AN/PVS-502 Night Vision
- Thread starter catwork
- Start date
yeah, i know its an old tread but while i was reasearching about PVS-502, i found some pics on the net so i thought i will post it.
still dont know much about it.
hey catwork! were you think of hunting with the scope?
on C1A1
on C2A1
still dont know much about it.
hey catwork! were you think of hunting with the scope?
on C1A1
on C2A1
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The 502 is an outstanding piece of kit, giving it's natural limitations/age/size.
It was state of the art back in the day, early 1970's. It is still comparable to the US AN/PVS 4. The 502 is listed as having 28 lp/mm.
I have personally compared the 2 scopes (502 vs PVS4) side by side, and I find the 502 to be exact as far as the resolution and clarity are concerned. The 502 is slightly larger/longer, with the objective and eye piece being the exact same diameter. The PVS 4 is Second gen because of the immediate shut down feature. The 502 is considered Gen 1 simply because it takes a while to turn off competely with the image.
I have also compared the PVS502 with approx 8 other NV scopes and the 502 still has a very good image quality today.
The reticule is interchangable with any/all other PVS 4 reticules, which include M16/5.55 lines. I find the Israeli dot and stada line image to be the best.
For the cost of the PVS 502 it is hard to beat. The appear from time to time here in Canada for around the $800 range, give or take.
It was state of the art back in the day, early 1970's. It is still comparable to the US AN/PVS 4. The 502 is listed as having 28 lp/mm.
I have personally compared the 2 scopes (502 vs PVS4) side by side, and I find the 502 to be exact as far as the resolution and clarity are concerned. The 502 is slightly larger/longer, with the objective and eye piece being the exact same diameter. The PVS 4 is Second gen because of the immediate shut down feature. The 502 is considered Gen 1 simply because it takes a while to turn off competely with the image.
I have also compared the PVS502 with approx 8 other NV scopes and the 502 still has a very good image quality today.
The reticule is interchangable with any/all other PVS 4 reticules, which include M16/5.55 lines. I find the Israeli dot and stada line image to be the best.
For the cost of the PVS 502 it is hard to beat. The appear from time to time here in Canada for around the $800 range, give or take.
That is a hard question to answer, in that simlar to other items, ie. Trijicon sights, it is extremely hard to determine when the life of the object is coming to an end.
The best way to think of these NV scopes is like a television. Sometimes there are clues when they are dying, and sometimes they just quit with no advanced warning. Some of the scopes that I have played with, (and that is approx 20 of the PVS502 scopes) start to go a bit dark. Some with get more "noise" or "sparkles" on the image. And like any electronic device some will just have a wire break. But until you take it apart and have a look, it's hard to know what went wrong. And, like any electronic thing, unless you know what you are doing, forget it.
There are guys around, mostly in the US, that are capable of repairing PVS502 scopes if they are repairable. Sometimes the parts just end their life, and unless you can find a spare part, it's dead for good. Unfortunately we can't go down to the PVS502 store and pick up parts.
If there is not a physical part broken, ie. glass, wire, switch etc, then the image tubes or amplifiers simply wear out.
I have my original tube in mine, and it has been working fine for years, given the amount that I use mine. Like any hobbiest, a couple minutes here, a couple there. Nothing anywhere near what a military or police unit would use one. So mine has lasted for a long time, and I am thinking/hoping will last for years to come.
I mounted an ARMS dual throw lever mount on mine, and it clamps on to any picatini rail with great eye relief and sight image. I can't say enough good about it.
It takes N batteries, which are a lot more common now and not that expensive.
My opinion, for the money, hard to beat.
OK, but a PVS2 is a lot different than the PVS502. It's not the same thing. And there is no adapter for the PVS502. Nor is one really needed, the N batteries are found at Radio Shack and a pile of other places.
And I've also compared a PVS2 with a few other NV scopes. It isn't all that good.
I think everyone, or at least every like minded shooter that has "black guns", needs some night vision. And this is a very good way to get a good scope at a reasonable price. Besides, there isn't much that comes out of the US anymore.
We will be holding our annual NV match in the fall for those that might be interested.
We will be holding our annual NV match in the fall for those that might be interested.
So when will you get the Vampir for the MP-44?
So when will you get the Vampir for the MP-44?
The Canadian Forces, night vision (IR) pre PVS 502 looked very close to it. Just have to mount it up and nobody would know the difference.
