I just purchased my first night vison unit, a thin-filmed PVS-14, and I am wondering how careful I need to be with it in regards to light sources.
For example, I think I read that if I'm in a dark room and the lights are flipped on, it should be protected by the autogating. And if the lights say on, the unit would turn off to protect itself. Is that correct?
But what about lights in the environment outside during use? I know you can damage the tube by looking at a non-NV red dot optic long enough. How long is too long? How is glancing at my non-NV holosight for a couple seconds to shoot different than looking towards a house with a porch-light on? Or distant city lights, street lights, comm tower lights, etc? When can looking at light sources like this do damage? I know these are meant for use in urban environments and are designed for use where lights are visible. So when do you worry about light damaging the tube?
As far as IR lasers go, I've read they can damage a tube if the optic takes a direct hit or a strong reflection off a mirror or something. Is that only a problem with full power lasers, or can civi lasers/illuminators do the same thing?
Yes, I could scour the interwebs for some of this info, but I find folks on the Hide more knowledgeable than most. Thanks.
Edited above to clarify question.
For example, I think I read that if I'm in a dark room and the lights are flipped on, it should be protected by the autogating. And if the lights say on, the unit would turn off to protect itself. Is that correct?
But what about lights in the environment outside during use? I know you can damage the tube by looking at a non-NV red dot optic long enough. How long is too long? How is glancing at my non-NV holosight for a couple seconds to shoot different than looking towards a house with a porch-light on? Or distant city lights, street lights, comm tower lights, etc? When can looking at light sources like this do damage? I know these are meant for use in urban environments and are designed for use where lights are visible. So when do you worry about light damaging the tube?
As far as IR lasers go, I've read they can damage a tube if the optic takes a direct hit or a strong reflection off a mirror or something. Is that only a problem with full power lasers, or can civi lasers/illuminators do the same thing?
Yes, I could scour the interwebs for some of this info, but I find folks on the Hide more knowledgeable than most. Thanks.
Edited above to clarify question.
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