This is a production item for us, not a unit that somebody doesn't want anymore. I keep getting messages asking for pictures through both tubes. The picture in the listing is indicative of what you can expect.
We DO NOT sell units with blemishes in zone 1 nor anything worse than a couple specs in zones 2 and 3. These are the kind that will disappear when you use them in the dark.
I disabled offers. the price is $5150 and that is CRAZY LOW for a unit of this quality. those of you who need to make an offer to feel like you haggled properly have the folks who sent ridiculous offers to thank for this.
The BNVD 1431 MK2 Omni7 Is The Best Night Vision Goggle Value With American Gen 3 Tubes Today. Why Is This?
The BNVD 1431 MK2 Omni7 is a binocular night vision device (BNVD) that consists of an American 3rd Generation Omni 7 Image Intensifier Tubes, American Mil-Spec Optics by Carson, and a housing made by the Argus Company, modified by OPFOR Canada, then optimized and assembled here in the USA with three optics sets to choose from:
The mil-spec Carson Optics are the standard to which all others compare. They are Mil-Spec and a primary supplier to all branches of the United States Military.
The Light package has a lighter eyepiece with the OPFOR Diopter mechanical package and the Carson Optics objective for a weight savings of 47 grams.
The SuperLight package has the same light eyepiece and OPFOR package paired with the CNV LW objective. This package does not allow for the use of screw in objective filters, and takes 65 grams off the total weight.
How much does the BNVD 1431 MK2 Omni 7 cost and what do I get?
Each standard 1431 MK2 system ships with the goggle, lens covers, AA batteries, and soft case. The price per unit is $5,150 with the standard Carson Optics package. A 4 year warranty against system failure during normal use is included. All Adams Industries systems ship within the USA for free.
What Are The Omni 7 Image Intensifier Specs?
These were the contract min/max specs at the time of the Omni 7 Contract:
*These are the minimums & maximums from the contract and reside in the public domain.
So What Does This Mean?
Let’s tackle where the Omni 7 stands compared to other options. The two specifications most often compared are the Figure of Merit (FOM), and the Resolution. FOM was not a requirement in the Omni 7 specs. However, we can calculate it by multiplying the Resolution by the Signal to Noise Ratio. For the Omni 7, this is 64 lp/mm x 28 = 1792. Let’s compare with the alternatives out there:
Omni 7 (min) 1792
Omni 8 (min) 1625
Elbit XLSH (min) 1344
Elbit SLH (min) 1536
Elbit YH (min) 1600
Elbit VH (min) 1792
L3 18UM (min) 1542
L3 20UM/UA (min) 1792
L3 22UM/UA (min) 1920
L3 24UA (min) 2160
Granted, very few tubes will ever actually test at the minimum spec, but allowing this as a starting point makes you realize that the Omni 7 starts the race ahead of tubes that sell for much more money. Not that there are not reasons to seriously investigate these other options; just that the Omni 7 should usually be considered a valid competitor.
For a detailed account of what these specifications actually measure, look further down this page.
What Are The 1431 MK2 Omni7’S System Specifications?
The Argus Company manufactures the BNVD 1431 MK2 binocular night vision housing. They improved the MK1 in many ways. Some of the key features and specifications of the MK2 include:
Improved seals to prevent water and dust ingress
Improved screws that are more durable and less likely to strip
Longer IPD stop screws to provide a wider range of adjustment
Built-in IR illuminator for low-light and no-light conditions
Redesigned pods that are more ergonomic and durable
Manual gain control that enables the user to adjust the brightness of the unit to their personal preference
A single AA battery powers the Argus BNVD 1431 MK2
Its durability, features, and low price make it a popular choice for many users
Why Do We Base Our Systems Off The OPFOR “Canadian Custom” Housing?
The Canadian Custom 1431 is lighter, tougher, and has better quality control than the standard version. It would take many extra hours to bring a standard BNVD up to the OPFOR standard. So why fight it? By starting with the OPFOR housing, we begin our journey with the best materials and work from there.
And Finally, Why Are AI BNVD 1431 Mk2 Units Special?
It may seem like there is not much else to do, but details matter. The journey continues with fixing the1431’s pod switch issue. Next, solder joints are strengthened and key channels are clearanced to avoid wire chafing. The tubes are mechanically centered in the pods to tighten collimation for less eye fatigue from long term use. The aluminum D-collars are a nice touch as well.
Every unit is built in a 100% clean room facility with scrubbed air and assembled in a downdraft cabinet. ANVIS torque wrenches tighten the pods assembly. The assembly is tested by pulling a 20 inHG vacuum on the goggle for 20 mins, ensuring an airtight seal. After this test, the unit is purged with nitrogen. Finally, the goggle is collimated on a Hoffman ANV-126A Test Set.
*What Do All Those “Tube Specification” Numbers Mean?
Obviously some of you are going to want to understand what it is we are using to try and sell you on one product versus another. We understand this and hope that the following assists you:
Resolution in Ip/mm: This is just another way of saying how fine the picture is. Just like your TV in Megapixels, as the number increases, this is good.
Signal to Noise Ratio: If you’ve heard this term, it likely had something to do with radios. Higher SNR means less static. Just think of visual static and you have it.
Photocathode Sensitivityin uA/lm@2856K: This is the ability of the tube to change photons (what we see) into electrons. The higher the transference, the more electrons there are to photo-multiply.
Sensitivity in uA/lm@880nm: Another measure of of sensitivity but this time particular to a wavelength of light in the Near IR spectrum.
Gain fL/fc (range)50,000-80,000: You may have heard this expressed as “times.” Yes, this is how many times the tube multiplies the number of electrons.
MTF@2.5lp/mm (min)
MTF@7.5lp/mm (min) Modulation Transfer Function: This measures how well the resolution and contrast of the system work together to deliver contrast.
MTF@15/p/mm (min)
MTF@25lp/mm (min)
Halo in mm: That glow around a light that you see when you’re tired is basically biological HALO. The higher the number, the more a light is obscured by its own glow.
Phosphor Type: P-43 is modern green phosphor, P-45 is white phosphor, P-22 is green phosphor used in old American systems and some foreign systems (same difference).
EBI x10^-11: Equivalent Background Illumination. Think of this as the glow that your night vision tube just makes on its own. Now think of it as an EVIL glow. Less evil is better.
Also...
First two pictures are stock pics. The second two are from a contract we recently delivered to a law enforcement agency in the midwest. They got five 1431s and two PVS-14s. All Omni 7. THEY LOVE THEM. In fact, they've already started referring other law enforcement agencies that are also living on a budget.
* We assemble these units. If you have seen another sold on here with this same listing from us, that is a different unit. This one is YOUR UNIT.
Did i mention FREE SHIPPING?
NO EXPORT!! This item falls under the ITAR. If you are in a foreign country or a foreign person in the United States, do not order this! Don't have it sent to your forwarding service. Don't have it sent to your family member. All of this is ILLEGAL and in the case of your family member will likely get them thrown in the graybar motel (that's prison BTW). Not worth it. Don't do it!