My Experience with PVS-7 (Generation 2 Tubes)

My journey began with a PVS-7 style device from Newcon Optik, equipped with a Generation 2 tube. I bought it second hand for around $2000 CAD in 2017. While it introduced me to night vision technology, the device presented challenges:

• Performance: Worked well in bright moonlight but struggled under cloudy conditions or dense canopy. This was considerably worse than the Gen2+ tubes that are out there now.

• Design: One tube with two eyepieces made depth perception poor, often causing disorientation. This was much worse than the depth perception problems people associate with monoculars. Passive shooting was difficult with this housing as the objective lens is not centered over an eye.

A memorable incident highlights these issues: one night, with about 40 hours of experience behind the PVS-7, I tripped while navigating rough terrain. The fall was so hard that my helmet-mounted PVS-7 flew off its bracket and smacked me in the face—so forcefully that my head recoiled back. People thought I’d broken my neck. I ate the dirt bad.

I immediately looked for something better.

In my two years of use, I estimate that I logged about 60 hours on the device and went through three batteries. Despite its flaws, it was an essential stepping stone in my understanding of NVDs.

Transitioning to a PVS-14

(Picture from: ‘Tony’ “G” – One of our friends doing admin work with a light)

Upgrading to the PVS-14 style device was a game-changer. When I picked it up in 2018, it was considered to be very high spec, but there are now much better options available today. My device came with milspec Qioptiq glass.

With high-quality image intensifier tubes and better glass, it offered:

• Improved Clarity: Superior resolution and light-gathering capability.

• Practical Depth Perception: Aided by using one eye unaided to read lighting conditions and other context. A lot of the content online suggests that depth perception is an issue with a monocular. It takes awhile getting used to but the depth perception is much better than on something like a biocular device like a PVS-7. By my estimate I started to hit my stride with the PVS-14 after about 80 hours.

Over six years of use, the PVS-14 became second nature to me. I have diarized all of my observations and tips/tricks I have picked up:

• Monocular are capable devices: I didn’t feel that I had less capabilities when doing tasks with a monocular compared to others users with binoculars. Much of the discourse online suggests that it is easier to use a binocular if you have never used night vision before, but with time and practice, a monocular user is not handicapped by not having binoculars. Once I felt confident I could move as fast as my peers with duals. The only time I felt like I needed to have a monocular was when I was borrowing a clip on thermal device. Using a clip on thermal device with a monocular had the thermal projecting an image that took up most of the image presented to the eye. It was a little disorientating and I felt having binoculars would have been more intuitive. 

• Have a friend look you over: I think I already had maybe half a year of experience under a PVS-14 before I realized that my helmet was lop-sided and the elevation and pitch of my device was not optimized. If I remember correctly, the device was pitched down and I had to look up with my chin pointed forward in an exaggerated way to look and shoot properly. It was only after I was putting my helmet and night vision on with friends nearby where they adjusted me. I wish I sought help earlier.

• Learning to look around often: When I first started, I looked down at the floor a lot to see where I was going. After I gained more trust in my abilities after I learned that looking around more gave me more information and I began to keep mental notes of obstacles and features in my path. Looking around often helps to compensate for less depth perception. Over time, a user will develop an intuitive sense of spatial relationships.

• Monocular over dominant eye or non dominant eye: When I first started using a monocular the conventional wisdom was to place the monocular over the non-dominant eye so the dominant eye can still look through the red dot sights using the Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC). As time progressed more and more content creators advocated for putting the monocular over the dominant eye and looking through the monocular and red dot sight. I am able to do both, although having it over the non dominant eye feels more natural to me whereas having it over the dominant eye feels more reliable when doing passive shooting at the cost of having to spend time adjust the red dot back to a visible brightness for the naked eye when needed.

• Lens Glint: There have been numerous instances over the years where looking at someone with a light source while using night vision has given my position away due to the glint that is bounced off the night vision lens. I have learned to look directly at someone using a light sparingly and not when they attention is towards me. There are some screw in force on force protectors that go beyond protecting the objective lens by having a domed window to reduce the glint cast by your night vision under mixed lighting conditions. 

• IR lasers have unconventional uses: IR lasers are often used to mark, aim and engage targets while using night vision. I have picked up on a few things shown to me by other users that are not conventional. Having a IR laser sweep at knee or ankle level for trip wires was really eye opening. Lasers tend to catch on trip wires whereas IR light may not show that there is a trip wire. IR lasers are also good for determining if other groups are equipped with night vision by aiming it at them while playing airsoft while out of range. If they react, they definitely have night vision users present.

