Night Vision PVS-30 refurb upgrade

[jstokes1]

Hello there,
I have a refurb PVS-30 and I am not really impressed with the performance, so I was wondering if anyone here knows if knight's would let you send in your unit for an upgraded tube (such as filmless WP), and if so, what cost can I expect to pay? Thanks a bunch!

 

[derk]

Hello there,
I have a refurb PVS-30 and I am not really impressed with the performance, so I was wondering if anyone here knows if knight's would let you send in your unit for an upgraded tube (such as filmless WP), and if so, what cost can I expect to pay? Thanks a bunch!

Have you called Knights? I think they'd be the best one to ask but maybe someone will chime in

 

[Strykervet]

No, buy a new one. That's from them. $12,000 will get you a new FDE unit with the WP tube. He said so matter of factly I almost looked in my pocket to see if I had the cash.

Seriously, not kidding. I talked to 'em about it and if it didn't break the bank I figured I'd put a WP tube in it and use the existing one in a PVS14. It uses a tube that Harris makes for KAC so supposedly you can't even source the tubes. Then there's the cost of them working on it and it has to be lined up on a collimating table so it's not something just anyone can do. I talked to a guy with a collimating table and even he wouldn't work on it, said it was too proprietary.

But if you know anything about KAC, proprietary is their middle name.

What's wrong with it? When I called to reference mine they said it was a Grade A unit. Mine has a pretty shitty FOM number but it doesn't seem to matter much unless it's super dark at long range and then I have a PEQ anyway. If there's something wrong with it, they do have a warranty for a year or something.

 

[jstokes1]

No, buy a new one.

Seriously, not kidding. I talked to 'em about it and if it didn't break the bank I figured I'd put a WP tube in it and use the existing one in a PVS14. It uses a tube that Harris makes for KAC so supposedly you can't even source the tubes. Then there's the cost of them working on it and it has to be lined up on a collimating table so it's not something just anyone can do. I talked to a guy with a collimating table and even he wouldn't work on it, said it was too proprietary.

But if you know anything about KAC, proprietary is their middle name.

What's wrong with it? When I called to reference mine they said it was a Grade A unit. Mine has a pretty shitty FOM number but it doesn't seem to matter much unless it's super dark at long range and then I have a PEQ anyway. If there's something wrong with it, they do have a warranty for a year or something.

Well sucks to see.

The issue that I have is that it is very noisy in lower light conditions (I use my PVS-14 OMNI VII spec tube w/3x magnifier as a comparison and it has much less noise). It's to the point that I do not even want to use it with more than 10x magnification as the image quality is so degraded in low light unless if I adjust the gain to pretty much zero. I have a laser/illuminator, but if I wanted to use a laser/illuminator all the time I would have gotten a cheaper brand new clip on unit in gen 2+. It's not the fault of the optic it's in front of either as I am running a 5.5-22x56 NF NSX. I'll have some more time behind it this weekend and I'll try to take some pictures for everyone's reference.

 

[jstokes1]

Have you called Knights? I think they'd be the best one to ask but maybe someone will chime in

I did call them today, but the sales guy did not know the answer and said he was going to call me back. Figured someone here might know the exact price.

 

[wigwamitus]

... The issue that I have is that it is very noisy in lower light conditions (I use my PVS-14 OMNI VII spec tube w/3x magnifier as a comparison and it has much less noise) ...

Try this. Turn the "scintillation adjustment knob" all the way down ... then turn it back up until you have an image ... then turn it up a little more until you just start to see the scintillation .. then turn it back down a hair. That should get you the best image you can get.

And use the moon when you have it ...

And use an illuminator if you have to ...

 

[jstokes1]

Try this. Turn the "scintillation adjustment knob" all the way down ... then turn it back up until you have an image ... then turn it up a little more until you just start to see the scintillation .. then turn it back down a hair. That should get you the best image you can get.

And use the moon when you have it ...

And use an illuminator if you have to ...

Didn't think this unit would really need an illuminator in the majority of situations and what you highlighted above is what I do already. I also find that this clip on is never quite in perfect focus either (not sure if that is a common thing with clip on units or if this is just my unit).

 

[wigwamitus]

Try turning the parallax on the day scope to infinity .. that helps at least a tiny amount .. and for me, detectable.

... Didn't think this unit would really need an illuminator in the majority of situations ...

Depends on the situations ... if I was running nv, I would have an illuminator in case any of those situations were before me ...

This ^^ was full moon behind me ... 500yds IPSC(2/3) steel painted white.

