Archived Posts » 59,757,950
Forum etiquette and build question
2/11/2012 2:11:37 PM
I'm still looking at night vision upgrade options. Can you expect a quality product and is it cost effective to purchase the components and have someone assemble them?
Is it ok per forum etiquette to discuss specific components/sellers-say from an auction site and who could assemble them? I have no agenda other than upgrading my "stuff". I haven't been here enough to know if I'm kicking a hornet nest or not.
Is it ok per forum etiquette to discuss specific components/sellers-say from an auction site and who could assemble them? I have no agenda other than upgrading my "stuff". I haven't been here enough to know if I'm kicking a hornet nest or not.
2/11/2012 3:34:14 PM
just my experience, but if you study up on the info available + vid's & ability to ask questions on forums with knowledgeable ppl - you can build one from the ground up. its not something to jump into but I did & have had a ton of fun learning all I can - its just another hobby for me..... so many disclaimers need to be added to my post...........................
2/12/2012 7:56:18 PM
Well here is a disassemble vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmeCVIT-7fM
You can build a set of 14s in less than a hour, just gotta be careful not to damage or scratch the int tube
Here is a list and ballpark price of parts
tube (MX 10160-11769) $800-1700
eyepiece $75-150
Obj lens $150-250
tube housing $90
Batt pack $100-300
misc parts(light tube,locking rings,int tube retaining ring etc $50-75
You can build one from $1600-2700 according to what kind/quality of tube you use.
Free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmeCVIT-7fM
You can build a set of 14s in less than a hour, just gotta be careful not to damage or scratch the int tube
Here is a list and ballpark price of parts
tube (MX 10160-11769) $800-1700
eyepiece $75-150
Obj lens $150-250
tube housing $90
Batt pack $100-300
misc parts(light tube,locking rings,int tube retaining ring etc $50-75
You can build one from $1600-2700 according to what kind/quality of tube you use.
Free
2/12/2012 8:18:53 PM
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
2/12/2012 10:05:39 PM
Thanks for the info, gents. Some of the toys I had for sale sold today, so it looks like I get to call Vic and let him do all the work vs. going the roll your own route. Vic, have you got anything that will make my jaw drop? 
2/13/2012 12:36:49 AM
Originally Posted By tigerhound:
Thanks for the info, gents. Some of the toys I had for sale sold today, so it looks like I get to call Vic and let him do all the work vs. going the roll your own route. Vic, have you got anything that will make my jaw drop?
Thanks for the info, gents. Some of the toys I had for sale sold today, so it looks like I get to call Vic and let him do all the work vs. going the roll your own route. Vic, have you got anything that will make my jaw drop?
I bet he does, but it will make your pants and wallet drop as well!
2/13/2012 7:52:28 AM
Originally Posted By Dino1130:
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Dino, Did you make these or buy them?
2/13/2012 8:46:06 AM
Originally Posted By Tri-C:
Dino, Did you make these or buy them?
Originally Posted By Dino1130:
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Dino, Did you make these or buy them?
Some of the older TM's have blueprints of how to roll your own. That or you can buy em on the bay...
2/13/2012 11:18:03 AM
Originally Posted By Tri-C:
Dino, Did you make these or buy them?
Originally Posted By Dino1130:
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Stan's videos are decent and show the basic steps. They over simplify the process which is fine as long as it is only a guide. No need to separate the battery housing completely to switch out a tube. I have rarely seen a lock ring come out with my fingers unless it was installed to loose. Special tools such as the ones below make the job much easier (and safer). You can use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove lock rings but if you slip and scratch the tube you are out a bunch of money.
One thing he never addresses and the hardest part is to do the whole job and keep everything dust free. This is truly the hardest part of the job. Not hard to do but I would take your time and download the tech manual before attempting it. His videos are a good overview but not the whole story.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/733/nightvision001.jpg
Dino, Did you make these or buy them?
Two I bought (when they were cheap) but the more useful one which will remove the locking ring on the PVS-14 objective lens as well as the locking ring for the tube was machined by a friend. I wanted one tool that would do it all and never could find one so he made it special for me. He is on this forum and if he wants to talk about it I am sure he will. Nice tool and I use it often. Took a few attenpts to get it just right.
