[scotjute]

Does anyone know enough to define the differences between the
first three generations of night vision equipment?
For Example : how much better is Gen. III that Gen. II, etc.?
and : Is it worth the difference in price, etc.?

Thanks.

[BADSBSNF81]

Each succeeding generation gets better due to technology advances (lighter, brighter, smaller). Whether or not it's worth the price depends on your needs/wants/pocketbook.

[harrydog]

The price differences are huge. I'd like to know how significant the performance differences are.

[Jeff White]

harrydog,
Comparing passive night vision technology to TV technology....Gen I would be like the early CRTs in the late '40s early 50s. Gen II would be like a good black and white TV and Gen III would be like an early color TV.

There are a lot of differences between the three generations of image intensifiers. Gen I has a grainy image with a lot of flickering and flashing. It doesn't have very good resolution and is prone to blooming out when exposed to a white light source. Gen II has a bit better resolution, circuitry to prevent blooming out and a clearer picture. Gen III is very clear, you get almost no bloom from streetlights or other light sources in it's field of view and it amplifies the light enough that you can discern some color.

I'd buy the best you can afford. You almost have to look at some of the foreign stuff as disposable, because I don't know how you'd get it fixed when it broke or the intensifier tube went bad.

HTH

Jeff

[Double Naught Spy]

Good synopsis!

As for buying the best you can afford, do so relevant to your needs. I have a buddy with one of the smaller late first gen monoculars that does a great job for what he needs it for, a quick visual suvey an impound lot. He just needs to be able to see if there is movement and if the movement is caused by people. He does not need to try to identify the people or anything like that. If people are spotted, then he calls the cops as nobody is supposed to be in the lot. So for his needs, 1st gen works fine.

FYI - Original green Gulf War stuff was predominately 1st gen gear. Gulf War II TV night vision was Gens II (some) and III (mostly). There was some 1st gen images, but those seemed rare. So if you get a chance to compare old footage (such as from the History Channel) and new footage, you can really see the difference.

[Erick Gelhaus]

fwiw, the current Cabelas master catalog has an image comparision on the pages relating to night vision. It shows the difference between Gen I and Gen II.

Here's a link to their buyers guide description of the differences along with the image differences:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/product_features/buyers_guide/pages/hardgoods/optics/nightvision_710606.jhtml

[Chairman Meow]

I recently met with an ITT rep and we spent a few hours playing with various models at night in the woods. The newest ITT tubes are called Gen III Pinnacle, but there were also some older models on hand as well. The main idea behind night vision is as follows:

1. Light comes in and gets converted into electrons, creating a signal.
2. Electronic signal gets specifically amplified to enhance clarity and IR light.
3. Enhanced electronic signal converted back into light.

There are three main places for the signal to get messed up by noise, heat, etc. These are the cathode, the amplification tube, and the anode. Each component can be comprimised by different factors, among them are scattering, reflection without absorption, and overall cathode / anode degradation.

Gen 1 tubes have the most internal signal problems which lead to blurring and ghosting. Gen 2 have some blurring and ghosting, but look pretty good. Gen 3 have very little ghosting and are amazingly clear. The Pinnacle system has incorporated an optical coating on the photo cathode (?) that prevents internal reflection and makes light sources like street lights and flashlight look like less of a big blurry halo and more of a point source.

Gen 1 tubes are very usable, give a decent image quality, and will allow you to navigate the woods or a dark building at night, but I wouldn't suggest running over uneven ground while looking through them. The Gen III Pinacle systems (not available to public) are another story all together. I used two monoculars simultaneously to get stereo vision and I could have played soccer in a boulder field on a dark night without tripping. Its like being fricking Batman. And only $4k per eye!

As the technology has imporoved, the conversions between light and electricity and back have improved and less signal is lost each time it is converted. Most of the gen 1 tubes on the market today are older Soviet models, often packaged in new optical housings. They lack the Batman-esque degree of coolness, but you can still see a bad guy or a coyote at night from a distance.

P.S. - I wouldn't mount it to your weapon. Its nice to be able to look at things without pointing an assault rifle at them. If you mount your night vision capable optic scout style (far forward) on the weapon, the night vision will drop into place with a good cheek weld and you will still have great target aquisition. Since the image that hits the front of the device is the same perspective as the image you see, you get a very wide field of view.

[Chairman Meow]

Check this page out. It is well put together and will give you a lot to go on. Keep in mind though that ITT is the absolute best and results will most certainly vary.

http://www.ittnv.com/itt/Active/CamTopMenu/HowItWorks

[Soap]

PVS-7 Deltas: Dan's graduation gift to himself. Gawsh! I can't wait!!!! :) For me, it boils down to lp/mm (line pairs/millimeter). Basically this is a measurement of resolution. The greater the better, Gen III is the highest on the market right now.

[Jeff White]

Dan,
PVS-7s are so passe' get the AN/PVS14D, I think you'll get better rosulution on that then the PVS-7.

Jeff

[Soap]

Jeff,

Isn't that a monocular? How do you use both eyes with it? And can a civilian get one with the VITAL kit? I've never used a night vision monocular on a headmount before. TIA!

[Jeff White]

Dan,
The PVS-14 is rapidly replacing the AN/PVS-7 and 5 in frontline units. It is a monocular and it has the advantage of letting you keep one eye night adapted. Nothing like the night blindness when you pull off the 7s or 5s and can't see squat for 30-45 minutes while your eyes get night adapted again. It's not as hard is it seems to use them. I don't know what's currently available on the civilian market. Try Ryan at Blue Line Gear for info on the latest. I'll get his URL from work and post it for you tomorrow.

Jeff

[Jeff White]

Dan,
Check out the AN/PVS14 here:
http://www.bluelinegear.com/nvpvs14.htm

Ryan should be able to answer all your questions.

Jeff

[Soap]

Thanks for the info Jeff. The purchase is about a year away. Its good to start gathering information now though so I can be sure that I'm getting exactly what I want.