Head-mounted NVD: PVS-7 or -14?

[Ian]

I'm looking at getting some good Gen-III NODs, and I'm not sure whether to go with the PVS-7 or PVS-14. The primary use would be for general-purpose seeing at night, with shooting being a secondary consideration. I definitely want something head-mounted, rather than weapon-mounted. I had initially assumed that the -7 goggles were the way to go, but reading the few bits in the THR archives make it sound like the -14 monocular is much-acclaimed as a head-mount unit, in addition to being weapon-mountable.

Any good info on which is more practical, and why?

Edit - I found this identical thread in the archives after I posted. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=49001

 

[spartan55]

In the Army infantry 9 years and used both 7s and 14s. At first I preferred the 7s but after breaking in the 14s I was hooked. With the 14s moncular You can have both night vision and depth perception. With the 7s there is little to no depth perception

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 on the 14s being better, especially if you are planning on walking around. The lack of depth perception with 7s can take some (or a lot) of getting used to.

 

[Langenator]

The -14s just plain see better. I'd go with them even if they covered both eyes like the -7s.

Also, it depends greatly on what submodel of -7s you're getting. The -7Ds are the newest and by far the best, almost up with the -14 in image quality. The -7B is and extremely servicable piece of kit. -7A, well, I'll take 'em over nothing, unless the illum drops below 20% or so. They're worthless if it's darker than that.

 

[Chris Rhines]

The -14s have better focus, better battery life, adjustable light gain, and depth perception. The -7s are a little less expensive, and lighter than paired -14s. Image quality is a wash, assuming identical MCPs.

The price on -14s has come down a lot lately. I'd go for those.

- Chris

 

[BADUNAME13]

AN/PVS7B vs AN/PVS14's, My personal experences:

7B's are better for driving, and for LP/OP's.

14's are better for everything else. ESPECIALLY running through a dark area where you might have to shoot...

 

[MisterPX]

I prefer the monocular.

 

[Ian]

Well, that's pretty much a consensus, isn't it? Thanks, guys.