A monocular has another small advantage over both biocular and binocular. You can tell when you or someone accidentally lights up a white or red light thinking they're using IR light, or is accidentally using a visible laser instead of IR. Just last week at a night shoot I had to tell a friend using binos he was set to visible laser on his DBAL, and a second time when he had a light set to white instead of IR. He couldn't tell with binos.
Driving with a mono, Ive come to find is better than what I imagine driving with binos would be like. For the same reasons. I can see if its headlights or tail lights in front of me. And having the unaided eye helps alot as well when you have to look away because you have an oncoming car.
@@50shadesofcerakote If your tube is autogated you shouldn't have to look away even when staring at car headlights. The image will self-adjust instantly. Most binos are autogated. Not the 7s though.
@@DaveSmith-cp5kj Also his experience is a YMMV thing. I can drive perfectly well on a mono vs a bino; but I'm also super-heavily right eye dominant. Bino helps with details (since my left eye is stronger and doesn't have an astigmatism), not overall depth and reaction. So guys who are closer to ambidextrous might have a bigger issue than OP or I.
Jones, Foley, Bradley, and Connors. I remember playing Conflict Desert Storm 2 with my dad like it was yesterday. He worked 50+ hours a week and probably had a whole pile of stuff to get done on his days off, but he always made time to play Desert Storm with me because I was interested in it. He was also Marine and was in Desert Storm himself, so it was a way we connected.
Lots of people say that but have a dozen rifles in their safe, eat out every night, go to bars, drive flashy cars. It's about priorities for most people, I guarantee 90% of those "too poor" buy $5 coffees, and $60 video games.
@@runlevelone very true. NVG is just a logistical mission on the long term, the only thing we need to do is save a couple hundred bucks a month for some years. maybe in 4-6 years I can buy some pvs-14's
@@tubeguy4066 I mean the last part isn't entirely wrong. I'm not buying Battlefield 2042 until they fix the damn thing but by that point it probably be much less than 60 but I generally agree with this sounding very "avacado toast" but gun flavored.
I traded a PVS-14 for a PVS-7 for a while in Iraq while driving our track. When driving at night for extended periods of time in a dusty environment it helps keep sand out of your "free" eye. It also can help with eye fatigue when your driving 6-8 or so hours at a time.
@@paraglidingnut26 Binos are superior but getting headaches from mono is case by case basis. Most people don’t. You can get headaches from duals just the same
So true, using a monocular I can still track where my feet are in relation to things. There’s a log across a small stream where we train. Even in the dark it’s easier to traverse with your unaided eye than the monocular eye. If you didn’t have one eye adjusted to the dark you might be waiting a while until your eyes adjust.
Having 2 eyeballs on the same tube image does give you a slight edge in image recognition. The brain combines the "data" from both eyes to give you a sharper total image. But we're talking a small improvement, that by no means makes up for the lack of passive aiming with PVS-7.
I used this or similar back in the late nineties. When driving the swedish BV-206 troop transport through the woods, I had to close one eye, not to puke. I guess there is individual reactions, but for me driving with both eyes open, the view had no depth at all, and looked like it was painted on a flat wall 10 meters ahead. One eye closed was far better, seemed like my brain was not expecting depth vision , and thus did better.
My first NV device was a Gen 3 7 I got used for $1300 and I’m so happy I bought it I never would have ended up getting 2 14s if I didn’t get a experience NV at that price …. I sold the 7 but I kinda wish I didn’t (14s are obviously superior)
bought a gen 3 pvs 7 couple months ago and realized I needed another pair lmao. Just bought a gen 3 14 and am using the 7's as a loaner if somebody tags along shooting with me, Night vision is a dangerous game when it comes to your coin
SOF guys from my country still use it and they stack bodies. That to me is an indication that biocular NVGs are still a viable option. Not the best, yes. But still viable especially in third world countries.
You can defeat night vision by just not fighting at night... lol sof guys also have a lot more assets operating in addition to themselves which Joe blow just doesn't have.
Theres lots of dudes out there "too poor for night vision" but have ten AR-15's in their safe. Sell extra guns, you can't use them all at the same time and NV is a massive force multiplier.
I’ve been trying to get this across to a friend. I’ve even said much of what you did here. Still, I’ll send this his way with the hope it helps drive the point across. Thanks.
Yeah I have a 7, I like them a lot and I got it as a refurb unit from a well known dealer with a warranty for $1200. I would *not* pay more than that or settle for less warranty support. You’re definitely going to pay more for them in the current market climate and I would simply not do it and just save more for a 14.
To each of their own. I have a PVS5 M918 gen 2, 3 PVS14s (dual and single) and 1 PVS7, all gen 3. I can only speak for myself and personal statistic-wise every time I headed out to do night activity specifically animal observing, star gazing, driving on a quad/using tools...that doesn't involve run n gun night shooting, I always grab my 7 far more often than my single 14. It doesn't mean 7 is better than 14 but both has pros and cons equally of their own. To me I absolutely HATE doing an arm-length task with only 1 eye...but it is something you've got to experience on your own and decide it personally.
honestly I got a really good deal back on my 7s in 2018. $1200, no blem tubes with very few hours on them, the housing was legit, and came with the old GI transport hardcase. Guy needed money for 14s fast and I wanted them for my "Generation Kill" kit. Was gonna be an expensive toy but turns out it was way more usefull than i thought. I have fdup eyes anyway and my brain prioritizes one over the other. Along with being cross dominant having red dots not work well unless I close one eye or shoot wrong handed. When I tried my buddys 14 at the time we had comperable gen3 tubes but I found with my fucked eyes I could with his still only choose between being partially blind or nods only. So in my specific case the only downside to 17s for me has been needing a beefier counter weight and a lighter helmet. I know the helmet I use has less balistic protection than my heavy one but the idea with nods to me is not to be seen or shot at to begin with. Besides its still slightly better than a steel helm or not using nods.
