The Act in Black DTNVS (Dual Tube Night Vision System) is a Product Improved version of the DTNVG (Dual Tube Night Vision Goggle) first introduced in 2016, integrating four years of service with military, law enforcement, and civilian end-users worldwide, resulting a lighter weight, yet more durable housing with numerous improvements and design enhancements that make the DTNVS easier to support and maintain. The Act in Black DTNVS is one of the lightest weight, highest performing goggles available on the market. Despite the light weight, the DTNVS does not sacrifice durability or ruggedness, and exceeds MIL-STD-810G and USSOCOM test protocols for drop and impact by a factor of two. The DTNVS is also rated for water immersion at 66 ft. (20m) for two (2) hours.
Custom Night Visions offers the AB Night Vision ARNVG with the following tube options:
- L3Harris 20UA Filmless White Phosphor – Aviation Spec Supergain
- L3Harris 20UA Filmless White Phosphor – Aviation Spec
- Elbit White Phosphor XLSH
- Elbit White Phosphor PH 2000-2376 FOM
- Photonis Echo White Phosphor
Handpicked Option – Select this if you want Custom Night Vision to select intensifier tubes for you instead of selecting a set from our inventory. We will contact you (typically within 24-48 hours of placing your order) with pictures and specs of tubes we select to ask for your approval. If you have preferences on certain specs (ie: SNR, EBI etc…) please include those in your order notes and we will do our best to meet your goal. After customer tube approval the night vision unit will be ready to ship within 1 to 3 business days.
We offer three choices of Optics
- Standard Mil Spec Optics
- Rochester Precision Optics (RPO) 3.0 Ultralight
- Photonis Defense Boomslang 50 Degree FOV
As always with Custom Night Vision, we ONLY SELL IN-STOCK NIGHT VISION. NO LEAD TIMES. Because we do not pre-sell night vision, we grade intensifier tubes to assign a fair price to each set based on the performance specs and spots in the image tube. By providing our customers with full transparency of tube performance specs and image, they can choose exactly what they want so there is no disappointment on a large purchase.
The DTNVS independently pivoting monocular pod design allows users to rotate the individual monocular pods away from the center of the housing and out of the wearer’s field of view, allowing clear, unobstructed natural vision through one or both eyes. This can be a huge benefit in enclosed spaces like vehicles or in close quarters, where stowing the goggles could create unnecessary snag hazards or otherwise be an impediment to the end-user.
When the DTNVS is stowed, the articulating pods can also be folded back to bring the goggles center of gravity closer to the wearer’s head, improving balance and comfort while worn, while reducing the profile of the wearer.
Moreover, when rotated, the DTNVS features automatic individual channel cut-offs, which cuts power to the image intensifier tube, shutting it off when rotated beyond approximately 60 degrees from the center housing (well beyond realistic IPD adjustments), both to protect the image intensifier tube and prevent backsplash when the monocular pods are rotated away from the wearer’s field of view.
The Act in Black DTNVS is a full-featured goggle with adjustable objective and diopter focus, using standard PVS-14 style optical assemblies, meaning they are compatible with common accessories for the PVS-14, as well as an onboard IR LED with a built-in ON/OFF indicator that alerts the wearer to whether the onboard IR is switched on inside the tube, as well as a low battery indicator light.
The DTNVS housing is designed and manufactured by ACTinBlack, based in Luxembourg, a leading manufacturer and supplier of night vision equipment to European military and law enforcement customers.
Based on extensive end-user feedback from U.S. and international military, SOF, and law enforcement end-users, the DTNVS utilizes MX-10160 format image intensifiers with Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) only. While some users do prefer manual gain systems and expansive feature lists, the overwhelming feedback from end-users has been that it is unnecessary in a binocular system, and simply ends up being an added complexity that could potentially cause problems if tinkered with or mis-adjusted while on mission. Moreover, MX-10160 ANVIS/aviation format image intensifier tubes are often held to stricter standards for image shift and alignment, as they are intended specifically for binocular systems, making them easier to assemble, maintain, and properly collimate.
Similarly, the DTNVS is powered by a single CR123 battery, which can provide over 25 hours of battery life on a single lithium cell. While there are benefits to AA powered binocular systems, power consumption and battery efficiency are not one of them, hence why most AA powered BNVDs include a provision for an external power supply, often requiring expensive interface cables and battery packs, and while conversion parts will be available for the DTNVS to support external power supplies, the basic configuration of the DTNVS does not include an external power option, reducing weight, complexity, and another potential ingress point for moisture and foreign debris.
The DTNVS Standard does not come with Interpupillary Distance (IPD) Stops, as most users do not find them to be necessary. However, some users do find the IPD Stops to be a useful addition to ensure that the monocular pods return to the same position when rotated back down. Rather than choosing one or the other, ACTinBlack has designed an optional IPD Stop Adapter, which gives individual users the choice as to whether to use the IPD Stops or not.
The Act in Black IPD Stop Adapter assembly is an optional, retrofittable part, and does not need to be installed during assembly, and can be added to the DTNVS Standard at a later time.