I spent $13k with these people and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Customer service was great and they did everything they said they would. The 1531’s I was first sent had a flaw and they got replaced immediately. I recommend shopping here.
Think I am going to go with the big chunks myself… damn Mario tubes on the 1531s. Why they gotta be so thick tho? We’re you debating these over any other systems? If so, what made you decide on the 1531s?
Well… the 1531s won out. Pulled the trigger today… this video had a lot to do with what broke the decision toward the 1531s instead of the DTNVS. Tough choice, but manual gain was a big factor. Great video and explanation!
Manual gain is a must for me. Before I bought my PVS14, I was deciding between that or a Tanto, I didn't like the idea of not being able to control my gain. So I went with PVS 14, and I love being able to control how much gain I need depending on the ambient lighting around me.
What we really need is a tanto with manual gain control. I want to bridge 2 monoculars so tanto is basically the only option but the lack of manual gain is stopping me from making a purchase.
@mitchelld1754 I'd get the 14 but I'd have to accept that I'd almost certainly have to sell it someday for duals and I'm not sure if I want that hassle.
@musicman1eanda I haven't felt that way, I go with the amount of time I use it a month, I get time to play, and I feel like it's sufficient for what I use it.
I remember my J arm and rhino mount being flimsy POS when I was in the army are there better options out there now for the PVS 14? im thinking about picking one up im a just a little ignorant to the topic! real bummer too cause the tanto seem a lot cleaner and more modern than a PVS14
I find manual gain useful. Maybe not in a dynamic situation (you aren’t going to be fingering around with a gain knob in the heat of the moment) but when observing or adjusting to different light conditions it really improves clarity.
I have a pair of L3/Harris PVS-14s from Custom Night Vision and I can state for a fact that utilizing manual gain is a game changer in a tube that excels in dark conditions. Good video Kevin!
Maybe it's personal preference? I have an L3 mono with 37.5 SNR and I feel like I see more detail with the gain at max. Even in high light scenarios where the excess light can mess with your ability to see into the shadows, the max gain helps to see more in those shadows.
Excellent information and demonstrations in this video. Thank you for taking the time to share this valuable information to people that have not had extensive experience with NV. It is critical for people to do their homework before spending thousands of dollars because even a so-called budget set up is expensive to the common working man. Instead of trying to be cheap, have the mentally of buy once cry once. Like why father always said, "if you think hiring a professional is expensive, hire yourself an amateur." This means if you get something done cheap, you are still going to have to hire someone else to fix what should have been done the first time. This ends up being much for expensive in the long run. This carries over to kit.
I'm no expert but where I live (country) I set mine to where I can easily see with as little aid as possible... thanks for getting this info out for those of us not as well verst in NVG
Great video on the manual gain topic. I am a big fan of manual gain, although a lot of dudes with way more experience say its overrated. I have Elbit PVS 31 D and really like the manual gain.
I hav only used my binos in a city setting with low light not no light and manual gain is a must for me. I use it every night. Surveillance would not be the same without it.
Honestly even on the photonis echo tubes MG makes such a difference, its one of those quality of life upgrades which I view is essential for gen 2+ and gen 3, if you can access it, use it.
I’m the type of guy who has my phone on max brightness at all times so I don’t really care if I have manual gain or not. My BNVD 1431 MK2 Elbit WP has fixed gain while my GP PVS-14 has manual gain. I just find my self not turning down the brightness in any lighting condition I was in.
Yeah I kinda feel like most of these scenarios where you wanna turn down the gain are situations where you don't nearly so much need...night vision. Also while not the *same* things as gain control if you have high SNR high FOM tubes I think a work around is a set of $80 adjustable irises with the added benefit that you're gaining DOF as you crank them down. For me the bombproof ruggedness of the RNVG-A design was hard to pass on. Would I have liked it to have manual gain, sure...who doesn't like more bells and whistles. But having a bino that's bomb proof is also a feature.
