Posted: 2/18/2013 1:16:14 PM EDT
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Let's talk Night Optics. Spikes08's incredible setup gave me the bug (and Tweeder... and Norm... and everyone else who was without NODs). It was seriously impressive.
I have done a little research and it looks like TNVC (a site sponser), has the best packages that are commercially available to civilians. Based on my research, the most cost-effective Gen 3 monocular setup seems to be a TNVC/PVS14 ($2800-3400) , with a ProTec Helmet and Rhino mount ($315), with a TNVC IR torch ($267) and an OTAL IR laser ($549). That package will allow the device to be swapped between the helmet and a weapon mount. Altogether, that is approx $4200 for the complete setup. First off, that is a ton of money to me--so I want to make sure it is worth it. I have a gun in the safe that I have been thinking about selling that would help offset that cost. My personal money woes aside, does that seem like a reasonable price for the setup I have described? Are there better options out there for the $$$? Will I even be happy with that setup (obviously, the PVS14 is not as nice as Spikes08's setup that I tried)? PS. I have no practical need for night vision. I am open to people calling me an idiot for even contemplating this and telling me to put the $4000 in my son's college fund. |
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Quoted:
I think you are on track with your selections. TNVC is increasing the price on their PVS-14, so you might want to get on it. Warning: I started with a similar setup and it progresses from there. You've been warned. Enjoy your journey through the world of NV. Glad to hear you started with something similar. How would you compare the PVS14 setup vs. your current setup? I guess my fear is that I will put it on and immediatly go "oh, crap... this is not nearly as good as Spike08's." Then I will have a $4000 chunk of buyer's remorse. |
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Quoted: I think you are on track with your selections. TNVC is increasing the price on their PVS-14, so you might want to get on it. Warning: I started with a similar setup and it progresses from there. You've been warned. Enjoy your journey through the world of NV. you still running the Anvis 9s? |
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FWIW you can build a pretty decent IR laser using a 904nm laser module. The optics probably have a little more side spill than the military stuff, but for about $150 total it is very functional. I have built a couple so far and plan to build a couple more. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/273304_So_you_wanna_build_an_inexpensive_IR_laser_.html |
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I'm planning to set myself up almost identical to Spikes08: buy once, cry once. I'd like to know the differences between these three binocs: http://tnvc.com/shop/bnvd-1g-single-gain-control-gen3-pinnacle/ http://tnvc.com/shop/bnvd-g-binocular-night-vision-device-w-gain-control-gen3-pinnacle/ http://tnvc.com/shop/anpvs-15-gen3-pinnacle/ |
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Quoted: Quoted: I think you are on track with your selections. TNVC is increasing the price on their PVS-14, so you might want to get on it. Warning: I started with a similar setup and it progresses from there. You've been warned. Enjoy your journey through the world of NV. Glad to hear you started with something similar. How would you compare the PVS14 setup vs. your current setup? I guess my fear is that I will put it on and immediatly go "oh, crap... this is not nearly as good as Spike08's." Then I will have a $4000 chunk of buyer's remorse. The major disadvantage for a PVS-14 is the lack of depth perception and stereo vision. It is a lot more difficult to drive with a monocular. It is also more difficult to navigate open-uneven terrain. Once you use binos you will never go back to a mono. For go the weapons mount. It is the suck. |
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Quoted:
Let's talk Night Optics. Spikes08's incredible setup gave me the bug (and Tweeder... and Norm... and everyone else who was without NODs). It was seriously impressive. I have done a little research and it looks like TNVC (a site sponser), has the best packages that are commercially available to civilians. Based on my research, the most cost-effective Gen 3 monocular setup seems to be a TNVC/PVS14 ($2800-3400) , with a ProTec Helmet and Rhino mount ($315), with a TNVC IR torch ($267) and an OTAL IR laser ($549). That package will allow the device to be swapped between the helmet and a weapon mount. Altogether, that is approx $4200 for the complete setup. First off, that is a ton of money to me--so I want to make sure it is worth it. I have a gun in the safe that I have been thinking about selling that would help offset that cost. My personal money woes aside, does that seem like a reasonable price for the setup I have described? Are there better options out there for the $$$? Will I even be happy with that setup (obviously, the PVS14 is not as nice as Spikes08's setup that I tried)? PS. I have no practical need for night vision. I am open to people calling me an idiot for even contemplating this and telling me to put the $4000 in my son's college fund. Skip the Protec and get a Ops Core FAST bump helmet. The Protecs are uncomfortable when worn with ear pro and you can get some nicer accessories for the ops core mounts on the side of the helmet. Dont buy the Rhino mount from TNVC. either get a used one on ebay for 100 or less (usually less) OR upgrade to a Wilcox or L3 mount. The Rhinos are not worth paying the premium. The other 2 are. I would also recommend going a step up from the TNVC-14 Commercial spec. Go with the Pinnacle version. Mine (comm spec) is a bit lacking on resolution and fine detail and distance. I'm constantly wishing the focus ring would turn just that much further. You'll also want to look into a ballast of some kind. TNVC sells 2 or 3 different version. |
