REVIEW: ACTinBlack DTNVS 14

Night vision devices are great, and even better when both eyes can benefit from them. The DTNVS 14 is the evolution of the DTNVG, which we presented to you some time ago on SPARTANAT. We took a detailed look at the new DTNVS, available in Germany at ANDRES INDUSTRIES, and we'll tell you what to expect. The DTNVS comes in a sleek, padded carrying case. This protects the device very well since it's quite valuable. At the same time, the box also provides ample space for the necessary accessories. The DTNVS weighs just under 470 g with batteries, making it significantly lighter than its predecessor, the DTNVG. The accessories include:

• 2 anti-fog lenses
• 2 protective lenses
• 2 bikini lens covers
• 2 eyecups
• 2 daylight covers
• 1 padded MOLLE pouch from Ferro Concepts

Everything fits very well in the protective case, and a few spare batteries should never be missing. The DTNVS is powered by a CR123A battery, which lasts an incredible 25 hours. During our testing, we never had to change the battery even though we spent several hours in the darkness with it. The DTNVS 14 is an incredibly light and compact device. Like its predecessor, it uses lenses from the AN/PVS-14, which reduces acquisition costs since these parts are widely available in the market. Even if a lens were to break, replacement would be easy to find. We even had the special LWT40D ocular version to test. These lenses have a different diopter adjustment than the classic PVS lenses. There are three different versions available: LNS40, LWT40, and LWT40D. LNS40 features the classic glass PVS14 eyepieces with the familiar white diopter scales. The LWT40 variant replaces the glass lenses with lighter plastic lenses. The LWT40D variant has the plastic lenses and a different type of diopter adjustment. They are also called Ether eyepieces. The adjustable diopter range is from +2 to -2, but unlike traditional eyepieces, the user can lock this setting in place with a lock, preventing accidental adjustment of the diopter setting during use. The battery cap has a laser-cut tab to prevent anything from getting lost. Next to it is the power button, in the style of a PVS-14. The dovetail for attaching to the NVG arm fit perfectly with all possible manufacturers. Simply a dream. To extend the battery life, the DTNVS has two automatic shutdown options. One is the shutdown when the device is folded up. The other is the automatic shutdown when the tubes are rotated above a certain point. Once the tubes are folded down or rotated back, they turn back on. Very practical.

Features

Compared to the DTNVG, there are two essential improvements to the housing. Firstly, there are eyelets into which you can thread your lanyards.

Secondly, you can now adjust the interpupillary distance precisely. To do this, you need to purchase the IPD (Interpupillary Distance) which is simply screwed onto the back.

You can push out a small pin with the adjustment wheels, which ultimately prevents the tubes from folding completely to the center. The image shows both extreme cases, the maximum length on the left, the minimum on the right. A simple but very precise solution. The IPD is not installed by default at the factory, as some users may not need it. However, retrofitting is possible at any time and quite simple. We found the IPD to be very practical.

The DTNVS 14 can be as flat as a flounder. Well, not quite as flat, but you get the idea.

This feature is especially useful when the DTNVS is flipped up on the helmet for extended periods. The center of gravity moves closer to the head and it feels much more comfortable.

If desired, you can also go diving with the DTNVS 14. It is waterproof for up to two hours at depths of up to 20 meters. So watching fish under the full moon underwater sounds quite unique.

The Tubes

In a night vision device, a solid housing forms the base, with the most important and often very expensive part being the image intensifier tubes, which are the actual night vision devices. For those who want to know exactly, we have explained the principles of image intensifier tubes HERE and HERE. As you can see, our tubes have some spots, which is normal and a result of production. As long as the spots are not all in the center, it is not a quality defect.

These tubes are Echo+ White Phosphor by Photonis, belonging to Generation 2. This model offers MilSpec performance of at least 2,000 FOM at a significantly lower price than a completely flawless 4G (Gen2) or a Harder tube (Gen3) of the same performance level. In return, spots of a certain size, number, and type are allowed in the middle and outer regions, but not in the center. It may seem concerning at first, but in the real world, those dots become unnoticeable.

Comparing the price between this "Spongy Tubes" and flawless tubes is sufficient with a look at the sales page. The DTNVS here costs around 15k euros with Echo+ tubes and around 20k euros with flawless Harder Gen3 tubes, so it's already a lot of money for the same performance.

The image quality of these tubes is really extremely good. Both tubes had an actual value of over 2,200 FOM even though they only need to meet a minimum of 2,000 FOM. The details are very clear. Whether it's leaves, branches, or the tree stand in the middle of the picture. It was a slightly cloudy, moonless night. The spots are almost no longer visible.

Without night vision device, it looked something like this. Not much to see without technical aids. The comparison definitely shows that it's worth having a DTNVS.

In moving pictures, the detail perception comes across even better.

The DTNVS 14 is slightly lighter than the AN/PVS-31 BNVD – HERE in our REVIEW – and is even somehow more beautiful to look at. In terms of dimensions, the two are very similar.

CONCLUSION: The DTNVS is a successful further development of an already very good night vision device. Thanks to the "retrofitting" to PVS-14 components, replacement parts can be found quickly and relatively inexpensively. This also lowers the price of the DTNVS 14 to an affordable level for the night vision device market. The DTNVS 14 offers you very good value for money, no matter which tubes you ultimately decide on.

The DTNVS is available in Germany exclusively at Andres Industreis from 10,900 euros, depending on the tube choice, it gets more expensive.

ANDRES INDUSTRIES on the Internet

ACTinBlack on the Internet: www.actinblack.com