Manual gain is cool if you have time to fiddle with it and your surroundings aren't changing constantly but it's not all sunshine and rainbows.. For active situations, settings that change lighting often, someone who isn't practiced in adjusting it quickly, settings where readiness is important, you want the tube to adjust by itself. It's great for observation and non critical activities but if you turn that thing up or down it's going to stay there until you have time to mess with it and you may need your hands... The ideal device would have both settings but correct me if I'm wrong, currently devices with manual gain don't have auto modes.
So torn between DTNVS and 1531s. I like the housing more on the DTNVS, but 1531s seem to be more practical (AA, included battery pack, built-in port, manual gain)… small gripe but that low hanging battery compartment on the 31A and the 1531s just bugs meh. Manual gain may be the deciding factor.
As soon as I started looking at nv, I knew I wanted manual gain. Off topic question, what environment or about how dark does it have to be (like night time indoors with no lights, or…?) until normal spec pvs 14s or binos won’t work without ir illumination?
It really depends. Outside with good L3 filmless on even the darkest overcast nights you can still see plenty. Indoors with no lights? Well you’d be surprised how many appliances have a faint light that will illum more than you expect. A closed room with no lights and no windows? Yeah there’s no ambient light to amplify so you’re going to need external ir. Fwiw, I have rarely run external IR when under nods, indoors or outside.
I have DTNVS and can’t think of a single time I thought, “man I wish I could turn my gain up or down”. If I’m in an area that is lit up enough that it would benefit me to see around my tubes, what is the advantage of wearing nods to begin with? What’s the point of putting nods in front of your face that locks your field of view down to 40 deg if you’re in an area that is lit up enough that people can see you without night vision ??
@@thejohnhend anytime you’re playing adult hide and seek.. with guns. It’s extremely beneficial to have peripheral vision and awareness. When I say vision I don’t mean day light vision I mean the ability to make out movement and shapes in the darkness. If you take a class with a good instructor they will cover this.
I know you guys sell and recommend tantos/katanas which do not have manual gain. Is it just use case? Budget? As far as having or not having manual gain. It seems every housing has trade offs.
Yo Kevin, Leak some sauce on those threads brother! I've seen those pattern before, I think it was marketed as night camouflage, or something to that effect..
@@thejohnhend did my second ever night vision class a few weeks ago with the tarsiers. Worked really well. That being said I feel like the price tag is hard to justify.
ok theres a LOT to choose from as far as how custom is custom. I am NOT tech savvy and will not claim to know what i want so i will ask plainly. what is the best build, im not asking for cheap im asking for best all round service and i just work to afford its price. military gets to buy the best toys that not all civilians can have because they have it behind a "You need to be a law/govement worker and have said I.D. to own." even if i can work to afford the price, but they have restrictions on who can have those toys and I'm sure many others agree it sucks. so help a blue collar workin brother out who does a 6 to 5 a day job achieve some small victory in finally owning some badass night vision will ya brothers. pls be kind to me internet I'm small but i have big dreams.
So I’d say you have 3 options and 1 I’d recommend most. I wouldn’t get anything other than gen 3 wp. Not that green doesn’t work but photonis wp are so close to the price of green so just go white. Technically photonis aren’t gen 3 but they basically have gen 3 performance. If you go to sell it you’ll get a better return on wp. Elbit is the go to in my opinion. It’s made in America and is gen 3. Those are things I’d want when spending this kind of money. L3 harris is considered the best but I wouldn’t say it’s worth the extra $500-$1000 you’ll most likely spend. I would go with one where you get to see a picture of the tube or hand picked option. Again for your investment. Tubes with little to no blems ( blems are a natural part of the manufacturing process) sell for more 2nd hand. Get a tube with 2000 FOM and 64 resolution or higher. A .9 or lower halo. Gated with manual gain. Make sure the company gives you these specs and will be providing a spec sheet from the tube manufacturer. For l3 harris $4k , elbit $3500 and photonis $3k are roughly the price you’ll want to pay or lower. That all being said a used gen 3 green for $2k that you train with is better than no nvg at all. So get that if thats what you can afford. You won’t really lose money when you go to sell it.
