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Night Vision N-Vision Optics TWS-13A-L / TWS-13D-L Personal Review

BigTek

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 24, 2013
37
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First off this is just a personal review of my experience with the N-Vision Optics TWS-13A-L / TWS-13D-L. I'm not claiming to be an expert in thermal gear, but had the opportunity to try these awesome scopes in the field during night hunts.

BTW, I am a small outfitter in Texas doing hog/predator hunts on my off time and typically use spot lights and 3rd Gen NV gear. I've been doing plenty of reading online and looking at options for implementing thermal into the mix.

I have a great relationship with N-Vision Optics and have been using their night vision gear since 2006 and have been very pleased with their quality products and great customer service.

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Sensor resolution 640 x 512
Spectral response, μm 7.5-13.5
Refresh Rate, Hz 30 Hz
Diopter Adjustment -6 to +2
Analog Output NTSC (PAL factory option)
Field of View, ° 12.4 x 9.9
Detector pitch, µm 17
Digital Zoom 2X, 4X
Objective Lens 50 mm f/1.2
Eye Relief, mm 48 mm
Operating Temperature, ° -40C to +50C
Weight, kg/lb 1.2 / 2.6
Dimensions, cm 29 x 8 x 7

N-Vision Optics was able to ship out a TWS-13D-L Weapon Sight (640x512, 50 mm, 17 um), and I began testing the unit on the range before taking it on a hunt. The units resolution was crisp and clear, and was easy to operate. After going over the manual for button instructions I was able to sight in the scope easily at 100 yards.

Once the unit was zeroed I wanted to try out the quick release mount. By the way, it was much to my surprise that the unit had the LaRue mount which was really awesome. I love LaRue! I had an issue testing this due to user error (having a portion mounted on the top rail on the barrel), but once I made sure the scope was properly mounted on the receiver (not partially over the barrel) the LaRue mount kept zero out to 100 yards. I sport LaRue on other optics and have noticed that sometimes it would be off an inch or so, but with this unit that wasn't experienced.

We were excited to take this unit out for a few scheduled hunts and they delivered. I also utilize ATN Thor units for engaging target animals and at times and depending the distance the TWS-13D-L shined when we needed to make a positive ID of the animal at a couple hundred yards. The unit helped rule out if the animal was a deer or hog, and we were able to save time and not stalk up on unintended target animals. My clients were more then happy with this unit, and made a more enjoyable hunt for them.

The unit was so awesome that it was hard parting with the scope :(

After talking with my business partner about our costs and need at the time we came to the conclusion that we would like to try the TWS-13A-L Weapon Sight (336x256, 50 mm, 17 um).

Since I work in Afghanistan and my R&R was just about over I let my business partner have the opportunity to test the TWS-13A-L unit.

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Sensor resolution 336 x 256
Spectral response, μm 7.5-13.5
Refresh Rate, Hz 30 Hz
Diopter Adjustment -6 to +2
Analog Output NTSC (PAL factory option)
Field of View, ° 6.5 x 5.0
Detector pitch, µm 17
Digital Zoom 2X, 4X
Objective Lens 50 mm f/1.2
Eye Relief, mm 48 mm
Operating Temperature, ° -40C to +50C
Weight, kg/lb 1.2 / 2.6
Dimensions, cm 29 x 8 x 7

TWS-13A-L Weapon Sight (336x256, 50 mm, 17 um)

My partner and I were able to perform the same tests on the range with sighting in and then trying the LaRue mounts and they proved true. You could tell the difference resolution wise, but honestly it was barely noticeable. Since I had to head back to work I was unable to test it out in the field during hunts but my partner informed me that he was able to take it out on a predator hunt and was able to distinguish between animals at the same distance as the previous unit.

We do sponsored hunts for the Wounded Warrior Program and have one coming up in a few days so I'm excited to hear back on how things go and how the unit performs.

After discussing it with my partner I think we're going to go with the TWS-13A-L Weapon Sight (336x256, 50 mm, 17 um) since it suited our needs perfectly. I couldn't thank N-Vison Optics enough for giving us the opportunity to demo the units. It's greatly appreciated!

If you guys are looking for quality Night Vision & Thermal gear with great customer service, don't hesitate to get ahold of N-Vision Optics! Their customer service was awesome. They helped me with any questions I had with their products and had quick turn around when I had to get some Night Vision gear serviced.

N-Vision Optics gets 2 thumbs up from me!
 
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nice review.

How does this unit compare to the Thor. both quality and price wise ?

What part of Texas are you located in?

thumbs up for ya on the wounded warrior hunts!!
 
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nice review.

How does this unit compare to the Thor. both quality and price wise ?

Well I bought the Thor 320 1x and it only has a 19mm lens so I can't compare that unit to the N-Vision Optics units which were 640 & 320 both with 50mm lens.

What part of Texas are you located in?

I'm based out of the San Antonio area, but hunt all over. Mainly in the central and south Texas area at different locations.

thumbs up for ya on the wounded warrior hunts!!

