@@DakotaStarryNights I wonder, having seen some of your other videos, whether you have considered opening a startup that would implement these ideas. I think Explore Scientific might be interested in your mount improvements. Just a thought.
@@JamesAdams-ev6fc Thanks for the vote of confidence. ES did contact me after the my first review on the Ultra Light 12 to discuss its problems and possible solutions. But that's as far as it went. Honestly, though, I wouldn't know where to begin to implement these ideas into a business model.
@@DakotaStarryNights It would be some work to go from your ideas to production mode, and of course you would want excellent prototypes to attract advance orders from persons who can understand the improvements, like Scott Roberts would. Add-On items that only you can make seem the most promising--remember the Telrad for example. To get it into production mode you would need to test reliable materials with the help of a workman who is...well, workmanlike. Every item has to follow a very precise tolerance and it has to pass initial tests, including tests of durability under different climatic conditions. It's a challenge, but then again, your ideas are good ideas. By the way, I showed my wife your videos and she was impressed. I also mentioned them to High Point Scientific, an excellent vendor. And finally, one of my most beloved teachers came from eastern South Dakota. It may be cold in the winter, but the flora and fauna and landscape are unforgettable. I wish you the best working on these creative fixes to the gear used in our hobby.
Thank you for this video. Very clear and helpful. I had a question regarding your setup with an SCT for example the Celestron 8SE. Would the setup still work? Only difference is I have a bino but it has PVS14 optics so that - adapter - 55mm - coma corrector? - telescope. Did your calculations looks like with everything by assuming no compatibility issues I would be at a f4.7
It's difficult to know with the complexity of the bino, adapter, 55mm, and a coma corrector. One thing for certain, long focal length telescopes are at a disadvantage. You really want f5 or f4. And below f4 is better still. 💫
What is the item the connects the NV to the focus tube on telescope called? i cannot find it anywhere. It's a 2" tube connection. What are the thread size on the front of the NV (1.25")?
It's actually an adapter that connects the NV monocular to a TelVue eyepiece of your choosing. The NV monocular doe not load into the focuser tube itself. See the description for the link. It's called Tele Vue TNVC Night Vision A-Focal Astronomy Adapter. Cheers!
When using something of higher magnification than the 55mm televue (+64mm adapter) does it loose resolution? I have tried a 30mm GSO eyepiece but seems as though it only magnifies the inherent scintillation of the device.
I only use TeleVue eyepieces so maybe there's something there. That said, for higher magnification I use a TeleVue 35mm Pan Optic and have gotten great results with a UL16 dob.
Hello - I really enjoyed this video... very complete and informative. I worked the math with my set up and wanted to check with you about my calculations: C-11 Edge FL=2800 F-10... added dedicated .7 reducer (you can use for visual also with diagonal) now: FL 1960... F-7 Magnification = 1960 ÷ 55 (55mm televue Plossl) = 35.6 x (power) 280mm ÷ 35.6 = 7.865 (exit pupil) 1960 ÷ 280 = F7 PVS14... 26mm ÷ 7.865 = F3.3 Does this look correct... do you think this would be a good set up for night vision viewing? (C-11 Edge, .7 Dedicated reducer, PVS-14, 55mm Televue Plossl) Did your buddy with the 11" Edge have/use the dedicated .7 reducer? Are my numbers correct? Isn't F3.3 a good number out of the PVS-14? Thanks very much!!! Mike
If you are referring to the long pass filter, I got it on EBay: www.ebay.com/itm/48mm-630nm-IR-Filter-Infrared-Optical-Grade-R63-Filter-for-Camera-Len/172524510553?hash=item282b431d59:g:OZcAAOxyAc1STY5a
Very educational. Thankyou. You do say by inference with scopes that are 2400mm in length or longer that my SDM pimped 20” Obsession won’t work with NV. Is there hope? I would run at f2.8 using my 55 mm TV plossel. Clear Skies .
Looks like the Europeans have circumvented your ITAR regulations and made a better product that can be used in prime and a focal modes. Check it out here 👍🏻😊astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Categories/Shop/Night_Vision
It's more to do with the f ratio. Longer focal length scope typically have higher f ratios of 10 or more. In your case, with 508mm of aperture @ 2400 fl you be at f/4.7. That's fast and will be great for NV with the 55mm TV plossel.