PVS-30 FOM 1609 in front of NF 7-35x T3

==

PVS-30 FOM 1804 in front of NF 7-35x T3 100yds

==

Mineral feeder 415 yds ... NF 7-35x T3 with PVS-30 FOM 1804

==
Same mineral feeder a few seconds later with the Illuminator on it (ELIR-3)

==

Mineral feeder with the 1804 unit on high (16x) magnification

==
Mineral feeder with the SIMRAD kn253 on 12x with the L&S Mk6 3-18x T3

==

And last but not least ... my cattle at 630 yds with a thermal clipon ... NF 7-35x T3 on 7x

 

[jstokes1]

Try turning the parallax on the day scope to infinity .. that helps at least a tiny amount .. and for me, detectable.



Depends on the situations ... if I was running nv, I would have an illuminator in case any of those situations were before me ...

This ^^ was full moon behind me ... 500yds IPSC(2/3) steel painted white.

PVS-30 FOM 1609 in front of NF 7-35x T3

==

PVS-30 FOM 1804 in front of NF 7-35x T3 100yds

==

Mineral feeder 415 yds ... NF 7-35x T3 with PVS-30 FOM 1804

==
Same mineral feeder a few seconds later with the Illuminator on it (ELIR-3)

==

Mineral feeder with the 1804 unit on high (16x) magnification

==
Mineral feeder with the SIMRAD kn253 on 12x with the L&S Mk6 3-18x T3

==

And last but not least ... my cattle at 630 yds with a thermal clipon ... NF 7-35x T3 on 7x

Thanks for the photos man, gives me a good comparison.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Didn't think this unit would really need an illuminator in the majority of situations and what you highlighted above is what I do already. I also find that this clip on is never quite in perfect focus either (not sure if that is a common thing with clip on units or if this is just my unit).

You definitely need to run a illuminator with most clip ons, including these. If you want a unit that you don’t need one as much with then get a KN203. Using an illuminator really isn’t a big deal anyway if you get a good one.

The PVS-30’s are definitely a little more finicky with focus that some others, it makes it worse that the ring is so hard to adjust due to its location. I got rid of both of mine for this reason and got a M2124LR.

 

[wigwamitus]

I also sold both of my pvs-30s after I got the kn253 lighter and weight farther to the rear and both focus and scintillation adustment knobs are on the rear of the unit, easy to reach.

Further, I asked the same questions you r asking and got the same answers Stryker posted above ... but was also told to try NVD and that they might do a tube swap for a fee. I got the pvs-9 before I called and then decided to sell . So I never found out if NVD would do the swap.

It is also possible that the dealer would trade u a different unit.

 

[Night Assassin]

Try turning the parallax on the day scope to infinity .. that helps at least a tiny amount .. and for me, detectable.



Depends on the situations ... if I was running nv, I would have an illuminator in case any of those situations were before me ...

This ^^ was full moon behind me ... 500yds IPSC(2/3) steel painted white.

PVS-30 FOM 1609 in front of NF 7-35x T3

==

PVS-30 FOM 1804 in front of NF 7-35x T3 100yds

==

Mineral feeder 415 yds ... NF 7-35x T3 with PVS-30 FOM 1804

==
Same mineral feeder a few seconds later with the Illuminator on it (ELIR-3)

==

Mineral feeder with the 1804 unit on high (16x) magnification

==
Mineral feeder with the SIMRAD kn253 on 12x with the L&S Mk6 3-18x T3

==

And last but not least ... my cattle at 630 yds with a thermal clipon ... NF 7-35x T3 on 7x

Wig the picture of your cattle with the thermal, is it your UTC X?

 

[jstokes1]

I also sold both of my pvs-30s after I got the kn253 lighter and weight farther to the rear and both focus and scintillation adustment knobs are on the rear of the unit, easy to reach.

Further, I asked the same questions you r asking and got the same answers Stryker posted above ... but was also told to try NVD and that they might do a tube swap for a fee. I got the pvs-9 before I called and then decided to sell . So I never found out if NVD would do the swap.

It is also possible that the dealer would trade u a different unit.

Who or what is NVD?

 

[wigwamitus]

NA, yes.

Jstokes1, NVD = Night Vision Depot, the distributor.

 

[jstokes1]

NA, yes.

Jstokes1, NVD = Night Vision Depot, the distributor.

Thanks bud, I'll call them tomorrow and see.

 

[Strykervet]

I did call them today, but the sales guy did not know the answer and said he was going to call me back. Figured someone here might know the exact price.

