Buying your first NV device can be a challenging process as information regarding Image Intensifiers is not always readily available and easy to understand at first.

In this short guide, we aim to help newcomers have a better understanding of the various capabilities, tradeoffs and attributes of our image intensifier lineup, going in depth on each of their individual characteristics, specs and use cases, as well as comparing them against one another.

AUTOGATING

Autogating is a feature present on some of the more modern and capable IIT’s; Autogating works by quickly turning the tube’s photocathode on and off, hundreds of times per second, achieving tube protection against bright lights, while maintaining a high resolution as, unlike non-gated tubes, the power supply unit is able to protect the image intensifier without having to lower voltage.

All our tubes come equipped with Autogating as standard

GAIN CONTROL

Gain Control is a feature set present on all modern image intensifiers which serves to modulate Luminance Gain (effectively speaking Brightness) depending on ambient light levels.
Gain Control can be compared to a car’s transmission; and thus we can be break it down into two types:

• AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AUTOGAIN):Works Exactly like an automatic gearbox found in most cars nowadays, automatically adjusting to the correct brightness needed for each situation automatically without the need for user input.
• MANUAL GAIN CONTROL: Unlike Autogain, Manual Gain Control allows users to manually adjust brightness by either twisting a knob or pushing a button (depending on the device).

The Line Up

Gen 2+ 1400-1600 FOM WP AG

Our entry level image intensifier comes in the form of Gen 2+ White Phosphor 1400-1600 FOM AG lineup, featuring AutoGating, and available with Manual or Automatic Gain control.

Average Specs:

FOM: 1400-1600
Resolution: 64, +/- 4 lp/mm
SNR: 23, (will be higher if the resolution is lower than 64)
Luminance Gain: 10.000, +/- 2000 cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Yes
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

These tubes are the perfect fit for anyone on a budget trying to get a functional setup; we recommend them to anyone looking to hunt, play airsoft, hike, stargaze or perform any kind of recreational activity, as they offer a clean picture in most settings; AutoGating allows them to perform well in dynamic lighting environments, tho because of the modest FOM and Gain values, they will struggle in very dark environments such as thickly forested areas.

Gen 2+ 1600-1800 FOM WP AG

The Mid Price Range option, comes with the Gen 2+ 1600-1800 FOM AG line, once again featuring AutoGating, a feature always present on our tubes unless stated otherwise.
These are a direct performance improvement over the previously mentioned 1400-1600 lineup with no additional features other than higher specs.

Average Specs:

FOM: 1600-1800
Resolution: 64, +/- 4 lp/mm
SNR: 25, (will be higher if the resolution is lower than 64)
Luminance Gain: 10.000, +/- 2000 cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Yes
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

Being a direct upgrade with no tradeoffs or differences in hardware, these tubes are the perfect middle ground between performance and cost, as they enhance clarity with a moderate price increase.
AutoGating allows them to perform well in dynamic lighting environments, tho because of the modest FOM and Gain values, they will struggle in very dark environments such as thickly forested areas, tho less than the 1400+ FOM variant.
These are the perfect choice recreational activities such as Hiking, Stargazing, Airsoft, Hunting and Target Practice.

Gen 3 NVT 1700+ FOM WP AG

NVT recently expanded their products with Generation 3 tubes, being one of the very few, true Gen 3, ITAR-Free image intensifiers on the available civilian market.

Average Specs:

FOM: 1700-2000
Resolution: 64 +/- 4 lp/mm
SNR: 27+
Luminance Gain: 15.000+ cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Yes
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

Their main advantage comes in the form of higher gain with a minimum of 15.000 cd/(m^2 lx) far exceeding most tubes within the same price range. Furthermore, these tubes also come equipped with autogating, allowing them to also perform decently in higher lighting environments.
The Gen 3 NNVT Tubes excel in very low lighting thanks to their high base gain, making them an easy pick for anyone intending to use their device in remote locations where ambient lighting is at a minimum.
With that being said, they will excel in low light, yet they fall short in higher lighting conditions compared to other Generation 2+ tubes because of lower contrast, although still performing adequately even in said conditions.