Hello maybe you could help me what would be the best choice for me to view the night sky looking for like UFOs and satellites would it be thermal vision or night visions any help would be appreciated thank you
Night vision would be best. Thermal vision works by amplifying a heat signal. I doubt there would be much, if any, readable heat signal emitted from satellites or potential UFO's. Unless the UFO had some kind of alien hot warp drive we don't know about. :)
Hi Dakota, can you recommend a camcorder, DSLR, or possibly full spectrum camera, that can view and record the cloaked UFO's in the night/day skies? By cloaked, I mean objects that don't reflect normal light and can only be seen by non-infrared bypass filters? I'd really appreciate it.
I was seriously considering buying a 16” Dob for deep sky as my 8” SCT struggles to pick up those DSO’s that I am craving to see, Even with an 6.3 reducer and a 40mm EP... Is there a preference of White or Green phosphor for Astronomy?, Thanks for all the info you provide in all your videos, I’ve learned a lot from them.
Generally speaking, the white phosphor PVS14 tend to cost more. Some folks feel they can see more with the white phosphor. I can't say as I've never tried one. But JRH, link above, has a really nice Harris/Elbit systems thin filmed White Phosphor tube Pinnacle that's autogated. That's pretty much top of the line. Now I don't receive any money from them or anything like that. But if a guy was in the market for a PVS 14 I'd take a good hard look at that one. As for myself, once I got my PVS14 (green version) and a fast f/4.5 16" dob I sold all my astro imaging equipment. Didn't need it no more. I'm satisfied every time I go out now. Best investment I've made in astronomy. Thanks for posting. Clear skies!
Great video. I'm on the fence between NV and live stacking-- with phosphor tube NV I imagine that there is a limit to what level of equipment and resolution will be available to civilians due to the potential applications of the technology. Realtime aspect of enhanced viewing with NV, albeit at lower resolutions, is very alluring. With live stacking, higher resolutions and colors can be coaxed out, but there is still a significant delay in viewing a processed computer enhanced image due to (current but not future) limitations on processing power, camera speed, data throughout, and image processing algorithm development. Do you think at some point there will be a convergence of NV tech and live stacking so you can have a realtime high resolution color cake and eat it too? I'm thinking along the lines of HDR/full color night vision-- I've seen some videos of full color night vision and Canon's 4.5 million ISO camera and wonder when the processes behind this level of image amplification will trickle down.
I'm using Gen 3 which is pretty amazing. The combination of real-time viewing and the simplicity of the platform made it an easy choice for me. It runs on just one double "A" battery too. Still on the one it came with! I've since sold off all my imaging gear as I don't feel a need for it anymore. Not to say NV yields the high full color images of astrophotography. No way. But I'm spending more time looking at DSO's instead of working on problems like polar alignments, laptops, software, guide cams, power generators and the rest. I've recently got a Hubble UL16. (Look for an upcoming review here on DSN) The UL16 takes NV to a whole new level. I am so spoiled now. Anything else "visually" just doesn't cut it for me anymore. As far as the near future... Here's something you might like: www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-researchers-develop-infrared-film-for-smartphones-self-driving-cars/ Clear Skies, Dakota.
@@DakotaStarryNightsI agree, I'd rather spend time viewing objects like DSO's in real time, rather than waiting for exposures and computer processing! Night vision without needing a CCD, CMOS, amplification tube, cathode, etc? Wow! It would seem the low cost coating not only upconverts the IR to visible light, but maintains a high degree of the photon's direction. I would think such a thing would have improved resolution compared with the current offerings. Very interesting. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for your input on the UL16! I greatly enjoyed your video overview and efficient modifications that you did on the ES truss dob. I've been cutting my teeth modifying/restoring 8 and 10" dobs and would like to go big, but get the absolute most from my light polluted skies.
Hey Jay; It was back in 2017 that I got mine: PVS-14 HP+ Pinnacle Autogated Night Vision from JRH. As far as white vs green, I asked Robert that question myself. He said, "It's really mostly a matter of personal preference. I am regular user of this type of gear and I have not seen the need MYSELF to get any WP units. I'm more than happy with my HP+ units in green. Studies have shown that the human brain picks up images better this way and that's why green was chosen to begin with." (Which was pretty honest considering most outfits would want you to spend the extra money.) All that said, I never had a white unite to do an actual comparison but I'm a happy camper with the one I got in green. Dealer's choice here. Clear skies.
