PANOBRIDGE MK2 MOD1 | A 1.5 oz Night Vision Bridge with Adjustable Field of View
Regular price
$600.00
$500.00
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Panobridge™ is the original night vision bridge mount that provides up to 75 degrees field of view with milspec AN/PVS-14s, yet it weighs 25% less than a single milspec J-Arm. Plus, it is fully compatible with thermal monoculars, and it comes with one free attachment arm for the most common night vision / thermal fusion setups. Introducing an entirely new way to see more of the dark.
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“What Noisefighters has managed to do with the Panobridge is incredible. The fact that I can stow a lightweight, compact, panoramic night vision goggle in my cargo pocket is game changing. The Panobridge presents the first worthwhile alternative to quad tube goggles that I’ve found. It is simple and tough, and by integrating standard AN/PVS-14 monoculars, it eliminates many logistical headaches.” -Retired Master Sergeant Bob Keller, owner of Gamut Resolutions training group and a ten year member of the U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (Delta Force).
“Most people and organizations can’t afford quad tube goggles. The Panobridge, coupled with two AN/PVS-14s, is the first alternative to quad tube goggles that I can now recommend for those looking for panoramic night vision." - Jon "Mochabear" Dufresne, owner of Kinetic Consulting training group, a former U.S. Army Ranger, and current executive protection and law enforcement consultant who is additionally on staff with Sage Dynamics.
"So, basically, the Panobridge, in my opinion, it's the best dual PVS-14 bridge mount available right now." -Nitewalker, from his video review.
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The patent pending Noisefighters Panobridge provides a panoramic night vision image by exploiting the brain's ability to merge split images from two outward-angled monoculars into one cohesive picture. The so-called tube effect that is traditionally experienced with single or dual intensifiers is eliminated. With our innovative AFOV (Adjustable Field of View) mechanism and resulting wide-view image, you can enjoy vastly improved situational awareness and the feeling like you're not even looking through image intensifying tubes. Whether it's driving a vehicle and seeing through nearly the entire windshield or clearing a building and not missing an unexpected visitor coming down the stairs in your periphery, the Noisefighters Panobridge will open up new possibilities for efficient and safe work at night, allowing you to focus more on the task at hand and less on panning and scanning for threats or points of interest.
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Importantly, users can switch back to traditional straight-ahead tube orientation when desired. No specialized training is required and no other equipment is necessary. Simply attach two standard AN/PVS-14 monoculars to this featherweight bridge, snap the complete assembly into an industry-standard dovetail helmet mount, and start seeing everything you were missing before.
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We also include one separate arm to mount thermal monoculars that utilize the Mini-Rail / MUM attachment method, such as FLIR® Breach, Infiray® MH-25 / RH-25, Sionyx® OPSIN, or the MUM-14 night vision monocular. Two interpupillary distance settings are possible to better match one’s eye to the rectangular viewing screen found on digital thermal monoculars. The arm can be mounted to either side of the Panobridge. We also offer additional Mini-Rail Arms for purchase (please email us) if one wishes to mount dual thermal monoculars or dual MUM-14 night vision monoculars.
NEW FOR PANOBRIDGE MK2 MOD 1: extended AN/PVS-14 arms are now included and installed at no extra cost. These extended arms are required in order to align a PVS-14 with larger thermal monoculars such as the Infiray RH-25 and NVISION NOX-18. These arms are further improved compared to our original model, as they include 316 stainless steel washers for smoother rotation and improved friction, plus anti-rotation locking pads for improved AN/PVS-14 stability. In addition, all four rotating joints have been reinforced with a special type of locking conical spring washer. This tiny change transforms the Panobridge by providing significantly higher friction in each joint and helps prevent them from being accidentally bumped out of position. These washers also keep the joint friction constant when the bridge is moved between environments with drastically different temperatures.