You are correct about the PVS-7s main advantage being the lack of eyestrain or headaches; it's pretty much like using binoculars in the sense that there's no conflict between what the eyes are seeing, so it's more comfortable off the shelf than a PVS-14. However, you pay for this tiny advantage with nearly double the weight (14 oz vs 24 oz) no depth perception, no ability to passively aim even with an Eotech, and no uncovered eye to monitor light conditions. it's truly the worst of both worlds. t. used both
I just got some ATN PV7s for $1,100. ATNs customers include: Army, Navy, FBI, CIA, and Secret Service to name a few. They’ve been used in numerous combats, can’t really complain. Just because something is better doesn’t make the other thing bad.
i have a pvs7 with omni VII tube. it's not bad, I'm not complaining about depth perception, The only thing that really bothers me are the very small eyepiece lenses.
@@RomeoAirsoft from some no name fly by night company with questionable tubes maybe. TNVC, and JRH are reputable sellers with Elbit and L3 tubes and GP Gen3 is about $3200. You can get lower quality tubes with blems sometimes for I think mid 2000s but they go very fast and arent the same quality. Still better than a Photonis or PVS-7 but again save a few hundred more and get a nice 14 with elbit without blems and a 10 year warranty.
I honestly would love to see an overview/comparison video of the ATN NVM-14 (WPT), AGM Wolf-14 (NW2), GT-14 (WP), MiNi-14/Mum-14A. If anyone can do a comparison of stuff like that, it would be Hop.
Check out the vid I did of the NVM-14 WPT. It's probably the same tube in all of them. Only big difference is that the AGM housing is awful, and AGM's lenses are really bad.
Mine was a tactically acquired PVS was military issued mine is equipped with Gen 3 milspec contract image intensifier tube, and my USGI pvs-7 has been great unit, paid $975 for it
@@Hoplopfheil Also I found out a poor man fix for the shit halo splash from the Perst 4. I took a 1in Vinyl cap and use a hot nail to go threw it at a set stop after some testing. You can use the Perst in close distance on lowest setting cleanly. Can PM you pictures and a video my buddy did for his after I told him
I have a 7, 14, and BNVG. I actually like passive aiming with the 7 but only when doing long range, magnified, flat range shooting. It almost feels like you’re in a video game the way both eyes see the same image.
I have both the PVS-7b Gen-3 and PVS-14 Gen-2+ WP and agree with the current pricing that the PVS-14 makes more sense. Most PVS-7's are thin-filmed, and you get temporary light burn vs the 14's typically do not have this problem due to being un-filmed and autogated. However, my PVS-7's stayed relevant with one cheap upgrade; and that was adding a USGI 3X Magnifier MX-11683.
Really wish someone would put an actual review of the poverty binos with 50 degree housings. I'm about to order and I'm torn between the 2. If I get the 50, I'll let you know. I'm relatively close to you. If you promise to roast my setup, I'll let you larp with it sometime.
So, I for one cant comment on PVS7 viewership or ownership as Ive never been able to use one yet, I CAN say that the "eye strain" potential problem, from a monocular, is VERY real. I purchased a Gen 3 white phosphor super clear Armasight PVS14. It was perfectly good quality wise, but after a minute or two gave me MASSIVE eye strain, pain and eventually a headache before too long at all. I really dont have the means for a bino setup right now, so I sold my 14, thinking until I can pony up for Binos, Im SOL on night vision. That is until I started to research the old Bi oculars like the PVS7. I really Think its probably technically inferior on paper to a Bino or quality mono, but I think it absolutely has a place, possibly for me, or anyone who cant handle "closing one eye and going about your day" very well or without extreme pain.
I used pvs 7d's, they're garbage. Most of my platoon had 14's and I always preferred those. Nothing beats natural night vision, in my opinion though. When my platoon got in country we had a bunch of 14's and 2 sets of pvs23's to divvy out. Me being doc, I'd always been stuck with the 7's on training so I made a stink and got the pvs 23's which were binocular nods with the ability to run thermals simultaneously. Needless to say this new set was sent out to be tested and sure enough the night vision took a shit after about 2 weeks of use, which left me with only thermals which killed a set of batteries in about 20 minutes of use. So for another few weeks I'd just flip down and scan every once in a while but predominantly relied on my natural night vision. I'm not sure exactly how many night patrols I did like that but I'll never forget the last time I got to do that. My platoon sergeant had found out I didn't really have nods near the beginning of it and so I had to turn in the 23's and all they had left were 7d's, lmao. The last patrol I did without traditional night vision was so memorable because my psg was giving me so much shit about how I wouldn't be able to see, and was a liability so I made sure to count every single time he fell down because he'd tripped over the terrain. In total he fell 18 times on that one patrol, making a bunch of noise (to be fair, everyone wearing nods ate shit quite often) and I only slipped up 3 times. In my experience, if you have enough lum from the moon for nods, you've got enough for natural night vision and very rarely did we have perfect conditions and when we did I'd always noted how I didn't even need nods in those conditions. Which is why my preference, if nods are a necessity, are the 14's because you've got the option for both. Nods make sense when you've got an eye in the sky among other force multipliers. I could afford a set, but then were gonna want an ir laser for point shooting, I've never really seen anyone look through an optic and nods, and it's certainly not military doctrine outside of maybe sof, so that'd be an entirely new set of mechanics to train through and I hate trying to look through optics outside of my normal cheek weld. I just don't see the point in dropping that much cash for something with such a niche use, making my entire kit that much more complicated and heavier. Ever flash someone with a bright light while they're wearing nods? Yeah...
