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Posted: 10/26/2014 7:41:48 PM EDT
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Hey guys i've recently became interested in getting some NVG's. I'm really not sure of what generation or brand to go with. I have a budget in the $1500-$2000 range. I really don't want to come across as ignorant there's just a lot i don't know. Here's a couple points i need some guidance on.
I've always liked night vision for numerous of reasons and now have the funds to get some. I just don't want to waste my money. - What's good - Where to buy - What to avoid - Generation 2 or 3 - Save more money for a really nice set |
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Hey guys i've recently became interested in getting some NVG's. I'm really not sure of what generation or brand to go with. I have a budget in the $1500-$2000 range. I really don't want to come across as ignorant there's just a lot i don't know. Here's a couple points i need some guidance on. I've always liked night vision for numerous of reasons and now have the funds to get some. I just don't want to waste my money. - What's good - Where to buy - What to avoid - Generation 2 or 3 - Save more money for a really nice set You should be able to snag a decent used pvs14 gen 3 off the equipment exchange in your budget. For your first device, in your price range, thats usually the best bet. Accessories, helmet, mount, laser or compatible red dot will run you over your budget most likely. Telling the board more about what you would like to do in the dark might change the recommendations you get. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted:
You should be able to snag a decent used pvs14 gen 3 off the equipment exchange in your budget. For your first device, in your price range, thats usually the best bet. Accessories, helmet, mount, laser or compatible red dot will run you over your budget most likely. Telling the board more about what you would like to do in the dark might change the recommendations you get. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quoted:
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Hey guys i've recently became interested in getting some NVG's. I'm really not sure of what generation or brand to go with. I have a budget in the $1500-$2000 range. I really don't want to come across as ignorant there's just a lot i don't know. Here's a couple points i need some guidance on. I've always liked night vision for numerous of reasons and now have the funds to get some. I just don't want to waste my money. - What's good - Where to buy - What to avoid - Generation 2 or 3 - Save more money for a really nice set You should be able to snag a decent used pvs14 gen 3 off the equipment exchange in your budget. For your first device, in your price range, thats usually the best bet. Accessories, helmet, mount, laser or compatible red dot will run you over your budget most likely. Telling the board more about what you would like to do in the dark might change the recommendations you get. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Well i planned on doing some night shooting. I also planned on doing various trails and what not with them as well. I basically want to have an edge over the average joe at night. I already have a red dot which is compatible. When i was doing some brief shopping it seemed most night vision sets came with a decent amount of accessories. |
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I agree with xjronx, a used Gen3 PVS14 is a great way to get into NV. It's perfect as head/helmet mounted, can be mounted behind your red dot sight. An infrared laser for aiming would be another thing to purchase later on so you could aim properly without swapping the PVS14 from your head to your gun.
Some specs to look for when purchasing Gen3 devices - SNR > 25 - Resolution > 64 - Halo below 1.0 are fine, Halo over 1.0 is still good and those can take bigger caliber guns without recoil damage. The smaller the halo number, the more fragile the unit is - Age obviously, generally the newer the better (with exceptions of course). 10 years with little use is still fine but I wouldn't got much beyond that. For helmet mounting you need obviously a helmet, a shroud and a mount. Used Norotos Rhino mounts are almost free ($20-$40) and the J-arm that comes with a PVS14 fits into that. Many use those without any complaints. If you aren't going to use a helmet then for example the Crye Nightcap works as lightweight and affordable substitute. The head mount called skull crusher that comes with PVS14 is horrible and nobody uses those. |
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Best used deal is a pvs7. You can get a good image for 1500 and have money for your team Wendy helmet and mil spec mount. That will get you moving. When you want to start shooting buy the laser of your choice. Check out the ee to get an idea of used prices. Read through all the info hear and you will get a better idea what you are dealing with. Welcome to the addiction.
If you want it done right the first time tnvc usually has some type of Christmas sale, it might be worth your time to wait. |
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Hey guys if i were to buy a used set. How would i know how many hours have been used the goggles? I know that the tubes last X amount of hours? My guess would be using my best judgement when seeing a picture of it in use?