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The Noisefighters Panobridge weighs only 1.5 oz total in its standard configuration, making it the lightest bridge mount ever offered. This is approximately 70% less than the KVC® Universal Night Vision Bridge with OSS shoe sets installed, approximately 40% less than the IC® Dual PVS-14 Light Weight Mounting System, and almost 1/2 oz less than a single milspec J-Arm. We have optimized rigidity, strength, and durability while following the Marine Corps adage of, "Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain." With Nightline, Inc. NL914C Power Packs installed, it is possible to achieve panoramic night vision with a total weight of 21.5 oz, or 19.9 oz with RPO lightweight lenses installed, or 15.8 oz with Nocturn Industries Tanto monoculars + RPO lightweight lenses. Depending on the configuration, this may be lighter than binocular goggles that do not include panoramic viewing.
Photo composite showing the use of a handheld thermal imager placed between laterally rotated (“panned out”) AN/PVS-14 monoculars and used directly in conjunction with Noisefighters Panobridge, courtesy of Nick Chen, journalist with The Firearm Blog.
The Noisefighters Panobridge also changes the game by introducing the ability to peer through the gap between laterally-rotated monoculars with an unaided eye to use a handheld thermal imager, or aim pistol sights, or view a scene using ambient light to better gauge distance, texture, color, or lighting. This is similar to the technique provided by using a single PVS-14 on a J-Arm, but it is now available for multi-tube use.
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In addition, both monoculars attached to the Noisefighters Panobridge may be individually swung upwards, out of the line of sight, without disturbing the adjacent device's positioning. For extended periods when one eye must view scenes unaided by night vision or instead aided by a thermal vision system, this added articulation feature is crucial. This feature also allows the PVS-14's to better hug the helmet when the entire assembly is folded back in the stowed position, leading to a more balanced center of gravity and a reduced possibility of impacting door frames or other objects above the head.
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The choice of a high-performance Arkema® polymer produces a nearly indestructible bridge mount. The highly impact-resistant material chosen for the Noisefighters Panobridge should absorb shocks and bounce back into shape instead of fracturing when dropped, bent, or otherwise stressed. For extra peace of mind, we added fasteners made of only high-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel and anodized, aerospace grade aluminum.
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A no-questions-asked, transferable lifetime warranty is included. The patent pending Noisefighters Panobridge is proudly made and assembled in the U.S.A. and was designed by a Marine Corps combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Adjustment mechanism details:
An intuitive, friction-based adjustment mechanism allows users to laterally rotate (or pan) monoculars outboard to nearly double the horizontal field of view. The monoculars are not tethered together and can rotate independently. The amount of lateral rotation may be perfectly matched to each user's eyes. Users may also orient the monoculars straight forward if so desired. Hard stops prevent the monoculars from rotating too far outboard or inboard.
A similar, friction-based adjustment mechanism allows users to swing individual monoculars upward (helmet mount design permitting) and downward to orient them properly in front of the eyes or out of the line of sight. This same mechanism permits the proper adjustment of interpupillary distance between 55 and 75mm.
Both adjustment mechanisms are pretensioned at the factory and should never need to be adjusted, but a simple hex key wrench may be used for adjustment as necessary.
Considerations to account for:
Panobridge Mk2 Mod1 is designed to be used most frequently between 0F to 120F (-17C to 48C) and may not keep consistent joint tension above or below those temperatures when the Arkema polymer expands or contracts. Bring a 5/64" and 9/64" Allen wrench along to adjust joint tension if you operate in extreme conditions.
1. Due to the nature of night vision optics, all known binocular and quad-tube goggles have a very narrow non-visual central zone directly in front of the device where the user cannot see objects with either eye. The width of this zone is only a couple of inches at its maximum, and the depth of this zone is typically around 6 inches / 0.15 m for goggles with traditional 40 degree field of view lenses and an interpupillary distance of 65 mm. When monoculars are panned outboard on the Panobridge, however, the length of this zone varies due to the geometry involved. With both monoculars fully rotated outboard, the narrow, non-visual central zone extends to approximately 18-26 in / 0.46-0.66 m long. When a user requires a wide field of view but may suddenly need to use both eyes to focus on close-up tasks, we recommend applying a tube rotation angle approximately just past half way outboard, as this will still permit a 60-70 degree field of view with a less noticeable ~12 in / 0.30 m deep non-visual central zone. It is up to the user to decide how much outboard lateral rotation is optimum for the given situation, and it is easy and fast to adjust lateral rotation if a different angle is required. In our testing, we confirmed that this does not affect the ability to naturally acquire reflex sights and similar aiming devices, as the sights are viewed slightly offset from the center of vision and away from this non-visual zone; however, training may be necessary to become accustomed to this optical phenomenon.
