Thank you once again for joining us here at Night Chenanigans. Last week we took a look at the NVEC MX-2, a miniature thermal scope that is not that mini when compared to today's offerings. While it is a useable thermal device we move on to look at soemthing new and modern. We are taking a look at the ABNV RVM-14, an improved PVS-14. I have to note that this RVM-14 housing was sent to us by ABNV for this review.
ABNV RVM-14
At first glance the RVM-14 looks like a PVS-14 or similar monocular. However there are some interesting details that you might miss if you do not look closely. The first feature is their micro rail which uses their proprietary arm. The rail is positioned opposite of the batteyr housing so the RVM-14 is oriented vertically when using the ABNV arm or bridge.
The rail is a miniature dovetail with a hole at the top for the retaining screw in the arm.
You simply slide the arm onto the mini dovetail and tighten the screw which pegs into the hole at the top of the rail preventing it from sliding off.
The arm is unidirectional but it is articulated for stowing the RVM-14 away and to the side.
ABNV makes a bridge and two different arms, one for right eye or left eye dominant users.
Here is the left arm to position the RVM-14 over the left eye.
As you can see above it is articulated but if you think you can swing the RVM-14 over to the right eye, it will not line up with your right eye.
Here is the bridge with two RVM-14 monoculars attached.
The RVM-14 arm is all metal construction and retails for just $118. However you would have to buy two of them, one for each side or you can buy the bridge for $168. The RVM-14 does have the standard 1/4-20 tripod/arm threaded hole for using standard J-arms.
I prefer the Noisefighters' AX-14 arm since it can swing both ways so you only need one for use with either eye.
Operation of the RVM-14
Using the RVM-14 is straightforward. At the front is the IR illuminator with a square button similar to what ABNV has been using for theri RPVNG and ARNVG housings. Press it to turn the IR illumiantor on, press it again to turn it off. The RVM-14 is powered by a single CR123.
If you use an 11769, the RVM-14 has manual gain. Rotate the knob in the back to turn it on and keep rotatin gto adjust gain.
Building The RVM-14
The RVM-14 housing is all 7075 aluminum so it is very rugged. Installing a tube and optics is rather straight forward if you have built a PVS-14 before. Since the RPNVG was made, ABNV has been using D-Collars for their objective focus lock ring and close focus stop. You no longer need a close focus stop ring and this allows you to interchange obejctive lenses without needing to remove the image intensifier tube.
Four screws hold the battery housing onto the monocular housing. Remove them and open the housing.
Circled in red is the four pin holes to plug the EGAC manual gain ribbon for your 11769 image intensifier tube.
Insert the manual gain ribbon in first and have it come out the top before inerting your 11769 tube. You will notice a slight gap/standoff of the tube from the front endge of the monocular housiing due to the anti-rotation pin but that is fine. Plug the EGAC in to the batteyr housing and carefully place the battery housing onto the monocular housing making sure to keep the ECAG ribbon from poking out the sides.
To my surprise, the RVM-14 is rather light weight for being an all aluminum housing. Without tubes or glass, it weight 3.4 ounces.
With light weight lenses, battery, and an 11769 it weighs 9.7 ounces.
My PVS-14 with similar light weight lenses and a AA battery weigh in at almost 1 ounce heavier.
Final Thoughts On The ABNV RVM-14
The RVM-14 is a phenomenal upgrade from the milspec PVS-14 housing. While Ultem is a robust and light weight material (the glass filled polymer that the PVS_14 is made of,), ABNV was able to shave the weight from a CNC 7075 aluminum housing to weigh less than a PVS-14. You might think all this technological advancement must come at a cost but it really is not that bad. The housing retails for just over $500. That is just a little bit more than a used PVS-14 housing (without glass).
The proprietary rail is fine but I would like to see a Wilcox SKEETIR compatible dovetail that interfaces with that rail so you can bridge the RVM-14 with a thermal monocular. I would also like to see a panning bridge by ABNV but that might violate Noisefighters' patent. You can use a panning bridge with the RVM-14 but I like the positioning of the mini rail. maybe ABNV and Noisefighters can collaborate and make a panning bridge for the RVM-14.
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