@@jpk9171jpk honestly after lookin at a couple of his other videos I liked his idea of having one eye night vision and the other infer. I love your opinion on white as opposed to green, I think white looks clearer with my eyes. In you’re opinion what moves you to go with having it for 1 eye as opposed to both?
I wouldn't spend $10,000 on a set of binos unless they included manual gain. Great video sir.
Thank you sir.
Amen
Silly
Iris has entered the chat
@@MassaSnowshi LOl, like puttin Usain Bolt into a WheelChair....
I spent $13k with these people and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Customer service was great and they did everything they said they would. The 1531’s I was first sent had a flaw and they got replaced immediately. I recommend shopping here.
Thank you sir.
Think I am going to go with the big chunks myself… damn Mario tubes on the 1531s. Why they gotta be so thick tho? We’re you debating these over any other systems? If so, what made you decide on the 1531s?
It's nice that they actually list tube specs and let you make requests, the prices aren't bad either compared to the other guys
Well… the 1531s won out. Pulled the trigger today… this video had a lot to do with what broke the decision toward the 1531s instead of the DTNVS. Tough choice, but manual gain was a big factor. Great video and explanation!
Manual gain is a must for me.
Before I bought my PVS14, I was deciding between that or a Tanto, I didn't like the idea of not being able to control my gain.
So I went with PVS 14, and I love being able to control how much gain I need depending on the ambient lighting around me.
What we really need is a tanto with manual gain control. I want to bridge 2 monoculars so tanto is basically the only option but the lack of manual gain is stopping me from making a purchase.
@musicman1eanda that's what held me back lol and yes I still wish I have the light Tanto. Still I love my 14 😅
@mitchelld1754 I'd get the 14 but I'd have to accept that I'd almost certainly have to sell it someday for duals and I'm not sure if I want that hassle.
@musicman1eanda I haven't felt that way, I go with the amount of time I use it a month, I get time to play, and I feel like it's sufficient for what I use it.
I remember my J arm and rhino mount being flimsy POS when I was in the army are there better options out there now for the PVS 14? im thinking about picking one up im a just a little ignorant to the topic! real bummer too cause the tanto seem a lot cleaner and more modern than a PVS14
I find manual gain useful. Maybe not in a dynamic situation (you aren’t going to be fingering around with a gain knob in the heat of the moment) but when observing or adjusting to different light conditions it really improves clarity.
Yes.
I have a pair of L3/Harris PVS-14s from Custom Night Vision and I can state for a fact that utilizing manual gain is a game changer in a tube that excels in dark conditions. Good video Kevin!
Maybe it's personal preference? I have an L3 mono with 37.5 SNR and I feel like I see more detail with the gain at max. Even in high light scenarios where the excess light can mess with your ability to see into the shadows, the max gain helps to see more in those shadows.
Excellent information and demonstrations in this video. Thank you for taking the time to share this valuable information to people that have not had extensive experience with NV. It is critical for people to do their homework before spending thousands of dollars because even a so-called budget set up is expensive to the common working man. Instead of trying to be cheap, have the mentally of buy once cry once. Like why father always said, "if you think hiring a professional is expensive, hire yourself an amateur." This means if you get something done cheap, you are still going to have to hire someone else to fix what should have been done the first time. This ends up being much for expensive in the long run. This carries over to kit.
Thank you for the comment.
I'm no expert but where I live (country) I set mine to where I can easily see with as little aid as possible... thanks for getting this info out for those of us not as well verst in NVG
You are welcome.
Good take on the pros of manual gain. Great video!
Great video on the manual gain topic. I am a big fan of manual gain, although a lot of dudes with way more experience say its overrated. I have Elbit PVS 31 D and really like the manual gain.
i like it too.
I hav only used my binos in a city setting with low light not no light and manual gain is a must for me. I use it every night. Surveillance would not be the same without it.
Honestly even on the photonis echo tubes MG makes such a difference, its one of those quality of life upgrades which I view is essential for gen 2+ and gen 3, if you can access it, use it.
This was extremely informative, thanks for the info and y’all keep it up.
