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PNV-57E Night Vision Goggles |
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PNV-57E Night Vision Goggles |
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PNV-57E Technical Data |
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Soviet Designation: |
PNV-57E |
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Manufacturer: | Uncertain at Present |
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Year Adopted: |
1960's |
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Operational Status: |
Russia - Still in limited use. Other Users - East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, other Warsaw Pact nations and former Soviet Republics. |
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Total System Weight: |
2.3 kilograms |
| Generation: | 1st |
| Magnification: | None |
| Field of View Angle: | 35 degrees |
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Power Supply Voltage: (vehicle based system) |
12 or 24 volt |
| Diopter Focusing: | ±5 Diopter |
The PNV-57E goggles were developed in the 1960's to enable vehicle crews to operate at night. They are first generation infrared light amplifiers that are mounted on the standard issue padded tankers helmet. The goggles are a twin tube design that require an external 12 or 24 volt power source provided by the vehicle the wearer is driving. The PNV-57E goggles do not have a power switch and are always on if powered.
The optical quality of the PNV-57E is rather poor and has large amounts of distortion around the edges. The amplification abilities of the goggles are severely limited and are difficult to use in light dimmer than a full moon without an infrared light amplifier.
| While the light amplification goggles are limited in their ability, they are mounted effectively on the adjustable padded tanker helmet. They are affixed to a hinge that allows them to be flipped up and out of the way when not needed, and they are mounted far enough from the wearer's eyes that he can easily look under the goggles to see the instrument panel of the vehicle without having to refocus the goggles. In addition to this the power pack mounted on the rear of the helmet provides a necessary counterweight for the goggles. |
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The PNV-57E and its accessories are issued in a protective metal case. Inside the case are the PNV-57E unit, two lens covers, a vehicle power adapter that can be used with up to two PNV-57E headsets, four infrared vehicle lens filters, several small tools, and a maintenance log book.
The PNV-57E were used in vehicles such as the BREM recovery vehicle, BRDM, BTR and BMP series armored personnel carriers, as well as other vehicles. The PNV-57E is still in limited Russian use but are being replaced by more advanced night vision systems like the PNV-90V.
