Description

Photonis Image Intensifier Tubes — MX-11769 & MX-10160

Photonis (now part of the Exosens Group) is the world leader in Gen 2+ image intensifier tube design and manufacturing, headquartered in France. Photonis tubes use a multialkali photocathode with a wider spectral sensitivity than Gen 3 gallium arsenide — collecting more photons across a broader wavelength range. Non-U.S. manufactured. 2-year warranty.

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Photonis vs Gen 3 — What You’re Choosing

Photonis tubes are classified as Gen 2+ under U.S. nomenclature, but this does not mean inferior performance. The multialkali photocathode has a wider spectral response than Gen 3 GaAs — particularly stronger in the blue-green range, which is why Photonis tubes render a distinctly cooler green phosphor image. In low-light environments with broad ambient spectrum, high-FOM Photonis tubes can match or exceed Gen 3 performance at certain wavelengths.

Key practical differences from Gen 3:

• Photocathode: Multialkali (wider spectral sensitivity) vs GaAs (higher peak sensitivity in NIR)
• Warranty: 2 years vs 10 years for U.S. Gen 3
• ITAR status: Not ITAR-controlled — can be exported without license in many cases
• Country of manufacture: France / Netherlands

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Tube Formats

MX-11769

The standard milspec PVS-14 tube format. Compatible with all PVS-14 format housings. Supports manual gain when the housing electronics are designed for it.

MX-10160

Autogated format used in many binocular and monocular housings including the RNVG, DTNVS, MH-1, and others. Check your housing compatibility before ordering.

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ECHO Green Phosphor

Photonis ECHO is their current commercial-grade tube series — autogated green phosphor. Widely considered excellent value-per-dollar for users who prioritize total cost of ownership over U.S.-made Gen 3 requirements.

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Warranty & Origin

Manufacturer: Photonis / Exosens (France / Netherlands)
Warranty: 2-year manufacturer warranty
Classification: Gen 2+ (U.S. nomenclature)
ITAR: Not subject to ITAR controls

Common Questions

Is this a complete PVS-14 unit?
No. This is a standalone image intensifier tube only. You will need a compatible PVS-14 housing kit or existing housing to install it. Contact us at (888) 330-7057 for help matching a tube to a housing.

What does FOM mean?
FOM stands for Figure of Merit — calculated by multiplying signal-to-noise ratio by resolution. It is the single best indicator of overall tube performance. Higher FOM means better low-light performance. For most users we recommend a minimum of 1600 FOM.

Can I see a datasheet for this tube?
Yes. We include a measured datasheet with every tube we sell showing the actual tested specifications. Contact us at (888) 330-7057 if you want to see the datasheet before purchasing, or select Hand Select for a specific tube.