PVS-14 Night Vision Review & Setup (Complete Guide)
The PVS-14 is the best night vision device to get you started and to dip your toes in night vision.
You have a rifle, you have body armor (hopefully, you have ammo) next step…
seeing in the dark.
A night vision device gives you the ability to see in the dark and will give you the ultimate advantage at night.
This article is your complete PVS 14 review and guide.
Especially for people new to night vision. I will explain the basics, how to get started, and what you need to get set up running the PVS-14.
A heads up first, night vision that is worth a damn is very expensive. (you have been warned)
Yet, this is a budget setup when it comes to night vision.
What is a PVS-14?
The PVS-14 is an entry-level Gen 3 night vision device. It is a single monocular that is extremely versatile and widely available. They are extremely popular compared to other night vision products.
It comes in white phosphorus and in the traditional green image.
The construction of this unit is rock solid and with over one million units on the market. Replacement parts can be easily found.
Also, they are not that expensive compared to other night vision products.
Battery life is impressive and can range anywhere from 40 to 50 hours depending on what batteries you operate it with.
These are what most people will buy for their first night vision setup.
They are the perfect balance of reliability, battery life, versatility, and still give a huge advantage of being able to see in the dark.
Gen 2 vs Gen 3
There is a huge difference between 2nd generation night vision and 3rd generation.
The difference and night and day!
Gen 2 is very grainy and requires a lot more ambient light to be used. It is very hard to identify targets and make out objects and the image you see will be blurry.
In self-defense or tactical situations, this is unacceptable.
The whole point of getting night vision is to gain the upper hand and have an unfair advantage in darkness.
Gen 3 is a huge improvement with a better image intensifier tube. It is much brighter and clearer. You can make out details and identify threats with improved image quality.
It also requires less ambient light and can be used in near darkness. There is also an automatic shut off system.
The PVS-14 comes in both Gen 2 and Gen 3 but I recommend going with Gen 3. Yes, it is more expensive, but Gen2 is not worth it and would be a waste of money.
PVS-14 vs Dual Nods
Most PVS-14 units cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 compared to a high-end dual nod setup of around $9,000. The price of the PVS-14 allows more people to own night vision and there are some pros to having a night vision monocular.
(keep in mind to set night vision up correctly, you will need mounts, helmet, and IR laser/illuminator. This will cost about another $3,500)
Dual nods have a specific purpose in a tactical situation.
The PVS-14 has a manual gain adjustment function. That means that you can adjust the brightness depending on your environment.
Dual nods are unable to do this and only have an auto gain function compared to a night vision monocular.
The manual gain adjustment allows you to fine-tune your PVS-14 and have the brightness set to your own personal preference. It can be used as a manual focus.
PVS-14s can fill many different roles and work better in a wide variety of situations.
Another good thing about the PVS-14 is you can run two of them at the same time. Or you can have one helmet-mounted and one to use for handheld surveillance.
Both night vision devices can be used with a head mount assembly.
This leads me to the next topic of just how versatile they really are.
PVS-14 Versatility
The versatility of the PVS-14 is its bread and butter. It can do so much compared to a rifle scope or another illumination device.
Directly mounting to a Rifle
To start, a night vision monocular can be mounted on a rifle behind a red dot and be used in conjunction with a red dot that is night vision capable.
It works great in this aspect and you will be able to successfully engage targets at 200 yards in the dark!
This can also save you money if you do have, or want to buy extra gear. Other night vision systems require you to buy an IR laser targeting device and a helmet with mounting systems.
Being able to quickly give your rifle this ability is definitely a force multiplier.
Backpacking, Hiking, & Reconnaissance
The PVS-14 can also be used as a handheld device because it is a night vision monocular.
Most people think of night vision as being used in tactical combat situations only, and this is not the case.
PVS-14s have long been used by many people in other scenarios.
Backpackers use it to see in dark areas while out hiking. Property owners use it to surveillance their area for security reasons. Hunters even use it for animal control of hogs.
The uses of the PVS-14 are endless and because it’s a night vision monocular it can do things dual nods cannot.
For this reason, when people upgrade to dual nods, they usually do not end up selling their PVS-14 and keeping it as a backup.
Surveillance
Another great feature of the PVS-14 is that it can be connected to other devices.
You can plug it into a camera to conduct surveillance of an area.
It can also be paired with spotting scopes and computers. This ability makes the PVS-14 more versatile than most other night vision monoculars.
Helmet Mounted
Mounting a PVS-14 on a helmet is the preferred setup for a self-defense situation or a tactical combat situation. A head mount assembly is great for tactical situations and being hands-free.
