build or buy

I'm sure this has been asked but searching from my phone stinks. I'm interested in nv and would like the option to mount it to a weapon or use it at work as I only work nights and going into some dark places without my flashlight would benefit me if. But I don't have 3500 to spend on a unit. I want it to be 3rd gen so I figured the pvs 14 would be best. My questions are:

Is the complete housing for 1100 by best bet? or do you know of a cheaper source and where can I get a second hand light immiter
And most factory units come with a 2yr warranty so if I just get 2 years out of it I don't think ill be out much

Also what about nitrogen purging I have about 100 little nitgrogen cylinders (43 grams)used by the militray back in the 80s can I use those with some type of rig? Or pill it put too much pressure on the unit.

I don't know a whole lot about this stuff and I've just been recently researching this so id like some guidence

Housing for 1100 is about right plus a newish tube is gonna be ~1700 ish.

You don't need to nitrogen purge unless you are dealing with conditions that would fog the unit or live in a humid place. It takes a kit and adaptors to do it for most folks.

This.

Yeah its pretty humid here and it would be going from hot to cold in a car or cold to hot I guess purging won't be huge problem I saw where you can pay 50 or so for that.

Okay where are good reliable places to get parts from other than tnvc. I don't see where they sell the immiter

By Immiter I assume you mean tube. TNVC has the best deal on the complete housing at 1100 bucks. Tube ? Yes, TNVC sells them but you have to call. AEO, Summit, Night vision depot and several others will sell you a tube. Specs are your friend and you must man the phone for a good deal. Specs and more specs. Don't settle for an opinion if you want the best.

I prefer to build when I can monos/goggles it saves a little money but it's more of a pure joy to me putting my own system togather it's way easier than it looks. There is alots of videos YouTube and NV forums to help out plus sometimes a buy complete systems based on overall price, hard to find a housing type and some are to hard systems needing tools I don't have. A pvs14,pvs7, mum14 should be around 1000 give or take for a housing. You can do a non milspec housing for a lot less and still have a great system it's just not full milspec but should more than met the depends for the average NV user. Adam sells a nice anvis glassed housing and I have several of the micro housing which I love cost much less than a 14 housing. Tubes price and specs vary a lot call a good dealer or two and compare price to spec. I am building a new micro out this weekend already have the housing just waiting on a new L3 filmless tube should be here next couple of days it will take no more than 5 minutes start to finish real easy mono to build. Lots of good guys here that will be glad to help you that's what a NV forum does.

What's the micro? I'm not really set on particular style I just need something that's good enough for law enforcement work I won't use it a whole lot but I can think of several times it would have been nice. And like I said earlier id like to be able to mount on a weapon. And I think I will build so I can do a little at a time

Call them and they will give you the price for a unit that just needs a tube installed, they are the only place to get a micro housing. It's made by abnightvision.

ETA if you are in law enforcement, give tnvc a call I think they can get you a great deal on a nice unit.


http://www.nvdepot.com/monocs/micro.asp

www.nightvisionforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6758

Cheap tubes available

I mean this respectfully. But, if your work is sending you into dangerous dark places, cost should not be a factor. You need the best system money can buy yesterday. It does not help to be economically conscious if you are dead.

I don't know you. But, I am guessing your life is worth $4000. Consider it life insurance.

PS - comments meant to be taken respectfully.

yeah i understand, but with law enforcement work its not really a need, i do have a flashlight to work with. so its just an expensive toy. and i should probably upgrade my vest since that seems to be more of a need lately.

A flashlight tells the bad guy where you are so he can shoot you.

I guess we have a difference in perspective. If I was an officer, I would consider night vision a huge need along with 3 dozen other things and skill sets.

A flashlight is easy to work with inside

while i agree night vision is a useful tool for le,
do you really think a patrol officer has time to don nv when confronted with a bad guy?

it has its uses,but for most of us,its a fun toy.
op,building a pvs is fun,and simple,as stated by others,pick the right tube for your needs.
but be careful,its an all engrossing hobby.....

Fwiw with that tube and AB body you could have a reasonable mid end gen3 NV system for 1400. Half what you would pay new.

Yep. Very good way to get in the door cheap. Adam seems very nice guy from talking to him, and it's nice to support the small guys who do it right for less.

do you really think a patrol officer has time to don nv when confronted with a bad guy?


It depends on the situation. Urban vs. Rural. Reactive vs. proactive search. He probably wouldn't be here (night vision forum) if he didn't think it could play some sort of role. My opinion is that night vision is probably the biggest force multiplier a civilian or LE person can have in a bad situation. The ability to see in the dark while not being seen is priceless. In all of human history men have wanted this power. It is now available at a very reasonable price.

PS Of course it is up to the OP if he wants night vision or not. I am just arguing the pro-nightvision side of things.

night vision is a great tool,but its not a magic cure all.
personally,nv's greatest use (to me,if it comes down to it) would be an evasion tool.
if i can see you,and avoid you,thats a great big advantage.

great option.

yeah thats why i was a little hesitant to put the work role in, more than likely its gonna ride in the trunk and if i can get to it or think it might be needed at the time and have time, then ill grab it, eveything always plays out different and i was tring to avoid this.

But whats an AB body? this is the stuff im interesed in and 1400 is in my price range for me do at 1 time. ive looking on ebay but i really dont think i trust buying from there.

Edit/deleted - added noise to thread, found info I needed by reading more & posting less.

ab night vision sells the body.

http://abnightvision.com/NVM2AA.html
This is the housing I mentioned. Good deal and smaller than a PVS-14. Then the pervious NV forum link to the cheap 10160 style tubes. I think I heard someone say they were omni3 ish but don't hold me to that, contact the seller and figure it out.
From there its basically a drop in proposition, or send the tube to adam and he will do it for you.

ETA
It won't be a top of the line PVS-14, but its alot cheaper and is a fairly reasonable entry level unit IMO.

This link will take you to the thread where I show what AB Night Vision's new housing looks like.....it is Adams NVM-2AA.

Can I put an ir light in that or is that a seperate device with the ab housing

The AB night vision Mono looks to have an IR built in, but in general if you want IR with some "throw" its best to get a dedicated unit.

it does..........

Sweet I think ill give him a call tomorrow

He's a good guy.....makes a great product.

I have a few of Adams Micro housings. The built in IR is about as good as a 14. Good for close in work but you need better for long range. I like his housings very much and they are well made.

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