Interesting New PVS-21 NVG's

[Uncle Sam]

PVS-21 NVG. The definition of modern NVGs. These state of the art goggle features patented folded optical systems, Lowest profile goggle, see-through capabilities, Rugged, self contained, built-in IR / LEDs, water-proof, various mount for different helmets. Designed for CQB, high speed driving, HALO ops.

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/nightvision-pvs21-4.jpg

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/nightvision-pvs21-3.jpg

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/nightvision-pvs21-1.gif

[mustamato]

Still too big and clumpsy. But "folded optical systems", that´s the future in one way or the other.

[Argyll]

They look kind of bulky,but anything that gives you ownage of the night is worth it!!

[Uncle Sam]

And that's what it's all about.......Ownage !!!

[Seiyuuki]

What is the best night vision goggle a civilian can purchase?

[mustamato]

What is the best night vision goggle a civilian can purchase?

Something american I think. The european (and probably also asian) NVG´s are pretty much in the same level, partly because they copy each other technologically of course. But most european companies only sell to law enforcment and defence forces it seems. I don´t know how "Homeland Security" in the US has affected the selling of NVG´s to civlian though.

I used a french (by EDTS) generation 3 Clara NVG during my army days, have also used the standard swedish issue norweigian (Simrad Optronics) GN-1C generation 2+. Have tested a british gen 3 monocular as well (don´t know its name though). I only tested it shortly but I didn´t like just seeing with my left eye. I think the generation 2 was quite okey actually. The french Gen 3 had of course a slightly better image of but the norweigian Gen 2 is more ergonomically correct and "user-friendly", I mean it doesn´t stick out half a meter from your face. You will also get a image that is closer to your actually eye in contrast to this "longer" goggles. We had the "old" american PVS-7b available as well but I was stupid enough to not test them when I had the chance. But those that had them said that they were ok, not the best but ok.

Conclusion = (Late) Gen 2 is adequate, and monoculars are hm, not as comfortable as goggles. Atleast not if you are not used. I would thus recommend PVS-7b (even in gen 3) since it´s okey, available and "cheap":

http://www.lightfighter.com/Nightvision/PVS-7b.jpg
http://www.lightfighter.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=66194%7C1273429&PRID=941190

Damn it, just saw that it isn´t exported outside USA. This Homeland Security-bull**** I guess. But if you have friends or such in US then it´s not a problem, just ask them to buy it, or buy it yourself if you live or will travel to USA sometime.

[Seiyuuki]

Thanx for the info...

[[AFSOC]]

Them goggles look like the thing at the eye doctor...;)

[AFACadet]

Damn it, just saw that it isn´t exported outside USA. This Homeland Security-bull**** I guess.

No, these (along with thousands of other hi-tech equipment/weapons) were NEVER allowed to be exported outside the US.

[Merik]

Reminds me of the goggles in the Final Fantasy movie that the troops wore. Pretty neat stuff.

[DLodge]

Here's an article from the October 2002 edition of Airman magazine. I guess these goggles aren't that new if they were in service back in 2002? And that they were never widely fielded, given that we haven't seen any of them in OIF?


Kadena Air Base, Japan — Working in the stealth of night just got a little easier thanks to new night vision goggles. Officially called PVS-21, the power vision set offers unparalleled ease and high quality low light vision.


These new spectacles aren’t cheap. Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Hardy, a Jolly Green pararescueman from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, said, “They cost as much as a new compact car, but they can be a real lifesaver.”


They can automatically do a hands-free switch from regular to intensified light vision, allowing operators such as Hardy to stay focused on the job. Typical night vision gear, on the other hand, shuts off to protect its electronics when light gets too bright.


“The new goggles are worth their weight in gold,” Hardy said. “If I’m in the field and both my hands are busy stopping a person from bleeding to death, I don’t want my goggles to go blank.”


Rugged and adaptable, the new goggles,made by Specialized Technical Services of Beaver Creek, Ohio, come with near-vision lenses so people like Hardy don’t put an intravenous needle in their own hand instead of their patient’s. When special operators need to sky jump into battle, the goggles can be fitted with a heads-up-display to see altitude and global positioning system data while watching a moon-lit Earth rushing up at them.

Here's the link: http://www.af.mil/news/airman/1002/world.html

[DE_Six]

Here's the next generation accordign to SBCCOM PEO Soldier website.

Monocular is better because it allows the soldier to retain night adaptation in an eye and is less desorienting is alternate lighting environment like urban terrain (ie dark alleys vs lit-up buildings). The rear-mounted battery also balances the weight more evenly.

This prototype for the ENVG (Enhanced Night VIsion Goggle) combines both digitalized light amplification and IR (thermal imaging) in a single "picture". Less "halo", enhanced perception. Many companies are competing for the contract. I think this Litton-EOS's submission.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/envg.htm

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/article.cfm?Id=956

https://peosoldier.army.mil/photos/envg_low.jpg

Sorry, for some reason, I can't post the image with the usual [img] tags.

[mustamato]

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/images/0211/sandraowning.jpg

To actually get a good picture like this, well. This looks like gen 5-6 to me. I can just say that the picture out in the forests is not this good with the gen 3 i have used. Especially not if there are clouds and humidity in the air.

https://peosoldier.army.mil/photos/envg_low.jpg

But this is the future yeah.