Devils With Green Eyes: A Comparison Look At Advanced Night Vision Devices

In the last Fighting Carbine Course I gave the guys an opportunity to get hands on with the latest n’ greatest in Night Operating Devices (NODs). Its come a long way since my first days of running the PVS-7D in Iraq, and even though those can and still get the job done (and are light years better than having nothing), the tech advances since then put it to shame hands down. Seeing is believing- here’s a side by side with my old PVS-14 and the new white phosphor version:

Not bad. We can clearly make out fine details out to about 100m with little natural illumination. Let’s take a look at the white phosphor:

White phosphor clearly wins, no questions asked. But that said, there’s other advantages that you can’t really get from just pictures- depth perception is far better with white phosphor, and there’s none of the eye fatigue I’m used to from working under the old green NODs.

I’m scheduling a Carbine Course this summer that is going to include a night shoot under NODs. If you don’t have a set, I’ll have mine on hand for you to get familiar with.

Because if you can fight at night when your enemies can’t, you’ve won before the battle started. Own the night. Get your set today.

 

 

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

17 Comments

  1. Matt Bracken February 27, 2020 at 07:34

    I put them together for a side by side comparison and explanation.
    It might also be handy to take a no-NOD photo for ambient light comparison, to really drive the point home.
    https://i.imgur.com/uMD1uX2.jpg

    • NC Scout February 27, 2020 at 07:43

      There’s gonna be a lot more in the coming weeks.

  2. JohnyMac February 27, 2020 at 08:29

    Holy crap Batman! Those white phosphor NODs rock! Anybody interested in an occasionally used PVs14? Where did you buy them?

    • NC Scout February 27, 2020 at 09:26

      Ready Made Resources

  3. Matt R. February 27, 2020 at 08:32

    More a usage question than an equipment question. In photos and videos I see lately it seems to be more common to see the NODs used with safety glasses instead of using the rubber eye seal like George is. This spills a bit of green (or white) light around the eyes that can be seen relatively easily.

    While not a problem if you’re just out hog hunting, it seems that this could cause problems when there are people who can shoot back. I am missing something?

    Matt R.

    • NC Scout February 27, 2020 at 08:48

      Never seemed to have an issue in three years of hunting armed men at night.

      If they’re close enough to see the glow, they’re well within range already ;)

  4. Anonymous February 27, 2020 at 08:33

    5

  5. njtech2005 February 27, 2020 at 10:07

    I’m very curious about this kind of gear but finding it difficult to know where to start with the barrier to entry being the high price point for decent quality.

    Do you consider this white phosphor to be superior to thermal if you had to only pick one? Is head mounted better than rifle mounted in your experience? Ok I will stop there thank you for covering this!

    • NC Scout February 27, 2020 at 11:22

      Thermal is a completely different tool. Both have their strengths. But if you own one of the two, NODs are the way to roll first.

  6. James February 27, 2020 at 11:04

    I am interested in buying but still researching to best of ability as I feel by the time I buy with mounts ect getting into the 4500 range anyhow,this is a pretty serious money investment and while willing to cry once about price do not as folks have mentioned want to cry twice due to error on my part.

    Johhny,you serious about selling your gear to upgrade I might be interested as I would even if not the best available at moment gear would not mind having a second set around for either me(I am gonna buy in getting white for meself) or group folks.I do not have kids/home paid off ect. and thus can spend more then many in clan.

  7. larry k February 27, 2020 at 13:25

    I am new to the world of nods so a newbie question Rifle mounted or head mounted I cannot afford both

    • NC Scout February 27, 2020 at 13:48

      That’s the beauty of the the PVS-14. You can mount it on your head or on a weapon.

  8. Pit Showster February 27, 2020 at 15:58

    The power won’t go out. We have ways of keeping it on. Because mommygov said so that’s why.

  9. Skillet March 1, 2020 at 11:54

    Night vision is the GREATEST advantage you can give yourself, and these white phosphor ones are amazingly clear. If you mount an IR laser on the end of your rifle it makes night targeting so easy.

    • NC Scout March 1, 2020 at 13:38

      Absolutely man.

  10. Jason March 3, 2020 at 18:09

    Okay, so I’m sure you get this question ALL time. I’m a VET and I’ve used them plenty in the Army so i know even used quality ones are expensive. So, you already said if you can only buy one go NODs. Even breaking it down more many people cannot afford $4K-$6K for used ones. Can you recommend any semi-quality for us po’ folk?

    • NC Scout March 3, 2020 at 18:36

      PVS-14s have come down a lot in price. I wouldn’t go less than Gen 3. Even the green tubes (the ones you and I used) are about $2.5k or so.

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