NVG-ALPHA Housing & Build Service Using Your Tubes & Optics

The NVG-ALPHA Omni 7 is the best Night Vision Goggle value with American gen 3 tubes today. Why is this?

The NVG-ALPHA Omni 7 is a binocular night vision device (NVG-ALPHA) that consists of an American 3rd Generation Omni 7 Image Intensifier Tubes, American Mil-Spec Optics by Carson, and a housing made by the Argus Company, modified by OPFOR Canada, then optimized and assembled here in the USA with the best optics available.  Carson Optics are the standard to which all others are compared. They are Mil-Spec and a Carson is a primary supplier to all branches of the United States Military.

What do I get with the unit?

Each standard NVG-ALPHA MK2 system ships with the goggle, lens covers, AA batteries, and soft case.  A 5 year warranty against system failure during normal use is included. All Adams Industries systems ship within the USA for free.

What are the Omni 7 Image Intensifier Specs?

These were the contract min/max specs at the time of the Omni 7 Contract:

• Resolution Ip/mm (min) 64
• Signal to Noise Ratio - S/N (min) 28
• Photocathode Sensitivity in uA/lm@2856K (min) 2,200
• Sensitivity in uA/lm@880nm (min) 120
• Gain fL/fc (range) 50,000-80,000
• MTF@2.5lp/mm (min) 0.92
• MTF@7.5lp/mm (min) 0.8
• MTF@15/p/mm (min) 0.61
• MTF@25lp/mm (min) 0.38
• Halo in mm (max) 0.70
• Phosphor Type P-43
• EBI x10^-11 (max) 3

*These are the contract minimum specs at the time of the Omni 7 Contract. These are the minimums & maximums from the contract and reside in the public domain.

So what does this mean?

Let's tackle where the Omni 7 stands compared to other options. The two specifications most often compared are the Figure of Merit (FOM), and the Resolution. FOM was not a requirement in the Omni 7 specs. However, we can calculate it by multiplying the Resolution by the Signal to Noise Ratio. For the Omni 7, this is 64 lp/mm x 28 = 1792. Let's compare with the alternatives out there:

Omni 7 (min) 1792

• Omni 8 (min) 1625
• Elbit XLSH (min) 1344
• Elbit SLH (min) 1536
• Elbit YH (min) 1600
• Elbit VH (min) 1792
• L3 18UM (min) 1542
• L3 20UM/UA (min) 1792
• L3 22UM/UA (min) 1920
• L3 24UA (min) 2160

Granted, very few tubes will ever actually test at the minimum spec, but allowing this as a starting point makes you realize that the Omni 7 starts the race ahead of tubes that sell for much more money. Not that there are not reasons to seriously investigate these other options; just that the Omni 7 should usually be considered a valid competitor.

For a detailed account of what these specifications actually measure, look further down this page.

What are the NVG-ALPHA MK2 Omni 7's System Specifications?

The Argus Company manufactures the NVG-ALPHA binocular night vision housing. They improved the MK1 in many ways. Some of the key features and specifications of the MK2 include:

• Improved seals to prevent water and dust ingress
• Improved screws that are more durable and less likely to strip
• Longer IPD stop screws to provide a wider range of adjustment
• Built-in IR illuminator for low-light and no-light conditions
• Redesigned pods that are more ergonomic and durable
• Manual gain control that enables the user to adjust the brightness of the unit to their personal preference
• A single AA battery powers the Argus NVG-ALPHA
• Its durability, features, and low price make it a popular choice for many users

Why do We base Our systems off the OPFOR "Canadian Custom" housing?

The Canadian Custom NVG-ALPHA is lighter, tougher, and has better quality control than the standard version. It would take many extra hours to bring a standard NVG-ALPHA up to the OPFOR standard. So why fight it? By starting with the OPFOR housing, we begin our journey with the best materials and work from there.

And finally, why are AI NVG-ALPHA units special?

It may seem like there is not much else to do, but details matter. The journey continues with fixing the NVG-ALPHAs pod switch issue. Next, solder joints are strengthened and key channels are clearanced to avoid wire chafing. The tubes are mechanically centered in the pods to tighten collimation for less eye fatigue from long term use. The aluminum D-collars are a nice touch as well.

FEATURES

• The NVG-ALPHA is a tested mule of a housing that accepts very commonly distributed PVS-14 optics. Do not be stuck with an unfixable goggle in the event of an infrastructure failure or get told you'll have to wait months to replace proprietary components.
• Water resistant to 5 feet (154.2 cm) for one hour.
• Tube performance where it really counts:
  • Minimum Figure of Merit (FOM):  1792
  • Resolution Ip/mm (min) 64
  • Signal to Noise Ratio - S/N (min) 28
  • Photocathode Sensitivity in uA/lm@2856K (min) 2,200