2. When both monoculars are rotated fully outboard, there is a loss in visual resolution in the center of view where the two images overlap due to the nature of night vision optics. During movement, this is basically ignored, as one's eyes and head are never stationary. When in a static position, however, it can be noticed, and this issue can be compensated for by viewing objects outside of the center of view for maximum sharpness by rotating one's head slightly, or instead by using less lateral outboard tube rotation and allowing the images to overlap more fully. As mentioned previously, it is possible to either orient both monoculars fully forward or increase the level of image overlap, and this will mitigate this issue at the expense of field of view. It is always up to the user to decide how much outboard lateral rotation and field of view is optimum for the given situation, and it is easy and fast to adjust lateral rotation if a different angle is required. A good balance is to use a rotation angle approximately just past half way outboard, as this will permit a 60-70 degree field of view and lead to an ideal amount of central overlap, which produces high central resolution, natural depth perception, and a panoramic viewing experience.
3. There is a technical consideration called collimation that may need to be accounted for when using two PVS-14 monoculars. In the simplest terms, images from two bridged monoculars may not be perfectly in tune. For most users, this is not an issue that can be easily perceived, as the brain can usually overcome this misalignment. If necessary, hire a technician (from a reputable company such as Nightline, Inc.) to collimate your paired PVS-14s, or read online about how to perform a DIY collimation (done correctly, there is no need to re-purge the monocular).
4. No auto-shutoff system is integrated. Users must manually turn off the monocular when flipping up and stowing equipment on the top of the helmet.
5. This bridge is NOT COMPATIBLE with bayonet-style night vision helmet mounts. You MUST HAVE a dovetail-type night vision helmet mount. The cheapest yet adequate option for a sturdy dovetail-compatible helmet mount is to purchase a military surplus Norotos® RHNO-II (bayonet) mount and modify it to accept the Norotos PVS-15/18 dovetail adapter. Instructions can be found on YouTube here. Our recommendation for a pre-assembled helmet mount with dovetail adapter is the Wilcox® G22 or G24.
6. Let us be clear: while the Panobridge brings panoramic night vision to the masses for the first time, this product does not replicate the view that quad-tube goggles provides. Two milspec PVS-14s connected to the Panobridge provides an adjustable 40 to 75 degree field of view from two image intensifying tubes, while the most popular quad-tube goggle provides a constant 97 degree field of view from four image intensifying tubes. However, that quad-tube goggle has a single-source supplier for any repairs, has difficult-to-obtain spare parts, is quite bulky when assembled and requires special plus-sized containers for on-body storage when not in use, is quite heavy, has no independent gain control, utilizes a single (non-redundant) power system, is wide enough to block most peripheral vision of an unaided eye, and is sold for over $40,000. For context, when our Panobridge is used with lightweight Nightline, Inc.® NL914C monoculars, the end user can save significant weight, the entire goggle is small enough to fit inside a cargo pocket, the run time nearly doubles and there is a redundant power supply, and the total price is just a tiny fraction of the quad-tube goggle. We believe that the vast majority of end users will find the difference in field of view compensated for by the extremely high value proposition that the Panobridge brings to the table.