Gen2+ NVT NVT-7 WP AG

NVT-7 represent the highest grade of Gen 2+ tubes manufactured by NNVT, being very similar in both performance and construction to Photonis Echo tubes, sporting the very same coating enabling extended bandwidth (max 1064nm).

• Light Diffraction Grating Coated Photocathode, allowing an extended Spectral Range which reaches a peak of 1064nm, allowing them to see further into the Near InfraRed band than other Gen 2+ and Gen 3 tubes can with normal Photocathodes.
• Fast AutoGating, creating clearer images in high light and dynamic lighting environments compared to many other autogated Gen 2 and Gen 3 tubes.

Average Specs:

FOM: 1800-2200
Resolution: 64+ lp/mm
SNR: 28+
Luminance Gain: 10.000, +/- 2000 cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Fast-Autogated
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

The NVT-7 excels in dynamic and medium lighting conditions thanks to exceptional clarity and contrast, paired with a fast autogating, which further increases clarity against bright light sources.
The NVT-7 will outperform every Gen 2+ tube with the exception of equally or better “specced” Photonis tubes, which will have ever so slightly better contrast and faster autogating.
For ultralow lighting conditions, we instead recommend going with Gen 3 NVT tubes

Gen2+ Photonis Echo 1800-2200+ FOM WP

Echo image intensifiers come with unique features that make them stand out among most Gen 2+ Tubes.
Modern tubes manufactured by Photonis, such as Echo and 4G, are equipped with:

• Light Diffraction Grating Coated Photocathode, allowing an extended Spectral Range which reaches a peak of 1064nm, allowing them to see further into the Near InfraRed band than other Gen 2+ and Gen 3 tubes can with normal Photocathodes.
• Ultra-Fast AutoGating, creating exceptionally clear images in high light and dynamic lighting environments, giving users a huge advantage in Urban Scenarios.

Average Specs:

FOM: 1800-2200
Resolution: 64+ lp/mm
SNR: 28+
Luminance Gain: 10.000, +/- 2000 cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Ultra-Fast
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

Photonis tubes are also currently the highest contrast tubes on the market, with an unparalleled level of detail, and are exceptional for recreational activities as well as Law Enforcement / Military use.
Overall these tubes excel in dynamic lighting and give incredibly sharp images, tho just like most Gen 2+ tubes, they are limited by modest gain values, which will make them struggle in ultra-low lighting.

Gen2+ Photonis 4G 2400+ FOM WP

4G image intensifiers come with unique features that make them stand out among most Gen 2+ Tubes that you also find in the Echo and Echo+ series of tube.
Modern tubes manufactured by Photonis, such as Echo and 4G, are equipped with:

• Light Diffraction Grating Coated Photocathode, allowing an extended Spectral Range which reaches a peak of 1064nm, allowing them to see further into the Near InfraRed band than other Gen 2+ and Gen 3 tubes can with normal Photocathodes.
• Ultra-Fast AutoGating, creating exceptionally clear images in high light and dynamic lighting environments, giving users a huge advantage in Urban Scenarios.

Average Specs:

FOM: 2400+
Resolution: 64+ lp/mm
SNR: 28+
Luminance Gain: 10.000, +/- 2000 cd/(m^2 lx)
EBI: 0.25 maximum
Autogating: Ultra-Fast
Manual Gain Version Available: Yes

Photonis tubes are also currently the highest contrast tubes on the market, with an unparalleled level of detail, and are exceptional for recreational activities as well as Law Enforcement / Military use.
Overall these tubes excel in dynamic lighting and give incredibly sharp images, tho just like most Gen 2+ tubes, they are limited by modest gain values, which will make them struggle in ultra-low lighting.