Some things to think about regarding the BNVD

Are you looking to either upgrade from an existing NV unit such as the venerable PVS-14, or possibly upgrade from an older ANVIS-9 system? Or maybe jump into the deep end of NV as a first time buyer? Maybe still you have been tasked buy your chain of command at the Police Dept you serve at to acquire NV for you or your fellow officers with either Dept funding or a Federal Grant.

All too often I speak to individuals in these circumstances and there is a topic that resonates regularly through them. That they are looking to buy PVS-31A’s. There is a misconception that the PVS-31 is the best system out there because “That’s what SOCOM uses” or “that’s what I had when I was in”.

The -31 was designed as a replacement for the PVS-15 system, it was designed around a military request for a stripped down lightweight dual tube goggle system, it needed to be as lightweight as possible (under 16 oz.) It needed to be battery pack compatible and fit into existing Dovetail mounts. It accomplished all of this at extreme sacrifices in features, durability and cost and logistical support.

Every component from the lenses, to the housing to the tubes to the battery pack and cable and everything internally is proprietary, meaning you cannot just call up just any old NV company and get some parts mailed to you to replace a busted lens or battery cap. They also, at best come with a 1 year warranty from L3Harris warrior systems. After that 1 year all parts/labor/shipping falls on the owner. You may wait 6-12 months for a repair from L3Harris.

The -31 is not a robust system by any means, it accomplishes its weight reduction at the cost of durability, and nearly every single -31 that breaks, breaks at the articulating hinge point. You are looking at over $5000 for a fix, minimum.

The lens assemblies have objective focus only there is no diopter focus, so unless your eyes are the same Rx as the rear lens assemblies or you purchases separately different Rx diopters you can only focus the system so crisp.

Let’s talk about power requirements. The PVS-31 has the capability to utilize either a proprietary helmet mounted battery pack or a single onboard AA battery. They system requires the use of Lithium batteries, with a single onboard battery you are looking at around 15 hours of use at best and generally much less in actual practice, and around 50 hours with the battery pack. If you find yourself in the field and must resort to alkaline batteries you are looking at 45-60 min of power with an alkaline battery. Lowered air temperatures will affect battery life significantly. Lithium batteries are a hidden cost which few folks think about, but when you are trying to outfit several dozen team members you are potentially talking an unforeseen added cost.

Now let’s talk about price. First things first PVS-31’s were until very recently restricted units, unless you’ve acquired a -31A from L3H commercial distributor or one of the dealers they have, your unit is either stolen, improperly acquired or both. You are looking at spending 13-14k for a PVS-31A system. There are a multitude of systems available with the same intensifier tubes with vastly superior durability, warranty, features and logistical support for many thousands of dollars less. If you are part of the purchasing entity of a Police Dept. and are using Tax payer’s money then you owe it to your community and tax payers to make their dollars go as far as possible, and get the best possible long term support you can get for your dept.

In closing, for a several thousand dollars less and at the cost of less than 6 ounces of weight, you as either the consumer or Police Dept. can get NV systems that have as good if not better optical quality than a PVS-31, with better features, vastly superior durability, potentially a lifetime warranty, and phone in tech support and much faster turnaround time on repairs if needed by avoiding the PVS-31A, and looking at commercially available housings such as the RNVG, BNVD SG, MOD3, DTNVG.

These are my thoughts and mine alone and are subject to change as tech moves forward.

-Sam