Brandon's Blog

 The TNV/RNVG          The RNVG or Rugged Night Vision Goggle is a binocular night vision manufactured by AB NightVision Inc. that is assembled by TNVC for sale.  The RNVG is designed as one of the most rugged night vision goggles available. Most NVG’s are built with molded polymer housings, the RNVG features a 7075 aluminum chassis for unsurpassed rigidity and structural strength. All articulation points have been reinforced to increase impact resistance.      Traditionally, the weakest point in a night vision goggle is the joint between the optic pods and the bridge. This point accounts for the majority of catastrophic breakage when a NVG is dropped or hit. Part of this reason is that these joints are either polymer on polymer or metal on polymer interfaces. While there are some seriously impact resistant polymers out there, it’s hard to beat aluminum for strength to weight ratios. Both the optic pods and bridge in the RNVG are machine...

 The AN/PVS-23 (F5050YG)      The Harris AN/PVS-23 (F5050YG) is a multi-purpose night vision binocular system designed for use by ground and sea-borne operators. It is derived from the proven AN/AVS-6 (ANVIS) goggle, using aviation standard Harris Gen3 PINNACLE optics. This allows the AN/PVS-23 to provide an unparalleled image in a substantially more-rugged package than its aviation counterparts. The AN/PVS-23 has been designed from the ground up to handle the harshest battlefield conditions.      U.S. Military Special Operations Forces began using binocular style night vision  devices in the form of the ANVIS-6 and ANVIS-9 goggles. These units were built to  operate in controlled environments, like cockpits, where they would not be exposed to  the rigors and abuse of the field. However, the lenses and optics afforded the best  possible image for pilots who needed depth perception to fly their planes and helos at  night. This a...

 The Optics 1 ECOTI           The ECOTI is a thermal hybrid device that allows for state of the art visual augmentation. What it does is simple, it is a very clear night vision thermal optic that outlines targets, similar to a video game. The capabilities are advanced enough to allow for this to occur. A human silhouette will be outlined around a figure that follows the edges of the body so that a real outline is always present. This lets the user track movement and outline potential threats in very clear resolution. It is not a stand alone device, but rather a very capable, albeit very expensive, clip on device that is mounted in front of a pair of night vision goggles. This allows for the hybrid mechanism to work as it accurately relays information onto the goggle and into the users eyes.      The technology involved in this equipment is very high end and secretive, so information relating to how it actually works is limited, even thou...

  The M914A PVS-14     The M914A is a factory L3Harris manufactured version of the PVS-14 monocular device which has seen easily the most extensive military use of any night vision device. The PVS14 is the standard issue US service night vision device.  Its versatility makes it a common choice for Law Enforcement as well. PVS-14’s can be mounted on helmets for hands-free use, behind weapon optics, or simply as a handheld device. As a monocular, the PVS-14 provides Gen3 night vision aid to one of the operator’s eyes, leaving the other to retain its natural night-adapted vision. This is important when changing light conditions in the field cause the user to go back and forth between aided and un-aided vision. Military and Law Enforcement operators need the ability to instantly switch between night vision and white light as the situation develops.     The main, and only, difference between the M914A and a traditional PVS-14 is that the M914A is a high FOM tub...

  The UNS-A3    The UNS-A3 is another Knight's Armament Co. night vision clip on. This model is a small, lightweight device, best suited for intermediate to long ranges as opposed to the very long  range use that the PVS-30 is more designed for. The optimal magnification is 6x-8x magnification, while still being fully capable at 2.5x to 10x, with a human size silhouette being able to be seen at 700m under a quarter moon.      Its refractive lens gathers a large amount of ambient light, disproportionate to its size. The system is carefully collimated at the factory to within 0.5 MOA. This means that any POA/POI shift will be mechanically less than ½ MOA. Depending on the individual rifle’s setup, there may be no deviation. The L3Harris tube is shock isolated to withstand big bore recoil including .50 BMG. It delivers a stunning amount of light amplification considering the unit’s small size. The power knob doubles as manual gain control, allowing operat...

  The AN/PVS-30     The PVS-30 is a clip-on device just like the previously mentioned PVS-24/CNVD. Specifically designed for USSOCOM usage, the PVS-30 has seen highly extensive use during the Global War on Terror for the last number of years. Whereas the CNVD-LR from L3Harris was designed around 8x to 12x magnification, the PVS-30 is optimized for 12x to 15x magnification. A grown man can be seen out to 1,000 meters under a quarter moon which is quite impressive.      Utilizing L3Harris tubes, this device offers exceptional clarity, often, almost exclusively even. being used on long range rifles in military service. This can be thought of as a super beefy, overbuilt version of the CNVD-LR that is purely optimized for the LR part of CNVD-LR. Minimum FOM is not stated like how other devices are, but the engineering involved in this device is exceptional and designed to maintain extremely tight tolerances when mounted and unmounted. It is very carefully collim...