I’m the type of guy who has my phone on max brightness at all times so I don’t really care if I have manual gain or not. My BNVD 1431 MK2 Elbit WP has fixed gain while my GP PVS-14 has manual gain. I just find my self not turning down the brightness in any lighting condition I was in.
Understandable, however it’s nice to have versatility and increased situational awareness.
Yeah I kinda feel like most of these scenarios where you wanna turn down the gain are situations where you don't nearly so much need...night vision. Also while not the *same* things as gain control if you have high SNR high FOM tubes I think a work around is a set of $80 adjustable irises with the added benefit that you're gaining DOF as you crank them down. For me the bombproof ruggedness of the RNVG-A design was hard to pass on. Would I have liked it to have manual gain, sure...who doesn't like more bells and whistles. But having a bino that's bomb proof is also a feature.
Even when you're in bed at night you keep your phone at max brightness?? Psycho haha
@@musicman1eanda ruclips.net/video/Qn977W9HjWM/видео.htmlsi=c0Puo7vsV3Zag5He
Having Max brightness on my phone all the time and an NVG with no manual gain sounds like my personal hell 😂 but you do you.
Great explanation!
Manual gain is cool if you have time to fiddle with it and your surroundings aren't changing constantly but it's not all sunshine and rainbows.. For active situations, settings that change lighting often, someone who isn't practiced in adjusting it quickly, settings where readiness is important, you want the tube to adjust by itself.
It's great for observation and non critical activities but if you turn that thing up or down it's going to stay there until you have time to mess with it and you may need your hands...
The ideal device would have both settings but correct me if I'm wrong, currently devices with manual gain don't have auto modes.
There is a level of ABC even in manual gain devices.
0:28 hey Kevin, which pair are you rocking in the beginning of this video?
1431
So torn between DTNVS and 1531s. I like the housing more on the DTNVS, but 1531s seem to be more practical (AA, included battery pack, built-in port, manual gain)… small gripe but that low hanging battery compartment on the 31A and the 1531s just bugs meh. Manual gain may be the deciding factor.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
There is also BNVD-SG with manual gain.
Yes but it’s only available as a factory built unit with proprietary optics that I would consider not ideal.
As soon as I started looking at nv, I knew I wanted manual gain. Off topic question, what environment or about how dark does it have to be (like night time indoors with no lights, or…?) until normal spec pvs 14s or binos won’t work without ir illumination?
It really depends. Outside with good L3 filmless on even the darkest overcast nights you can still see plenty. Indoors with no lights? Well you’d be surprised how many appliances have a faint light that will illum more than you expect. A closed room with no lights and no windows? Yeah there’s no ambient light to amplify so you’re going to need external ir. Fwiw, I have rarely run external IR when under nods, indoors or outside.
Joey answered this about as well as I could.
Great info, great video, manual gain for me is another thing I gotta mess with, autogain all day!
I have DTNVS and can’t think of a single time I thought, “man I wish I could turn my gain up or down”. If I’m in an area that is lit up enough that it would benefit me to see around my tubes, what is the advantage of wearing nods to begin with? What’s the point of putting nods in front of your face that locks your field of view down to 40 deg if you’re in an area that is lit up enough that people can see you without night vision ??
@@thejohnhend anytime you’re playing adult hide and seek.. with guns. It’s extremely beneficial to have peripheral vision and awareness. When I say vision I don’t mean day light vision I mean the ability to make out movement and shapes in the darkness. If you take a class with a good instructor they will cover this.
Manual gain is superior
I’ve used manual gain for a while and honestly I almost never lower it. I find I end up needing more light
its all situationally dependent.
Totally agree with this video
Hell yeah.
Gain knobs are a thing of the past, adjustable iris is the future as you control not only gain but also depth of field focus
you must be new here.
@ you must be old here
Anyone know of a good guide for BNVD131 manual gain soldering? omni 7 contract tubes.
Can you use Focus Caps as a sort of poor man's manual gain for nods that doesn't have it?
yeah you can.
How much is the peripheral view outside the goggle reduced on a pano setup vs a standard 40° bino setup?
you dont need the peripheral with a pano because the fov is available within the goggle.