Yeah, it's like $11,950 or something. For a new WP model in FDE. That's the regular price, I didn't check to see how much the mil pricing was. I didn't get a price for the upgrade because he said it wasn't worth the cost, that a new one costs less, that they wouldn't do the work. And if you can't get the mfg. who is in the process of refurbing these to do it, slim chances anyone else will. Don't know if NVD is who I called or not, someone on here recommended the place I called and it was probably wigwamitus who gave me the recommendation. Supposedly if this guy couldn't do it and the mfg. wouldn't, nobody could. And he couldn't recommend anyone either.

I wish it was a simple swap with a minor service fee. That's what I was hoping for and planning to use the old tube for a spotter. Apparently it's not so simple.

At high magnification there is a lot more noise (relatively) but a PEQ clears that up, and yeah, you'll need that at any decent distance with the mag cranked up, especially in total darkness.

This isn't a good picture by any means, I'm not as good at this as wigwamitus but I took this through mine with a USO LR17 the day I got it. It wasn't totally in focus either but you can see it's still clear and no spots. It's just some leaves at about 75m in the top of a tree. I think the magnification is around 6x judging by how the reticle looks. Clear night, half moon or better. I doubt my 14 would look much better and it's an ITT Omni7 hand select unit with maxed S/N and I've seen worse issued in the army.

Really can't complain for the price of these and the fact they'll stand up to .50 recoil. I'm still afraid to put it on the HTI though I'm told it'll be fine.

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Clip on night vision units aren’t known for being the best in really low light situations. It’s pretty much understood that you will not only need a illuminator but you will need a very good one. Yes it does kind of suck knowing your night vision needs help seeing at night even though that’s what it’s designed to do, but the ability to use your day optic and have the ability to zoom and shoot long range is what makes it worth it.

Personally I have engaged targets successfully beyond 1000 yards with a refurbished 30. Believe it or not it wasn’t a 2000 FOM unit either like people think you have to have, it was low 1700’s. The darker it is the more noise you will have to look at. Just back your magnification down a bit and turn the illuminator on. Other wise you’ll have to just get you a fixed power dedicated scope. They will look much better but then your stuck on a certain X and can’t adjust dope near as easy.

Jay

 

[Killswitch Engage]

I don’t get why people think a wp tube is some magic shit? You’re going to have the same issue as your green tube. I think you have a perfectly functioning clip on and probably don’t know what to expect from it.

 

[jstokes1]

Clip on night vision units aren’t known for being the best in really low light situations. It’s pretty much understood that you will not only need a illuminator but you will need a very good one. Yes it does kind of suck knowing your night vision needs help seeing at night even though that’s what it’s designed to do, but the ability to use your day optic and have the ability to zoom and shoot long range is what makes it worth it.

Personally I have engaged targets successfully beyond 1000 yards with a refurbished 30. Believe it or not it wasn’t a 2000 FOM unit either like people think you have to have, it was low 1700’s. The darker it is the more noise you will have to look at. Just back your magnification down a bit and turn the illuminator on. Other wise you’ll have to just get you a fixed power dedicated scope. They will look much better but then your stuck on a certain X and can’t adjust dope near as easy.

Jay

I have a really good Illuminator/laser, so I guess I’ll just have to use that more than I anticipated. I’m going to really test it out this weekend, so maybe my opinion will change then; we’ll see. If not, then I’m sure someone will take it off my hands.

 

[Idaho Dairy Guy]

Lots of great info guys!! Thank you!

 

[Strykervet]

I don’t get why people think a wp tube is some magic shit? You’re going to have the same issue as your green tube. I think you have a perfectly functioning clip on and probably don’t know what to expect from it.

Has nothing to do with magic, mostly personal preference. I really like the color shit myself but that's not integral --yet. IF you were gonna look at upgrading a tube in these, that's probably what most people are gonna go with (saying it's possible, and currently it's not). On top of that, that's how the new ones come now (I didn't ask if they had green or WP, the only quote I got was for the new FDE WP model and it was $12k).

I called about it, I figured if it wasn't too much I'd do it and use the old tube in another item. But it's a special tube according to KAC only available to them and they don't do work on these, so it renders it all moot anyway.

I'm guessing his is fine too though there's a guy complaining about lots of black spots that sounds a bit different. Mine is a 16xx, maybe 1650ish, and it does just fine. Super clear. Does have more noise at long range but a PEQ2 fixes that and of course, backing off the magnification. I'm not a big fan of high mag anyway. I love the thing. No way you could get something equivalent for the price, that's a fact. If it wasn't for this one, I wouldn't have a CNVD right now.