Thanks, I'm a former Marine and just want to give back to those guys that are sitting on base working on getting better. Taking them out to blast on some hogs/predators gets them out for some fun and boost their morale...
 
Nice review Thanks for taking the time to post. I looked real hard at buying a Nvision TWS-13A-M model this last month but ended up buying the Nvdepot T-320 30mm 2X 60hz model. The TWS-13A has FLIR's newest 336x256 17um imager which is a plus but the scope is also larger/heavier vs the T-320 (Thor) 2X model. I also looked at the TWS-13A-L with the 50mm 6.5 degree FOV but since most of my shooting is 25 to 100 yards I was alittle concerned with the narrow FOV and the bigger lens means more Bulk and weight on the rifle. That said I would love to hear your user thoughts on the TWS-13A-L FOV and close shoots say 25-50 yards? In the end I liked both scopes alot, I bought the T-320 2X model because it was $1200+ cheaper comparing best price quotes I had, it was instock for shipment that day,user feedback was great plus the guys that rent these thors say they hold up great even with lots of rental type abuse(mailing/resighting in every week) which says alot and I really liked the smaller more compact scope housing. That said I think the TWS-13 looks like a winner for sure very nice design and features I could see myself buying the 13-L model for a longer range system in the future since I already have a short to mid range 2X scope thermal now. Note on the T-320 or Thor the 30mm-50mm lens models make a much nicer image to my eye vs the 19mm 1X model the bigger lens just really makes a difference with thermals .
 
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N-Vision Optics TWS-13A-L / TWS-13D-L Personal Review

The TWS is bigger than the Thor, but I didn't find it making the rifle top heavy or have a awkward feel at all while mounted on my AR.

I think I'm going to return my Thor 1x and exchange it for the 2x... Actually the 2x is what I thought I was getting, but it turned out that the sight had the item listed wrong. I even called to confirm it was the 2x and customer service said it was indeed the 2x Thor. You could just imaging how ticked off I was when I waited a month to only find out it was just the 1x... That's a whole other thread tho... Haha!

The TWS was great at mid to longer shots on coyotes and hogs. Event at 50 yards I was able to get good follow up shots an stay on target. The Thor is good for close follow up shots as well. Out to 100 yards and beyond is where the TWS shined... The detail for identifying animals at longer distances was great and we didn't waste time stalking up on the wrong animals.

Battery life was long and the buttons were really easy to learn.

The Thor is more compact and the battery life is good as well. The one thing I will upgrade is the LaRue mount and ditch the ARMS mount the Thor comes with. I really love the fact that the LaRue mount is a option when getting the TWS. You can't go wrong when your optics sports a LaRue.

I'd like to look through the 30mm and 50mm Thor 320 2x myself to see the differences...

You can rest assured that you'll be buying a quality thermal if you go for the TWS though. You're right, from looking through the 19mm Thor and then the 50mm TWS you can see the huge difference it makes! Just an awesome more crisp image...

Here's some pix of when I had them at the range.

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So I'll be waiting impatiently until I order the TWS 320 and just utilize my Thor's in the meantime. I also use my NV to help with the positive ID...

Nice review Thanks for taking the time to post. I looked real hard at buying a Nvision TWS-13A-M model this last month but ended up buying the Nvdepot T-320 30mm 2X 60hz model. The TWS-13A has FLIR's newest 336x256 17um imager which is a plus but the scope is also larger/heavier vs the T-320 (Thor) 2X model. I also looked at the TWS-13A-L with the 50mm 6.5 degree FOV but since most of my shooting is 25 to 100 yards I was alittle concerned with the narrow FOV and the bigger lens means more Bulk and weight on the rifle. That said I would love to hear your user thoughts on the TWS-13A-L FOV and close shoots say 25-50 yards? In the end I liked both scopes alot, I bought the T-320 2X model because it was $1200+ cheaper comparing best price quotes I had, it was instock for shipment that day,user feedback was great plus the guys that rent these thors say they hold up great even with lots of rental type abuse(mailing/resighting in every week) which says alot and I really liked the smaller more compact scope housing. That said I think the TWS-13 looks like a winner for sure very nice design and features I could see myself buying the 13-L model for a longer range system in the future since I already have a short to mid range 2X scope thermal now. Note on the T-320 or Thor the 30mm-50mm lens models make a much nicer image to my eye vs the 19mm 1X model the bigger lens just really makes a difference with thermals .
 

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For most night hunting purposes, all anybody really needs is a 320X240 core with a 50-60mm lens as this will work perfect for shots out to 250 yards or so. A 640X480 core will provide a sharper image but as far as making the shot, it will perform similar to the 320X240 core out to 250 yards.

I have a FLIR T-50 320 core and a FLIR T-60 640 core and using a 4X ACOG behind either one, I can take any shot out to 250 yards with ease, they both perform similar out to that range, the T-60's 640 core allow higher magnifications and sharper images past 250 yards though.
 
BigTek: Thanks a lot for your nice review. I'm really glad you liked our TWS-13s. Stay safe!