Description

This listing is the AB Nightvision MGA — a complete, ready-to-deploy Manual Gain Articulating binocular night vision goggle. Unlike the housing-only build kit, this unit ships fully assembled with image intensifier tubes installed, Noctis Technologies (Carson) optics fitted, and the housing collimated by Superior Tactical before it leaves us. Choose your tube configuration from the dropdown and the unit will arrive ready to mount to your helmet shroud and use.

If this is your first night vision purchase, the rest of this page is written to help you understand what you’re buying, what the differences are between the tube options, and how to choose the configuration that fits your use case and budget.

What’s in the Box

Every MGA from Superior Tactical ships complete with the full accessory kit:

• MGA binocular housing in Flat Black with your selected tubes installed and collimated
• Noctis Technologies (Carson) optic set installed
• Pivot Spanner pod-tension tools
• Sacrificial windows
• Demist shields
• Eyecups
• Lens caps
• Soft carry case
• Lens paper
• Tube datasheet — your specific tubes’ actual performance specs

The MGA Platform

The MGA — Manual Gain Articulating — is AB Nightvision’s articulating binocular housing built on the proven RNVG-A platform with the addition of user-controlled manual gain. The chassis is billet machined from 7075 alloy aluminum at AB Nightvision’s facility in Bristol, Virginia. In drop testing the housing far exceeded MIL-STD-810H requirements, surviving impacts onto bare concrete from heights beyond what the tubes and optics inside it can handle.

What sets the MGA apart from the standard RNVG-A is the rotary control switch, which serves double duty as the power switch and a manual gain adjustment knob. Operators can dial image brightness up or down to match changing ambient light — a feature pulled from high-end aviation NV systems and brought down into a ground-mount housing. A separate push-button activates the onboard IR illuminator. In-view indicators tell the user when the IR is active and warn of a low battery without taking the eye off the scene.

Articulating Pods

The two pods pivot up independently. Rotating a pod upward cuts power to that tube — useful for preserving battery life, for protecting a tube during transitions, and for running one eye on a thermal optic or passive aimer while keeping NV on the other. The pods also stow tight to the helmet for a lower profile in vehicles or confined spaces. The force required to pivot each pod is user-adjustable using the included Pivot Spanner tools.

Optics

Every MGA on this listing ships with a complete Noctis Technologies (Carson) optic set pre-installed in the housing. Noctis optics fit the same PVS-14-style mount as standard mil-spec lenses, so if you ever want to swap to RPO 3.0 lenses (Rochester Precision Optics, ~90g lighter for full-day helmet wear) later, the threading is interchangeable.

Choosing Your Tube — Plain English Guide

The image intensifier tube is the core night vision component — the actual light amplifier that turns starlight or moonlight into a visible image. Tube grade is what drives most of the cost and performance differences across the seven configurations on this listing.

All tube configurations on this listing are autogated. Autogating is a built-in protective circuit that cycles power on and off thousands of times per second, preventing image bloom and tube damage from sudden bright light sources — muzzle flash, vehicle headlights, sudden room lights. We only stock autogated tubes.

Gen 2+ vs. Gen 3

This listing carries one Gen 2+ tube option (NNVT 1600+ FOM autogated white phosphor) and six Gen 3 Elbit options. Gen 2+ and Gen 3 use different photocathode technologies. Gen 3 — gallium arsenide — delivers significantly better low-light sensitivity, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio than Gen 2+. In moderate ambient light, the difference is less apparent. In near-total darkness, Gen 3 is noticeably better. Gen 2+ is a capable NV tool — not a toy — but the performance gap is meaningful in very dark conditions.

The Gen 2+ NNVT option is the entry point into the MGA platform for buyers who want proven binocular NV at a lower price point than U.S. Gen 3 tubes. Common among people training with binocular NV for the first time, those who want a binocular backup unit, or buyers whose use case doesn’t demand Gen 3 performance. Tube warranty is 2 years.

The Elbit Gen 3 options are U.S.-manufactured by Elbit Systems of America, a major U.S. defense contractor and one of the two primary manufacturers of Gen 3 image intensifier tubes (the other being L3Harris). Tube warranty is 10 years.