I know it's a long shot but a vid on a thermal monocular and its use would be great. I was thinking about buying the Nox 18 or Iray MH25. Resolution is crisp but you can't see IR designator in thermal. You'd have to look thru irons or a dot sight to use a rifle... no shooting from hip unless you're all that. And, no, I don't want a bridge with PVS 14 on one side and thermal on the other and don't have the money for any of the combo units.
Who shoots thermal scopes on a regular basis? Hog hunters. There a plenty reviews on thermal scopes from hog hunters out there. At distance I trust my thermal mono over my night vision to see if something is out there at distance.
In the german military we had monocular night vision. The LUCIE. The lense from the input is off centre. very strange at fist. i'd say when i had about 20-40 hours of time spent with my night vision i could just walk normally on unknown terrain. you get used to it. and they also drove vehicles wearing monocular nightvision. not the best feeling at first but you get the hang of it. eben running in the forrest ist not that problematic. altough you had to tilt your head down a little bit, because the field of view was so narrow.
ATN and AGM nods are garbage in general due to the glass they use, and the subsequent “fish eye”. Real gen 3 PVS7s can regularly still be found for around $1000-$1500, about $500 cheaper than pvs14s in that same category, so they are still a more affordable alternative. Albeit not as effective in a fighting context, but still useable night vision. The main issue with a pvs7 is depth perception, which makes it somewhat difficult to walk down stairs, and on uneven terrain. But they’re still cool, and worth it if you find a good deal on a set.
Man the number of people I have seen trying to say that the Sionyx or however it's spelled is a valid alternative to a PVS-14 is kinda disturbing. Both Hop and the Botkins have said that it's not a replacement, it's just a cool piece of tech for night videography and even then you can do better but of course for more money.
Comparing a $3000 pvs14 to a $900 sionyx just makes you look like a douche BMW owner saying a Honda Civic is trash. They both get you from point a to point b, only everyone knows you spent far more money to boost your ego.
I see you are using the Helikon TMR, a tip if you want to run 4 rifle mags and a radio, you can cut the stitching on one of the double pistol pouches and put the radio there, many of my friends do that with theirs too since 4 pistol mag pouches is a bit overkill. This will allow you to fit Baofeng style radios no problem, bigger stuff might be an issue.
I have both, the 14 and 7 , Driving with the 7 is easier at faster speed. I have a 7 with 3rd gen and its fantastic. The monocular has its problems in making your eyes more tired than the 7 over hours of use. Its all about preference and mission for the right devise to use. good video
@@daepicpigeon3274 Yes its a shame, I use to call in Air strikes with them and loved having them, most people only believe what they hear on other channels. I have hundreds of hours in them and what is good for one is not is always best for everyone else. thanks for the comment. "light up the dark"
I got similar experience so I agree. I quickly got disoriented with single 14 and couldn't drive straight at 40mph I do felt somewhat OK under 25. No matter how much I tried I just can't focus driving with 1 eye. But with PVS7 I can do 40 even though that slight zoom kept me on the edge I could still do 40 no problem.
I have to agree with Hop, PVS-14s are superior to PVS-7's. So don't do what I did and buy PVS-7's if you just now getting into NOD's. I own a set of Gen 3 PVS-7's and I'm a little frustrated that I'm limited to pistols for passive shooting. Granted I bought them years ago, when 7's were more affordable than 14's. I will say though, they're better than nothing, and they do get the job done. They're just not as versatile is all. Old NODs are better than no NODs, but understand their limitations.
Why buy nods at all? Taliban defeated nods by refusing to fight at night and their dogs spotted us from klicks out. Every single night patrol we did we never had the element of surprise, the dogs would start barking and 5 minutes later there's that eery ass allahuakbar music prayer playing over their loudspeakers...
I have a ATN nvg-7 and you can adjust the ipd, and the bayonet adapter it comes with was trash and I had to have a dovetail adapter fabricated, but other than that I love it for what it is
I just picked up a PVS 7 for $1200 off eBay. It was that or digital chicom, would I prefer some L3 pano’s? Sure, but a PVS 7 is way better than nothing.
As someone who found 2 14s for $800 each.... I have no say in any of this. Actually I guess I have some input now. 14s are legit. I was ignorant and I used to bash on them before I had NV just cause I thought binos were the way. But even just having a mono is a HUGE advantage. And the quick point about driving, I can generally still keep a good steady pace of about 40-50mph on gravel back roads with star/moonlight. If I need extra light, Ive just been using my parking lights until I can get some IR floods and a visible light kill switch. Havent been able to do any night shooting though, finding a good place to shoot at night has been difficult. But we have been doing some night hikes to abandoned fire towers plastered with no trespassing signs and been keeping a good normal walking pace there too. Went at night to see where there might be trail cameras so we could avoid them.