@@DakotaStarryNights Thanks for the reply, good info! One other question that I'm having a hard time resolving is if Televue is the only game in town in terms of mating the eyepiece to the PVS-14 with the specialized adapter they have. Definitely adds to the cost of things when getting into night vision. Ideally I would like to use some of my Baader eyepieces and threaded camera adapters and potentially a 56mm Meade Plossl but I may have to just invest in the Televue lineup which is not a bad thing just spendy. :-)
@@kermitzforg Due to the need for speed, you only need two eyepieces really; a Televue 55mm Plossl and/or a Televue 35mm Panoptic. That's what I use 98% of the time. Some of the Explorer Scientific eyepiece are TV colons. If you have one of those it may work. The key is the top of the eyepieces where it connects to the adapter.
The pvs 14 is 4 thousand bucks. I know that is irrelevant to it being the right tool for the job but I am guessing there are much cheaper alternatives that could still yield decent results. I know the sky is not even the limit when it comes to how much we can spend on this as a hobby or professionally. Advances in manufacturing should make cheaper alternatives for amateurs' or students to be able to really enjoy astronomy and astrophotography. Thanks for the awesome amount of info and the demos.
Hey Paul, yeah they're spendy. But I've seem them on sale at times for just under 3 grand at JR's. Still not cheap, but a thousand dollars is nothing to sneeze at. Clear skies & Happy New Year!🥳
Hello, thanks for this great video that interests me a lot. I’m french (nobody’s perfect) and I just bought a Dobson ES 16´´ Gen 2. Is it possible to adapt this device on the ES 82° & 68° eyepieces ? Very good equipment, the only problem seems to be the price that is huuuugeeee ..... No ? 👍. I have the Baader zoom too, Hyperion mk4 8-24 and maybe that’s gonna be a good combination ?
Bonjour! I'm not sure if the NV adapter will fit the ES eyepieces. I do know that some of the ES eyepiece designs are very similar to TeleVue's and may work. If not the price of a 55mm TeleVue Plossls are the lest expensive of their eyepieces. I have the Hyperion mk4 8-24, too. Great eyepiece. But for night vision you want low power and I wouldn't think it would couple with the night vision adapter. The Televue 55mm Plossl, along with the Televue 35mm Panoptic, are the only eyepieces I use for night vision astronomy. The 55mm is the workhorse for me as it allows the most light, lowest power and widest view for extended objects when used with a PVS-14. If you've haven't see it already, in this video I use the TeleVue 55mm Plossl for all the objects presented. th-cam.com/video/N5MpPCtwzZE/w-d-xo.html Clear Skies!
Dakota Starry Nights Hello .... Thanks a lot for your very quick answer 👍 ..... I would like to try this kit one of these day. Do you know if the manufacturer get a reseller in France or Europe ?
Dakota Starry Nights ok. I will do that, for sure. Thank you again. I’ve check the price for the Televue 55 plossl and it’s currently around 270 € in France, an almost affordable price for such a good eyepiece. I just have to find 3500€ for the signal booster ..... 😊
A PVS14 was originally designed to be use for the military for observing the field and night sky. It's great for watching meteor showers and is used without out a telescope for that application. Mounted on a helmet, as seen in the beginning of the video, will allow hands free operation. If you connect to a TeleVue eyepiece it can be used in a telescope for visual work, as demonstrated in the video. I was pointing a camera at the eyepiece to take pictures in order to demonstrate it's capabilities. But you typically used it for visual real time observation when connected to an eyepiece and telescope. Clear Skies!
Good evening- Are you aware... have you tried the Tele-Vue Plössl 55 adapter lens to 67mm from Tele-Vue ??? Much better usage of the light field... made specifically for Night Vision PVS-14/ Plössl 55mm. And I still really really am hoping you will respond/comment on the .7 dedicated reducer (used in this scenario) on the Celestron C-1100 Edge... If you use the Celestron C-1100 Edge, with the .7 dedicated reducer with the Tele-vue Plössl "67mm" you will get F-2.7 out of the eyepiece with 280mm of aperture!!! Does that not sound usable?... please let me know if I am wrong... reference your previous post. Thanks very much for your wonderful and informative night vision videos!!! Please... Please let me know what you think about this set up! Michael
Often what looks good on paper doesn't necessarily work in the field. As I haven't tried it myself I'm not able to confirm one way or another. But if it didn't pan out you could always pick up a fast 8" newt for much less than the price of a 11" Edge. Cheers.
