NASA Nightspy

[Koeketiene]

Saw a NASA Nightspy infra-red night vision unit advertised somewhere.

Didn't know NASA made those. Any-one any experience with this things? Good/reasonable/crap...

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[BrendanS]

Milltech is your man for this sort of stuff, knows all about the different generation technologies, and what to look for. He even sells the things sometimes on his site
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[milltech]

The Night Spy is made in St. Petersburg Russia, although the actual Nasa branded one was purchased from an Israeli company that claimed it was their own. They might have had a hand in its design.

I doubt if Nasa ever purchased more than one load, and from memory I would guess it was seven or more years ago. We haven't imported them for a long time although I may have one or two waiting for an eBay listing if you're keen! I may be moving house in the spring so I've been clearing items from my barn bit by bit, old models and stuff.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Koeketiene]

Hi John,

Thanks for that.

Since you stocked them in the past - did you get any feedback?
You say NASA only bought but a few of them, any particular reason? Were they crap, or was there just not a market for them at the time?

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[milltech]

I'm not sure why they bought them except that there was quite a reasonable market for night vision the first time it appeared on the UK market. They knew about it because I was trading in Night Vision, and was a very recent ex. Nasa Sales Director at the time.

Like many things night vision is no longer a High Street product but has become a specialist market place for those who can get real value from it.

Night Spy was fine in its day. The field of view was a bit narrow for marine use, and the lack of magnification a bit limiting for watching wildlife, but actually first generation technology hasn't changed at all, just some of the products have become a bit less industrial looking and have been spec'd for particular markets. Apart from looking dated if it works it'll be OK.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Koeketiene]

Just got my hands on the manual.

Notes:
A. Under no conditions should water penetrate the device. When operating in the rain, make sure this rule is strictly observed.

Not exactly what you would call a "marine" instrument.

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[domlee]

a) avoid anything with NASA on it (product - although functional - seems to always lag behind leadng-edge technology, marketing strategy limitation/technology dump zone?)
b) look at 3rd generation european-sourced night vision products (Russian or Chinese) some good buys on the market. These used to be illegal purchases in the USA but don't know if this is still the case.
c) wait a while...something really special is coming and it is just around the corner!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Yes but it applies to all of them. The electronics in a Metron are potted to be virtually waterproof, though the rest of it isn't, and some other units like ITT are Waterproof, but most are not. Actually it's not too important because, like most binoculars they will sink very effectively when dropped overboard!

I shall bring you the latest information when I return from "the sources" on Tuesday morning!


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

(a) Agree functional, agree marketing strategy is to keep behind the rest, but as it happens still ahead of most of its customers requirements.
(b) Maybe, but not within the reach of the average pocket, and even those with the cash might think of better things to do with their money unless they had a real problem to solve. These are big bucks.
(c) Do tell.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[domlee]

In regard to (c) I was thinking of something along the lines of the following perhaps with a price point of circa £300:

http://www.x20.org/nightvision/pvs7.htm



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Koeketiene]

It's not exactly waterproof I'm looking for - but keep out of the rain seems a bit OTT to me. If it can't handle the odd bit of spray or some raindrops, why would I want to keep it on a boat?

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[Koeketiene]

Not really a fair comment IMHO - it's like buying an Astra and then complaining it hasn't got the performance of a Porsche. Horses for courses.

My main reason for being NASA gear is this - on my boat some of the (very) old, but essential electronics pack up at an alarming rate. Replacement is essential NOW, funds are limited. So to keep on sailing I bought a NASA echosounder, which does what it's supposed to, for now. When funds become available I'll replace it with some "propper" gear.

Thank you for the link re: new stuff round the corner. Way above my requirements. The only reason I am thinking of getting one is to have a quick look round when approaching a not previously visited harbour in darkness.

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[milltech]

Price point about £2,000 if you could buy one, which we unfortunate mortals who managed not to be born US citizens cannot. I could sell a Gen II+ Russian copy of the PVS-7 for a good deal less than that, but still over £1500.

Russian 3rd generation almost as hard to buy as US stuff, not nearly as good, and more expensive, although the price is not really important because they can't be legally bought.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>