Great video!
Thank you!
I know you guys sell and recommend tantos/katanas which do not have manual gain. Is it just use case? Budget? As far as having or not having manual gain. It seems every housing has trade offs.
Yeah man its just personal preference.
Good video! Thanks
Thank you.
Nice, besides, peoples eyes are not all equal. So being able to make the tool fit the user is great.
Agreed.
very helpful, thank you
Thank you for watching.
Yo Kevin,
Leak some sauce on those threads brother!
I've seen those pattern before, I think it was marketed as night camouflage, or something to that effect..
Qilo night desert camo
This
Salute, from Kruger.
What jacket is that?
Can my auto gain rnvg housing be turned into manual gain?
you can get a RNVG with manual gain, its a completely different housing but we have them.
The guys at kosher/custom night vision are always konocking it out of the park with knowledge and deals!
We try our best.
what nods is he rockin
1431 with l3 tubes and rpo.
I’ve always like the Desert Night Camo. Under utilized.
👍🏻👍🏻
This is Cornelius Manheim the 3rd, I want my cake and I want it now!!!
lol
Does custom night vision offer financing?
We do now.
Not necessary for me. Have tarsiers if I feel the need to turn down
Same here. Don’t feel bad anymore for not having manual gain on my DTNVS’s
Tarsiers are actually much more useful than manual gain.
@@thejohnhend did my second ever night vision class a few weeks ago with the tarsiers. Worked really well. That being said I feel like the price tag is hard to justify.
@@thejohnhend I agree. Totally content with Katana and tarsier
ok theres a LOT to choose from as far as how custom is custom. I am NOT tech savvy and will not claim to know what i want so i will ask plainly. what is the best build, im not asking for cheap im asking for best all round service and i just work to afford its price. military gets to buy the best toys that not all civilians can have because they have it behind a "You need to be a law/govement worker and have said I.D. to own." even if i can work to afford the price, but they have restrictions on who can have those toys and I'm sure many others agree it sucks. so help a blue collar workin brother out who does a 6 to 5 a day job achieve some small victory in finally owning some badass night vision will ya brothers. pls be kind to me internet I'm small but i have big dreams.
So I’d say you have 3 options and 1 I’d recommend most. I wouldn’t get anything other than gen 3 wp. Not that green doesn’t work but photonis wp are so close to the price of green so just go white. Technically photonis aren’t gen 3 but they basically have gen 3 performance. If you go to sell it you’ll get a better return on wp. Elbit is the go to in my opinion. It’s made in America and is gen 3. Those are things I’d want when spending this kind of money. L3 harris is considered the best but I wouldn’t say it’s worth the extra $500-$1000 you’ll most likely spend. I would go with one where you get to see a picture of the tube or hand picked option. Again for your investment. Tubes with little to no blems ( blems are a natural part of the manufacturing process) sell for more 2nd hand. Get a tube with 2000 FOM and 64 resolution or higher. A .9 or lower halo. Gated with manual gain. Make sure the company gives you these specs and will be providing a spec sheet from the tube manufacturer. For l3 harris $4k , elbit $3500 and photonis $3k are roughly the price you’ll want to pay or lower. That all being said a used gen 3 green for $2k that you train with is better than no nvg at all. So get that if thats what you can afford. You won’t really lose money when you go to sell it.
I assumed you are looking at buying a pvs-14 and not bino’s .
@@jpk9171jpk honestly after lookin at a couple of his other videos I liked his idea of having one eye night vision and the other infer. I love your opinion on white as opposed to green, I think white looks clearer with my eyes. In you’re opinion what moves you to go with having it for 1 eye as opposed to both?
@@BigBoyJudge strictly cost. If dropping $10k on bino’s was in my budget I’d definitely go that route. But if budget didn’t matter I’d have pano’s lol
@@jpk9171jpk we do Elbit Binos for 6-7k frequently
🤣😂 Dressed like a Spec Op .. goin home because its cold...
Chicken nuggets were ready bro.
Manual gain is mater race
Yess.