Frequently Asked Questions
Night vision terminology, tube specifications, and answers to the questions we hear most.
Common Inquiries
We currently offer Affirm. If you wish to take advantage of financing, please reach out to us via our contact page and we will get you an invoice that is payable with Affirm. We do recommend contacting your local credit union or bank to seek a personal loan if that is the route you are interested in.
Yes, we accept trade-in night vision units. All trade-in units are subject to an in-person inspection before we provide a full estimate for your unit. Start with our trade-in evaluation page.
Yes, we purchase used night vision units. All used units we consider purchasing must be sent in for evaluation before we purchase them. Submit yours through our trade-in evaluation page.
To become a dealer you will need to create an account, select “dealer,” and submit the appropriate documents. For any other questions, email dealers@gpnvgs.com, call us, or reach out through our contact page.
Yes. We offer a LE/MIL/First Responder account. When you create an account, select your role or job and submit the correct credentials. The discount will display on all eligible items. Learn more on our LE/MIL page.
UA is a part number created by L3Harris indicating an “Aviation” grade tube. UA tubes have a stricter spot chart and are generally more expensive due to the guaranteed cleaner spot chart.
UM is a part number for a “Ground” grade tube. UM tubes have a less strict spot chart and are generally cheaper due to the non-guaranteed cleaner spot chart.
These numbers are a part number created by L3Harris to determine the minimum FOM (figure of merit) of the tube. For example, 18UM has a minimum FOM of 1540 and 24UA has a minimum FOM of 2160.
These are L3Harris tube specification numbers. 10160 refers to the older green phosphor image intensifier tube specification. 11769 refers to the newer white phosphor (filmless) tube specification. The number on your data sheet identifies which tube type is installed in your device.
Manual gain allows the user to adjust the brightness of the image intensifier tube. This gives you control over how much the tube amplifies incoming light, which is useful for transitioning between different lighting environments without relying solely on auto-gating.
The FDA oversees all infrared lasers classified as Class IIIb or IEC Class 3B Medical/Industrial Lasers, with output powers ranging from 5 to 500 mW. IR lasers can cause serious eye damage and are invisible to the naked eye, meaning there is no reflexive aversion response. Civilians cannot purchase full power lasers.
For government or law enforcement purchases, we process the PO and send a disclosure form and letter signed by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer to the manufacturer, who then drop-ships the units directly to the department address.
We recommend Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries for all night vision devices. Do not use rechargeable batteries. We strongly recommend removing all batteries from the device when not in use to avoid unintentional light damage and battery corrosion.
Not without valid approval from the US State Department. It is a federal offense to export night vision without permission, and you will be sentenced to a federal prison. Night Vision Devices in the United States are highly sensitive goods controlled under ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), Title 22 Code of Federal Regulation, Parts 120–130.
Travel is included in the export of night vision devices. You cannot take a night vision system out of the country by plane, train, cruise, or vehicle. Allowing any non-U.S. resident to look through U.S. Gen 3 night vision equipment is also a violation of ITAR, even on US soil.
There are no limitations or restrictions on US civilians possessing night vision image intensifiers or thermal imaging equipment. Individual manufacturers impose restrictions on our website as part of their own company policies, which we must follow to remain dealers of their products.
A Mil-Spec tube has minimum requirements it must meet, such as spot restrictions, FOM restrictions, and more. A Commercial spec tube is a Mil-Spec fall-out — it did not meet the minimum required specs during manufacturing and is then classified as commercial spec. L3Harris commercial spec tubes are commonly known as “1701 Tubes.”
Glossary
Image intensification tube specification designation, calculated on line pair per mm x signal to noise. Example: 72 lp/mm x 33 SNR = 2376 FOM.
A measure of how well the image intensifier tube converts light into an electronic signal so it can be amplified. Measured in micro-amps/lumen (µA/lm). This criterion specifies the number of electrons released by the Photocathode (PC). PC response is always measured in isolation with no amplification stage or ion barrier (film). Tube data sheets carry this “raw” figure and do not reflect that over 50% of those electrons are lost in the ion barrier.
The amount of light the tube has inherent to itself; the signal you see with no light coming through the tube.
Also known as brightness gain or gain. The number of times a night vision device amplifies light input, measured as tube gain and system gain. Tube gain is light output (fL) divided by light input (fc), expressed in tens of thousands. If pushed too high, the tube becomes noisier and SNR may decrease. System gain is reduced by lenses and optics quality, making it the more important measurement to the user.
A measure of the light signal reaching the eye divided by perceived noise. Determines the low light resolution of the image tube — the higher the SNR, the better the ability to resolve objects under low-light conditions. Because SNR accounts for photocathode sensitivity, phosphor efficiency, and MCP operating voltage, it is the best single indicator of an image intensifier’s performance.
Units used to measure the image intensifier’s resolution. The higher the line pair, the better the image resolution. Gen 3 tubes typically range from 64–72 lp/mm, though there is no maximum.
The circular region around a bright light that appears brighter. Caused by elastic collisions of electrons with the MCP surface. Halos are the same size across the screen, dictated by the distance between the photocathode and the MCP. It’s the round circle around lights when viewed through night vision, indicating you’re looking at something too bright.
Common blemishes in the image intensifier, or dirt/debris between lenses. Black spots do not affect performance or reliability and are inherent in manufacturing. Blems begin to measure at >.003–.006 and go up to >.009 for a mil-spec unit. Spots measured higher would likely be a commercial spec tube.
Tiny black spots within the night vision image, typically as small as pepper flakes. Too small to be measured as a spot/blem on a data sheet (smaller than >.003–.006). Peppering is very common in most night vision units.
Also known as electronic noise. A faint, random, sparkling effect throughout the image area. A normal characteristic of microchannel plate image intensifiers, more pronounced under low-light-level conditions.
A steady or fluctuating pinpoint of bright light in the image area that does not go away when all light is blocked from the objective lens. Its position within the field of view will not move. If it disappears or is only faintly visible under brighter conditions, it is not indicative of a problem. If it remains bright under all conditions, the system needs repair.
When the power supply is “Auto-Gated,” it turns itself on and off at a very rapid rate. Combined with a thin film on the microchannel plate (ion barrier), this reduces blooming. Systems with thicker film layers can be perfectly acceptable depending on the application. Night vision quality should not be judged solely on blooming.
An irregular pattern of dark thin lines in the field of view, either throughout the image area or in parts. Under worst-case conditions, these lines form hexagonal or square wave-shape patterns.
A faint hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern throughout the image area that occurs under highlight conditions. Inherent in the microchannel plate structure, visible in virtually all Gen 2 and Gen 3 systems if the light level is high enough. Commonly noticed in L3Harris devices.
A built-in or mountable infrared (IR) diode that emits invisible light. The unaided eye cannot see IR light, so a night vision device is required. IR illuminators provide supplemental illumination at wavelengths such as 730nm, 830nm, and 920nm, eliminating ambient light variability while allowing targeted illumination of specific areas.
Night vision, thermal, and related items inside the US are subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These products cannot be taken or sent outside of the US regardless of where the device originated. Once in the US, it is subject to ITAR and cannot be exported without proper permits from the US State Department.