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Posted: 1/20/2015 7:32:32 PM EDT
| Just picked up s Pvs 18 was not aware that the objective lens and ocular lens are different sizes than a Pvs 14/15 does not seem to be a lot of information out there on these. Are there available 3x lenses for these and sacrificial also. It is a nice unit with an excellent tube it does need a switch repair as one side of the switch is dead. Center of switch is off to one side is on and IR back the other way is on and momentary IR this is the side that is dead.. Any recommendations for getting this looked at . Any extra info on the 18s is greatly appreciated |
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As for repairs I recommend Ed Wilcox ; http://wilcoxeng-res.com/
He is good to go and will do you right. |
| Have to replace the whole housing just for what may be just the switch? It really is not a big deal as it works on one side of the switch.If you could elaborate on how it may work with a certain mount. The switch is the earlier syle (guessing) that has off in the center position and on and IR to either direction of center. The side that does not seem to join the party is the side with the momentary IR side the IR does not turn on on that side either...thanks for the help |
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Quoted:
Have to replace the whole housing just for what may be just the switch? It really is not a big deal as it works on one side of the switch.If you could elaborate on how it may work with a certain mount. The switch is the earlier syle (guessing) that has off in the center position and on and IR to either direction of center. The side that does not seem to join the party is the side with the momentary IR side the IR does not turn on on that side either...thanks for the help So the PVS-18 switch is alot like the PVS-7A/C switches (same company and all). So one side of the switch is designed for handheld use (the side of yours that "works") the other side is for use when in a helmet mount. There is a magnetic actuated switch that needs to be in the helmet mount for it to work so that when you take it out of the helmet mount it turns off. In my experience not all mounts have this, or they all don't work as advertised so unless you have the original pvs-18 headmount (similar to the original PVS-7A/C mount, but not the same) it doesn't work, same with some of the norotos mounts. In conclusion your unit is most likely fine, you just need the right mount, also just because it has the dovetail for the PVS-18 doesn't mean it will flip the switch either. |
| Yes spoke with Ed Wilcox yesterday and he had set me straight on that also. There is a very minut reed valve as he called it that when magnet is applied allows the switch to work.. If you take a small magnet and place it on switch body behind switch it activates it and allows function. Mine works fine and is nice to know, I passed the info along to 3 other people that had the same issue seems it is a well kept secret as only you Harlikwin and Ed seem to know.!! would like to track down the correct mount arm or a picture. Managed to pic up a Pvs 18 manual off of mod armory probably not much different than a 14 manual but we'll see Thanks for the help and any other interesting info on the 18 please let us know Thanks ! |
Some mount photos with a PVS-18.
Ed Wilcox used to sell the Litton Facemask, I had purchased one from him years ago, though the version he had didn't have the flip up feature that's shown in the images above, it's more similar to the one used with the PVS-7A/C goggle. 
The manual you receive should give you the part numbers for the 3x magnifier and other accessories to help you start searching for those parts. Always wanted a PVS-18 myself, but it's difficult to get the parts sometimes, and they are more expensive compared tot he PVS-14's. |
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I honestly wouldn't worry about the 'correct' mount too much.
Half of the guys disable the auto on/off feature anyway, lots of guys hate that shit. All you really lose is the onboard IR mode, and the monocular IR illum is pretty weak anyway, an IR/vis task light is more helpful IMO. I think the Navy is very fond of the wilcox G24 mount, and of course the Norotos AKA2 or INVG are both very nice also. - |
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What are you mounting to? Helmet, I assume, there are a bunch of different mounts available from different manufacturers - I have personally used the Wilcox mounts, both the three hole and single hole mounts they are pretty nice. Anything with a dovetail mount will work for the mount NVG arm. They also make one that is adjustable to fit any helmet if you are using a "bump" type helmet.
Save your $$ as nobody uses that "skull crusher" type head harness thing though, it is beyond annoying and uncomfortable. Look around here ; http://www.wilcoxind.com/MOUNTS-C31.aspx You can also pick up used mounts on Ebay pretty cheap. |
| I was just thinking depending on the mount system being able to use the magnetic arm but in all reality would be just as easy to use a small magnet velcroed to the housing if wanting to use that side of the switch. That side is easier to use when mounted as it is just a flip switch,you do not have to depress switch to turn it on in that direction and the IR is spring loaded to that side as for just a quick use item. Thanks for the images that helps a lot! |
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