Since there seems to have been a perceived uptick in the number of new people threads asking for pretty much the same information without reading the faq or doing research, I propose that an updated, locked, single purpose overview thread be created as a summary for the frequent newbie post that ask "new to night vision, what do I need (for under x amount/gen1).
Input to this thread is appreciated, with input, perhaps a new tacked thread can be created.
A thread would be something along the lines of:



============================================================
New people, please look over some of this before you post "I want night vision, tell me what to get for under $1000/gen 1/shtf"



and get repies like this



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/421061_On_gen1_budget__what_is_best_goggle__invisible_illuminator__and_invisible_laser_.html
general info -
If you can afford it, save up and skip gen1 - a lot of people on this board have purchased gen1 stuff, have not been impressed by its performance, and regretted spending the money on it.
In general, if you can afford it, get a helmet mounted pvs14, mount a laser on your rifle, get an ir illuminator like the torch pro, or eagletac, and have an ir beacon to identify ourself to others with nvds that you're not a target.
For information on the generation differences in nvds -



Night Vision Generation Comparison Guide  - http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=330
Thermal or image intentifier? -in general, thermal for detection, and image intensifier for identification



(links needed for this?)
Budgets - suggested equipment you can get in certain price ranges
For different price ranges

	new gen3	used gen3	new gen2	used gen2	pulsardigital scope	armasight spark	Zeiss Fero Z51	if you must, xgen
$2500-+	*	*
$2000-2500		*	*
$1500-2000			*	*	*
$1000-1500					*
$500-1000					*	*	*
$0-500							*	*

For used equipment, you might be able to get things a good deal cheaper if you look around.
For used gear, try the equipment exchange, or, by being cautious and doing alot of research, try ebay or your local craigs list.



As some have said - "not everything on Ebay has a problem with it, but everything with problems end up on Ebay". Be able to get burned if you do purchase used from unknown sources.
For the lower cost alternative to gen3 if you can't pay full price
DIY cascade scope - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/359614_DIY_Cascade_Tube_Thread___.html
Zeiss fero z51 - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/419430_Info_on_Zeiss_Eltro_Orion_80_I__FERO_Z51_.html
Armasight spark scopes - better performing gen1



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/416596_SPARK_CORE_reviewed____Did_Gen1_finally_catch_up_with_Gen2_.html
Digital options -




Current digital performs like gen 1 scopes, and to be effective, will perform better with ir illumination - that said
XGen digital scopes - for something useful with ir illumination



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/363342_XGen_review_and_evaluation___Digital___Gen1_Level_NV__.html



xgen as a diy rifle scope



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/386985_Is_it_possible_to_build_a_night_vision_riflescope_for_under__300_.html&page=1&anc=bottom#bottom
Digital stuff by the resident guru bennybone



his youtube site - lots of info on pulsar sights - http://www.youtube.com/user/bennybone1981/videos



various threads



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/354355_Digital_NV.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/374661_Pulsar_Digisight_N750___Digital_Nightvision_Riflescope.html



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/392220_Pulsar_Digisight_video_comparison_between_n550_and_n750.html
other digital scope stuff
Photonics digital scopes





http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/416940_Photon_5x42_Digital_NV_Scope_Review.html
while photobucket account doesn't seem to be working read this and go to the youtube link





http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/411930_Field_Test___Review_of_the_Sightmark_Photon_5x42mm_digital_riflescope.html
"What do you think about my tube specs?"
in simple terms
any s/n >26 is good
any ebi < 2.5 is acceptable by the military, though, you want a small ebi as there is less noise as it gets warmer for astronomy - see this video



Affect of temperature on EBI - YouTube
halo depends on your use - you want a small halo if looking through it, but a larger halo if it will be weapon mounted you want a halo above 1.25
resolution - center resolution of of 64 or greater is now common. Very rarely, will one notice the difference between a scope with 64lpm and 72lpm.
Details on how to interpret parameters



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/348408_help_interpreting__tube_data_sheet_from_TNVC.html







Understanding basic tube parameters and their significance. - http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=18&t=348609







What is a halo, how is it formed and what does it mean? - http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=18&t=341265
Misc:
DIY way to record video or take pictures




http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/410376_DIY_night_vision_recording_setup.html
DIY laser green and ir laser




http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/411349_DIY_dual_spectrum_aiming_laser_under__100.html
How bright is too bright a red dot sight for gen3 nvd (to prevent image burn to tube)?



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/420741_vortex_nv_compatible_red_dot___info_asap_.html
What now, I still have questions?
If you have to pose a question, the biggest complaint would be that people don't state what they intend to do with night vision - i.e. hog hunt in ranges 100-200yrds, prepper/shtf security device, etc. please post some information on your situation, what your intent is, and what you want to accomplish.
 

i'll solicit information for laser links if people want that updated

as noted in title - is there no interest in creating or updating information for new people?