Hello - I really enjoyed this video... very complete and informative. I worked the math with my set up and wanted to check with you about my calculations: C-11 Edge FL=2800 F-10... added dedicated .7 reducer (you can use for visual also with diagonal) now: FL 1960... F-7 Magnification = 1960 ÷ 55 (55mm televue Plossl) = 35.6 x (power) 280mm ÷ 35.6 = 7.865 (exit pupil) 1960 ÷ 280 = F7 PVS14... 26mm ÷ 7.865 = F3.3 Does this look correct... do you think this would be a good set up for night vision viewing? (C-11 Edge, .7 Dedicated reducer, PVS-14, 55mm Televue Plossl) Thanks very much!!! Mike
The long focal length of a typical SCT puts you at a disadvantage right from the start. Better to start out with something around f/5 or faster and 8" (203mm) or more of aperture. A buddy of mine tried one out with his 11" Edge and was disappointed. Thanks for posting. It will help others.
@@DakotaStarryNights Thank you for the reply... but... with the .7 dedicated reducer (making the scope F-7)... are my numbers correct? and isn't a final F3.3 out of my PVS14 pretty good? Thanks again... I really appreciate your help with this! Mike
You can buy them in the USA if you are a U.S. Citizen, or Permanent U.S. Resident. But there are restrictions like you cannot export them. And believe it or not, you are not suppose to let foreign nationals look though them. There is also some differences in the law based on state, country, and/or region. Especially when it comes to hunting.
Yes it is. There are things I am able to see now that I thought only imaging could produce. It's a different world for sure. Thanks for posting. Dakota
Man what I would give for a gen 3. If I had the money I would order one right this second!! If I had 3000 in the bank and I found some that was 2999....boom done. Ordered I have a gen 1 but it doesn't make the sky green like like the ones for looking for ufos. I go out almost every night and just stare at the sky. Some nights for hours. I get lost in it. Some day before I die I want so bad a gen 3.
Yeah, it's a chunk of money. That's for sure and for certain. But sometimes JRH Enterprises, link above, has them on sale. Even so, a pair of good binoculars will show you a ton of stuff up there. Clear skies!
No doubt they are spendy. But when you consider the alternative, lugging around a 24"+ mirror and what they cost, you come out ahead. I don't believe I could ever go back now to looking a faint fuzzies anymore. I've put down my CCD camera and been doing nothing but NV now. The views are what you thought your were going to see when you got your first telescope. lol Thanks for posting. Dakota
This guy has more info packed into one video than an encyclopedia.
nice video my left ear loved it!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Even more impressive than your previous videos. You're setting a new standard with these tutorials
Thank you James.
@@DakotaStarryNights I wonder, having seen some of your other videos, whether you have considered opening a startup that would implement these ideas. I think Explore Scientific might be interested in your mount improvements. Just a thought.
@@JamesAdams-ev6fc Thanks for the vote of confidence. ES did contact me after the my first review on the Ultra Light 12 to discuss its problems and possible solutions. But that's as far as it went. Honestly, though, I wouldn't know where to begin to implement these ideas into a business model.
@@DakotaStarryNights It would be some work to go from your ideas to production mode, and of course you would want excellent prototypes to attract advance orders from persons who can understand the improvements, like Scott Roberts would. Add-On items that only you can make seem the most promising--remember the Telrad for example. To get it into production mode you would need to test reliable materials with the help of a workman who is...well, workmanlike. Every item has to follow a very precise tolerance and it has to pass initial tests, including tests of durability under different climatic conditions. It's a challenge, but then again, your ideas are good ideas. By the way, I showed my wife your videos and she was impressed. I also mentioned them to High Point Scientific, an excellent vendor. And finally, one of my most beloved teachers came from eastern South Dakota. It may be cold in the winter, but the flora and fauna and landscape are unforgettable. I wish you the best working on these creative fixes to the gear used in our hobby.
Just found this video and I am very interested in exploring more about this for my gear! Thanks for another great video!
Thanks another very good vlog about this subject. So well broken down all the information you may need to make a decision. So well presented.
Happy to hear you found it useful. :)
Dakota, thank you. I found you video about nihgt vision for observing. Thanks
Do you know if there away to shoot prime focus through your telescope using Pvs14 ??, Thank!!