PANOBRIDGE MK2 MOD 1 SPECIFICATIONS:
INCLUDED ARMS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH: MILSPEC AN/PVS-14, PHOTONIS VYPER-14, AB NIGHT VISION MOD3 (AUTOGAIN VERSION ONLY), KNIGHT’S ARMAMENT M-14 ALLOY CHASSIS FOR AN/PVS-14, NOCTURN INDUSTRIES TANTO (MINOR MODIFICATION TO THE PANOBRIDGE'S ANTI-ROTATION FEATURES ON EACH ARM MAY BE REQUIRED, DEPENDING ON THE VERSION OF TANTO ENCOUTERED)
A SEPARATE MINI-RAIL ARM IS INCLUDED THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH VARIOUS THERMAL MONOCULARS AND NIGHT VISION MONOCULARS WHICH UTILIZE THE MINI-RAIL / MUM-RAIL CONNECTION (FLIR BREACH, INFIRAY MH-25 / RH-25, SIONYX OPSIN, MUM-14)
TWO SETS OF AN/PVS-14 ARMS ARE INCLUDED, WITH THE NEWER STYLE OF LOWERED / EXTENDED ARMS PREINSTALLED. IT IS UP TO THE END USER TO DETERMINE WHICH LENGTH OF ARM IS BEST FOR THEIR PURPOSES AS COMPATIBILITY VARIES WITH VARIOUS THERMAL IMAGERS DUE TO HEIGHT DIFFERENCES.
HELMET MOUNTING COMPATIBILITY: DOVETAIL
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM FIELD OF VIEW WITH MILSPEC AN.PVS-14 MONOCULARS FULLY ROTATED OUTBOARD: 75 DEGREES
INTERPUPILLARY DISTANCE (IPD) COMPATIBILITY: 55 - 75mm
MATERIALS USED: HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMER FROM ARKEMA®; ANODIZED ALUMINUM; STAINLESS STEEL
TOTAL ASSEMBLED WEIGHT OF THIS PRODUCT (STANDARD ARMS INSTALLED): 1.5 OZ
DIMENSIONS (COLLAPSED FOR STORAGE): 2.75 x 2.75 x 1.25"
MEASURED COMBINED WEIGHT WITH TWO MILSPEC PVS-14'S ATTACHED (ELBIT 11769 TUBES, NO BATTERIES, NO EYECUP RETAINING RINGS, NO RUBBER EYECUPS, NO DEMIST SHIELDS INSTALLED): 23.2 OZ
MEASURED COMBINED WEIGHT WITH TWO LIGHTWEIGHT NIGHTLINE NL914C POWER PACK EQUIPPED PVS-14 MONOCULARS (ELBIT 11769 TUBES, NO BATTERIES, NO EYECUP RETAINING RINGS, NO RUBBER EYECUPS, NO DEMIST SHIELDS INSTALLED): 21.5 OZ
MEASURED COMBINED WEIGHT WITH TWO LIGHTWEIGHT NIGHTLINE NL914C POWER PACK EQUIPPED PVS-14 MONOCULARS WITH RPO LIGHTWEIGHT LENSES (ELBIT 11769 TUBES, NO BATTERIES, NO EYECUP RETAINING RINGS, NO RUBBER EYECUPS, NO DEMIST SHIELDS INSTALLED): 19.98 OZ
MEASURED COMBINED WEIGHT WITH TWO NOCTURN INDUSTRIES TANTO MONOCULARS WITH RPO LIGHTWEIGHT LENSES (ELBIT 11769 TUBES, NO BATTERIES, NO EYECUP RETAINING RINGS, NO RUBBER EYECUPS, NO DEMIST SHIELDS INSTALLED): 15.8 OZ
WARRANTY: LIFETIME, TRANSFERABLE
NIGHT VISION / THERMAL DEVICES SHOWN IN PICTURES ARE NOT INCLUDED
PATENT PENDING
MADE AND ASSEMBLED IN THE U.S.A. BY A DISABLED U.S.M.C. COMBAT VETERAN OWNED COMPANY
THIS ITEM IS SUBJECT TO EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (E.A.R.) AND MAY BE EXPORTED ONLY TO CERTAIN COUNTRIES AND CUSTOMERS.