Also if you guys have bought used NVG's what's your experience been like? I kind of wanted to buy a new set but if going down the used route stays in budget and is pretty good i'll probably do that. |
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Quoted:
Best used deal is a pvs7. You can get a good image for 1500 and have money for your team Wendy helmet and mil spec mount. That will get you moving. When you want to start shooting buy the laser of your choice. Check out the ee to get an idea of used prices. Read through all the info hear and you will get a better idea what you are dealing with. Welcome to the addiction. If you want it done right the first time tnvc usually has some type of Christmas sale, it might be worth your time to wait. Trust me i don't plan on buying anything for at least a little while. I just want to get into the game early and know what I'm doing when i go to buy a set. |
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Hey guys if i were to buy a used set. How would i know how many hours have been used the goggles? I know that the tubes last X amount of hours? My guess would be using my best judgement when seeing a picture of it in use? Also if you guys have bought used NVG's what's your experience been like? I kind of wanted to buy a new set but if going down the used route stays in budget and is pretty good i'll probably do that. Unless you use these for a living, you will likely never kill a set of nvg from use. They are rated for about 10,000 hours. I've bought lots of used nvg equipment on here, ebay, and even craigslist. Mostly good expiriences. Few issues from unethical ebay sellers, but it wasnt anything a dispute case and a refund didn't solve. I'd suggest as a first purchase, you either rent a set, or call one of the vendors here about having them walk you through the purchase if you want a warranty. I knew i'd just void a warranty, so i built most of my setups. |
| You wont find a new PVS-14 for $2000, about the best deal available is ~$2600 from Optics Planet. If buying used there is just some aspects that you can't really know the answer to, like how many hours it has on it. The best assurance you can get buying used is to buy from a reputable seller to the extent that you can determine it. I probably wouldn't buy from someone with no feedback. |
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The thought of getting into NV scares the shit out of me.
I know that anything I get will be better than the crappy G1 monocular that my dad got 10 years ago for a birthday present, but I dont want to get taken. Can I get something that wont crap out on me for under $1,500? I dont have a NEED per se, but I'd like to practice some night shooting and drills with it.. I'm also interested in something that I could use for years.. |
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The thought of getting into NV scares the shit out of me. I know that anything I get will be better than the crappy G1 monocular that my dad got 10 years ago for a birthday present, but I dont want to get taken. Can I get something that wont crap out on me for under $1,500? I dont have a NEED per se, but I'd like to practice some night shooting and drills with it.. I'm also interested in something that I could use for years.. IM sent. |
Hey everybody thanks for all the input. I'll make sure when i get a pair of goggles down the road to share some pics. I think I'll probably end up buying a used set from a reputable seller or if my Christmas bonus is good I'll buy a new set. Either way I'll be excited as hell to get some night vision. 
