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Keith Dienelt · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:59 pm Post subject: NV Monocular VS Goggles.

I noticed a lot of people like the PVS 7B (goggles) on this board and wanted to offer an alternative for that may be better for around the same price. I have eight years of experience in a combat arms mos. (job) in the US Army and I have an extensive amount of experience with night vision. I have used night vision in every training application from urban to desert environments and have used it when it counts the most, in combat. I have also used various night vision optics at Fort Hood where we spend majority of our time running around in the woods doing field exercises. The two optics that I have used the most are PVS-7B’s, and PVS-14’s (monocular). As the title says I am writing this to compare monocular vs goggles, not specific brands.
For the most part, we as hunters look for the same qualities as the military does in gear such as, weight, function, reliability, and cost. After using both I (and any Soldier that you talk to) would prefer the 14’s and here’s why. 7b’s are goggles which cover both of your eyes, so if you need to take them off you will temporally blind until your eyes re-adjust. Goggles will also throw off your sense of balance and depth perception and subject the user to tunnel vision. Also, the head mounts always seem to have some play in them which causes the goggles to move around whenever you walk and especially when you run. I have never used goggles with one tube for each eye which might reduce the tunnel vision effect. As you all know the Texas landscape can be very rugged and filled with all kinds of tripping hazards, obstructions, things to hit you in the face, snakes, whatever. With goggles, it’s really hard to look down and see what’s around you without completely re-focusing your nods (Nods is a military slang word for any night vision goggles or monocular) or lifting them up and waiting for your eyes to adjust. Plus if you want to read a map, use your cell phone, grab a beer, whatever, you will have to lift you’re goggles. This is where the monocular really comes to shine. As we all know, it only covers one eye. For whatever reason people think that this will limit you in some way; but it has the opposite effect. You will be able to look into the distance with your monocular eye while you use your other eye to look at things in the immediate area. When using a monocular you retain a much greater sense of balance and depth perception and you won’t get that nasty tunnel vision. The anpvs-14’s that we use also have much brighter and much clearer tubes than the 7b’s. Now, you cannot buy the same exact 7b’s and 14’s that we use BUT you can buy civilian versions such as the ATN MNV-14 that uses the same ITT tubes that are used in our nods. The ATN NVM 14 also has a lot of nice features. For example, you can wear it via head harness, then when you spot your target you can take it off and mount it your weapon so that you can continue to use your day scope and take your shot.
All in all, don’t be afraid to give the monocular a shot, I know it can be scary to be the first one to drop $3k on device that is different than the norm BUT there is a reason that the military is switching over to a monocular based system. Also if it’s any consolation, I ordered a MNV-14 for myself, I cannot wait to get home and use it!
Here is a link to the one I ordered http://www.opticsplanet.net/atn-nzt-22-night-vision-goggles.html
2.9k isn’t bad considering its gen III plus you can wear it on a headset and mount it to your weapon. I wouldn’t expect everybody to run out and spend this kind of cash, but if you are already in the market I would highly suggest giving a system like this a try.
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Colby Thorson · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

Jason at ident has the PVS 14 in a b grade autogaded tube for 1800
I'd also prefer the monocular since it can be weapon mounted.. I think there's more guys on here that have 14's than 7's
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2011- 055 Confirmed Kills
2012- 105 Confirmed Kills
2013- 019 Confirmed Kills

Keith Dienelt · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject:

Burt · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:23 am Post subject:

There are a lot of LEOs, along with active and former military on here Keith.
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Randy Tausch · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 2:53 am Post subject:

I for one prefer the PVS-7 over the 14. I have used both and like it better. We hunt several times per week and after getting used to using NV, tunnel vision and temp. blindness has not been a factor for us.
I also do not like trying to use a PVS-14 mounted to a daytime scope. It is marginal at best and much more difficult to use than one would think. I understand there is a serious amount of cost involved, but having a NV devise for spotting and a dedicated NV scope on the gun is really the way to go.
Randy
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Paul Burkett · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:00 am Post subject:

Good report Keith, there is so much to learn about the different equipment that can make hog hunting more fun and successful.
Optics planet is about 20 miles from my house, and as much as I like buying locally, I bought in Texas not that far from you. For $2800.00 I got an ANPVS 14 "B grade" tube in an L3 housing that has a small blem w/ a 1913 QD, a 3x magnifier, EOTECH 552.A65 helmet and mount. If you haven't opened the box, let us know and we'll try and hook you up with the goods. This site is for fun and helping each other, as you are already doing. Thanks again.
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2012- 11 pigs Down.
2 Deer Down.

