&P-15.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

My buddy has one mounted on his Hastteras and it is the cats.....hindquarters

Talk about great at night trying to pick out unlighted buoys to hit the pass or more importantly those unlit well heads out in the gulf.
I just love OPB's