Let’s get real here… Do you have $2,000 - $3,000 for night vision OR are you concerned about quality? There isn’t much room for both.
I’m fairly certain I’m being “real here”, my question is a legitimate one. Unless of course your response is that NV models that go for less than 2,000.00 are absent any traits that could be described as “quality”.
My question still stands, I can’t imagine that everyone on these forums that has hands-on experience with NVG has only used the PVS models. I’m not looking for mil-spec on this piece of equipment because the prices on those models are too high for me. Again, the Yukon line was suggested to me and I’m curious if anyone has any feedback on that particular manufacturer or something comparable.
Logical, see post #9 by Motoduck in this thread and check out those links.
I had the same thought process as you that they were too expensive, and would like to have a cheaper brand, but as you will see from the links, there really is no substitute. Even more so if you wish to be able to go from weapon mount to head mount. My suggestion is to save your pennies and get something that is better quality.
There is a good thread by Vic of TNVC on that other site where he describes the Gen 2 D300 as the minimum he would recommend for a NV set up. I bought the D300 and it was a great set up. It is less expensive than the PVS-14. It was about $1500 back then (3 years maybe) and it looks like it’s almost $1900 now. Vic is very helpful and knowledgable and makes a good case that spending less than the D300 costs will not get you a NV rig that meets his minimum standard. Keep in mind you will need a mount for the weapon and / or helmet, a helmet, and an illuminator.
Here is the set-up I got from Victor.
EDIT: Here is a link that compares The PVS-14, the D-300 Gen 2, and I think a Gen 1 unit like you are considering. take note that the D-300 has an internal illiminator that provides a usable image. The external SF illuminator provides a very good image. I had the SF which I liked for indoors and The “Torch” that Vic sells for outdoors. I sold the D-300 set-up a while ago, but I can absolutely recommend it.
Link:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/329958_.html
I just finished reading it, thanks for pointing it out(I skipped over that link when reading the thread originally). He definitely makes the case for purchasing “the good stuff”, my issue from strictly consumer perspective is whether or not the money involved does not outweigh it’s practical use for me.
In the meantime I’m going to save my pennies as you suggested and I’ll continue doing research in the meantime. Maybe I can buy one of those holiday units he discusses in the article.
Was that unit able to get mounted on to a helmet for monocular use?
Yes, Vic also sells the mounts. I mounted it on a PT helmet:
Here is the post that Victor made about the D300. It has some good info.
Thanks, some good information there. That’s a price point I can deal with, I’m going to give them a call next week and see what I can begin working out. Did you sell yours?
Yes, I needed to redistribute the money in my firearm fund and the NV was sold to fund other purchases. The buyer (forgot who, either here or snipers hide) was very happy with it too.
That post is 5 years old and the price now is $1899. TNVC ran a group buy way back that gave a discount on the D300 and illuminator. Talk to Victor. He is great to work with.
I bought it.
You may want to look at the mini-14.
The D-300 was nice, but the mini-14 was better.
Still have it Caesar? How is it worked for you?
Are you referring to this one = http://www.tnvc.com/shop/mum-mini-14-gen3-pinnacle-night-vision-monocular/ ?
If so there is a significant price difference between the two, do you know of a place where I can purchase them for close to the same price point?
The MUM is a step up and costs more.
Something that might be similar in price to the D-300 would be sourcing an MX10160 tube and a housing like the AB Nightvision or Micro from some place like nv depot. Depending on where you get it, you could score a pretty sweet Gen3 ANVIS tube for not a whole lot of money, and pick up the housing kit for sub-$700. You can put it together at home yourself in about 15 minutes. You would get better performance than the D-300 THEORETICALLY depending on tube spec. The hardest part of the whole deal would be finding the right tube for the right price.
That all being said, again, you won’t find a better retailer with better customer service than Vic at TNVC. If you don’t want to spend the time or effort to source your own tube and build up an NV optic yourself, absolutely give TNVC your business.
But isn’t that what Vic was speaking against in the article he wrote?
How difficult is it to sourcing a good tube & what does that normally run? Finally assuming I was to go this route would I need any technical background to put the two together?
I still have it and plan to keep it until I can save for Gen3 but I’m def happy for the price. I haven’t got to do much shooting with it b/c my range is only open until 9:00pm so that limits me from pretty much fall through spring. I def need a better headmount than the standard norotos setup.
I have used it to walk into my blind last fall and spot a nice buck that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to see until daylight. This was pitch black in the woods and about 125 yards. I spooked it trying to set up a shot for first light.
I’d really like to see a twist mount for it, hint, hint, wink, wink.
PVS 14’s if you have the coin
If you’re talking about the “NV Buyers Guide” that Chip (works for Vic) wrote, not necessarily. There are a lot of dishonest people taking advantage of customers by telling them they’re getting some super whiz-bang PVS-14 when they’re not. There’s an inherent risk purchasing from a non-vetted seller. They will provide crappy tubes, but if a consumer doesn’t know any better, they’re none the wiser. They’ll sell repots as new, sub catalog spec tubes as perfect, etc. and you won’t know the difference until you look through it and you have a huge blemish right in the center, or you have emission points all over, or any number of other problems.
However, sourcing a tube does not have to be as scary. Many honest resellers will give you a data sheet if it’s available. These are the guys that will give you a tube based on specs you provide, or based on info you give them about your use. Some guys get really hung up on specs looking for a super tube. Most people just want something that looks good and is a solid performer. Someone wanting it for astronomy will have totally different needs than someone popping ground hogs. Guys like Vic, and others will shoot straight with you and give you an honest assessment of a tubes capability, and can help you decide on a tube that best fits your needs.
As far as putting a tube and housing together, if you have enough mechanical aptitude to change a tire, you can put an AB housing or a Micro housing together. Purging is another story but I don’t have to deal with that here in 0% humidity AZ. It really is incredibly simple, and unless you’re completely ham fisted it’s pretty hard to screw up.
If you go this way, do yourself a favor and give Victor a call. He’ll work to get you what you need, and will definitely help you make up your mind.