I’ve definitely had eye strain using 14s in the service but I was also using the for close to 10 hours straight and I’ve had eye surgery in the past so that could just be me
You can get PNV57Es for like 300 and convert them to work with a bump helmet and run off batteries for less than 100 plus a 3d printed part, are they competitive with gen II or III? Nah, but it will give you an edge over people with no night vision at all and can be used in passive mode which digi can't
So for a basic set up that is going to be outclassed here in the next 5 years will set you back 3.5k to 6k…. Looking at my PVS 7.. don’t worry baby your safe with me ❤️
gen 2 white phosphor or gen 3 green if you could get the gen 2 wp for a lot cheaper than the gen 3 gp? and you wouldn't be using it in extremely dark conditions
A lot of team guys put a shit ton of dudes into the ground wearing the PVS7. If it works for them it’ll work for just about anybody. For the price it stands king in its cycloptic word. The PVS7 is the Metallica of night vision.
Epic vid, but burn me alive, there is a difference between gen 2 and gen 2 + photonis has done some wonders with gen 2 technology, but your eye is the king and you should try some out
Yes the Gen2+ is pretty impressive, close to Gen3 except in very dark scenarios. If you're too poor for a Gen3 and don't mind rocking an illuminator in near complete dark scenarios the Photonis is an inexpensive "good enough" option.
A monocular has another small advantage over both biocular and binocular. You can tell when you or someone accidentally lights up a white or red light thinking they're using IR light, or is accidentally using a visible laser instead of IR. Just last week at a night shoot I had to tell a friend using binos he was set to visible laser on his DBAL, and a second time when he had a light set to white instead of IR. He couldn't tell with binos.
Agree! I did the same.
Driving with a mono, Ive come to find is better than what I imagine driving with binos would be like. For the same reasons. I can see if its headlights or tail lights in front of me. And having the unaided eye helps alot as well when you have to look away because you have an oncoming car.
@@50shadesofcerakote If your tube is autogated you shouldn't have to look away even when staring at car headlights. The image will self-adjust instantly. Most binos are autogated. Not the 7s though.
@@DaveSmith-cp5kj Also his experience is a YMMV thing. I can drive perfectly well on a mono vs a bino; but I'm also super-heavily right eye dominant. Bino helps with details (since my left eye is stronger and doesn't have an astigmatism), not overall depth and reaction.
So guys who are closer to ambidextrous might have a bigger issue than OP or I.
Hop sounds like the main character narrating his past in the beginning of every 90’s gangster/mob movie.
"In '97 I met Tony Salvato, and he gave me my first night vision nods for a job we were going to pull in Jersey"
🤣
@@luxuryxcoffin lmao
Lol 😂😭😭
Lol he really does sound like Ray Liotta
That conflict desert storm gameplay give me nostalgia
Jones, Foley, Bradley, and Connors. I remember playing Conflict Desert Storm 2 with my dad like it was yesterday. He worked 50+ hours a week and probably had a whole pile of stuff to get done on his days off, but he always made time to play Desert Storm with me because I was interested in it. He was also Marine and was in Desert Storm himself, so it was a way we connected.
Hit me like a truck, im dusting off the ps2 tonight
damn i lost so much life on that game
Used to play that with my dad. Poor Jones would always be the burner character
great now even more people are gonna bully pvs-7 users i can’t take this abuse for much longer
Lol it's OK buddy I'll buy it off you
Knowing pvs 7 users well have to send you send African food aid too
I just bought a 7 myself
Have fun with it just don't say just as good
i just bought one with a clear gen 3 tube.. we're good fren
>implying any of us can afford any of them
I could buy AGM PS31s with some of the better stuff without being hurt but im afraid to when I'm so close to affording bnvd 1531s tbh
Lots of people say that but have a dozen rifles in their safe, eat out every night, go to bars, drive flashy cars. It's about priorities for most people, I guarantee 90% of those "too poor" buy $5 coffees, and $60 video games.
@@runlevelone stop with the damn boomer talking points
@@runlevelone very true. NVG is just a logistical mission on the long term, the only thing we need to do is save a couple hundred bucks a month for some years. maybe in 4-6 years I can buy some pvs-14's
@@tubeguy4066 I mean the last part isn't entirely wrong. I'm not buying Battlefield 2042 until they fix the damn thing but by that point it probably be much less than 60 but I generally agree with this sounding very "avacado toast" but gun flavored.
Oh man, Conflict:Desert Storm is such a throwback. I played the shit out of that in 6th grade 🤣
I traded a PVS-14 for a PVS-7 for a while in Iraq while driving our track. When driving at night for extended periods of time in a dusty environment it helps keep sand out of your "free" eye. It also can help with eye fatigue when your driving 6-8 or so hours at a time.
And nowadays we are holding 14s because they won't let us drill into the CVC helmet, and we don't have the rhino mount straps
@@ververververververare you talking about the skull crushers?
@@ververververververI drilled into mine and threw a baseplate on there
Your unaided eye still provides a lot of good information while running a monocular. People act like a mono makes you blind in the other eye lol
No, but it'll give you headaches if you've worn your NV mono's long enough. Bino's are the real ticket. Buy once, cry once.
@@paraglidingnut26 Binos are superior but getting headaches from mono is case by case basis. Most people don’t. You can get headaches from duals just the same
Hop's doing the Lord's work of making the bad financial decisions so I don't have to.
For real. Hahahahaha
The only time it sucks driving with 14s is with limited vehicle illumination, or when the windows in whatever armor you are driving are delaminating.
Hop! Your sarcasm is top shelf! You are a magnificent bastard. I'm stealing it all. That Appalachian rip had me in stitches.
