There are many misconceptions and questions about PVS-14’s and buying night vision devices in general.  So, I wanted to clear up some issues.  Here are some of the questions we are frequently asked.







What is the difference between your TNV/PVS-14 and your competitor’s that sell for less?



This is a common question that we receive.  Unlike our competitors that sell PVS-14’s for less, we do not run large contracts to acquire our units in bulk in order to pass the savings on to you.  This goes back to the old adage: "If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.”  The thing that prospective buyers need to understand is that buying night vision is completely different from buying any other type of optic.  Not all image intensifier tubes are created equal.  In fact, no two tubes are the same.  Their specs and cosmetics will vary greatly within a certain range.  But, as long as a tube falls within the range, it is still going to be considered "Gen3.”  However this is something to really consider when looking at a night vision device.



The two manufacturers of tubes in the U.S., ITT Exelis and L3 manufacture tubes to the Gen3 spec range.  As long as their tubes fall within this range, they are considered to be within spec and saleable.  Recognizing this, and having a lot of respect for our customers and their hard-earned dollar, we designed our TNV/PVS-14 program to deliver a higher spec tube, both on paper and cosmetically.  We hold both our L3 and ITT units to the same minimum spec.  This spec is higher than the "passable” spec and starts with the current U.S. Military OMNI VIII spec.  But, we go beyond this to include a higher cosmetic spec.  This means that our tubes are the best possible tubes out there.  



We are on contract for tubes from both ITT and L3 for our minimum spec.  Each and every one of them is checked and tested by our own techs (we do not contract our builds out to third parties) BEFORE it is even installed – trust but verify.  If a tube is a no-go for not meeting our minimum spec (hey, sometimes shit happens), it gets sent back.  It’s that simple.  The units are meticulously assembled and tested again before they ship to the customer.  By doing this, we can guarantee that you are getting the best possible quality for your hard earned dollar.  



Why is there a lead time on your systems?  I can buy something in stock from your competition.



Our competition likes to take jabs at us for not "stocking” our systems and the best sales line they can come up with about their own is that they’re in stock.  Well, let’s clear this up: we would love to stock our systems.  In fact, that has been the goal of the TNV/PVS-14 program since day one over a year ago.  But, the last time we had any "on the shelf” was before the line launched.  The overwhelming popularity of the TNV/PVS-14 has caused it to be in perpetual back-order because the tube manufacturers can’t keep up with our demand.  Sure, we could stock our systems high and deep if our standards were lower and we accepted any old tube that "met the spec” from the factory.  But truth be told; we reject between 40-60% of the tubes from ITT alone.  Our competition tries to justify their "Walmart” style approach to night vision by making excuses and trying to shoo off terms like "commercial spec” and "B-Grade” tubes because that is exactly what they stock.  They hope that their customers are not going to do enough research to realize that these terms do mean something.  B-Grade tubes are tubes that didn’t pass or meet MILSPEC at the factory.  They have too many or too large blemishes and didn’t pass muster.  They are sold at lower prices for bulk purchasers who think this sort of quality is acceptable to pawn off on their customers.  They laughably try to tell customers that only the specs on the data sheet matter and that cosmetic blemishes do not affect performance.  While this is true from an objective standpoint, these devices are designed to be used by humans in the field.  Ask yourself this: if you are paying several thousand dollars for a night vision device that is supposed to help you see in the dark, why would you let some salesman convince you that hampering the image with blemishes, black spots, wood grain, shading, etc is OK?  The concept is ludicrous and is the mark of a sales team that does not understand how night vision is used.  Wouldn’t you want high specs AND a clean tube?



If you are out in the field and having a hard time resolving an image that includes foliage or semi-camouflaged targets, that wood grain texture in your tube isn’t doing you any favors.  It’s actually adding to confusion in your image.  If you are under tree canopy or indoors, using your goggles, that darker shading over half your image isn’t helping you in a darker environment using a device that relies on ambient light to make things brighter.  If you’re in a wide open area like the desert, all those pepper flakes and larger blemishes are not going to make spotting your targets easier.  But, if you do get duped into buying a goggle based on the idea that cosmetic defects and blemishes will not affect the performance, maybe you can take it up with the commission-based salesman in the morning.  



