Analog night vision uses an image intensifier tube: a physical vacuum device that amplifies the light already present in the scene. There is no sensor, no processing and no lag. That is what our PVS-14 and PVS-31 line is.

Digital night vision uses a low light sensor and a screen. It records video, it costs a fraction as much, and it is genuinely useful. It is also not the same technology and we will not pretend otherwise. VIPER is our digital line and we position it as a training tool, not a duty replacement for a tube.

Figure of merit is resolution multiplied by signal to noise ratio. It is the single most useful number for comparing tubes, which is why we sell by tier rather than hiding it.

Higher helps most in genuinely dark conditions: heavy tree canopy, overcast with no moon, indoors. Under a decent moon a 1400 tube and a 2000 tube look closer than the price gap suggests. Buy the tier that matches the darkest place you will actually use it.

The PVS-14 is a single tube monocular. One eye intensified, one eye natural. It is lighter, it costs less, and keeping one eye dark adapted is genuinely useful.

The PVS-31 is a dual tube binocular. Two tubes give you depth perception, which matters enormously for moving over broken ground, driving and anything where distance judgement counts. If you will be moving fast in the dark, the difference is not subtle.

HEAT is a thermal monocular. Thermal detects heat rather than amplifying light, so it sees through brush, smoke and total darkness where an intensified tube has nothing to work with. It is a detection tool.

The two technologies solve different problems. Thermal finds the warm thing, night vision lets you identify it and navigate. HEAT bridges to VIPER so you can run thermal on one eye and digital night vision on the other.

White phosphor renders the scene in greyscale rather than green. Most people find it easier on the eyes over long periods and slightly better for picking out detail and edges. It is a preference, not a performance tier, and it does not change the FOM of the tube behind it.

There are two clocks. First the build: about a week for digital and thermal, three to five weeks for a PVS-14 depending on FOM tier, four to five weeks for a PVS-31. Then carrier transit on top of that.

Analog units are made to order. The tube is pulled to your tier, collimated and QC passed against your specific serial number. Full detail is on the shipping page.

Because your order shipped in more than one parcel, which is normal. If your goggle is still being built and your mount is in stock, we send the mount rather than making it wait.

Each parcel gets its own tracking number as its label prints. Two emails does not mean you were charged twice.

Check your order confirmation for a second tracking number first. The overwhelming majority of these are a second parcel still in transit. If there is genuinely only one parcel and something is missing, contact us and we will sort it.

Usually the parcel is moving and the carrier has not scanned it, which is common on international legs and over weekends. If it has been static for more than five business days, write in with your order number and we will chase the carrier directly.

Digital and thermal ship worldwide, with duties and customs prepaid by us on goggle orders so nothing is owed at the door.

Analog Gen 2+ hardware is export controlled. Orders for PVS-14 and PVS-31 going outside the United States are reviewed for export compliance before we accept and build them. If we cannot lawfully serve your destination we cancel and refund in full.

Yes, if the label has not printed. Write in immediately with your order number. Once a parcel is in the carrier network we cannot redirect it.

Yes. Owning and using night vision is legal for civilians throughout the United States. What is regulated is exporting it, not possessing it.

Hunting regulations are a separate matter and are set state by state. Using night vision or thermal to take game is legal in some states, restricted to certain species in others, and prohibited in some. Check your state wildlife agency before you hunt with it.

Image intensifier tubes fall under United States export control. Sending one across a border without the right authorisation is a serious offence for us and potentially for you.

We review analog orders headed outside the United States before we build them. We would rather cancel and refund than put either of us in that position.

Domestically within the United States, yes. Carry it in hand luggage rather than checked, in its case.

Taking an analog unit out of the country is an export, even temporarily, even in your own bag. That is your responsibility to clear, not something a retailer can authorise for you. Digital and thermal are far less restricted but still worth checking against your destination.

A modern autogated tube will protect itself against a brief accidental exposure to room light. It will not survive being pointed at the sun, at a bright bulb, or at any laser.

Treat it like a rule rather than a risk assessment: caps on, unit off, before you step into light. Sun and laser damage is not covered by any warranty because it is not a defect.

Cosmetic blemishes, and every analog tube has some. They are an artifact of manufacturing a hand built vacuum device and they do not spread or affect performance.

Your unit shipped with a printed QC sheet and a blemish map for that exact serial number. If a spot is on the map it was there at QC and is within spec. If something has appeared that is not on your map, write in.

Under moonlight or in most outdoor conditions, no. Passive is better and it does not light you up to anyone else running night vision.

Indoors, in a basement, under heavy canopy or on a genuinely black night you will want one. The PVS-31 has one built in. For a PVS-14, an add on illuminator or a PEQ pattern unit covers it.

Our analog units run on a single AA. Runtime depends on tier and whether the illuminator is on, but a fresh lithium AA will comfortably outlast a full night of use. Carry a spare anyway.

No. Every order includes a G24 pattern helmet mount free, and a J-arm on the PVS-14, but the helmet itself is sold separately. You can also run a PVS-14 handheld or on a head strap.

HEAT and VIPER are designed to bridge, which is the point of the pairing. Two VIPER units bridge as well and that is sold as 2X VIPER. Analog PVS-14 units can be bridged with the right hardware but the PVS-31 is the purpose built dual tube answer.

Operator Care is our warranty product and covers defects in materials and workmanship for one full year from delivery, on analog and digital alike. It is 28 dollars and can be added at checkout or any time before your unit ships.

Full terms, including what is not covered, are on the warranty page. Your rights under the consumer law where you live apply regardless and are not affected by whether you buy it.

Within 24 hours of ordering, yes, in full with no fee. After that a tube has been pulled and queued for your build and a 10 percent restocking fee applies. After delivery you have 14 days to return it in original condition with a 30 percent restocking fee, and you cover return shipping.

Accessory only orders can be cancelled any time before shipping at no cost.

Email us with your order number and a description. A short phone video through the eyepiece is worth more than any amount of description. We will tell you honestly whether it is a covered defect, normal tube behaviour, or damage, and why.

Get in touch and describe what you have. We can often help, but we will be straight with you if it is not something we can properly bench test against a spec we know.