• Passive Shooting: I practiced the BAC to align a red dot sight with both eyes open. I received advice that that is generally more difficult in extreme low light, but I was able to get the hang of it but having the monocular over the dominant eye and looking through the red dot was more reliable and repeatable under pressure and the very dark conditions.

• Hours Logged: I estimate that to date I have accrued 350-400 hours, using 6-8 batteries for full-night and shorter hiking sessions.

The PVS-14 is now considered a legacy device. It has taught me valuable lessons while showcasing the potential of modern variants with lighter housings and advanced controls.

What’s Next? Exploring Articulating BNVDs

I’m now looking into upgrading to articulating binocular night vision devices (BNVDs) for enhanced depth perception and comfort. Some promising models on my radar include:

• Argus 1431 MK2 – a competitively priced articulating binocular device made in China. Housing is mainly plastic/polymer. Features an onboard illuminator and manual gain. Many of these devices in North America have have their QC done in Canada to overcome their overseas manufacturing concerns. Unlike other articulating devices, this one does NOT have articulating pod shut off.  They are a little heavier than many of their competitors and is not the most durable option. Earlier versions appeared to have issues with waterproofing but discussion online suggests that it has since has been addressed in the MK2. A lot of my peers use or have used the 1431 and it is prevalent and well supported where I am located.

• Nocturn Industries Katana – American made articulating binocular device. Appears to be no frills option that saves a lot of weight. Housing is mainly plastic/polymer although there is a ruggedized version. The Katana is considerably lighter than many competitors by not having manual gain and not having an onboard illuminator. It has individual pod shut off when articulated. Lifetime warranty.

• Nocturn Manticore-R – American made aluminum articulating binocular device with rich features.  It has individual pod shut off when articulated. Relatively lightweight. Features buttons for gain, illuminator and on/off. Appears to be considerably more durable than other articulating devices due to being made from aluminum.  Online discussions appear to mention that the articulating pod shut off features did not work with all mounts and that magnets in mounts interfere with the shut off mechanisms. Comments online mention  that it has been addressed through some recall/reprogramming. Other posts mentions parasitic drain, but it appears that too has been resolved. This is a strong competitor for a premium housing. Lifetime warranty.

• Low Light Innovations MH-1 – American made articulating binocular device with rich features. Made from a magnesium alloy to reduce weight. Anticipated to have other releases to make it modular so that the pods can be separated from the housing to function as stand alone monocular and panos. I believe the monocular has launched in early 2025.  The binocular has articulating pod shut off. It has two illuminators operating in different bands, one for close range and one for far range.  There has been much discussion online about these devices. There are plenty of people who love them, but there are also quite a few posts indicating that the housing bends and flexes. The manufacturer online has stated that this was due to screw stripping in the first batch and that it has since been addressed in the second batch. Some discussions online and in content suggests some concerns about the magnesium alloy being vulnerable to maritime or OTB type of scenarios but we have yet to see if this is a material issue.

Due to local restrictions, models like the PVS-31 and L3 1531 are unavailable to me, but the market offers many competitive alternatives.

Key Features I’m Looking For

1. Glass Quality: Prioritize clarity, resolution, and light transmission.
2. Weight & Balance: Lighter devices (400-550 grams) reduce fatigue. Materials like RPO 3.0 lenses can significantly cut weight, but durability matters.
3. Durability: Avoid overly lightweight materials and designs that compromise ruggedness, especially around articulation hinges.
4. Articulation: A modular design for folding pods improves ergonomics.
5. Housing Design: Compact housings with unobstructive profiles to ensure smooth articulation and thoughtful placement of things like battery compartment and cable ports. Devices with good tolerances to mitigate collimation issues.
6. Reliable IPD Stops: Consistent interpupillary distance adjustments prevent alignment issues seen in some devices. Poorly designed IPD stops may even impact the ability for a device to be properly collimated. Some devices also do not come with IPD stops outside of the box and sell it as an additional feature.

Lessons Learned

1. Practice is Key: Familiarity with your device is essential.
2. Adaptation Takes Time: Mastering depth perception and passive aiming requires patience.
3. Understand Limitations: Knowing your device’s constraints minimizes risks.

Final Thoughts

(Picture from: ‘Tony’ “G” – the author with during an airsoft game with a PVS-14)

Night vision technology continues to evolve, offering exciting possibilities. My journey—from the PVS-7 to the PVS-14—has been invaluable, and I’m eager to step into the world of articulating BNVDs.

If you’re on a similar journey, remember: the best gear is only as effective as your ability to use it.

Stay tuned for updates as I test and explore the latest innovations, I hope to upgrade in 2025!