Anybody here have any? What brand? How much did you pay for them? How do they work? Any thoughts on what to steer clear of? Thanks in advance.
For less then $500, you're definatly in the Gen I intensifier class. ATN, Yukon, Bushnell and the like all have "consumer" grade NVD's. Be aware that a Gen I tune like you're discussing has issues. It needs ambient light (never mind what the ads say civilian grade IR iluminators are for close work only), the image will be grainy, and you will have a "fisheye" effect to some extent or another. If your only experiance with NVD's is COD4 you'll be disappointed in it. Gen II and up are really a quantam leap better tech, but will cost slightly more then twice.
Don't get me wrong, a Gen I tube will work, and is pretty cool to play with, especially if you don't use the better stuff. You can scan feilds at night for predators, watch neighbors, look at nocturnal creatures, and navigate boats at night with them. If you're planning any "serious" work (hunting, real survellence, full dark indoors weapons sight, stuff like that) you should save the money and get a AN/PVS-14 (or at least a -7).
For the consumer grade stuff, check out opticsplanet.net, they have a decent selection. For the more serious stuff hit some place like Tactical Night Vision (tnvc.com) but bring a credit card.
I have a ATN Gen I scope for playing around at home, I'll try to get some pics up tonight to show you what it looks like. AN/PVS-14 pics can be found all over the net, but I'll try to dig some up from my old computer.
PVS-14's or go home
ANVIS 9's are what I use. Do you mean how do they work as far as how good are they to use or do you want to know how NVG's actually work? You want to geek out and hear about microchannel plates, phospher screens?
I have a Insight Technology PVS-14 NVM which uses Litton Ind. Generation 3 electronoics, it has both low ambient light and infrared modes and can run on either 1 DL123A battery (40 hours) or 1 AA batery (20 hours). On my AR I have it co-witnessed with a EO Tech 551 NV compatable holographic sight. The NVM can be detached from it's Picatinny rail mount and hand held or mounted on a helmet or head band mount, I have a head band mount when I want to go hands-free. It's an excellent piece of equipment and was about $2,200 when I bought it new 2 years ago.
Insight Technology Products
What do you want to use it for, and what is your budget? My Gen 1 night scope works. My PVS-14 works way better.