Yes, I do it all the time. Check out: th-cam.com/video/N5MpPCtwzZE/w-d-xo.html (starts at 6:30 in the timeline) Clear skies!
Thank you, this video was most helpful. Trying to navigate the world of nightvision one can get lost. You made it easy.
Glad to hear folks are finding it useful. :)
Thank you for this video. Very clear and helpful. I had a question regarding your setup with an SCT for example the Celestron 8SE. Would the setup still work? Only difference is I have a bino but it has PVS14 optics so that - adapter - 55mm - coma corrector? - telescope. Did your calculations looks like with everything by assuming no compatibility issues I would be at a f4.7
It's difficult to know with the complexity of the bino, adapter, 55mm, and a coma corrector. One thing for certain, long focal length telescopes are at a disadvantage. You really want f5 or f4. And below f4 is better still. 💫
Great video, very well explained, thanks.
You're welcome. :)
What is the item the connects the NV to the focus tube on telescope called? i cannot find it anywhere. It's a 2" tube connection. What are the thread size on the front of the NV (1.25")?
It's actually an adapter that connects the NV monocular to a TelVue eyepiece of your choosing. The NV monocular doe not load into the focuser tube itself. See the description for the link. It's called Tele Vue TNVC Night Vision A-Focal Astronomy Adapter. Cheers!
When using something of higher magnification than the 55mm televue (+64mm adapter) does it loose resolution? I have tried a 30mm GSO eyepiece but seems as though it only magnifies the inherent scintillation of the device.
I only use TeleVue eyepieces so maybe there's something there. That said, for higher magnification I use a TeleVue 35mm Pan Optic and have gotten great results with a UL16 dob.
Super interesting! Cathode amplification!
Hello - I really enjoyed this video... very complete and informative.
I worked the math with my set up and wanted to check with you about my calculations:
C-11 Edge FL=2800 F-10... added dedicated .7 reducer (you can use for visual also with diagonal) now: FL 1960... F-7
Magnification = 1960 ÷ 55 (55mm televue Plossl) = 35.6 x (power)
280mm ÷ 35.6 = 7.865 (exit pupil)
1960 ÷ 280 = F7
PVS14... 26mm ÷ 7.865 = F3.3
Does this look correct... do you think this would be a good set up for night vision viewing? (C-11 Edge, .7 Dedicated reducer, PVS-14, 55mm Televue Plossl)
Did your buddy with the 11" Edge have/use the dedicated .7 reducer?
Are my numbers correct?
Isn't F3.3 a good number out of the PVS-14?
Thanks very much!!!
Mike
Where can I get that wideband filter you are using?2”.
If you are referring to the long pass filter, I got it on EBay: www.ebay.com/itm/48mm-630nm-IR-Filter-Infrared-Optical-Grade-R63-Filter-for-Camera-Len/172524510553?hash=item282b431d59:g:OZcAAOxyAc1STY5a
Very educational. Thankyou. You do say by inference with scopes that are 2400mm in length or longer that my SDM pimped 20” Obsession won’t work with NV. Is there hope? I would run at f2.8 using my 55 mm TV plossel. Clear Skies .
Looks like the Europeans have circumvented your ITAR regulations and made a better product that can be used in prime and a focal modes. Check it out here 👍🏻😊astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Categories/Shop/Night_Vision
It's more to do with the f ratio. Longer focal length scope typically have higher f ratios of 10 or more. In your case, with 508mm of aperture @ 2400 fl you be at f/4.7. That's fast and will be great for NV with the 55mm TV plossel.
Thankyou for your assistance good sir ✅👍🏻
Nice, thanks for the info!
Fantastic examples.
Hello maybe you could help me what would be the best choice for me to view the night sky looking for like UFOs and satellites would it be thermal vision or night visions any help would be appreciated thank you
Night vision would be best. Thermal vision works by amplifying a heat signal. I doubt there would be much, if any, readable heat signal emitted from satellites or potential UFO's. Unless the UFO had some kind of alien hot warp drive we don't know about. :)
Very useful video, thanks.
Hi Dakota, can you recommend a camcorder, DSLR, or possibly full spectrum camera, that can view and record the cloaked UFO's in the night/day skies? By cloaked, I mean objects that don't reflect normal light and can only be seen by non-infrared bypass filters? I'd really appreciate it.
It's not something I've used so can't really make a recommendation. Cheers!
