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Posted: 2/6/2013 7:24:34 PM EDT
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I'm being honest with myself. I wouldn't use NVG enough to justify a new PVS-14. But being x-military I am accustomed to Gen3 tech, and don't think I'd be happy with a Gen2 setup. And although TNVC's new line of com spec PVS-14's are at a tasty price point...my little CFO in my head keeps yelling at me that I'd never get a return on that investment.
So I've decided to look at used PVS-14's, preferably from someone who has a Mono and is looking to upgrade to a dual tube setup and wants to recoup some of his money. Any idea where I would start to look to find a deal like that? |
| Used is used and has all the risks of anything used. I would stick with the EE here. I see PVS-14 scopes all the time. At least you are dealing with fellow members and can come in this forum to check on any prospective purchases. eBay is unforgiving if you don't really know what you are doing. I see a Night Enforcer in EE right now. I think the price is a tad high for used but it looks like a nice scope. |
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Quoted: I'm being honest with myself. I wouldn't use NVG enough to justify a new PVS-14. But being x-military I am accustomed to Gen3 tech, and don't think I'd be happy with a Gen2 setup. And although TNVC's new line of com spec PVS-14's are at a tasty price point...my little CFO in my head keeps yelling at me that I'd never get a return on that investment. So I've decided to look at used PVS-14's, preferably from someone who has a Mono and is looking to upgrade to a dual tube setup and wants to recoup some of his money. Any idea where I would start to look to find a deal like that? The Equipment Exchange? But have a good look around at the threads on second-hand purchase disasters... Be ware of anything Milspec. Regards David
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I was also on a very tight NV budget, but didn't have much confidence buying used from an anonymous source. My solution was to wait for a deal on a blemished tube with a modest 2 year warranty. It works for my undemanding purposes. You'll occasionally see these types of monoculars from dealers including some in this forum. TNVC also has brought that new stuff to market at a nice price point, so maybe your CFO can authorize additional funds.
My gen 3 unit cost about the same as many 2+, with the added security blanket of autogating & hopefully longer tube life. As I've said previously, the tube quality on mine won't knock anyone's socks off. It beats having nothing but a Mag light & a bag of carrots. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| I got a great deal on the EE for a Gen 2 + monocular for $900. We have 2 PSV-14's here at work and while there is a definite difference in quality, I am still very pleased with my rig for what I paid for it. Hell I used PVS-5's when I was a lowly ground pounder and remember the day we got our brand new shiny PVS-7B's in Germany, so using "older tech" is fine by me. |
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Quoted:
I'm being honest with myself. I wouldn't use NVG enough to justify a new PVS-14. But being x-military I am accustomed to Gen3 tech, and don't think I'd be happy with a Gen2 setup. And although TNVC's new line of com spec PVS-14's are at a tasty price point...my little CFO in my head keeps yelling at me that I'd never get a return on that investment. So I've decided to look at used PVS-14's, preferably from someone who has a Mono and is looking to upgrade to a dual tube setup and wants to recoup some of his money. Any idea where I would start to look to find a deal like that? After lurking and researching civilian NV for a good while, the little CFO in my head has made the opposite decision - particularly since the release of the TNVC PVS-14s. After seeing lots of second-hand NV sales, everywhere from the EE to eBay and more, of unknown provenance, and seeing the feedback from users posting on this board, I've come to the conclusion that the costs are too high, and the associated risks for redress with timelines measured in months even when they do shake out favorably that the extra dollars and cents to buy from a reputable dealer are well worth it. Unless you stumble across an amazing, unanticipatable rare deal used, you're not saving that much relative to the total price you'd be paying for new. I'm someone that buys everything used, guns, optics, cars, but researching the topic has convinced me that NV equipment is definitely something I want to buy new, and definitely not on the gray market. I've considered and almost bought several pieces of second-hand NV gear that was within my budget, and have always decided that the cost is not worth the risk, and that if I couldn't swing reputable gear, it was better to wait and save more money. Then again... I'm still saving. 
~Augee |
| What you are looking for you should buy new. Your risking a lot with no upside potential. I bought my first NVD used because the price was 1/2 of new, gen 2 so not that expensive a tube, and I plan upgrading and just keeping it for any friend that comes along. It was a risk but not a big one. |
| I've bought 2 NVDs used on the EE here and both turned out to be great deals. I asked a lot of questions though and looked into the sellers before purchasing. If you are crunched for cash at the time of purchase, I actually think it may be smarter to buy new since it will be a big freaking deal if you get a lemon. |
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I have purchase about a dozen various used units from auctions and other shops. I have only purchase one new unit, which was a PVS-14 that the dealer took a bunch of trades on (and actually gave me a very fair trade in value on). When buying at auctions, it truely is a gamble unless they offer a return policy like some people do on Ebay. Even on units that look like a bargain, it can be a bust. Like the saying goes, not everything on Ebay has problems, but everything with problems ends up on Ebay. So you have to be willing to take a loss if you buy on Ebay.
If you buy enough stuff on Ebay or other auctions, you will eventually get both a huge bargain and a huge loss. It is just a matter of how much of each. I have gotten a PVS-7 gen 3 unit cheap because it was listed as being a gen 2 and the pciture through the unit had a bunch of spots. It ended up having a nice gen 3 ITT tube in it and cleaned up very nicely once I removed the dirt and dust from the rear eye lens. On the other hand, my first NV purchase on Ebay ended up getting me a burnt up PVS-5. I sold it for parts as the front & rear lens was good. Buying here on the EE is actually a pretty good way to go. Make sure the person has good feedback and will give you an inspection period. Also be sure to ask if it has any problems. People usually won't lie about problems straight up, but will not bring them up if not asked. |
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I think I lost count on how many eBay deals I got burned on. Every time I lost I didn't follow my own advice. I got greedy on deals that seemed to good to be true. So, I rolled the dice and lost. I also have rolled the dice and scored big. Found a Gen 3+1 tube in a scope sold as Gen 2. I had subtle clues that told me it might be a 3+1 but it was still a straight up gamble. I buy scopes expecting commercial tubes and find milspec tubes. Good for me but a bitch to re-sell.
Being good at the used game took me many years. I still fail at times. I really took a beating while learning because I was hardheaded and thought I knew more than the experts. I got tired of getting my ass kicked and read every technical document I could get my hands on. I am still learning but my failure rate has decreased exponentially. I didn't have resources like this forum starting out. If you take the time to really learn good deals are plentiful. But, it takes time and you have to able to absorb losses. If you are unsure I recommend new. 
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