Was searching for a quality IR pass filter for my PVS-14 and found these : Maxmax X-Nite filters

Wondering which would be best with a PVS-14... thinking the 715 model. Any input? About to pull the trigger on a 30mm.

More expensive than the crappy HK filter on ebay (which isn't threaded properly on the inside threads to mount the GI 3x lens, btw).

Edit: ordered some of their IR lightsticks and the 715 filter. Guess I'm the guinea pig...

I seem to recall someone stating that the 30mm filters work (and they do- I have an Opteka 30.0 on mine), the PVS 14 is actually 30.5mm.  Might be why the 30.0mm HK filter isn't threading up with the GI 3x.  I took someone's advice on here and got a Zeikos 4.5x ($55) lens and adapter to 30.0 (and one for 30.5) and it beats my GI 3x in every way except no butler creek flip cap for it.  In the NV world, $55 is flat out cheap.  

I just read my post and thought I should explain.  I have the Opteka 30.0mm filter on my PVS14.  I also ordered a HK 30.5 mm filter for it.  It does screw in great to the 3x GI.  I tried to take the 30.0 Opteka off the PVS14 and it wasn't giving up easily, so I did since it works fine for me.  The Opteka 30.0 works with my 3x GI, but it is a PITA to get the GI 3x on it.  The Opteka 30.0 works great with the 30.0 mm step down adapter I got for the Zeikos lens.  I also have the 30.5mm step down adapter for the Zeikos, and it fits the 30.5 HK filter, but not the 30.0 Opteka.  From what I've seen, 30.5 mm must just be an odd size, as there aren't as many filters for 30.5 as there are for 30.0.

Not what I asked, but is the 14 really threaded 30.5mm?

The PVS-14 IS 30.5, I have the filter you are asking about, in 715Nm it works great when using the PVS-14 alone. It attaches just fine, but you CAN'T screw the 3X converter into it at all, the filter must be removed. It is a nice quality filter to leave on if you don't have an accessory you want to attach to the objective of the PVS-14.

OK, well, good enough. I can just use the lens with the slide on adapter. 30.5mm seems an oddball size to find. Wonder if that corp (in NJ I think) can make a quantity of 30.5 filters for us. One in a LIF-clone ring would be cool.

That would be nice, I would definately buy one with 30.5mm threads on both sides, I don't trust the press fit arrangement, especially since the filter sticks out almost 1/4 inch, and is a smaller diameter than the lens giving less contact..
Joe

If you buy the ziekos 4.5x lens you can get the IR filter to fit the ziekos, then attach the step down ring to 30.5mm for the PVS14. I use stacked filters (2 filters back to back) this gives me plenty of adjustment with my non NV eotech, from dim to bright if full moon or pitch black out, or using the T100c2  3.4w IR Illuminator. Targeting a jack rabbit at 300yds, you can pick the head or the body as the 4.5x zooms the target but the eotech dot stays 1moa I keep the PVS14 4.5x lens mounted on the rifle, only take it off to scan as I have thermal ps24 as well.

Hard_Ware- are you mounting the PVS14 and 4.5x lens in front of the EOTech?  Trying to figure out how you're zooming to 4.5x but the 1MOA dot is not being magnified.

They both magnify, but in ratio. The dot remains as 1moa, it is just 4.5x larger and the rabbit is also 4.5x larger. It will cover ~1 inch at 100 yards either way.

I havent seen his setup but I can all but garantee that is the case.

Yes, as HardWare & BlackGhost mentioned, it works very good!



175 Yards, dark starry night with no moon:



You can also just turn the Eotech off and use your IR laser:



Both photos have the 720nm IR cutoff lens installed on the PVS-14 objective.

The half moon in the bottom of the 2nd pic is from the laser "ON" lamp which I subsequently put a small piece of black tape over on the DBAL-I2.

Skypup: What lens is that and where do I get one? Is that the 58mm with a step down adapter?

Well that makes snese.  Sometimes, this site makes me feel like a flaming dipshit.

As for the Polaroid lense Skypup is using, I don't know specifics, but its exterior looks EXACTLY like the Zeikos model I have.  Zeikos ZE-4558T 58mm High Quality 4.5X Telephoto Lens- on eBay now for $51 delivered.  

