Night vision generation comparison

[deltaop1]

Originally Posted by ViR

The question is where can we buy a PVS-14 in Canada..

I have been doing some research on the side and you can buy Gen 3 night vision monocle's with specifications that come close to or equal a PVS-14's (at least based on my layman's understanding of the technical specs) in Canada. Here is a link to the monocle's that Alpha Optics sells, this vendor is located in Burlington outside of the Toronto area.

I spoke to a Sales Rep from AO and basically they have you sign paperwork that transfers ownership of the Gen 3 NVG that you buy. After that you are expected to adhere to the laws regarding the export of such devices. Depending on the model chosen they can build the monocle in 5 business days to meet your specifications.

One last point ... if you want PVS-14 specifications and quality you must be prepared to pay for it. These type of NVG's cost between $3500-$4000 depending on the features.

I hope this helps ... I will leave it to the experts to correct anything that I might have unintentionally quoted above.

[T@NK]

Got my AC-1254 Gen2+ NVG from AlphaOptic yesterday, and it works great. I've handled PVS-14 and other Gen 2/3 NVGs, gotta say, their products are good, not as good as the Gen3s but definetly on top of all gen2/2+ and close to the Gen3s, also added an autogate system in it. Cost me around 2.1k(sacrificial lens, head gear,tax,shipping and insurance included), a little bit more than the D300 on Doubletap tactical, but gives a lot higher gain, resolution and better performance. recommended!

[c3sk]

Originally Posted by T@NK

Got my AC-1254 Gen2+ NVG from AlphaOptic yesterday, and it works great. I've handled PVS-14 and other Gen 2/3 NVGs, gotta say, their products are good, not as good as the Gen3s but definetly on top of all gen2/2+ and close to the Gen3s, also added an autogate system in it. Cost me around 2.1k(sacrificial lens, head gear,tax,shipping and insurance included), a little bit more than the D300 on Doubletap tactical, but gives a lot higher gain, resolution and better performance. recommended!

Absolutely awesome. Congrats T@NK!

With 24hr games like Borderwars, Spartan, and Rhino, all these NVG's are going to get a workout in Ontario!

I can't wait.

[Kingsix]

Originally Posted by c3sk

Absolutely awesome. Congrats T@NK!

With 24hr games like Borderwars, Spartan, and Rhino, all these NVG's are going to get a workout in Ontario!

I can't wait.

Going to see a rise in Night vision scope owners soon.

[Gunk]

Or a drop in the carrot population.

I rock it real old school.

[FlyGuy]

Originally Posted by T@NK

Got my AC-1254 Gen2+ NVG from AlphaOptic...

Congrats Tank,

Which tube (Photonis or other?) did you end-up putting in there? You should have received a data sheet with the product and it will detail the make/model # along with performance data for the tube itself. I'd be curious to know which one they bundled with your setup? Post-up (or PM if you like) some of the numbers from your data sheet!!

FYI: Mine was a XD-4 equivalent tube but I didn't spec an auto-gating power supply at the time as it would have significantly added to the price tag. I don't really miss it anyway as the ABC does a good enough job when the tube becomes overloaded with light. The AC-1254's don't have this feature but what I really like about the PVS-14 is the variable gain setting - allows you to fine-tune the display for high or low average brightness and then let the auto-gating take over when things become more dynamic/changing. You won't find that on anything but mil-type NVM's.

As far as the head mount goes, did you get the full "Frankenstein" head harness or just the Rhino arm adapter? When I got mine, the Rhino arm adapter was practically unobtanium...but I did manage to get one (expensive little bugger) so my monocle actually works with the mil-spec head mount.

Welcome to the green-eye fraternity!


'Fly

[T@NK]

Thanks to Chris and Fly, I need to find the paper from a big pile of empty boxes, lol.but the basic data is here:

Min Resolution: 47lp/mm
Max Gain: 25000
Max Luminous: 500

I was going to buy the universal helmet mount, but it looks so damn ugly, so I went for the head gear. I was told the Rhino mount adaptor can only be sold to Government. >.<

[Colin_S]

Originally Posted by T@NK

I was going to buy the universal helmet mount, but it looks so damn ugly, so I went for the head gear. I was told the Rhino mount adaptor can only be sold to Government. >.<

Spam the ebay sellers, that's how I got my rhino arm.

[mmmken]

Originally Posted by Colin_S

Spam the ebay sellers, that's how I got my rhino arm.

Or you have it sent to an address in the states and have it forwarded back up to Canada.

That's basically what I did.

[Colin_S]

Originally Posted by mmmken

Or you have it sent to an address in the states and have it forwarded back up to Canada.

That's basically what I did.

Yes that's obviously an option, just gotta be careful of that because it's the sender that's breaking ITAR. I'd prefer that being someone I don't know.

[Kingsix]

Have it shipped to a PO Box and drive down the border and bring it back. US customs waves you through and Canadian customs doesn't care.

[Colin_S]

Originally Posted by Kingsix

Have it shipped to a PO Box and drive down the border and bring it back. US customs waves you through and Canadian customs doesn't care.

I guess that's a possibility, wouldn't consider it myself as its a bit complicated and it'd be you who is breaking ITAR. CC customs will wave you through but if US authorities know that ITAR restricted items are being shipped to a PO box that could be trouble. I'd prefer to have someone else take the risk for me, they probably won't bust someone for something small like a rhino arm but the US is freaking paranoid, you never know.

[FlyGuy]

Originally Posted by T@NK

Thanks to Chris and Fly, I need to find the paper from a big pile of empty boxes, lol.but the basic data is here:

Min Resolution: 47lp/mm
Max Gain: 25000
Max Luminous: 500

I was going to buy the universal helmet mount, but it looks so damn ugly, so I went for the head gear. I was told the Rhino mount adaptor can only be sold to Government. >.<

What you're looking for on the data sheet are the measured parameters not the minimum ones.

Obviously, you would be interested in this data:

• tube manufacturer
• tube model/type number
• date manufactured or tested as per the report

but also the following...

• luminance gain @ 20 ulx in cd/sqm/lx
• limiting resolution in lp/mm
• equivalent background illumination (EBI) in ulx
• photocathode sensitivity in uA/lm
• signal to noise ratio (SNR) in dB - may not be specified if not tested at factory, often expressed as a chart or line graph, most important performance indicator for relatively low light levels
• modulation transfer function (MTF) in % - usually expressed as a chart also, often not specified/not factory tested, most important performance indicator for relatively high ambient light levels

Unfortunately, with both the MTF and SNR values often not specified, it remains a significant challenge to gauge the actual real-world performance of the IIT. Certainly luminance gain and centre resolution will give you some idea of how bright and sharp the output image will be for a given input, but the SNR and MTF are the real missing links in the data. They do require complicated test procedures so it's no big surprise that they're often not part of the test profile at the factory. Finally, the EBI is an indication of the intensity of the "photon storm" (noise) you will observe when you turn on the the device in a 100% black/dark environment. The lower the value, the less like driving through a blizzard with your high-beams on the screen will look to you.

Hope this helps...looking forward to your numbers post when you find the printout.


'Fly

[mmmken]

Originally Posted by Colin_S

Yes that's obviously an option, just gotta be careful of that because it's the sender that's breaking ITAR. I'd prefer that being someone I don't know.

That's why I'm very thankful for business mail forwarders.

I've never met the person that's been forwarding me things for the past 3-4 years, lol.

[MASAKO]

Originally Posted by mmmken

That's why I'm very thankful for business mail forwarders.

I've never met the person that's been forwarding me things for the past 3-4 years, lol.

Do you mind introduce me that business mail forwader ? I have a few item that I want from the other side.