Night Vision Tell me more about this PVS14

[ThinblueAr]

I recently received what looks to a be a single tube PVS14 from a family estate,
looks to be a PVS 14 from the serial number tag. I tried it and it works just fine looks green to me but I know nothing about NV devices.

 

[JustinTX]

PVS-14 has been around a while, manufactured by several different companies with different specs / tubes. Good for all around movement/ observation and can be used to shoot effectively with a IR laser designator on your weapon. Ops core, team Wendy and other companies have various helmet or skull cap options if you want to have it on your head.

 

[JustinTX]

Btw - if you are going to turn it in during daylight keep the objective cap on, it will save your tube.

 

[ThinblueAr]

Thanks sir. I’m not quite sure how deep I want to venture into the night vision world yet. Just looking at how much I spent on my 6.5 scares me. Lol

PVS-14 has been around a while, manufactured by several different companies with different specs / tubes. Good for all around movement/ observation and can be used to shoot effectively with a IR laser designator on your weapon. Ops core, team Wendy and other companies have various helmet or skull cap options if you want to have it on your head.

 

[Huskydriver]

Old school itt 14 with a dual battery compartment.

 

[ThinblueAr]

What’s the hide opinion on the value? Any upgrades I can look into doing to make it better or NV stuff doesn’t work this way

 

[Downtown]

You would be shocked at how much even an older Gen 3 tube might bring right now. The wait for a new one is sometimes measured in months these days and costs can be $3500+. Wouldn't be surprised if your tube would bring $2500-3000 in the PX. Hoping one of our more knowledgeable members steps in, because I could be way off.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

That value is about right. A Litton tube is good.

Don’t mount on a rifle with any significant recoil. You can rattle the electronics into oblivion.

I have a PVS -14 and it is a great unit. But I just had to have it serviced (and upgraded) and. It was about $1500 to rebuild. But worth it and the rebuilder (who is on SH) is good people.

So if you want it serviced, PM me or @TheGerman and we can get you in touch.

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[ThinblueAr]

Thanks guys for all the knowledge. I think I might put it up for trade on the px for some nicer glass than my current set up. Like I said earlier I really don’t need to dive into NV right now lol (it can only get more expensive)

 

[WillHugh]

Keep it! You've already got the night vision unit, spend a few hundred on a helmet and mount and you'll be off to the races. So many possible uses - shooting, hiking and exploring, star gazing, driving (shockingly easy under night vision), etc. If you've already got a decent rifle, seeing in the dark adds a whole new experience.

If you get some use behind it and decide it's not for you, you won't lose much on the helmet if you sell as a package.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Keep it! You've already got the night vision unit, spend a few hundred on a helmet and mount and you'll be off to the races. So many possible uses - shooting, hiking and exploring, star gazing, driving (shockingly easy under night vision), etc. If you've already got a decent rifle, seeing in the dark adds a whole new experience.

If you get some use behind it and decide it's not for you, you won't lose much on the helmet if you sell as a package.

THIS ^^^^^^

 

[ThinblueAr]

Ok u guys got me I’ll keep it. Wasn’t getting too much traction in the PX. Might look at upgrading it.

 

[RyanScott]

If you want an upgrade, just replace the whole thing. They lose value in parts mostly.

 

[SGT Fish @ChevTec Group]

That value is about right. A Litton tube is good.

Don’t mount on a rifle with any significant recoil. You can rattle the electronics into oblivion.

I have a PVS -14 and it is a great unit. But I just had to have it serviced (and upgraded) and. It was about $1500 to rebuild. But worth it and the rebuilder (who is on SH) is good people.

So if you want it serviced, PM me or @TheGerman and we can get you in touch.

Cheers, Sirhr

what did you get upgraded for 1500 bucks? did you get new lenses or a new tube? there are only about 5 parts to a PVS-14

 

[sirhrmechanic]

what did you get upgraded for 1500 bucks? did you get new lenses or a new tube? there are only about 5 parts to a PVS-14

I have to go over the working conversation we had.

Which I just did. It was not $1500 for the upgrade. Most of the cost was for the repair of the power supply. The unit had been jarred at some point. And someone had taken the potting out of the tube and turned the gain all the way up before I bought it... to make it look like it was 'ok.' When in reality there were issues. When the unit (power supply?) failed, it did not need a whole new tube, but some connections repaired and it needed a new or rebuilt power supply. The upgrade was a new objective lens with a titanium ring, but that was inexpensive and a 'might as well.' IIRC it was under $100 of the cost. Also it had dust inside that made it look like there were 'spots' out on the tube. So cleaning was part of it and, of course, readjusting.

All the work came to about $1100 plus shipping, turns out. For some reason I had $1500 in my head. Money well spent. PVS-14's are nice units!

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[ddavis]

Ok u guys got me I’ll keep it. Wasn’t getting too much traction in the PX. Might look at upgrading it.

If you haven't already, go to an area without much light pollution and check out the night sky. If you have no other use for night vision it's worth it just for that.

-Dan

 

[SGT Fish @ChevTec Group]

I have to go over the working conversation we had.

Which I just did. It was not $1500 for the upgrade. Most of the cost was for the repair of the power supply. The unit had been jarred at some point. And someone had taken the potting out of the tube and turned the gain all the way up before I bought it... to make it look like it was 'ok.' When in reality there were issues. When the unit (power supply?) failed, it did not need a whole new tube, but some connections repaired and it needed a new or rebuilt power supply. The upgrade was a new objective lens with a titanium ring, but that was inexpensive and a 'might as well.' IIRC it was under $100 of the cost. Also it had dust inside that made it look like there were 'spots' out on the tube. So cleaning was part of it and, of course, readjusting.

All the work came to about $1100 plus shipping, turns out. For some reason I had $1500 in my head. Money well spent. PVS-14's are nice units!

Cheers, Sirhr

wow, that is about the most complex pvs-14 rebuild ive heard of. Good thing you found someone to do the work. practically everyone would just tell you to buy a new tube. thanks for the reply

If you haven't already, go to an area without much light pollution and check out the night sky. If you have no other use for night vision it's worth it just for that.

-Dan

I second this. Last week was great for me. I saw over half a dozen shooting stars. most without trying. One was the brightest and most impressive shooting star i have ever seen. It is also always inspiring to see the milky way. I also noticed 2 galaxies, never seen one before, and a lot of star clusters that I never noticed. All with some standard gen 3 green pvs14