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| NV is not scary if you read and learn. It was scary to me many years ago when I got burned by a Russian member here. I got Night Shadowed is how I like to explain it. Times change and it is easy to get good information now. Read, learn and call TNVC is my best advice. I don't say that lightly or without experience. TNVC is a no bullshit straight forward enterprise. Vic makes a profit as ALL NV dealers do but he is honest and a straight shooter which is rare in NV. |
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..which is rare in NV. Exactly what I'm afraid of... I'm not living paycheck to paycheck... but $1,500 is a lot of money to buy something that could crap out on you the 5th time you pick it up. I've also been looking at the PVS-7 vs PVS-14 and I'm not sure which will be easier for me to use (and ultimately better for me personally). I wear contact lenses and have an astigmatism in one eye. so i see better with both eyes open than i do with either of the eyes working by their self. When looking through the PVS-7 is the same image shown to both eyes? is it both eyes looking at a rectangular screen? (how is the image reported?) I'm not really concerned with understanding the technology as much as managing my expectations of ease of use and adaptability for use within my existing skilset. |
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Exactly what I'm afraid of... I'm not living paycheck to paycheck... but $1,500 is a lot of money to buy something that could crap out on you the 5th time you pick it up. I've also been looking at the PVS-7 vs PVS-14 and I'm not sure which will be easier for me to use (and ultimately better for me personally). I wear contact lenses and have an astigmatism in one eye. so i see better with both eyes open than i do with either of the eyes working by their self. When looking through the PVS-7 is the same image shown to both eyes? is it both eyes looking at a rectangular screen? (how is the image reported?) I'm not really concerned with understanding the technology as much as managing my expectations of ease of use and adaptability for use within my existing skilset. Quoted:
Quoted:
..which is rare in NV. Exactly what I'm afraid of... I'm not living paycheck to paycheck... but $1,500 is a lot of money to buy something that could crap out on you the 5th time you pick it up. I've also been looking at the PVS-7 vs PVS-14 and I'm not sure which will be easier for me to use (and ultimately better for me personally). I wear contact lenses and have an astigmatism in one eye. so i see better with both eyes open than i do with either of the eyes working by their self. When looking through the PVS-7 is the same image shown to both eyes? is it both eyes looking at a rectangular screen? (how is the image reported?) I'm not really concerned with understanding the technology as much as managing my expectations of ease of use and adaptability for use within my existing skilset. PVS-7 shows the exact same image to both eyes and the image is a 40 degree wide circle. Some say it is more comfortable for your eyes than a monocular, but I can't say because I've never used a 7 or any other biocular. With a monocular there is the benefit that your dark adapted eye can see a wider field of view so navigating in an environment where you still can barely see (in other words almost all circumstances except overcast starlit night with tree cover, then it's really dark) is easier. Astigmatism might have an effect here though, because in order to feel comfortable with a monocular your brain needs to be able to fuse the naked & assisted eyes. I had a monocular that had a slight collimation offset (the optical axis was not straight) and thus my brains could not align the images and that caused an uncomfortable feeling when viewing something that both of my eyes could see. For example a forest where sky glows trough, the glow can be seen with the naked eye too and when the images didn't align it looks like a mess. |
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Exactly what I'm afraid of... I'm not living paycheck to paycheck... but $1,500 is a lot of money to buy something that could crap out on you the 5th time you pick it up. I've also been looking at the PVS-7 vs PVS-14 and I'm not sure which will be easier for me to use (and ultimately better for me personally). I wear contact lenses and have an astigmatism in one eye. so i see better with both eyes open than i do with either of the eyes working by their self. When looking through the PVS-7 is the same image shown to both eyes? is it both eyes looking at a rectangular screen? (how is the image reported?) I'm not really concerned with understanding the technology as much as managing my expectations of ease of use and adaptability for use within my existing skilset. Quoted:
Quoted:
..which is rare in NV. Exactly what I'm afraid of... I'm not living paycheck to paycheck... but $1,500 is a lot of money to buy something that could crap out on you the 5th time you pick it up. I've also been looking at the PVS-7 vs PVS-14 and I'm not sure which will be easier for me to use (and ultimately better for me personally). I wear contact lenses and have an astigmatism in one eye. so i see better with both eyes open than i do with either of the eyes working by their self. When looking through the PVS-7 is the same image shown to both eyes? is it both eyes looking at a rectangular screen? (how is the image reported?) I'm not really concerned with understanding the technology as much as managing my expectations of ease of use and adaptability for use within my existing skilset. A PVS-7 or 14 both would work great for your needs. I don't have great eyesight either and can use both equally well. I have found less than 5 NV dealers I use and trust over the years. They all know I roll my own but I on occasion will buy a part or tube they have lying used on a shelf for a good deal. I have posted my good guy list many times before but will do it again. TNVC, OpticsHQ, Ed Wilcox and that rounds out my list of who I will talk with. My list is in no particular order as all are great honest folks. Every other night vision dealer has tried to BS me not knowing I usually knew more then they did. Other good ones exist I am sure but when I find a few people I like I continue to do business with them and not look around much. 
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