@@DakotaStarryNights Well, if that's the only answer you have to offer to my question, then I need to unsubscribe to your channel. Cheers!
@@JohnTaylor-ne2kz Sorry you feel that way. But it's an honest answer.
@@JohnTaylor-ne2kz You get internet access in the nut house?
I was seriously considering buying a 16” Dob for deep sky as my 8” SCT struggles to pick up those DSO’s that I am craving to see, Even with an 6.3 reducer and a 40mm EP... Is there a preference of White or Green phosphor for Astronomy?, Thanks for all the info you provide in all your videos, I’ve learned a lot from them.
Generally speaking, the white phosphor PVS14 tend to cost more. Some folks feel they can see more with the white phosphor. I can't say as I've never tried one. But JRH, link above, has a really nice Harris/Elbit systems thin filmed White Phosphor tube Pinnacle that's autogated. That's pretty much top of the line. Now I don't receive any money from them or anything like that. But if a guy was in the market for a PVS 14 I'd take a good hard look at that one. As for myself, once I got my PVS14 (green version) and a fast f/4.5 16" dob I sold all my astro imaging equipment. Didn't need it no more. I'm satisfied every time I go out now. Best investment I've made in astronomy. Thanks for posting. Clear skies!
Excellent specifics. Best info vid I've found online.
Thanks Ryan.
Great video. I'm on the fence between NV and live stacking-- with phosphor tube NV I imagine that there is a limit to what level of equipment and resolution will be available to civilians due to the potential applications of the technology. Realtime aspect of enhanced viewing with NV, albeit at lower resolutions, is very alluring. With live stacking, higher resolutions and colors can be coaxed out, but there is still a significant delay in viewing a processed computer enhanced image due to (current but not future) limitations on processing power, camera speed, data throughout, and image processing algorithm development. Do you think at some point there will be a convergence of NV tech and live stacking so you can have a realtime high resolution color cake and eat it too? I'm thinking along the lines of HDR/full color night vision-- I've seen some videos of full color night vision and Canon's 4.5 million ISO camera and wonder when the processes behind this level of image amplification will trickle down.
I'm using Gen 3 which is pretty amazing. The combination of real-time viewing and the simplicity of the platform made it an easy choice for me. It runs on just one double "A" battery too. Still on the one it came with! I've since sold off all my imaging gear as I don't feel a need for it anymore. Not to say NV yields the high full color images of astrophotography. No way. But I'm spending more time looking at DSO's instead of working on problems like polar alignments, laptops, software, guide cams, power generators and the rest.
I've recently got a Hubble UL16. (Look for an upcoming review here on DSN) The UL16 takes NV to a whole new level. I am so spoiled now. Anything else "visually" just doesn't cut it for me anymore.
As far as the near future... Here's something you might like: www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-researchers-develop-infrared-film-for-smartphones-self-driving-cars/
Clear Skies, Dakota.
@@DakotaStarryNightsI agree, I'd rather spend time viewing objects like DSO's in real time, rather than waiting for exposures and computer processing!
Night vision without needing a CCD, CMOS, amplification tube, cathode, etc? Wow! It would seem the low cost coating not only upconverts the IR to visible light, but maintains a high degree of the photon's direction. I would think such a thing would have improved resolution compared with the current offerings. Very interesting.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for your input on the UL16! I greatly enjoyed your video overview and efficient modifications that you did on the ES truss dob. I've been cutting my teeth modifying/restoring 8 and 10" dobs and would like to go big, but get the absolute most from my light polluted skies.
Which model did you purchase from JRH? Also do you prefer green or white phosphor?
Hey Jay; It was back in 2017 that I got mine: PVS-14 HP+ Pinnacle Autogated Night Vision from JRH. As far as white vs green, I asked Robert that question myself. He said, "It's really mostly a matter of personal preference. I am regular user of this type of gear and I have not seen the need MYSELF to get any WP units. I'm more than happy with my HP+ units in green. Studies have shown that the human brain picks up images better this way and that's why green was chosen to begin with." (Which was pretty honest considering most outfits would want you to spend the extra money.) All that said, I never had a white unite to do an actual comparison but I'm a happy camper with the one I got in green. Dealer's choice here. Clear skies.
