I wondered the same thing as Karl on the initial post, that is to be sure you are asking about true two tube binocular versus monocular, and not the AN/PVS-7 which is both eyes/one tube. Here is a combination of truth and some opinion from 22 years of mostly AN/PVS-14 experience:
1. If you need to fly or drive a vehicle at any kind of significant speeds you need two tubes to support your binocular vision so your brain can compute for depth perception.
2. Typical usage on foot I prefer the benefit Karl also mentioned for head-mounted monocular of having full peripheral natural vision in one eye. This also helps to determine when there are sources of light bright enough to be seen with normal vision, or awareness you have moved into an area of greater ambient light or otherwise have light cast on you where you may then be more visible than you want to be. The view within NV is also bright enough to break down your natural night vision which takes 20 or more minutes in darkness to maximize, so single eye NV preserves natural night vision as a fallback for the off eye. For me the NV works best on my dominant eye.
3. AN/PVS-7 with a good tube is way better than nothing, but is really the worst of both worlds; lacking the depth of true binocular while blowing the advantages of natural vision in one eye.
4. There are some newer styles, but the original USGI "skull crusher" headmount is the worst piece of NV gear ever fielded by the US in my lifetime. It serves no purpose except being placed in the original zippered pouch so you have a complete set of accessories if you offer your NV for sale later. I would rather wear the extra weight of my 2000s era config PASGT helmet + Oregon Aero BLSS kit than the skull crusher because it is 10x more comfortable. Look into the Crye Night Cap for greater comfort (and probably add some amount of counterweight if you don't have a battery pack that can locate in back) as well as more compact storage and transport versus a helmet when you are not wearing it.
5. Weapon-mounted nightvision is impractical and nearly useless except for longer range stand-off weapons, head mounted provides the most value with the continuous support for movement and situational awareness. You may not even have clearance to pan a weapon where you want indoors, dense growth, riding in a vehicle, or hands-busy driving an ATV, etc.
6. A weapon-mounted IR laser is essential for rapid engagement. It's very hard to get yourself positioned behind an Aimpoint, EOTch or other optic with night vision settings because the NV tube is banging into the back of the optic, plus having to line up the axis of the NV almost perfectly with the axis of the optic to see through it.
After re-reading the posts here and reviewing my own, I would like to add a clarification.
Where I said that NV has a single focus: That is true for any single point of time, but focus is adjustable and can be changed by the user to suit the current situation.
What I was trying to get at is that the focus does not change automatically like using a digital camera. The user is required to adjust as-needed.
Example, if you are adjusted for walking in an open field where the focus is set for 25 yards or so, you will not be able to see anything clearly close up without adjusting the focus. Then, to resume your travel you will have to adjust the focus again to see things clearly at approach distances.
Trying to get the best possible clarity on something 100 yards out with an illuminator? You will need to focus again. It is what it is. I just thought it might be helpful to understand how it is used vs making it sound like there was only one unalterable focus point.
I guess I will have to admit sheepdog and I have a differing view regarding the PVS7. It does not have the adjustable gain of the 14s. It is heavier, and as already stated it has several drawbacks, but for sitting stationary in an observation mode only, I prefer them. To each his own. Everyone's experience varies.
Back when I bought mine there was a significant cost difference between the 7 and 14. Later, I upgraded to the 14 because of the positives already listed. But I was not compelled in any way to get rid of the 7. They are still really useful. Plus, mine has a really good blemish-free tube.
Then again, I still have a Gen2+ unit that I wouldn't sell but would willingly share with a friend if the need arises just because NV is just so d@mned cool!
Allen, if expecting to operate in the dark, any NV is better than no NV. Beware the game of gotta have the best, but it is your dollar and decision. There is always a higher standard to obtain and something new to chase. NV is an addicting better-than-yours game. Buy the best-of-the-best today and tomorrow someone will cr@p all over it because they just bought the latest and greatest.
Buy something good, use it, enjoy it and the advantages it offers.
Peace!
I always set my night vision to infinity focus. Find the farthest object i can, then adjust front to rear then front again. Both sides. Also, If you buy some butler creek caps and punch a hole in the mile of them (with a spent 5.56 casing) you can get close focus. Specific butler creek cap number is the 09A. Basically flip them down when you enter a building or are doing admin stuff up close. When you pop them up, you still have your infinity focus. To be honest, i usually run them with the caps off, and havent touched the focus since i bought them. My friend has some tarsier eclipse which are $250 a pop and do the exact same thing,... just look fancier.
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Butler creek scope cap for pvs-14 - AR15.COM