When there is limited visibility or complete darkness, the PVS-14 illuminates your surroundings.
Mounting to a helmet is the most expensive setup but gives you a hands-free operation of your night vision.
Pairing this with an IR laser mounted on your rifle really does give you an unfair advantage in a gunfight.
That’s why I love the PVS-14 because I don’t want to be in a fair gunfight. I want every advantage possible.
Why the PVS-14?
This single monocular is simple and lightweight. It is very capable for a night vision monocular.
Only weighing 12 ounces it is light and low profile compared to other units.
Manual focus is better in most situations. You can fine-tune your focus depending on the distance of what you are observing.
Autofocus is more complex and doesn’t give the user the ability to adjust for their preference.
Same for the gain control. The PVS-14 has a manual gain control knob so you can adjust how much light is being taken in. This gives you the ability to make the image brighter and or darker depending on the situation.
There is a built-in illuminator on the PVS-14 that can be turned on and off. It is only good for very close range and can be used for simple tasks in complete darkness.
(A rifle mounted illuminator is recommended for target identification and shooting at greater distances)
The unit takes a single AA battery and using lithium instead of alkaline will provide better performance.
The PVS-14 really is the most bang for your buck and the perfect unit to get started within night vision.
PVS-14 Specs
| Objective Lens Diameter: | 1 in |
| Magnification: | 1 x |
| Field of View, Angle: | 40 degrees |
| Battery Type: | AA |
| Focus Range: | 9.8 into Infinity |
| Length: | 4.5 in |
| Eye Relief: | 25 mm |
| Battery Quantity: | 1 |
| Diopter Adjustment Range: | -6 – 2 DPT |
| Dimensions: | 4.5 x 2.5 x 2.75 in |
| Magnification Type: | Fixed |
| Height: | 2.75 in |
| Width: | 2.5 in |
| Color: | Charcoal |
PVS-14 Pros & Cons
With the PVS-14 being a monocular night vision unit, in no way are you less capable than a dual nod setup.
With good training and practice with the PVS-14, you will not need to upgrade anytime soon.
The biggest positives of the PVS-14 are that it is affordable, versatile, reliable, and is a common night vision setup.
Some downsides are that it is still expensive but all night vision is. It is not the best for a tactical combat situation compared to other setups but is about less than half the price.
It is unlikely that the PVS-14 will ever drop in price. Again all night vision is expensive but the PVS-14 is more affordable than other units.
By now you should be convinced that the PVS-14 is the way to go. Also, do not forget the most important reason. Night vision is just outright cool!
Best PVS-14s units to buy
There are a lot of different manufactures that make PVS-14s and lots of different details and information to be aware of before making a decision.
If you are tired of reading and just want to know which ones are the best I recommend these two:
Let me go into detail and explain why.
TRYBE Optics PVS-14
This is one of my favorite units of the PVS-14.
To start the tube is made my Elbit which is nothing but quality. The image is extremely clear and not grainy at all.
It comes with a 2-year warranty and a lot of accessories in the box. The price is fair and the quality is the same as more expensive units.
The Gen 3 phosphor version is what I recommend because of the contrast in white tubes.
IR illuminators are not required but it works great when paired with these devices.
There are no drastic changes to color when looking through the monocular and it is reliable and built tough.
The blem that is common in zone 2 is barely noticeable and is a none issue for most people.
These are normally available and not back-ordered like other units which is great if you want your PVS-14 quick.
TRYBE offers a hand-selected unit which is also what I recommend for a little extra. It is well worth it.
Click here to check the current prices of the TRYBE Optics PVS-14
ATN PVS-14
The other unit that I recommend is the ATN PVS-14.
These units come with a very clear image with no black spots. (common for a lot of PVS-14s)
ATN makes these very durable and they are unlikely to break or be damaged. These also come with a 2-year warranty.
These are sometimes on backorder but also worth the wait.
They have a rubberized MIL grade coating on the outside housing compared to other units which are just plastic.
ATN has also been producing PVS-14s and other night vision units for quite some time now and has been doing a great job with a good track record.
Click here to check the current prices of the ATN PVS-14
RELATED ARTICLES
PVS-14 helmet setup
Hopefully, you already have a ballistic helmet or a bump helmet. You can always buy a standalone strap mount but in my experience, these are no good.
Having a helmet to mount to is a must.
In this article, I will not go into helmets but I can quickly recommend two:
There are a lot of different mounting options for the PVS-14 when it comes to a helmet mount.