@@DakotaStarryNights Thanks for the reply, good info! One other question that I'm having a hard time resolving is if Televue is the only game in town in terms of mating the eyepiece to the PVS-14 with the specialized adapter they have. Definitely adds to the cost of things when getting into night vision. Ideally I would like to use some of my Baader eyepieces and threaded camera adapters and potentially a 56mm Meade Plossl but I may have to just invest in the Televue lineup which is not a bad thing just spendy. :-)
@@kermitzforg Due to the need for speed, you only need two eyepieces really; a Televue 55mm Plossl and/or a Televue 35mm Panoptic. That's what I use 98% of the time. Some of the Explorer Scientific eyepiece are TV colons. If you have one of those it may work. The key is the top of the eyepieces where it connects to the adapter.
The pvs 14 is 4 thousand bucks. I know that is irrelevant to it being the right tool for the job but I am guessing there are much cheaper alternatives that could still yield decent results. I know the sky is not even the limit when it comes to how much we can spend on this as a hobby or professionally. Advances in manufacturing should make cheaper alternatives for amateurs' or students to be able to really enjoy astronomy and astrophotography. Thanks for the awesome amount of info and the demos.
Hey Paul, yeah they're spendy. But I've seem them on sale at times for just under 3 grand at JR's. Still not cheap, but a thousand dollars is nothing to sneeze at. Clear skies & Happy New Year!🥳
Hello, thanks for this great video that interests me a lot. I’m french (nobody’s perfect) and I just bought a Dobson ES 16´´ Gen 2. Is it possible to adapt this device on the ES 82° & 68° eyepieces ? Very good equipment, the only problem seems to be the price that is huuuugeeee ..... No ? 👍. I have the Baader zoom too, Hyperion mk4 8-24 and maybe that’s gonna be a good combination ?
Bonjour! I'm not sure if the NV adapter will fit the ES eyepieces. I do know that some of the ES eyepiece designs are very similar to TeleVue's and may work. If not the price of a 55mm TeleVue Plossls are the lest expensive of their eyepieces. I have the Hyperion mk4 8-24, too. Great eyepiece. But for night vision you want low power and I wouldn't think it would couple with the night vision adapter.
The Televue 55mm Plossl, along with the Televue 35mm Panoptic, are the only eyepieces I use for night vision astronomy. The 55mm is the workhorse for me as it allows the most light, lowest power and widest view for extended objects when used with a PVS-14. If you've haven't see it already, in this video I use the TeleVue 55mm Plossl for all the objects presented. th-cam.com/video/N5MpPCtwzZE/w-d-xo.html
Clear Skies!
Dakota Starry Nights Hello .... Thanks a lot for your very quick answer 👍 ..... I would like to try this kit one of these day. Do you know if the manufacturer get a reseller in France or Europe ?
@@jbnitpou9942 I don't really know. But send them an e-mail. He's pretty good about getting back to folks who ask questions. Cheers.
Dakota Starry Nights ok. I will do that, for sure. Thank you again. I’ve check the price for the Televue 55 plossl and it’s currently around 270 € in France, an almost affordable price for such a good eyepiece. I just have to find 3500€ for the signal booster ..... 😊
@@jbnitpou9942 Just found this. Here's a NV dealer in France: www.ovni-nightvision.com/en/content/11--ovni-m-
Great info, thanks for sharing!
Is it night vision for astrophotography only or it could be use for watching or observing the sky? Thank you.
A PVS14 was originally designed to be use for the military for observing the field and night sky. It's great for watching meteor showers and is used without out a telescope for that application. Mounted on a helmet, as seen in the beginning of the video, will allow hands free operation. If you connect to a TeleVue eyepiece it can be used in a telescope for visual work, as demonstrated in the video. I was pointing a camera at the eyepiece to take pictures in order to demonstrate it's capabilities. But you typically used it for visual real time observation when connected to an eyepiece and telescope. Clear Skies!
Great info, thanks
You're welcome. :)
Good evening-
Are you aware... have you tried the Tele-Vue Plössl 55 adapter lens to 67mm from Tele-Vue ??? Much better usage of the light field... made specifically for Night Vision PVS-14/ Plössl 55mm.
And I still really really am hoping you will respond/comment on the .7 dedicated reducer (used in this scenario) on the Celestron C-1100 Edge...
If you use the Celestron C-1100 Edge, with the .7 dedicated reducer with the Tele-vue Plössl "67mm" you will get F-2.7 out of the eyepiece with 280mm of aperture!!!