Keith Dienelt · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:59 am Post subject:

1911man · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:06 pm Post subject:

I prefer the PVS-14, I use it with my left eye so it doesn't effect my night vision with my shootin eye.
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Paul Burkett · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

@ Keith, There are pigs on the Wisconsin/Illinois border, so I have heard, in central and lower Illinois they are getting to be a big problem, but I like coming to Texas, especially in the spring when it's still cold up north and warm down there.
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2012- 11 pigs Down.
2 Deer Down.

Grant · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:00 pm Post subject:

I use this( http://www.nightoptics.com/no/product/NO-NS-760-3ST.htm ) with a Larue QD. I scan with it and then mount it to the gun when needed.

I purchased a PVS-14 at first because it was lighter, would work with my aimpoint and was really easy to mount. That said the problem was from moon light between the aimpoint and PVS. I was told to put tubing to cover the space, but the main reason for going with the D-760 was because you can scan way much further. On a decent moon night you just can not compair. Now the down fail to the D-760 is the added weight, but since my AR is light mine is not to bad and I always try to use the bi-pod. In my case the price was well worth the upgrade.
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Nightvision all the way!!!

Randy Tausch · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject:

The D-760 is a great scope. That's what Gerald has on his AR.
Randy
_________________
WWW.NIGHTHOGS.COM
Gen. III Night Vision Hog Hunting Guide Service-
Also Catfish Guiding

Paul Burkett · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:29 am Post subject:

That is a good price for that NV scope.
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2012- 11 pigs Down.
2 Deer Down.

HUEY · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:24 am Post subject:

I went with the PVS14 because I can walk around and scan with it helmet mounted then switch it over to the rifle with the quick connect/disconnect. There are also 3x and 5x magnifiers (I use the 3x) In combination with the eotech I have a deadly weapon system close through 300yard night or day killing machine. And for $1800 for the pvs14 its hard to beat. I think the ideal setup would be a pvs14 helmet mounted with a clip on in front of a day scope. I do not like the binoculars way over twice the expense and no advantage that I could tell. And Ive used the very best top of the line stuff.
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2010 568 dead hogs/2011 224 dead hogs
2012 118 dead hogs/2013 42 dead hogs

elkhunter · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:21 pm Post subject:

With a 14 you will retain your natural night vision with your dominant eye if wearing your nod on your non dominant eye. There are also many mounts for the pvs to allow you to weapon mount behind a EO or AP. Both are great units helmet mounted on a ops core base jump helmet. Get a class 1 laser and you really don't have to worry about weapon mounting either. Anvis 9's, pvs-15's, bnvd's, dual mums are the way to go if you want the best depth perception. Jason has some nice 14's, and IMO they are the best bang for your $. I have 3500 mono's that you really can't tell to much of a difference untill you get into the darkest environments down in river bottoms with heavy tree cover.

A mono on your noggin and a weapon mounted nod is the best way imo to hunt. Along with a handheld thermal imager. I usually like my 760 if i'm hunting from a static position such as a stand. However, I prefer my pvs-24 when spot and stalking due to being able to turn my day scope down to 2x or 1.5x for movers when in close.

kent kadell · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject:

Like randy said, the D760 is a great scope. But, it also has issues that tend to cause many problems. On the other hand the Raptor 4x or 6x are built like tanks. If your wondering, Gen 3 is also the only way to go and well worth the few extra bucks!