What no tube model?

@@arcbumibul7282 Elbit SLH, which is a better binned XLSH.

nice mate, what was the price?

@@mischifischi Paid $1900, granted this was two years ago and inventory has been drying up.

How much gain?

Always balance your budget with your needs, most people will never need high specs.

@@falconclaw_ well I use the L3 unit because I have it and it's amazing, but yeah 2000 FOM would probably be plenty for most applications.

They are not just cores - they are entire Katod tubes with Harder badge slapped over.

@@AndSome625028 That's interesting. What have you got for verification this is indeed a true statement.

@@PaulMcDonagh-rv6vc Gen3 image intensifier is a product of the highest level of engineering, expertise and labour. Production is also immensely expensive as materials and machinery for gallium arsenide are not commercially available. Those facilities are impossible without massive investments and are ALWAYS subject to government contracts and strict regulations. There are only a handful of companies worldwide capable to produce these tubes: L3, Harris, Photonis, ITT, Katod - Harder is not one of them. If you manage to find one of these "Harder" tubes and compare to one of EPM - you'll see the same housting, same connectors, same epoxied recesses. Just a different badge.

@@AndSome625028 Thats really interesting commentary. I tend to agree. Ive used a harder tube (2400HD) and it was slightly lacking. Overall resolution and image quality was poor, even though it was a 73 res. Ive heard it said many times that they are KATOD components, but still these people lack evidence or reference for their claims. That concerns me somewhat. I also believe they are fully filmed tubes, which adds to there inferiority. Funnily enough though, the European astronomy community swear blind they are amazing, especially the 0.01 EBI figures, and 0.1 Halo. But they lack real gen 3, and that may be the reason. Interesting stuff.

@@PaulMcDonagh-rv6vc It depends on model and year of production. My intensifier is made in 2016, I had it next to omni vi - exactly comparable image.

Harder is the source for GaAs gen 3 tubes outside the US. For mixed environments, the multi-alkaline photonis is a good choice as it rejects flashes and blooming really well and will allow for good identification. The Russian Katod also makes high performing devices, but aren't commonly available.

Thank you Adrian for your answer! Do you know who sells the Harder tubes in Europe? Let' s hope these srict regulations also eases a bit in the future and we are able to buy L3 tubes in Europe. And more competion will get prices a bit inexpensive. Like what we ordered the Photonis Echo+ single tube was 6900€ in Finland, so it is quite expensive. Of course it is important that the best tubes will not find their way to the rogue states.

@@petrikupiainen I am not European and I don't own a night vision device. The price you quoted for the Echo+ seems 1/3 too high. One source I looked at for Europe was falconclaw. 4600€ + VAT for Echo+ on their site. USA will never loosen NVD ITAR regs.

Adrian Simmlekark, yes the price is 1/3 too high. Here in Finland is only one official nvd importer, so that is why the prices are too pricy. Time I ordered nvd I did't know Falconclaw. It seems to be ok company? In Europe seems to be company named AstronomyNow in France who sells the Harder devices. Thank you Adrian very much for your answers!

@@petrikupiainen Go with Photonis Echo+. Or if you can afford it, go 4g or 4g+. They are excellent tubes and you will not be disappointed. Ive got 4g and Elbit XLSH, and for pitch black (away from cities) gen 3 is better at making an image in pitch black. But for semi rural, or semi urban, my 4g wins hands down. Less scintillation, far better halo, and crisper image. Photonis really is an excellent tube.

There are specific videos and reddit post about what to buy for this purpose. Check them out.

I have a 2300+ Fom Elbit and it’s freaking amazing

The problem is ITAR. In europe you can't get L3 and Elbits only up to 1600 FOM because ITAR Regulations. :/ So you can only get Elbits up to 1600 FOM, Harder or Photonis.

Google, Germany and Serbia.

@@AbsolutionArmament Google is not a place nor a good reply. Neither Germany or Serbia contract Gen3 tubes with FOM 1800+. Their development and manufacture far exceed in investment the few available tubes on the market. Harder tubes are exact same tubes made in [forbidden word] with a rebadge. That being said, they are terrific value - I own one. Not here to bash but you gotta give credit where credit is due.

@@AndSome625028 Appreciate your response, as it breaks down people's lethargy and bullshit barriers. You say Harder is Russian, which i now know to be true. However, you also say Harder are good value. How is a 2100fom Harder priced around £4500 good value, especially considering they are Katod parts, and have fully filmed tubes. Here to learn, not hate. Thanks.

@@PaulMcDonagh-rv6vc Hey Paul. In all candour, filmless technology is a misnomer. It most likely is still using a film, just not aluminium oxide. Yes, it is clearer than an average tube but only marginally compared to other high-end ones. L3 marketing genius is making you think that everything else is obsolete - don’t buy into it. As far as value, ditch rebadge. If you manage to get Katod tube - there is no competition, courtesy of this video. I’ve got my unit with housing and optics for about $1050 in 2018. Considering it is also legal to travel with - I’d say they are good value.

There's a FOM limit for most European countries so it's no surprise.

@@DrGamingDude That type of idiotic policy serves no purpose and is purely used to arbitrarily limit the capabilities of citizens. Who would ever think to pass a law like that besides the Europeans.

@@creekochee3592 The more infringements are cast on civilians, the more their governments fear them.

The law in Europe does not prohibit the sale of higher FOM nightvision, USA wont export nods that are over 1600FOM becouse of ITAR.

@@creekochee3592 But thats a US law, called ITAR ^^

Falconclaw is from Estonia. You can't get L3 Tubes outside of US.