The only positive PVS-7s have is looking cool.
you say that, but GPNVGs look way cooler
@@michaelkolano8686 I think he is implying that looking cool is the only good thing about a pvs7 not that they look better than anything else.
@@michaelkolano8686 two different sides of the "cool" coin
It compliments the black hawk down builds
Kept you waitin,uh?
So true, using a monocular I can still track where my feet are in relation to things. There’s a log across a small stream where we train. Even in the dark it’s easier to traverse with your unaided eye than the monocular eye. If you didn’t have one eye adjusted to the dark you might be waiting a while until your eyes adjust.
Those Conflict games go so damn hard
Having 2 eyeballs on the same tube image does give you a slight edge in image recognition. The brain combines the "data" from both eyes to give you a sharper total image. But we're talking a small improvement, that by no means makes up for the lack of passive aiming with PVS-7.
Passive aiming is for dorks anyway.
dudes be like "you cant passive aim with a pvs7".
My brother in christ rotate the rifle💀
I can tell you that driving with pv7s is the worse and most stomach turning experience ever, the day I got pv14s in the forces it was an amazing day.
I used this or similar back in the late nineties. When driving the swedish BV-206 troop transport through the woods, I had to close one eye, not to puke. I guess there is individual reactions, but for me driving with both eyes open, the view had no depth at all, and looked like it was painted on a flat wall 10 meters ahead. One eye closed was far better, seemed like my brain was not expecting depth vision , and thus did better.
My first NV device was a Gen 3 7 I got used for $1300 and I’m so happy I bought it I never would have ended up getting 2 14s if I didn’t get a experience NV at that price …. I sold the 7 but I kinda wish I didn’t (14s are obviously superior)
PVS7 users can LARP as Big Boss/Venom Snake, so they get the last laugh.
But how will I complete my Punished Snake cosplay?
with that PVC outfit your mom uses for her OnlyFans
What we need is a review on the night vision from Gemini Man.
2:20 This part was hilarious, it reminded me of the old infomercials where the narrator says “OH NO!” as the person on camera struggles to do a task.
There are Pvs7s with gen 3 tube on tacswap all day. Around 1200 to 1600. Not bad.
What i seen in European stores, pvs-14 type night vision is about 30% more expensive than pvs-7. That is considerable amount for me.
bought a gen 3 pvs 7 couple months ago and realized I needed another pair lmao. Just bought a gen 3 14 and am using the 7's as a loaner if somebody tags along shooting with me, Night vision is a dangerous game when it comes to your coin
Conflict Desert storm? fuck yeah hop
SOF guys from my country still use it and they stack bodies. That to me is an indication that biocular NVGs are still a viable option. Not the best, yes. But still viable especially in third world countries.
You can defeat night vision by just not fighting at night... lol sof guys also have a lot more assets operating in addition to themselves which Joe blow just doesn't have.
@@FrankStallone42 lol... don't fight at night... and let them raid your place as you sleep. Solid plan hoss.
Hop, I love your presentation on whatever the topic might be.
Based and Conflict Desert Storm-pilled
Ah yes, interesting and relevant
- me, a poor
Theres lots of dudes out there "too poor for night vision" but have ten AR-15's in their safe. Sell extra guns, you can't use them all at the same time and NV is a massive force multiplier.
I’ve been trying to get this across to a friend. I’ve even said much of what you did here. Still, I’ll send this his way with the hope it helps drive the point across.
Thanks.
bought a Pair of PVS 7’s gen 3 for only 1000, I understand its limitations. but for that Price I couldn’t refuse.
i got some for 1500 and they seem amazing. pretty happy with it
@@senorstronk same. Not having experienced the difference, I'm lovin' it like McD's.
I got into an argument with some WPS shill over this same topic and came to the same conclusion. Thanks, Hop.
Great timing, Hop. Been thinking about NODs for a while and was deeply considering PVS-7. I'll definitely be checking around for a PVS-14 now.
Definitely don’t buy a seven when you can get Omni 8 14s for like 2200 bucks
Yeah I have a 7, I like them a lot and I got it as a refurb unit from a well known dealer with a warranty for $1200.
I would *not* pay more than that or settle for less warranty support. You’re definitely going to pay more for them in the current market climate and I would simply not do it and just save more for a 14.
To each of their own. I have a PVS5 M918 gen 2, 3 PVS14s (dual and single) and 1 PVS7, all gen 3. I can only speak for myself and personal statistic-wise every time I headed out to do night activity specifically animal observing, star gazing, driving on a quad/using tools...that doesn't involve run n gun night shooting, I always grab my 7 far more often than my single 14. It doesn't mean 7 is better than 14 but both has pros and cons equally of their own. To me I absolutely HATE doing an arm-length task with only 1 eye...but it is something you've got to experience on your own and decide it personally.
I loved that video game. One of my favorite memories with my dad was playing that together
Was that Conflict: Desert Storm at 3:24? I loved that game!
Pretty sure that game has PVS-5s but it was close enough to fit the review.
Such a nice lady Hope, thanks for the reviews!!! Love ya!!!
Hop,
What type of camera do you use for your night filming? I am impressed at the quality.
SiOnyx Aurora Pro. It really sucks unless there's a ton of ambient light.
@@Hoplopfheil love the brutality in your honesty, keep it up Hop
Love this guys vids. No nonsense, straight to the point, sometimes a smart ass. Perfect. Much better than James the Ego.
