Any LEO/military people here who used the PVS7 or similar night vision? Was it generation 1, 2, 3, or 4?
I'm thinking of buying one, and I know it is very freaking expensive, especially the latter generations.
How much better are each progressive generations compared to its previous?
I have used a lot, all of it military, and looked through a couple of import/ civilian models.
Specifically: the AN/PVS 4 (starlight scope), 5, 7, 14 (monocle), 15 (dual 14), 18 (like a waterproof 14), and UNS (maybe the 22, it mounts in front of a regular rifle scope).
There was noticeable improvement from the 4/5 to the 7, and from the 7 to the others. Even the 4 blows away the cheap stuff. It is for each to decide if the cost is worth it. I have driven with the 7, 14 and 15. I don't own any, but would like to. I just can't justify the cost. Even though I work as a cop, I can't just justify 3000+.
You may get decent results with a cheaper set and a surefire light with an IR filter. Maybe I'll look into that, too.