IPVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device — The World’s Most Versatile NVD Platform. No ITAR. No Compromise.
The Case for the PVS-14 Form Factor
No night vision platform has proven itself more widely than the AN/PVS-14. Its enduring adoption across decades of military service reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes versatility above all else: a single device that can be worn on a helmet, mounted to a weapon, or used handheld — without modification, without adapters, without tradeoffs.
The IPVS-14 was engineered against that same benchmark.
PEEK Housing: Structural Performance Without the Weight Penalty
The IPVS-14 adopts PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a high-performance engineering polymer widely applied in aerospace, ballistics, and medical devices. The same material choice that defines the lightweight housing of premium military NVDs.
At ≤307g, the IPVS-14 is exceptionally light for a full-capability monocular, and its PEEK construction delivers structural rigidity, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability across the full operating range.
Key material properties:
- High structural rigidity across the full operating temperature range (-40°C to +60°C)
- Full corrosion resistance to salt, moisture, fuel, and field cleaning solvents
- Non-conductive and non-magnetic — relevant for EOD and signals-sensitive environments
- Storage stability to -55°C / +70°C
Optical System: FMC-Coated Glass for Superior Light Throughput
The IPVS-14 uses a fully multi-coated (FMC) optical glass system with ultra-wideband broadband anti-reflective coatings applied to every lens surface via vacuum ion deposition. This translates directly into:
- Maximum light transmittance across the full spectral range
- Minimal reflection and ghost imaging around bright light sources
- High contrast and edge clarity across the full 40° field of view
- A focusing range from 0.25m to infinity for both close-quarters and long-range use
Diopter Adjustment: Designed for the Full Operator Population
Unlike binocular systems optimized for operators with nominal vision, the IPVS-14 includes a user-adjustable diopter with a range of +2 to -6. This accommodates a broad range of vision profiles without requiring corrective eyewear inserts, making the IPVS-14 suitable for large-scale procurement programs where individual fitting across a diverse force is a practical consideration.
Direct Comparison: IPVS-14 vs. AN/PVS-14 (L3Harris / Elbit)
| IPVS-14 (INFREDAR) | AN/PVS-14 (L3Harris) | |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Material | PEEK polymer | Hard-anodized aluminum |
| IIT Options | Gen 2+ or Gen 3 (FOM up to 2400+) | Gen 3 only |
| Phosphor Options | Green or White | Green or White |
| FOV | 40° | 40° |
| Exit Pupil Distance | ≥29mm | 25mm |
| Diopter Adjustment | +2 to -6 | +2 to -6 |
| Objective Focus | 0.25m to infinity | 0.25m to infinity |
| Battery Type | AA | AA |
| Runtime | 40 hours | ≥12 hours (typical ~20 hrs) |
| Built-in IR Illuminator | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Manual Gain Control | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Low Battery Warning | No (Customizable) | ✅ Standard |
| Flip-Up Auto Shutoff | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Waterproofing | IP67 standard / IP68 customizable | 66 ft (20m) / 2 hrs |
| Dimensions | 107×67×62mm | 114×71×64mm |
| Weight | ≤307g | ~390g (with battery) |
| ITAR Restricted | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Key Procurement Advantages
1. No ITAR — No Export Delay
The AN/PVS-14 is classified under ITAR as a defense article. Export requires U.S. State Department approval on a case-by-case basis — with unpredictable timelines and frequent denial for non-allied markets. The IPVS-14 is manufactured in China with no U.S.-controlled components. Procurement proceeds on commercial timelines with no export license requirement and no approval risk.
2. Gen 2+ or Gen 3 — Up to FOM 2400+
The AN/PVS-14 ships exclusively with Gen 3 image intensifiers. The IPVS-14 accommodates both Gen 2+ and Gen 3 tubes, in green or white phosphor, with FOM levels available up to 2400+. For procurement programs requiring cost tiering across a mixed fleet, this flexibility enables meaningful optimization without sacrificing the platform’s mechanical and optical consistency.
3. Extended Battery Runtime
On a single AA battery, the IPVS-14 delivers 40 hours of runtime — significantly exceeding the AN/PVS-14’s typical 20-hour figure. For extended operations where resupply is limited, this runtime advantage has direct mission impact.
4. Lighter Than the Reference Platform
At ≤307g, the IPVS-14 is meaningfully lighter than the AN/PVS-14’s approximately 390g. For helmet-mounted applications, every gram of system weight matters across extended wear — reduced neck fatigue and improved operator endurance are operational outcomes, not just spec-sheet figures.
5. IP67 Standard, IP68 Available
IP67 is standard on the IPVS-14, providing full dust protection and submersion capability to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP68 is available as a custom configuration for applications requiring deeper or longer submersion.
6. Manual Gain Control — Standard, Not Optional
The IPVS-14 includes manual gain control as a standard feature, giving operators direct control over image intensifier amplification in varying ambient light conditions. This is a meaningful operational advantage in environments with mixed or rapidly changing light levels — and is standard on the AN/PVS-14 as well.
7. Flexible Configuration for Procurement and OEM
The IPVS-14 is designed for configurability where the AN/PVS-14 is a fixed platform. The following features are available as factory-configured options — procurement teams should specify requirements at time of order:
- IIT grade: Gen 2+ or Gen 3, green or white phosphor
- Waterproofing: IP67 standard / IP68
- Low battery warning indicator
8. Significant Cost Advantage
The IPVS-14 delivers full monocular NVD performance at a significantly lower procurement cost than U.S.-origin equivalents. For programs requiring large-scale fielding across infantry, security, or law enforcement units, this cost delta enables meaningful expansion of night vision coverage without budget compromise.
Who the IPVS-14 Is For
The IPVS-14 is the right platform when:
- A proven, versatile monocular platform is required for helmet, weapon, or handheld use without compromise
- ITAR-free procurement is a hard requirement — whether due to nationality, policy, or timeline constraints
- Extended battery life is operationally critical and resupply is limited
- Weight reduction is a priority for helmet-mounted or sustained-wear applications
- Tube grade and phosphor flexibility is needed across a mixed procurement program
- OEM integration requires a configurable, customizable monocular platform without the constraints of a fixed military design
Request a Quote or Sample Evaluation
INFREDAR supplies directly to procurement offices, integrators, and regional distributors. Volume pricing, mixed tube-grade configurations, and sample evaluation units are available on request.
Specifications
| Product Name | IPVS-14 |
| Housing Material | Polymer (PEEK) |
| IIT Type | GEN 2+ / GEN 3 (FOM up to 2400+) |
| Field of View | 40º (50º in development) |
| Optical Glass Coating | FMC |
| Focusing Range | 0.25m to infinity |
| Exit pupl distance | ≥ 29 mm |
| Diopter | Adjustable +2 to -6 |
| Battery Type | AA |
| Continuous Working Time | 40 hours |
| Submersion and Dust Rating | IP67 (IP68 Customizable) |
| Operating Temperature | -40℃ - + 60℃ |
| Storage Temperature | |
| Dimensions | 107 x 67 x 62 mm |
| Weight | ≤ 307g |
| Operational Features | |
| Flip-Up Shutdown | Yes |
| Automatic Bright Light Protection | Yes |
| Built-In IR Illuminator | Yes |
| Manual Gain Control | Yes |
| Low Battery Warning | No （Customizable） |
| Product Name | IPVS-14 |
| Housing Material | Polymer (PEEK) |
| IIT Type | GEN 2+ / GEN 3 (FOM up to 2400+) |
| Field of View | 40º (50º in development) |