Thanks for this video Hop.
It is very informative.
honestly I got a really good deal back on my 7s in 2018. $1200, no blem tubes with very few hours on them, the housing was legit, and came with the old GI transport hardcase. Guy needed money for 14s fast and I wanted them for my "Generation Kill" kit. Was gonna be an expensive toy but turns out it was way more usefull than i thought. I have fdup eyes anyway and my brain prioritizes one over the other. Along with being cross dominant having red dots not work well unless I close one eye or shoot wrong handed. When I tried my buddys 14 at the time we had comperable gen3 tubes but I found with my fucked eyes I could with his still only choose between being partially blind or nods only. So in my specific case the only downside to 17s for me has been needing a beefier counter weight and a lighter helmet. I know the helmet I use has less balistic protection than my heavy one but the idea with nods to me is not to be seen or shot at to begin with. Besides its still slightly better than a steel helm or not using nods.
My boy really just flexed with conflict gameplay!!!
Talks about disadvantages of a PVS-7
Me who owns a LUCIE with its offset objective lens: "Yeaaaahhhhhhh....."
Hop, you should do a "advantages/disadvantages of using one FLIR monocular paired with one NV monocular" video. I'll pay for the Excedrin.
I exclusively buy stolen milsurp, i know it would make crogs proud✊😤
I thumbs-upped for the Conflict: Desert Storm footage.
You are correct about the PVS-7s main advantage being the lack of eyestrain or headaches; it's pretty much like using binoculars in the sense that there's no conflict between what the eyes are seeing, so it's more comfortable off the shelf than a PVS-14. However, you pay for this tiny advantage with nearly double the weight (14 oz vs 24 oz) no depth perception, no ability to passively aim even with an Eotech, and no uncovered eye to monitor light conditions. it's truly the worst of both worlds.
t. used both
Great for stargazing though!
Nice Conflict: Desert Storm footage.
Hop brutally honest as per usual
I just got some ATN PV7s for $1,100. ATNs customers include: Army, Navy, FBI, CIA, and Secret Service to name a few. They’ve been used in numerous combats, can’t really complain. Just because something is better doesn’t make the other thing bad.
i have a pvs7 with omni VII tube. it's not bad, I'm not complaining about depth perception, The only thing that really bothers me are the very small eyepiece lenses.
This is so informative
$2200 for a knock-off PVS-7 when you can get a Gen 2+ Photonis PVS-14 for a couple hundred more. Who buys that crap?
Shit, you can get gen3 pvs14 GP for like $2400 brand new
@@RomeoAirsoft From who?
@@RomeoAirsoft from some no name fly by night company with questionable tubes maybe. TNVC, and JRH are reputable sellers with Elbit and L3 tubes and GP Gen3 is about $3200. You can get lower quality tubes with blems sometimes for I think mid 2000s but they go very fast and arent the same quality. Still better than a Photonis or PVS-7 but again save a few hundred more and get a nice 14 with elbit without blems and a 10 year warranty.
I honestly would love to see an overview/comparison video of the ATN NVM-14 (WPT), AGM Wolf-14 (NW2), GT-14 (WP), MiNi-14/Mum-14A. If anyone can do a comparison of stuff like that, it would be Hop.
Check out the vid I did of the NVM-14 WPT. It's probably the same tube in all of them. Only big difference is that the AGM housing is awful, and AGM's lenses are really bad.
Mine was a tactically acquired PVS was military issued mine is equipped with Gen 3 milspec contract image intensifier tube, and my USGI pvs-7 has been great unit, paid $975 for it
My favorite appearance of the PVS-7 in media has got to be MGSV. Snake literally wears one despite having an eyepatch over one eye. Hilarious.
I got a set of PVS-7s in a trade. I love them and with my Perst 4 I am like the most budget goon out there HA
That still puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the average person. Not too shabby.
@@Hoplopfheil Also I found out a poor man fix for the shit halo splash from the Perst 4. I took a 1in Vinyl cap and use a hot nail to go threw it at a set stop after some testing. You can use the Perst in close distance on lowest setting cleanly. Can PM you pictures and a video my buddy did for his after I told him
I have a 7, 14, and BNVG. I actually like passive aiming with the 7 but only when doing long range, magnified, flat range shooting. It almost feels like you’re in a video game the way both eyes see the same image.
I love all your video bro 👍
I have both the PVS-7b Gen-3 and PVS-14 Gen-2+ WP and agree with the current pricing that the PVS-14 makes more sense. Most PVS-7's are thin-filmed, and you get temporary light burn vs the 14's typically do not have this problem due to being un-filmed and autogated. However, my PVS-7's stayed relevant with one cheap upgrade; and that was adding a USGI 3X Magnifier MX-11683.
Really wish someone would put an actual review of the poverty binos with 50 degree housings. I'm about to order and I'm torn between the 2. If I get the 50, I'll let you know. I'm relatively close to you. If you promise to roast my setup, I'll let you larp with it sometime.
Cool, still cant afford one
Haha Broke
Haha Broke
Haha Broke
So, I for one cant comment on PVS7 viewership or ownership as Ive never been able to use one yet, I CAN say that the "eye strain" potential problem, from a monocular, is VERY real. I purchased a Gen 3 white phosphor super clear Armasight PVS14. It was perfectly good quality wise, but after a minute or two gave me MASSIVE eye strain, pain and eventually a headache before too long at all. I really dont have the means for a bino setup right now, so I sold my 14, thinking until I can pony up for Binos, Im SOL on night vision. That is until I started to research the old Bi oculars like the PVS7. I really Think its probably technically inferior on paper to a Bino or quality mono, but I think it absolutely has a place, possibly for me, or anyone who cant handle "closing one eye and going about your day" very well or without extreme pain.