As a newbie myself, I'm all for it!

I would add to the chart gen 3 B grade or blemished.  I have seen pvs7 brand new home-brews with blems for 1200 bucks before, and the only reason they are seconds is because there are multiple specs in zone 1 with otherwise amazing specs military tube. awesome value.

Newbie? My ass

Err... fast-learnin' newbie?  

I see used PVS-7 Gen 3's going for far less than 2000 all the time. It would be more fitting to rank gen 3 from 1500+. Also, used Gen 2 should start at $500.
FWIW - I can buy it for under $1500, but Gen 3 under 1500 is still a little more uncommon.

As a NV Newbie, is there any type of database that exists where users can input tube specs, and upload images through the tube, so we can start to get a solid idea as to how the image changes as tube specs increase or decrease.? Even a web app that would "mock up" an image would be neat, so you could see how scintillation changes as you raise or decrease the SN, how the image changes as the resolution increases/decreases, etc. It would help me, anyhow.

That's the rub. Do we encourage those brand new to NV to seek out used deals and risk being burned? Or do we stick with new pricing and recommendations. For most of us the used market is a treasured resource, but we've been through the wringer to know what's a good deal and what isn't. They don't have that experience, and are going to be dollar-blinded coming in.

I'm all for buying used and recommending newbies do to, but with a big, fat -- CAVEAT EMPTOR.

On all of my Gen 3 devices Ive never actually spent more than 2k.  Actually as low as $1100 with a Omni VI tube. It pays to do your research.

I think you paint a valid picture on pricing, but as an educated owner, it is your (our) duty to point out the sacrifices made when you spend very little on used devices. Pricing should be a rough guess, so you arent stuck trying to constantly update the prices in this thread.

And when it gets into the upper end, I would also explain the differences in quality on gen 3 sets, and how data sheet #'s translate back to real world image impact (ie. what does SN 30 look like compared to SN 25, or 57lp/mm compared to 72 lp/mm).

I would also include a specific slot for diy cascade setup's too, since we have a thread on them. Continuing with my list of desires - I would love to see pictures of images through each type of the tubes, too. It would actually be for my own benefit, so first time owners can kind of get an idea as on what to expect, and this gets back to how data sheet #'s (or omni specs) translate back to real world image quality. Then maybe we can start a database that tracks specs and links specs to images so you can do a side by side comparison to a 57lp/mm gen 3 set to a 72lp/mm gen 3 set - with all other specs being similar.

thank you for additional input. I'll make some changes when I get a chance.



prices are kind of hard to define, so I put the highest prices that you should pay for some of the stuff, and noted you can frequently get things cheaper - but how cheap depends on so many things, it's hard for a beginner with no knowledge to know or understand.



basically, I want to gather a lot of the newer threads with information, or link to sources, so a beginner will be able to get a better idea of what is currently out there, and better define what they are looking for before they post questions.



A set of images for different resolutions and specifications could be done, but it may be hard without them being of the same image, so you can tell what the differences are.



I think I will also get some links on the d760 and the m845 if I can get some good reference.

here are some images





system - nikon d3100 with relay lens and adapter


shot at ISO400, no f stop as it's directly to the scopes, with shutter at 1/200th.
gen3 6010 equiv omni 1? about 36lpm




hires



http://i61.tinypic.com/2dv7dwm.jpg
gen3 6010, I think it's omni III with 51lpm




hires



http://i58.tinypic.com/muvo82.jpg
gen3 6010 newer than previous one so omni IV-V, with I think 64lpm, as resolution just slightly better (i didn't get focus completely right on this one, but didn't notice when I took photo)

hires - you can barely tell the vertical stair wrought iron pieces are clearer on the hires image



http://i57.tinypic.com/2m35o2e.jpg
edit - actual images are brighter than those posted - the equiv shutter speed to get that approx brightness is 1/100th of a second. the ones posted are darker, so the stairs don't get washed out and you can better see the change in resolution between the different scopes.
 

to bump this thread and add



a post on the sensitivity of nvds to different wavelengths of light, and link to use of a cutoff filter to decrease the led glow

diy flashlights
theory on simple diy direct drive flashlight
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/420574_simple_diy_stuff___direct_drive_led_flashlight.html
link to discussion on high powered diy led flashlight - see xjronx's post
kind of high tech stuff involving reflow soldering if you do it your self, otherwise, has info on others that build them
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/424012_Anyone_use_a_Light_Technology_Labs_LLTL_001_illuminator_.html





some discussion on where to look for information on aspheric lenses



http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/424833_eagletac_with_Aspheric_lens.html