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Another question we get regularly-
"What type of battery should I use in my PVS14?"
I've never had a problem using just about any type of AA battery in one of our PVS14s. This includes brand new $3. a piece batteries down to old "dollar store" batteries re-discovered in old ammo cans that were 5+ years in deep storage.
IDEALLY you will run a quality battery. However the #1 things is.... drum roll...
*Take the battery out of it EVERY TIME you are done using it.
"Robert you mean Every time?" Yes, I mean EVERY time!
Here's what happens- new guy gets a PVS14, plays with it in the back yard first night he gets it, puts it in his gun safe for safe keeping (forgetting to remove the battery). A year later he remembers it in there (probably the next time he is going to actually go and shoot his guns... poor fella thinks he's ready also) and finds that the battery has went to crap inside the unit.
Not good.
But if you had used this "one simple trick" as all the internet ads say... and just gotten into the habit of removing the battery EVERY time, this wouldn't have been an issue.
Or how about tube burn? There is a story floating around the net that an owner of an NV company (not DEFINITELY NOT ME!) posted where he was showing off some panos ($40K unit) to some friends and walked back in his house and forgetting to power the unit off, left the panos sitting on his kitchen counter where they were pointing at bright lights all night- "burning" that image into the tubes.... DUH!!!
That ridiculous story could have also been avoided by what? Taking the battery out EVERY time your done with the unit.
I've preached this gospel of battery removal all over the net. One time I had a smart arse say "Robert you don't know my "operational parameters." Note- this guy was a civy like most of us, definitely not Seal Team Six on alert status.... His argument was he needed his NV always ready.
Guys, it takes about 2-3 seconds to insert a battery in a PVS14... We aren't talking about brain surgery here. As far as "operational parameters" goes- Any CHILD over the age of about 5 recognizes when it's about to GET DARK and since NV is useless during the DAY.... Well it's not hard to figure out when to put your battery in an hour or so before sunset...
So... battery out EVERY time and cover your lenses every time your done with it. Do these things and your great grand kids will be using it.
Back to what type of battery-
I try to use Lithium or a quality battery with my NODs. Given that when we teach classes we are under NODs for 6 or more hours at a go, it's inconvenient to be changing batteries or running low. It's not a huge deal to change battery but it's easier to start the night with a fresh if you have good stock.
Rechargeable batteries?
I'm going to break with a lot of the industry here and go against the grain a bit...
I have personally not had any problems running rechargeable AA batteries in my NODs. Most places will tell you "don't do it!" but I feel like that's more for liability sake. Why? Cause Joe Cheapskate will buy some crazy off brand china rechargeable that's off spec and possibly off voltage, damage his NODs and then expect them to be serviced under warranty.
Should running rechargeables be your "go to" method? Probably not.
CAN you run them? Yes.
Inexpensive solar battery charger that folds up that you can find on Amazon.
Showing the rechargeable batteries.
Showing battery and test unit
Showing it in use.
Why show these pics? Because it's commonly believed by some that NV "won't work with" rechargeables. But keep in mind it's just BS from various companies that would have you believe that so you don't try to use them.
Once again, to be crystal clear- I am NOT making a statement that you "should" use rechargeables or that they are "ideal" or anything stupid like that. And yes you could possibly void your warranty using some Chinwaaachoo chinese crap rechargeable.
But as a survivalist, it's important to KNOW what you can do with your gear- and having RECHARGEABLE batteries for your important electronics is critical to that.
"What type of battery should I use in my PVS14?"
I've never had a problem using just about any type of AA battery in one of our PVS14s. This includes brand new $3. a piece batteries down to old "dollar store" batteries re-discovered in old ammo cans that were 5+ years in deep storage.
IDEALLY you will run a quality battery. However the #1 things is.... drum roll...
*Take the battery out of it EVERY TIME you are done using it.
"Robert you mean Every time?" Yes, I mean EVERY time!
Here's what happens- new guy gets a PVS14, plays with it in the back yard first night he gets it, puts it in his gun safe for safe keeping (forgetting to remove the battery). A year later he remembers it in there (probably the next time he is going to actually go and shoot his guns... poor fella thinks he's ready also) and finds that the battery has went to crap inside the unit.
Not good.
But if you had used this "one simple trick" as all the internet ads say... and just gotten into the habit of removing the battery EVERY time, this wouldn't have been an issue.
Or how about tube burn? There is a story floating around the net that an owner of an NV company (not DEFINITELY NOT ME!) posted where he was showing off some panos ($40K unit) to some friends and walked back in his house and forgetting to power the unit off, left the panos sitting on his kitchen counter where they were pointing at bright lights all night- "burning" that image into the tubes.... DUH!!!
That ridiculous story could have also been avoided by what? Taking the battery out EVERY time your done with the unit.
I've preached this gospel of battery removal all over the net. One time I had a smart arse say "Robert you don't know my "operational parameters." Note- this guy was a civy like most of us, definitely not Seal Team Six on alert status.... His argument was he needed his NV always ready.
Guys, it takes about 2-3 seconds to insert a battery in a PVS14... We aren't talking about brain surgery here. As far as "operational parameters" goes- Any CHILD over the age of about 5 recognizes when it's about to GET DARK and since NV is useless during the DAY.... Well it's not hard to figure out when to put your battery in an hour or so before sunset...
So... battery out EVERY time and cover your lenses every time your done with it. Do these things and your great grand kids will be using it.
Back to what type of battery-
I try to use Lithium or a quality battery with my NODs. Given that when we teach classes we are under NODs for 6 or more hours at a go, it's inconvenient to be changing batteries or running low. It's not a huge deal to change battery but it's easier to start the night with a fresh if you have good stock.
Rechargeable batteries?
I'm going to break with a lot of the industry here and go against the grain a bit...
I have personally not had any problems running rechargeable AA batteries in my NODs. Most places will tell you "don't do it!" but I feel like that's more for liability sake. Why? Cause Joe Cheapskate will buy some crazy off brand china rechargeable that's off spec and possibly off voltage, damage his NODs and then expect them to be serviced under warranty.
Should running rechargeables be your "go to" method? Probably not.
CAN you run them? Yes.
Inexpensive solar battery charger that folds up that you can find on Amazon.
Showing the rechargeable batteries.
Showing battery and test unit
Showing it in use.
Why show these pics? Because it's commonly believed by some that NV "won't work with" rechargeables. But keep in mind it's just BS from various companies that would have you believe that so you don't try to use them.
Once again, to be crystal clear- I am NOT making a statement that you "should" use rechargeables or that they are "ideal" or anything stupid like that. And yes you could possibly void your warranty using some Chinwaaachoo chinese crap rechargeable.
But as a survivalist, it's important to KNOW what you can do with your gear- and having RECHARGEABLE batteries for your important electronics is critical to that.
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