PVS-31A Night Vision Binocular (IPVS-31A)

IPVS-31A Binocular Night Vision Goggle — SOF-Grade Dual-Tube Performance. No ITAR. No Compromise.

The Case for Binocular Night Vision

Single-tube monoculars have their place. But for operators who need sustained situational awareness, depth perception, and reduced eye fatigue across extended missions, dual-tube binocular systems are the professional standard. The U.S. military’s own transition from the AN/PVS-14 to the AN/PVS-31A BNVD reflects this — dual tubes provide true stereoscopic night vision that monoculars fundamentally cannot replicate.

The IPVS-31A was designed against that same benchmark.

PEEK Housing: Structural Performance Without the Weight Penalty

Key material properties:

• High structural rigidity across the full operating temperature range
• Full corrosion resistance to salt, moisture, fuel, and field cleaning solvents
• Non-conductive and non-magnetic — relevant for EOD(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and signals-sensitive environments
• Operating temperature range of -40°C to +60°C, storage to -55°C / +70°C

Optical System: FMC coated glass for superior light throughput

The IPVS-31A 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° ± 2° field of view
• A focusing range from 0.25m to infinity for both close-quarters and long-range use

Objective lenses equipped with custom mounting threads are offered as an option. They support direct fitting of magnifier lenses, turning the IPVS-31A into a long-range night observation system with no extra adapters needed.

Fixed Eyepiece: An Intentional Engineering Choice

The IPVS-31A uses a fixed eyepiece without diopter adjustment. This decision prioritizes compactness, mechanical reliability, and weight reduction by eliminating a moving part that can drift or fail under sustained field use. Tactical users generally meet standard vision requirements, so diopter adjustment is unnecessary for most operators.

Direct Comparison: IPVS-31A vs. AN/PVS-31A (L3Harris)

Key Procurement Advantages

1. No ITAR — No Export Delay

The AN/PVS-31A is classified under ITAR as a defense article. Even the export-configured PVS-31K variant requires U.S. State Department approval on a case-by-case basis — with no guaranteed timeline and frequent denial for non-allied markets. The IPVS-31A 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-31A ships exclusively with Gen 3 MX-11769 filmed tubes in white phosphor. The IPVS-31A accommodates both Gen 2+ and Gen 3 image intensifiers, in green or white phosphor, with FOM levels available up to 2400+ — matching the upper end of the AN/PVS-31A’s published FOM range. For procurement programs where tube grade and phosphor type need to vary across a mixed fleet, this flexibility enables meaningful cost optimization.

3. Built-in IR Illuminator

The AN/PVS-31A has no built-in IR illuminator and requires separate external IR units. By contrast, the IPVS-31A comes with an integrated IR illuminator as standard. Thanks to its minimum focusing distance of 25mm, it works perfectly for reading in dim environments and delivers reliable performance even in total darkness. Additionally, the IR illuminator can be disabled per customer requirements, and we also offer custom housings without the IR illuminator.

4. Extended Battery Runtime

With a single onboard AA battery, the IPVS-31A delivers 25 hours of runtime depending on tube type and operating conditions — compared to the AN/PVS-31A’s guaranteed minimum of 8 hours (average 16 hours) on a single AA. 

5. Configurable Waterproofing

IP65 is standard, providing full dust protection and high-pressure water jet resistance suitable for the majority of field environments. IP67 or IP68 is available as a custom configuration for applications requiring submersion capability. The AN/PVS-31A is rated to 66 ft (20m) immersion for 2 hours under its own mil-spec standard — IP68-equivalent performance is available on the IPVS-31A for procurement programs requiring the same level of protection.

6. Flexible Configuration for Procurement and OEM

The IPVS-31A is designed for configurability where the AN/PVS-31A 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: IP65 standard / IP67 / IP68
• Manual gain control
• Low battery warning indicator
• Automatic power cut-off on side flip

7. Significant Cost Advantage

The IPVS-31A delivers full dual-tube binocular performance at a significantly lower procurement cost. This makes large-scale purchases feasible for organizations and projects that could not otherwise afford traditional binocular night vision goggles.

Who the IPVS-31A Is For

The IPVS-31A is the right platform when:

• Binocular stereoscopic night vision is required and single-tube monoculars are insufficient for the mission profile
• ITAR-free procurement is a hard requirement — whether due to nationality, policy, or timeline constraints
• Budget discipline demands dual-tube capability without the U.S. mil-spec price premium
• Tube grade and phosphor flexibility is needed across a mixed procurement program
• OEM integration requires a configurable, customizable binocular 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.