Diz, I assume you're referring to our 2023 vSHOTT where we discussed digital NV technology, and if so I commented about it in this thread. Linky

Although someone asked about the OPSIN, we specifically were talking about the IVAS program. IVAS is a far more advanced MIL digital NV program. The Army spent (and is still spending) A LOT of money on it and thus far it is well documented as being widely unsuccessful. I also included links in the thread above which I recommend folks read. Or Google for yourself.

Take from that what you will.

ETA: Links added here

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-ivas-dote-2022-testing-assesssment/
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/moving-on-army-and-microsoft-agree-on-path-ahead-for-ivas-with-latest-1-2-variant/
https://www.popsci.com/technology/army-integrated-visual-augmentation-system/
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-ivas-goggles-headaches-nausea-neck-pain/

But you did, so we're pretty much going to respond, lol.

All good but as you pointed out it is unfair to make a statement or repeat a talking point about something that you admittedly didn't see for yourself.

The digital conversation was centered around IVAS and the reason for laughter during the night 3 segment (that's the one I remember us laughing) was when Buck said something along the lines of "this is greea*barf*aat". This was funny because a common issue with IVAS was that it made people puke their brains out.

I'll state this and then bounce outta GHOz's thread. ETA: Agreed, GHOz is a great contributor to the community

If you've watched other vSHOTTs and heard what we said about digital then you essentially would have heard the same this year but with newer information shared about the IVAS program.  

We focused on IVAS because that is the real deal what the MIL is actually working on intended for the battlefield. The results so far per the MIL and other folks directly involved (see article links above) whether you're a fan of digital or not are unambiguous. The technology is not there yet as a replacement for analog nods. It is not ready for primetime. Everyone including myself agrees it will be one day but that's not now and as we joked in vSHOTT folks have been saying it is 5-10 years ETA for more than the last 5-10 years.

It is what it is and this doesn't mean that the OPSIN, digital scopes, etc. are bad products. Someone doesn't have to be an industry person (and plenty of civilian end users also say the same) to realize that at a similar price point with equal accessibility to both, the superior choice is still a good quality analog system and in particular a modern tube(s) with higher specs.

So with that said it is unfair to demonize someone for simply pointing out the above as being part of a "Big NV conspiracy" or whatever

I started and stopped several much longer and more involved replies, but I'm going to try to keep it simple...

No one in the "industry" that I know "doesn't" want digital to happen, at least not "major players"--quite the opposite, actually. If and when digital is ready "for the prime time," there's almost nothing but benefits from a business perspective to making that switch.

DoD has already said digital is the future. Digital is where they're putting their hopes and dreams... and their R&D money.

However, even at the state of the art, digital has still got some significant hurdles to overcome--just throwing a couple of tidbits out there about some of where the conversation is going.

Please note, none of this is me trying to discourage anyone from buying it, trying it, experimenting with it, however:

- Latency, as Will alluded to, is still a huge issue, and one that is of significant concern - the "refresh rate" for the human eye is approximately 500 µs, converted to "digital" speak, it's roughly equivalent to a 2,000 Hz system.  Analog night vision, which is considered "direct view" (no latency) is 625 µs, or roughly equivalent to 1,600 Hz.

- Current high performance analog tubes (again, "digitalized") offers roughly a 5 Mpx resolution--the currently fielded JSF HMD, a ~$400,000 system that requires the support infrastructure of an airframe (i.e., massively incompatible SWaP for man-portable ground use) is at 2 Mpx. OPSIN IIRC is 1 Mpx.  

- The SIONYX OPSIN is essentially a commercialized prototype and developmental item, and adapted from the IVAS sensor--what does this mean? The price probably isn't coming down much--as digital continues to improve, the cost of early systems is pretty much guaranteed to be higher than analog systems. People are used to the idea of commercial electronics where the scale is in the millions if not tens of millions--once the technology has matured and been productionized.

- This is essentially not going to happen until there is a major government contract--a production contract, not a developmental contract. This is a significant hurdle that's not often considered--in the grand scheme of things, prototypes are relatively easy to build. Building the infrastructure to start manufacturing that prototype as a production item? That's much more difficult, and expensive--in many cases practically impossible without the government helping to pay for it. We all like to joke about "vaporware," 90% of the time when products become vaporware, it's because of difficulties translating prototypes into a producible product. Many of you have asked "why don't more companies in this space focus on the commercial market?" This is a big part of it.

- Some of the most optimistic and ambitious objectives in the DoD are hoping for fielding of "mature" systems to select forces by 2030. Others, often the ones with lots of letters both before and after their names will tell you that that's not even remotely realistic--and are discussing timelines of 20-30 years.

Digital has made some great strides--in many cases as the result of programs like the JSF HMD and IVAS, not to mention sensor packages for small UAS, which--it's worth noting, have similar SWaP requirements to a dismounted soldier. However, it still has some way to go from a cost / performance / SWaP standpoint compared to analog.

Yes. This is my idea of a short and simple reply.



~Augee

I truly mean this is the most sincere way possible; I am glad that it works for you and meets your needs and that you're satisfied with its performance.

Many users, including the DoD do not agree, and the vast majority of personnel involved in the IVAS testing--"normie" infantry guys, not "Tier 1" personnel found it to be a significant limitation and hurdle for digital systems adoption. None of the information that I relayed above are things that I came up with, most of what I stripped out was my personal commentary.

500 µs is 0.5 ms, 625 µs is 0.625 ms. IIRC the fastest refresh rate for the OPSIN is 90 Hz, or 11.11 ms (60 Hz = 16.67 ms / 30 Hz = 33.33 ms).

Beyond that, we of course recognize that not everyone is or has the same needs as "T1 guys," however our focus has been to bringing "tip-of-the-spear" warfighter equipment and capabilities to the widest audience possible. We know that not every user wants / needs that level of performance, but we provide that option, and that's our market focus.

We are fans of the technology and of the technological development, and of the type of testing and evaluation done by independent parties like yourself and @GroundhogOZ offering their feedback, though we may not feel it is "ready" for the level of products which we currently offer to our customers--not all of whom are, but a significant portion of which are professional users, or that want to have professional-level capabilities for whatever reason (not dismissing what those reasons may be--only stating that we believe that any such reason is equally valid).

What we take issue with, if anything, is the marketing claims and rhetoric that are sometimes made that are in direct contradiction of the more honest and transparent discussions with their own engineering staff when discussing the future and potential of the technology.    

~Augee