| Aurora Tactical in Springdale sells the PVS14, non mil spec, for $2,800.00 I believe. But they have a custom mount that allows 2 PVS14 to be mount as a bino. I bought their mil spec 14 and am very happy with it, but would like to buy a brother for it when I get the $$$$$ Something to consider. Their number is 479 751 8136 and ask for Tanya. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's talk Night Optics. Spikes08's incredible setup gave me the bug (and Tweeder... and Norm... and everyone else who was without NODs). It was seriously impressive. I have done a little research and it looks like TNVC (a site sponser), has the best packages that are commercially available to civilians. Based on my research, the most cost-effective Gen 3 monocular setup seems to be a TNVC/PVS14 ($2800-3400) , with a ProTec Helmet and Rhino mount ($315), with a TNVC IR torch ($267) and an OTAL IR laser ($549). That package will allow the device to be swapped between the helmet and a weapon mount. Altogether, that is approx $4200 for the complete setup. First off, that is a ton of money to me--so I want to make sure it is worth it. I have a gun in the safe that I have been thinking about selling that would help offset that cost. My personal money woes aside, does that seem like a reasonable price for the setup I have described? Are there better options out there for the $$$? Will I even be happy with that setup (obviously, the PVS14 is not as nice as Spikes08's setup that I tried)? PS. I have no practical need for night vision. I am open to people calling me an idiot for even contemplating this and telling me to put the $4000 in my son's college fund. Skip the Protec and get a Ops Core FAST bump helmet. The Protecs are uncomfortable when worn with ear pro and you can get some nicer accessories for the ops core mounts on the side of the helmet. Dont buy the Rhino mount from TNVC. either get a used one on ebay for 100 or less (usually less) OR upgrade to a Wilcox or L3 mount. The Rhinos are not worth paying the premium. The other 2 are. I would also recommend going a step up from the TNVC-14 Commercial spec. Go with the Pinnacle version. Mine (comm spec) is a bit lacking on resolution and fine detail and distance. I'm constantly wishing the focus ring would turn just that much further. You'll also want to look into a ballast of some kind. TNVC sells 2 or 3 different version. All good info. Thanks. Other than the focus issue, are you happy with the PVS-14? If you had it to do over again, would you still buy a mono, or would you hold out for a bino? |
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Quoted:
All good info. Thanks. Other than the focus issue, are you happy with the PVS-14? If you had it to do over again, would you still buy a mono, or would you hold out for a bino? The only reason the focus issue bothers me is that I have an ITT milspec unit as well, with a really good tube. So it spoiled me. 
As to mono vs bino that is a somewhat loaded question for me. I like binos when I am by myself. The extra tube does a LOT for depth perception and awareness. And once I've been outside for awhile, if theres any ambient light at all I can usually have a good idea of whats going on "outside" the tubes as well. I also like that with a red dot or an elcan I can swing my rifle up and get a good enough site picture through the right eye tube to pop a critter. I dont mind the monocular when I'm with BS because I know there is another eye watching as well. But driving is a pain in the ass and walking through the woods can be problematic as well. If you've got or can get the money, I would go binocular OR check out the dual MUM mount that spikes08 is playing with. The dual PVS mount I have is nice, but the whole package is a LOT of weight. |
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You can always get the mono now and add a second mono and bridge mount like Cowboy was using. The bridge mount will all you to have two independent units (2 people can use monos) or a single dual goggle. The flexibility of two units makes a lot of sense. It makes so much sense that I am going to add two of the Mini-Mums. I just bought this Wilcox bridge mount for the mounts. The mount is rock solid and allows the some functionality as the BNVD-G  |
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Quoted:
You can always get the mono now and add a second mono and bridge mount like Cowboy was using. The bridge mount will all you to have two independent units (2 people can use monos) or a single dual goggle. The flexibility of two units makes a lot of sense. It makes so much sense that I am going to add two of the Mini-Mums. I just bought this Wilcox bridge mount for the mounts. The mount is rock solid and allows the some functionality as the BNVD-G This ninjatrickery is the way |
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Quoted:
I'll get my own,TJ. Can I buy it one part at a time? Or maybe I'll just get a really big spot light. I guarantee that if you buy a complete, Gen 3, NODs setup, I will also buy a complete, Gen 3, NODs setup.... deal? Footnote: For those that dont know Norm, he is the worlds most OCD bargain hunter. It would take him five lifetimes to find the best deal on every last nut and bolt required for a complete NODs setup. For God's sake, the guy bought tires for his race car one at a time over the course of years to save a couple bucks. By the time he had the 4th tire, the other three had dry-rotted. 
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