I used pvs 7d's, they're garbage. Most of my platoon had 14's and I always preferred those. Nothing beats natural night vision, in my opinion though. When my platoon got in country we had a bunch of 14's and 2 sets of pvs23's to divvy out. Me being doc, I'd always been stuck with the 7's on training so I made a stink and got the pvs 23's which were binocular nods with the ability to run thermals simultaneously. Needless to say this new set was sent out to be tested and sure enough the night vision took a shit after about 2 weeks of use, which left me with only thermals which killed a set of batteries in about 20 minutes of use. So for another few weeks I'd just flip down and scan every once in a while but predominantly relied on my natural night vision. I'm not sure exactly how many night patrols I did like that but I'll never forget the last time I got to do that. My platoon sergeant had found out I didn't really have nods near the beginning of it and so I had to turn in the 23's and all they had left were 7d's, lmao. The last patrol I did without traditional night vision was so memorable because my psg was giving me so much shit about how I wouldn't be able to see, and was a liability so I made sure to count every single time he fell down because he'd tripped over the terrain. In total he fell 18 times on that one patrol, making a bunch of noise (to be fair, everyone wearing nods ate shit quite often) and I only slipped up 3 times. In my experience, if you have enough lum from the moon for nods, you've got enough for natural night vision and very rarely did we have perfect conditions and when we did I'd always noted how I didn't even need nods in those conditions. Which is why my preference, if nods are a necessity, are the 14's because you've got the option for both.
Nods make sense when you've got an eye in the sky among other force multipliers. I could afford a set, but then were gonna want an ir laser for point shooting, I've never really seen anyone look through an optic and nods, and it's certainly not military doctrine outside of maybe sof, so that'd be an entirely new set of mechanics to train through and I hate trying to look through optics outside of my normal cheek weld. I just don't see the point in dropping that much cash for something with such a niche use, making my entire kit that much more complicated and heavier. Ever flash someone with a bright light while they're wearing nods? Yeah...
I know it's a long shot but a vid on a thermal monocular and its use would be great. I was thinking about buying the Nox 18 or Iray MH25. Resolution is crisp but you can't see IR designator in thermal. You'd have to look thru irons or a dot sight to use a rifle... no shooting from hip unless you're all that. And, no, I don't want a bridge with PVS 14 on one side and thermal on the other and don't have the money for any of the combo units.
ruclips.net/video/I_JupCk-XfM/видео.html
@@simply_based ruclips.net/video/wME34Idfn_c/видео.html Not the same as "budget" thermal. 640 res is better.
@@toddinfl you said he should do a video on a thermal monocular, he already has. Rambling about what you plan on buying is irrelevant
@@simply_based I qualified with the words "crisp res" and "ir designator" two things he didn't talk about in the other vid. Thanx.
Who shoots thermal scopes on a regular basis? Hog hunters. There a plenty reviews on thermal scopes from hog hunters out there. At distance I trust my thermal mono over my night vision to see if something is out there at distance.
Compare this
Monocular gen2+ wpt
Pvs7 milspec gen3 green used
Both for same price.
The PVS7 is much better due to being gen 3
Oddly enough, playing VR shooters has helped me to do well with a PVS-7. It's still sub-optimal, but it's better than no night vision.
In the german military we had monocular night vision. The LUCIE. The lense from the input is off centre. very strange at fist. i'd say when i had about 20-40 hours of time spent with my night vision i could just walk normally on unknown terrain. you get used to it. and they also drove vehicles wearing monocular nightvision. not the best feeling at first but you get the hang of it. eben running in the forrest ist not that problematic. altough you had to tilt your head down a little bit, because the field of view was so narrow.
The only advantage to a PVS7 is its better than no night vision at all
ATN and AGM nods are garbage in general due to the glass they use, and the subsequent “fish eye”. Real gen 3 PVS7s can regularly still be found for around $1000-$1500, about $500 cheaper than pvs14s in that same category, so they are still a more affordable alternative. Albeit not as effective in a fighting context, but still useable night vision. The main issue with a pvs7 is depth perception, which makes it somewhat difficult to walk down stairs, and on uneven terrain. But they’re still cool, and worth it if you find a good deal on a set.
Sincerely, a dude that uses a monocular.
I dig the pro-tec bump
Commenting to give another like 👍
Man the number of people I have seen trying to say that the Sionyx or however it's spelled is a valid alternative to a PVS-14 is kinda disturbing. Both Hop and the Botkins have said that it's not a replacement, it's just a cool piece of tech for night videography and even then you can do better but of course for more money.
Comparing a $3000 pvs14 to a $900 sionyx just makes you look like a douche BMW owner saying a Honda Civic is trash. They both get you from point a to point b, only everyone knows you spent far more money to boost your ego.
3:30 This takes me back to 2003.
I see you are using the Helikon TMR, a tip if you want to run 4 rifle mags and a radio, you can cut the stitching on one of the double pistol pouches and put the radio there, many of my friends do that with theirs too since 4 pistol mag pouches is a bit overkill.
This will allow you to fit Baofeng style radios no problem, bigger stuff might be an issue.