Does that not sound usable?... please let me know if I am wrong... reference your previous post.
Thanks very much for your wonderful and informative night vision videos!!!
Please... Please let me know what you think about this set up!
Michael
Often what looks good on paper doesn't necessarily work in the field. As I haven't tried it myself I'm not able to confirm one way or another. But if it didn't pan out you could always pick up a fast 8" newt for much less than the price of a 11" Edge. Cheers.
@@DakotaStarryNights Thanks again!
Have you tried the PVS 14 with a ultra fast astrograph?
The fastest was the ES 8" carbon fiber imaging newt, f/4, as shown in the video.
Hello - I really enjoyed this video... very complete and informative.
I worked the math with my set up and wanted to check with you about my calculations:
C-11 Edge FL=2800 F-10... added dedicated .7 reducer (you can use for visual also with diagonal) now: FL 1960... F-7
Magnification = 1960 ÷ 55 (55mm televue Plossl) = 35.6 x (power)
280mm ÷ 35.6 = 7.865 (exit pupil)
1960 ÷ 280 = F7
PVS14... 26mm ÷ 7.865 = F3.3
Does this look correct... do you think this would be a good set up for night vision viewing? (C-11 Edge, .7 Dedicated reducer, PVS-14, 55mm Televue Plossl)
Thanks very much!!!
Mike
The long focal length of a typical SCT puts you at a disadvantage right from the start. Better to start out with something around f/5 or faster and 8" (203mm) or more of aperture. A buddy of mine tried one out with his 11" Edge and was disappointed. Thanks for posting. It will help others.
@@DakotaStarryNights Thank you for the reply... but... with the .7 dedicated reducer (making the scope F-7)... are my numbers correct? and isn't a final F3.3 out of my PVS14 pretty good?
Thanks again... I really appreciate your help with this!
Mike
I wish the price of these units were more affordable. My eyes popped out when I seen the price lol. Great video btw.
Thanks! Yeah, like most things with astronomy, it's spendy. But you know I'd buy it again if I had to.
Just gotta wait a bit until pvs14s are cheaper :D
Great video on NV.
Thanks. Glad you found it useful.
I thought civilians are not allowed to have gen3?
You can buy them in the USA if you are a U.S. Citizen, or Permanent U.S. Resident. But there are restrictions like you cannot export them. And believe it or not, you are not suppose to let foreign nationals look though them. There is also some differences in the law based on state, country, and/or region. Especially when it comes to hunting.
This taking astronomy to a whole nother level very cool
Yes it is. There are things I am able to see now that I thought only imaging could produce. It's a different world for sure. Thanks for posting. Dakota
Love the info but above my pay grade
3:10 It looks like the telescope is floating in the air
Or Velcro to my arm. lol
Aye bro, I see your NODs. #Moonsoutgoonsout
Man what I would give for a gen 3. If I had the money I would order one right this second!! If I had 3000 in the bank and I found some that was 2999....boom done. Ordered I have a gen 1 but it doesn't make the sky green like like the ones for looking for ufos.
I go out almost every night and just stare at the sky. Some nights for hours. I get lost in it.
Some day before I die I want so bad a gen 3.
Yeah, it's a chunk of money. That's for sure and for certain. But sometimes JRH Enterprises, link above, has them on sale. Even so, a pair of good binoculars will show you a ton of stuff up there. Clear skies!
Good stuff, too bad those cost an arm an a leg.
Thanks for the information though.
No doubt they are spendy. But when you consider the alternative, lugging around a 24"+ mirror and what they cost, you come out ahead. I don't believe I could ever go back now to looking a faint fuzzies anymore. I've put down my CCD camera and been doing nothing but NV now. The views are what you thought your were going to see when you got your first telescope. lol Thanks for posting. Dakota
Nice , i looked at the price and its 2000$ at least , that is just too much
Yeah, there spendy all right. But I'd probably buy it again if I had to. lol DSN
You gotta pay to play. These things don't grow on trees.
@@bowrudder899 ITs absolutely too much for me so i wont play , you knock your self out
Too rich for me too.
please for the love of god, balance your audio
Can I use it with Takahashi 100DC F7,4 apo refractor?
f7.4 is a bit slow but a PVS 14 would improve it's reach. But it may be better to pick up a fast 8" newt for NV.
Dakota Starry Nights
Thank you very much for the fast answer !!!