Take a look at the tubes below.  They are photographed against a spot chart used for determining blemish size and location.  These were sent to us by one of ITT’s tube distributors as being "within spec.  While they looked fine on paper, the image quality was unacceptable.  You can see the "wood grain” texturing across the entire image.  These are prime examples of what doesn’t pass muster for a TNV/PVS-14.  When we confronted the distributor, they said it was in spec.  While this might be acceptable for a commercial spec tube from the factory, it is not acceptable by us, nor should it be acceptable by you.  This is not what good night vision is supposed to look like.  But according to our competition, this is perfectly fine as long as it has high specs on paper.  As a matter of fact, we were told that the tubes we were sending back would be used in our competition's systems because "they don't demand such high specs and are willing to take what we give them."  Now, I'm not saying that you will only get crap from other companies.  But there is a chance because they are willing to take anything that passes for a factory commercial spec.







Now, see below for what a high spec tube with good cosmetics looks like.  This is a prime example of what you can expect from any TNV/PVS-14.  The image is clean with very little blemishing.  There is no texture across the tube.  As you can see, there is a quite a difference between this and the unacceptable tubes above.  So, you tell me: is saving a couple hundred bucks when you are already spending several thousand really worth getting a crappy product?







So, I can get a perfect tube from TNVC?



Now, there is no such thing as a perfectly clean tube.  It’s impossible.  But, we hold our tubes to the highest possible standard to insure that our customers are getting the best value.  Yes, this means our tubes will cost a bit more.  Yes, it means we discriminate in choosing tubes that pass.  And yes, this means that manufacturers can’t keep up with the demand for our spec and we always have a backorder.  But, that is the case with anything that is the best.  Most every manufacturer of top quality gear is going to be on backorder compared to the "good enough” brands.  Look at the top firearms, gear, and optics manufacturers.  All of them have lead times because they are highly coveted and can’t produce product fast enough to fill orders.  Just like them, we are heavily invested in our products and are unwilling to compromise our quality and spec to meet the demand of the "immediate gratification” crowd.



This brings us to data sheets.  I wouldn’t want you to get the idea that we are only concerned with the cosmetics.  On top of that, you are going to get a guaranteed higher spec on paper too.  Again, we don’t take whatever rolls out of the factory.  We have a higher minimum spec on paper and data sheets are scrutinized to make sure that everything meets our standards.  If something doesn’t add up, it gets sent back before it even sees a body housing.  This insures that none of our customers end up with a 1353 Luminous Gain (even if they don’t even know what that means).  Buying a TNV/PVS-14 is never a crap shoot.  You know that no matter what, your system will have a higher minimum spec than other offerings.  We aren’t just going to pull a random bag off the shelf and ship it to you.  



I’ve seen heard a lot about TNVC and see you all over the forums.  Why should I buy from you?



TNVC is your one stop shop for everything low light and no light related.  We are former/current military and law enforcement professionals who have used this gear on a two way range and have an intimate understanding of what works and what doesn’t.  Our sales staff is made up of shooters who care about this industry and strive to put the best possible gear in the hands of our customers.  We don’t know if our gear is going to be used to for recreation or downrange, so we build it for the later.  Our sales team does not work on commission.  We won’t pressure you to buy something in order to make a sale.  That sort of business model lends itself to numbers rather than customers.



Basically, we’re not going to tell you give you the sales pitch: "If you get it and it isn’t right, send it back and we’ll exchange it.”  Really, this goes without saying.  Of course we would exchange something if it didn’t work right.  The difference between us and the other guys is that you know you are getting the right product up front.  We don't need to bribe customers with "super deals" and hand-picked systems on the condition they post it up online.  Our systems are all high spec and "hand-selected" by nature.  



So, if you want the best possible quality and attention to detail for your hard earned money, email the professionals.  



[email protected]

I would like to add.

We've sold an ordinate amount of gear for thousands of happy ARFCOM customers. We invite you to visit our  ARFCOM TNVC INDUSTRY FORUM for many positive transactions not just with our TNV-14's but any of our low light product we offer.  This who we are and we're darn proud of holding a Site Sponsor status for this reason serving thousands over the years with an impeccable reputation of offering the best low light products out there.  

I invite everyone to research all companies Industry  forums (not just ours) to see what this feedback may consist of along with Amazon, or wherever those feedback channels may be.  

....And yes, I am the owner Victor Di Cosola and I still answer the phones every day around here and have spoken to many of you years past.  Thank you for all your business, we never ever forget that.  

Vic

I've dealt with Victor and crew for years and have never been less than 100% satisfied with both the product and the experience.  TNVC really does set the standard.