I have both, the 14 and 7 , Driving with the 7 is easier at faster speed. I have a 7 with 3rd gen and its fantastic. The monocular has its problems in making your eyes more tired than the 7 over hours of use. Its all about preference and mission for the right devise to use. good video
Finally someone with some common sense. Half the people talking shit about 7s haven't even used one for more than 5 minutes.
@@daepicpigeon3274 Yes its a shame, I use to call in Air strikes with them and loved having them, most people only believe what they hear on other channels. I have hundreds of hours in them and what is good for one is not is always best for everyone else. thanks for the comment. "light up the dark"
I got similar experience so I agree. I quickly got disoriented with single 14 and couldn't drive straight at 40mph I do felt somewhat OK under 25. No matter how much I tried I just can't focus driving with 1 eye. But with PVS7 I can do 40 even though that slight zoom kept me on the edge I could still do 40 no problem.
@@trob20101 Yeah I feel like if they're good enough for JTACs to use they'll do me just fine...
I know I'm late, but I would like a review on that nvg7.
Most channels, "How to survive an apocalypse"
Hops Channel: "How to survive the apocalypse on a budget"
I wouldn't touch ATN products with a 10 foot pole.
I'll take ATN over AGM
@@Hoplopfheil Well that doesn't inspire much confidence. Thank you for the perspective, I've only tried ATN.
@@IFarmBugs they both sell mystery meat tubes in sub-par housings, but the AGM lenses have that lens flare hooping problem.
Now review the PVS-5. I dare you.
Yo! Those conflict games were the SHIT!
I have to agree with Hop, PVS-14s are superior to PVS-7's. So don't do what I did and buy PVS-7's if you just now getting into NOD's. I own a set of Gen 3 PVS-7's and I'm a little frustrated that I'm limited to pistols for passive shooting. Granted I bought them years ago, when 7's were more affordable than 14's. I will say though, they're better than nothing, and they do get the job done. They're just not as versatile is all. Old NODs are better than no NODs, but understand their limitations.
Why buy nods at all? Taliban defeated nods by refusing to fight at night and their dogs spotted us from klicks out. Every single night patrol we did we never had the element of surprise, the dogs would start barking and 5 minutes later there's that eery ass allahuakbar music prayer playing over their loudspeakers...
I have a ATN nvg-7 and you can adjust the ipd, and the bayonet adapter it comes with was trash and I had to have a dovetail adapter fabricated, but other than that I love it for what it is
I would like it if you found a good gen 1 digital nod to show what they look like in gen 3
I just picked up a PVS 7 for $1200 off eBay. It was that or digital chicom, would I prefer some L3 pano’s? Sure, but a PVS 7 is way better than nothing.
Thanks hop
thanks for the vid hop
As someone who found 2 14s for $800 each.... I have no say in any of this.
Actually I guess I have some input now. 14s are legit. I was ignorant and I used to bash on them before I had NV just cause I thought binos were the way. But even just having a mono is a HUGE advantage. And the quick point about driving, I can generally still keep a good steady pace of about 40-50mph on gravel back roads with star/moonlight. If I need extra light, Ive just been using my parking lights until I can get some IR floods and a visible light kill switch. Havent been able to do any night shooting though, finding a good place to shoot at night has been difficult. But we have been doing some night hikes to abandoned fire towers plastered with no trespassing signs and been keeping a good normal walking pace there too. Went at night to see where there might be trail cameras so we could avoid them.
I’ve definitely had eye strain using 14s in the service but I was also using the for close to 10 hours straight and I’ve had eye surgery in the past so that could just be me
I just got a gen 3 autogated pvs-7 for 1000 and I feel like a thousand to get me into the nvg game is a steal
happy little green trees....
I started with a 7 then got multiples and have 14's idk why but i love my 7's alot lol
Yooo desert storm real nigga roll call
I really hope digital NV tech gets better soon, because that's the only way we're ever getting NVGs in "average joe" price territory.
You can get PNV57Es for like 300 and convert them to work with a bump helmet and run off batteries for less than 100 plus a 3d printed part, are they competitive with gen II or III? Nah, but it will give you an edge over people with no night vision at all and can be used in passive mode which digi can't
Can you make a video on thermal?
So for a basic set up that is going to be outclassed here in the next 5 years will set you back 3.5k to 6k…. Looking at my PVS 7.. don’t worry baby your safe with me ❤️
gen 2 white phosphor or gen 3 green if you could get the gen 2 wp for a lot cheaper than the gen 3 gp?
and you wouldn't be using it in extremely dark conditions
So I have astigmatism, wear glasses & I'm left eye dominant. Which do I go with?
PVS14 and try it out on both eyes.
A lot of team guys put a shit ton of dudes into the ground wearing the PVS7. If it works for them it’ll work for just about anybody. For the price it stands king in its cycloptic word. The PVS7 is the Metallica of night vision.
love me some pvs 31's😎
Epic vid, but burn me alive, there is a difference between gen 2 and gen 2 + photonis has done some wonders with gen 2 technology, but your eye is the king and you should try some out
Yes the Gen2+ is pretty impressive, close to Gen3 except in very dark scenarios. If you're too poor for a Gen3 and don't mind rocking an illuminator in near complete dark scenarios the Photonis is an inexpensive "good enough" option.
We've used the 2+ extensively. I have videos about it.
@@Hoplopfheil why such dislike about it? Echos and 4g is hella clean and nice!
@@runlevelone well gen 3 is not an option. Welcome to eu😜
Prisms should be cheaper than the fibre optic twister on a inverting tube.