Elbit XLSH tubes

Thin-filmed Gen 3 tubes known for high performance. XLSH tubes may show more small cosmetic spots in the image than PH tubes, but perform exceptionally in low-light conditions. This listing offers XLSH in several configurations: a budget option with a Z1 spot, a sub-1800 FOM option without a Z1 spot, a full-spec option, and a top-tier 2376+ FOM option with no spots on the datasheet.

Elbit PH tubes

A step up from the XLSH line with tighter spot specifications, meaning fewer and smaller blemishes in the image area. Popular with buyers who prioritize a clean viewing experience.

What is FOM?

FOM stands for Figure of Merit — a single number calculated by multiplying a tube’s resolution (line pairs per mm) by its signal-to-noise ratio. It’s a useful shorthand but not the whole story. Every tube is different. A higher FOM generally indicates better overall performance, but two tubes with the same FOM can look different in the field.

What is a Z1 Spot?

The Z1 zone is the center area of the tube image — the most critical viewing area. A tube listed as “with Z1 spot” contains a small cosmetic blemish in this zone, but it will not exceed .003 inches in size. Many experienced users find Z1 spots are barely noticeable in real-world use. Tubes listed “without Z1 spot” or “No Spots on Datasheet” have no cosmetic blemishes in the critical viewing area.

2376+ FOM — What Does That Mean?

This designates tubes that have tested at 2376 FOM or higher on their datasheet. These are high-performing tubes that have exceeded a specific performance threshold. For buyers who want documented high performance, this is a strong option.

White Phosphor vs. Green Phosphor

White phosphor (P45) renders the image in grayscale and is preferred by most modern operators because the brain processes contrast and detail more naturally during extended use. Green phosphor (P22) is the traditional NV look and is still preferred by some shooters for low-light target detection. Both perform equivalently optically — it’s a preference.

Configuration Breakdown

Lowest to highest price:

• NNVT 1600+ FOM Autogated White Phosphor — $6,253 — Gen 2+, 2-year tube warranty. Entry into the MGA platform. Strong choice for training, recreation, general-duty work, and use in conditions with reasonable ambient light.
• Elbit XLSH White Phosphor with Z1 Spot — $7,339 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. The most accessible entry into US-manufactured Elbit XLSH; lower price reflects a cosmetic Z1 spot in the central viewing area.
• Green Phosphor Elbit XLSH — $7,566 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. XLSH grade in classic green phosphor.
• Elbit XLSH White Phosphor, <1800 FOM, no Z1 spot — $7,658 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. XLSH below the 1800 FOM mark, cleaner cosmetic spec.
• Elbit XLSH White Phosphor — $8,296 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. Full-spec XLSH grade, no cosmetic compromises.
• Elbit PH White Phosphor — $8,664 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. Premium Elbit grade with tighter spot specifications than XLSH.
• Elbit XLSH 2376+ FOM White Phosphor, no spots on datasheet — $8,935 — Gen 3, 10-year tube warranty. Top of this lineup. 2376+ FOM and zero spots on the datasheet.

Hand Select — See Your Tube Before You Buy

Not sure which tube is right for you? We offer hand-select service on many of our tubes. Email us at sales@superiortac.com to request datasheets on available tubes before you commit to a purchase. You’ll see the actual measured specs — FOM, signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, EBI, and halo — for the specific tube going into your unit. We have more tubes available than what’s listed in the dropdown — if you have specific requirements, let us know.

Operational Specs

• Magnification: 1X
• Field of view: 40° with standard optics
• Focus range: 9.8 inches to infinity
• Diopter adjustment: -6 to +2
• IPD (interpupillary distance): ~47mm to over 80mm
• Power: single CR123 onboard with ~30 hours of runtime, or external pack via 4-pin LEMO-style connector
• Submersibility: 66 feet (20 meters)
• Dimensions: 4.14″ × 4.2″ × 3.5″
• Assembled weight with optics and tubes installed (no battery): 580g (20.45 oz)

Warranty and Service

AB Nightvision provides a lifetime warranty on housing parts and workmanship. Image intensifier tubes carry separate warranties from the tube manufacturer: 10 years on the Gen 3 Elbit configurations, 2 years on the Gen 2+ NNVT configuration. Units are collimated and tested at Superior Tactical before shipping. We also offer in-house repairs with free diagnostic if anything goes wrong.