The two helmet mounts that I recommend are the:
Norotos INVG HYPER Mount
My favorite mount and the one that I think is the best is the Norotos INVG HYPER Mount.
It stows the PVS-14 back further on your helmet when not using your night vision. This prevents it from getting in the way and makes it less prone to snagging on stuff.
This also keeps the weight and balance centered on your helmet which will stop your neck from straining.
One downside is that in order to switch between eyes you have to unmount and remount it. There is a quick-release button though.
You need the Dovetail Adaptor for this setup and it works great.
The INVG mount is rock solid and will hold your PVS-14 securely without any rattle.
- Click here to check the current prices of the Norotos INVG HYPER Mount
- Click here to check the current prices of the Norotos PVS-14 Dovetail Adaptor
Wilcox G24 Breakaway Mount
The Wilcox G24 Breakaway Mount is an excellent mounting setup for the PVS-14. It has a lot of adjustment and changes easily be rotated between eyes without having having to unmount.
A J-Arm Adaptor is needed to use this setup and they also act as the fail point. This means that if your PVS-14 gets snagged or damaged, the J-Arm is going to break before the actual mount or the night vision unit.
These are also cheaper and it is always good to have a backup one.
This mount can be manipulated with one hand and is very user-friendly and ergonomic.
- Click here to check the current prices of the Wilcox G24 Breakaway Mount
- Click here to check the current prices of the Wilcox PVS-14 J-Arm Adaptor
PVS-14 passive aiming setup
When using night vision that is helmet-mounted it is difficult to use just your red dot on your rifle to aim.
Passive aiming is using an IR laser to engage targets and not using your red dot.
For this, you will need an IR laser and an IR illuminator. You can use 2 different standalone units to accomplish both of these, but I like having a single setup that can do both.
My two favorite units for this are:
EOTech ATPIAL-C Laser
This unit is small and lightweight and will attach to the rail of your rifle. This will allow you to accurately engage the target while passively aiming with a PVS-14.
I like this unit because it has both a visible laser and an infrared laser.
The lasers can be used all the way out to 200-300 yards.
It comes with a built-in IR illuminator that will light up your environment and adds a lot of capability to the PVS-14.
The ATPIAL-C is top of the line and very robust. It can be used with an optional tape switch for its operation.
It takes one single 3V DL 123 battery and provides operation of 6 hours.
The ATPIAL-C is very durable and military-grade. It is comparable to the military’s pec-15.
Click here to check the current prices of the EOTech ATPIAL-C Laser
Steiner DBAL-A3
This unit is very similar to the ATPIAL-C. It comes with a visible laser and an infrared laser.
The interface is simple and easy to operate. It is easy to sight in and has a very crisp laser when looking through the PVS-14.
The illuminator works well but is not as bright as the ATPIAL-C.
This unit can also be paired with a tap switch for its operation.
Click here to check the current prices of the Steiner DBAL-A3
PVS-14 rifle setup
The great thing about the PVS-14 is that it can be directly weapon mounted to your rifle behind a night vision-capable red dot.
This is not the ideal setup but allows you to have a night vision setup for relatively cheaper than a helmet setup.
A helmet setup is superior though compared to weapon mounted.
To set this up you only need a mount for the PVS-14.
The Sightmark PVS-14 STS QD Weapon Mount does this well and isn’t too expensive.
It has a quick-release tab so it can be quickly weapon mounted and unmounted from your rifle. It has a flip mount so it can be quickly flipped in front of your red dot or to the side when not needed.
Remember that you need to have a red dot that has night vision settings on it when going weapon mounted. Most quality red dots will have these features.
Click here to check the current prices of the Sightmark PVS-14 STS QD weapon mount
Final Considerations
Overall this night vision device will enable nighttime operations while providing night vision capabilities. The manual gain control, bright light cut-off, daylight filter, and a high-quality photocathode tube, gives the PVS-14 the ultimate edge. (especially for its price point)
You will still have good depth perception and it has been repeatedly proven in excessive light conditions.
I highly recommend picking up one of these and you will not regret it.
COMPLETE LIST OF ITEMS MENTIONED
(Click the links for the most up to date prices)
- TRYBE Optics PVS-14
- ATN PVS-14
- Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic SL Helmet
- Team Wendy LTP EXFIL Helmet
- Norotos INVG HYPER Mount
- Norotos PVS-14 Dovetail Adaptor
- Wilcox G24 Breakaway Mount
- Wilcox PVS-14 J-Arm Adaptor
- EOTech ATPIAL-C Laser
- Steiner DBAL-A3
- Sightmark PVS-14 STS QD Weapon Mount