Also need a 30.0 (or 30.5) mm to 58 step down adapter.  30mm to 58mm adapter.  30.5 mm to 58mm adapter.  Both adapters are $4-$6 delivered.

This is one of the many telephotos I am using, real light weight compared to the mil spec GI 3X:

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Telephoto-Includes-Digital-55-210mm/dp/B004N6UM8W

I'll have to check the unit to see what adapters I am using but I think off the top of my head Ncorry has got it.

It has a big objective and picks up great light input.

Thanks, guys. Ordered both...

The real Mil-Spec lens is the very best, but it is expensive and heavy.

If you need the best, get that, not the "commercial" version, the real GI Mil-Spec ones.

There are quite a few other much lighter telephotos that work real good with IR light (be sure to see if they are IR compatible before you get one) and although they are not as high wall -to-wall quality as the Mil-Spec lens, they do work well and get the job done.

I really like my 2X Sony Telephoto for all around use, just depends on the distances you are working with....

Here is the Sony Hi-Def 2X





Here is a comparison of three different telephotos, you want the ocular lens on them to be 30mm or larger, small is NOT good.

Yeah, I already have the USGI, but was looking at alternatives... anyway this lens and ring are cheap enough to try out for a little more magnification on stands with longer views. Plus I already have a Hoya 58mm RW72 filter for my cam rig.

To make a long story short, I missed some pigs because I had just put the IR filter on the 14 and was slipping around on a totally overcast night with no moon (this is before I got a laser and just had an illuminator on the rifle), and I heard some pigs just ahead close. I decided to move the 14 to the rifle(I have the TNVC ring on and the Aimpoint mount) but the frickin 3x wouldn't screw in because of the 30mm ebay cheapo filter.. Anyway, I was fumbling around without a light and finally got the 14 on behind my Eotech in NV mode, and couldn't see the reticle. While I was dicking around trying to get a sight picture the wind shifted and the bacon ran off. Doh.

So I found out 2 things the hard way that I read here after, but should have tried out before the "mission": 1 the IR filter affects Eotech NV mode reticle visibility drastically 2 the 30mm fits the 14 but isn't the correct size, and the GI 3x lens push-on adapter doesn't grab well with the aftermarket filter on there, nor will the lens screw in without it when the IR filter is on because it is 30.5 mm and the filter 30. Learning has occurred.

You will not be able to see the Eotech reticule in NV mode with the IR filter on, you will have to use the lower visible settings to operate the Eotech with the IR filter on.

If you take off the filter, be sure to ONLY use the NV reticule mode or you will damage your PVS-14.

Other than that, you should be good to go next time around and you should be smelling bacon instead of the bacon smelling you...

The pvs14 is mounted behind the eotech. The properties of a true holographic sight keep it the same size even if the second focal plane is being magnified . It defies common sense, due to it being a hologram. Think of it always being the same size  projected out 100 yds in front of you regardless of magnification. Some rifle scopes have the reticle  in the second focal plane or first not sure if I have it backwards but I think you get what I mean does the same thing zoom changes retiical does not.Notice this on the tree one  photo 2.x dot covers tree 4.5 x dot inside tree trunk

What mount is that on your 14 shown above with the 4.5x Polaroid (Zeikos), 'pup? I got the lens and 30.5 - 58 mm adapter (lens is broke and will be sent back for exchange), however the adapter cannot go on the 14 because my TNVC mount ring sticks out too far.

I guess I could turn the TNVC ring around and reverse the mount, but not sure if I can do that...

That is the Nortoros Dual Dovetail attachment that fits the Wilcox L-4 mounts and Nortoros INVG with the dove tail interface, it will not work with a standard bayonet J-Arm mount.

You can remove one of the dovetails if you like, you only need one to use it.

http://tnvc.com/shop/norotos-dual-dovetail-interface-arm-for-pvs-14/

If you meant the picitanny rail mount, it is the Summit PVS-14 rail mount"

http://www.amazon.com/Summit-PVS-14-Quick-Connect-Adapter-1V-NA-DLOC-PVS/dp/B004ZG5DTI

Rail mount... Yeah I should have checked that rail mount as the lens will not work with the TNVC ring unless the ring is installed backwards, which means the Aimpoint 3x won't work unless its turned around in the ring as well. Dang it.