used PVS 14

Tactical Gear Optics & Mounts
1

I have an opportunity to buy a used, older (twin AA battery) PVS 14 3rd Gen night vision. Warranty expires on 2002. Comes with many extras. Price is good. My questions…

  1. I’ve been told that without proof of original purchase, the manufacturer will not repair the unit, or offer replacement parts.

  2. While components do not have a shelf life, they do have a useful life, measured in hours of operation. Replacement parts therefore will likely be necessary.

  3. If one is found to be in possession of a unit, again without paperwork, and the unit had been “liberated” from the .gov by someone else, the penalties are the same or similar to those if one is found in possession of a class 3 firearm without the necerssary paperwork.

Any truth to these statements? Do I want to buy used military night vision? I trust the seller completely, but this person is also not the original buyer. What should I look for if I do buy it (other than the obvious - that it works)?

2

A little follow up to my OP. I did read the “Buying a PVS 14 (Things to know)” thread dated 7/18/10 and the admonition against buying used. My questions posted above were not generated so much from an unknown history and lineage of the unit as they were from an undocumented history and lineage.

I also want to ensure I can get it fixed and won’t get in trouble if I buy it.

3

Let’s presume it’s wholly legit, for the moment (since it probably is…). You’re not beholden to the manufacturer for replacement/repair. Vendors like TNVC and similar can fix and source. Since it’s out of warranty, simply know for a fact that there’s no way to get warranty repair/replacement. You’ll be paying for it, but you’re not automatically up the creek in terms of being able to maintain it.

Thing’s gonna have a serial number. Ping the the manufacturer with that serial number. If nothing else, they can tell you whether that serial was a MIL sale, or commercial, though they’re not automatically gonna be aware if that unit, presuming MIL or other organizational contract purchase, was DRMO’d, auctioned, donated or otherwise legitimately dumped over to the commercial market.

You have the means to make an effort at due-diligence if the seller cannot or will not provide a pedigree for the thing…

…just be aware that if you do that, and it comes to pass that the thing’s not a righteous get, you may become part of an investigation that’ll likely include everybody that’s touched the thing.

4

Thanks for the info. Kind of what I thought. I was looking for the serial number placard, and it’s missing. I don’t know if it simply fell off (it is over 10 years old) or if it was removed. It doesn’t look tampered with.

Not sure what the rules are for removing or loosing the SN on a device such as this. I am guessing it’s not a big deal, but it does strike me as a little “not quite right”.

If this were an E-bay purchase I wouldn’t even consider it. As it comes from a good and trusted friend, it is still tempting. My guess is I’ll end up passing, but I doubt I can ever afford to shop at Night Visions Are Us and get one with an unambiguous past.