Build Your Own Instead

If you’d rather build your own MGA from scratch — sourcing your own tubes and optics — or move tubes from an existing PVS-14 or binocular into the MGA chassis, see our MGA housing build kit listing.

New to Night Vision?

Read our free Night Vision Generations Reference Guide — a 12-page technical overview covering Gen 2 vs Gen 3, FOM, SNR, photocathode sensitivity, and how to read a tube datasheet.

ITAR Notice

This product is ITAR controlled. For sale to U.S. persons only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this listing include?

A complete, ready-to-deploy MGA binocular night vision goggle: the MGA housing in Flat Black with two image intensifier tubes (matched pair per the configuration you select) and Noctis Technologies (Carson) optics installed, Pivot Spanner pod-tension tools, sacrificial windows, demist shields, eyecups, lens caps, a soft carry case, lens paper, and the tube-manufacturer datasheet for your specific tubes. The unit is collimated and tested at Superior Tactical before shipping.

I’m new to night vision. How do I pick a tube configuration?

Start by deciding between Gen 2+ and Gen 3. The NNVT 1600+ FOM configuration is Gen 2+ and is the entry-level option — well-suited to training, recreation, and use in conditions with reasonable ambient light. The six Elbit configurations are all Gen 3 and deliver substantially better performance in low light. Within the Gen 3 tier, the differences come down to FOM (resolution × SNR), spot rating (cosmetic blemishes in the viewing area), and phosphor color (white or green). Read the “Choosing Your Tube” section above for plain-English explanations of each spec.

What’s the difference between Gen 2+ and Gen 3?

Gen 3 tubes use a gallium arsenide photocathode that delivers significantly better low-light sensitivity, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio than Gen 2+. In moderate ambient light, the difference is less apparent. In near-total darkness, Gen 3 is noticeably better. Gen 2+ is a capable NV tool — not a toy — but the performance gap is meaningful in very dark conditions.

What’s the difference between white phosphor and green phosphor?

White phosphor (P45) renders the image in grayscale, which most users find easier on the eyes during extended use. Green phosphor (P22) is the traditional NV look and is still preferred by some shooters for low-light target detection. Both perform equivalently optically — it’s a preference.

What is FOM, and how much does it matter?

FOM (Figure of Merit) is resolution × signal-to-noise ratio. Higher FOM means a sharper, less grainy image. As a rough guide: ~1600 FOM is solid Gen 2+ / entry Gen 3, 1800+ is mid-tier Gen 3, 2000+ is premium, 2376+ is top-tier. FOM is a useful shorthand but not the whole story — two tubes with the same FOM can look different in the field.

Are all tubes on this listing autogated?

Yes. All seven tube configurations on this listing are autogated. We only stock autogated tubes.

Can I see the tube datasheet before I buy?

Yes. Email sales@superiortac.com to request datasheets on specific tubes before purchasing. We have more tubes available than what’s listed in the dropdown — if you have specific requirements let us know.

Can I swap optics or upgrade the tube later?

Yes to both. The MGA uses standard PVS-14-style optic threading, so the Noctis optics it ships with can be swapped for RPO 3.0 lenses or other PVS-14-compatible optics later. The tube is also a serviceable component and can be replaced or upgraded — for example, if you start with the Gen 2+ NNVT configuration and later want to move to a Gen 3 Elbit tube, the housing and optics carry over.

What warranty do I get?

AB Nightvision provides a lifetime warranty on the housing parts and workmanship. Image intensifier tubes carry separate warranties from the tube manufacturer: 10 years on the Gen 3 Elbit configurations, 2 years on the Gen 2+ NNVT configuration.

Can this be exported?

No. ITAR controlled. For sale to U.S. persons only.