Act in Black DTNVS – Modern Night Vision with Dual Tubes

This article is sponsored by Act in Black.

The DTNVS (Dual Tube Night Vision System) is a night vision goggle from Act in Black from Luxembourg, Europe. There are different housings available. On the website of Andres Industries you can find valuable information to the differences: DTNVS – Andres Industries AG
This article here is ment to be a products presentation and not a real field test. It will be completed from time to time.

Data

Here the NVG with a Wilcox G24 Mount.

Generally

Here you can see the housing. On top you can see a eyelet on each side.

There the hooks from the retention can be hooked in. Here the hooks from Opscore.

The bigger hooks like from Protection Group Danmark for example, also fit well. When the hooks are bigger you can tie a cord loop. Alternatively these eyelets can be used for a lanyard to avoid loss.

The Opscore hooks can also be hooked lower.

The device comes fitted for dovetail mounts.

On the ocular side you can add eye cups. They can be mounted and removed quite easily without tools.

They avoid the light from the back of the NVG to be visible for others. And they avoid ambient light to distract the eyes. But they also limit the peripheral vision.

The rubber can be folded forward to keep it on the NVG. This way they can protect safety glasses or CBRN masks from scratches by the NVG.

In the center there is the on, off, IR and Reset switch. For on an off you just need to rotate it.

Next to it there is the battery compartment. The DTNVS is operated with a single CR123 battery. An internal spring lets the battery stick out as soon as the cap is removed. When the battery gets close to empty, the device switches on an indicator in the vision to warn you in-time.

The IR led is also on the front of the device. The attachment textile from the cap of the battery compartment can cover up the diode. So it is important to be carefull with the position of it.

To protect the tubes when not in use, you can use the daycaps with the small hole. Or the bikini covers. I prefer the bikini covers, since they stay attached to the device and protect the lenses on both sides.

Adjustments

Each tube can be rotated up independently. For this no thing needs to be unlocked. Since there is no locking mechanism. The tubes switch off when they are rotated up. When rotated back down they need approx. 1 sec to turn back on.

This folded upwards position allows sitting in vehicles with limited head space or looking through binoculars or spotting scopes.

Also this positions prevents rain from hitting the lense.

If you not fold up the mount, the weight of the device is super close to the head. This is one of the big benefits of the DTNVS construction.

Here in comparison the the position, if the tubes are not rotated sideways.

The tubes can be rotated down and get really close to each other. Here you can see the closest possible position.

When I adjust them correctly to my eyes they are close like on the following picture. Optional you can also order DTNVS IPD STOPS. With them you can adjust how close the tubes can be moved together.

On the front you can change the focus. The surface allows a good grip even with wet gloves. So fast adjustments are easy.

On the back you can adjust the diopter. So if you normally wear glasses, you can use the DTNVS without them. Depending on the housing, the diopter range varies.

The thing with the light

It is important to note, that this device can be equipped with different tubes. Here in this article I have a demonstration device with less powerfull tubes. The pictures are made with a phone through the tubes. It is important to keep in mind that the device as well as the mobile phone adjust the brightness automatically. This is why these pictures are not a perfect representation of the real vision you have with you naked eye.
Here you see the integrated IR light. it has got a big beam. On the right you can see the indicator. It is on as long as the IR light is also on.

The automatic adjustment of the night vision device is also easy to notice when you sit in a car. On the left the dim light of the car is on. So there is a lot of light in the lower region. This is why the device adjusts to this light. On the right the parking light is on. This is less light. So the difference to the light in the environment is smaller and with the NVG you see much more than with the brighter light.

Conclusion

I ignore the performance of the tubes, since this is not directly connected with the DTNVS itself. In this demo device they did not use top notch tubes.

Adjustments
If combined with the right mount the adjustments of this device should fill all needs. But a stop for the interpupillary distance would be nice. But one can be ordered separately and the device can be upgraded with it. That the tubes can be rotated outwards without any locking or steps is also super handy. And that the tubes are super close to the head, if you do not use them, makes the use a lot more comfortable compared to other devices on the market.
The focus can be changed one-handed easily. The diopter adjustment can be changes accidentally if the device is removed from the helmet. At one of the models the diopter can be locked. For details and information feel free to get in contact with Act in Black.

IR light
For the IR light a brightness adjustment would be nice. Because then you are in a room with several buddies, you can blind each other. So 60% power would often be enough. Ad an addition I am using my Streamlight Sidewinder Compact II on my helmet. With this light I was able to use a dim light.
When working with a gun with a reddot sight a light on the side of the helmet does not shine on your optic. So the vision is less distracted.

Battery and counter weight
With the CR123 it runs for around 25 hours. With this you can do a lot. But for more comfort a counter weight on the backside of the helmet is recommended. An adapter for battery boxes is available. Only batteries up to 3.3 V should be used. Rechargeable RCR123A usually have 3,6 Volts or more and therefore should not be used!
I decided to go for a classic counter weight. With my Opscore Fast Carbon bump helmet I made good experiences with a counter weight of around 450g. But I am sure less weight could also get the job done.

Closing word
When I was in active duty in the german army I mainly worked with Lucie and BONIE-M . The DTNVS is a completely different thing.
I really like the light weight and the intuitive operation.