NVGs and ITAR - What?

[JLiang]

So I'm finally in the market for an NVG so I'm trying to read as much as possible to prevent a bad purchase

Right now I've settled on a few Gen1 Devices (Gen2 is way out of my budget) and I've found there to be great deals down in the States.

However, I know about US ITAR and how NVGs are included on there. But, I've also read that Gen1 (and Gen1+, considering the '+' is just a marketing thing) are not ITAR-Restricted.

Is this true? Can Gen1+ NVGs be exported out of the US without me serving time?

[Zack The Ripper]

Don't touch Gen1/1+. Terrible tubes. Requires IR even in areas with some ambient lighy. Save your money and buy a Gen 3 from someone on the forums.

[JLiang]

I'd love some Gen2s or Gen3s but I simply don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a unit I'll use maybe once or twice monthly, if that.

[BioRage]

^ Time to save some more.

It's winter, you got till spring!

[JLiang]

Okay, sure. Let's hypothetically say that I hit the jackpot and can and will get Gen2s and am getting a Gen1 for a friend. I'm buying both units from the USA.

Will both get stopped by ITAR or am I good to buy Gen1/2 from the US?

[pestobanana]

Gen 1 is not useful in airsoft. I don't own NV because I'm not willing to drop the money on a Gen 3 unit, but I've tried Gen 1 and all it does is fuzzily outline shit you can already sort of see with your naked eye.

[EchoFourTwelve]

Friends don't buy friends Gen 1 units.

[JLiang]

Guys pls just help with the ITAR

[Wrath144]

In general, Gen 1 or 1+ are not restricted for export.
Some Gen 2 units are restricted and some are not.
Most if not all Gen 3 are restricted.

[DAS BOOT]

before you even think of getting an NVG, get yourself age-verified. thats a start.

[pestobanana]

Originally Posted by DAS BOOT

before you even think of getting an NVG, get yourself age-verified. thats a start.

AV has nothing to do with gear.

[Danke]

No legit seller in the USA will ship ITAR restricted parts outside of the USA.

Drive down and sneak them out or get you buddy to mail them and prepare for misery when the group gets caught. The USA is very particular about the advantage the new NVGs gives them and they don't play games with anyone who tries an end run at the export rules.

Just buy inside Canada.

Be aware they're a bit useless except for the very narrow once or twice a year night game. Be aware when you've got 3K of relatively delicate hardware that you paid for hanging out in the wind waiting for someone on the other team to hose it down. Be aware that you need the proper mount and helmet hardware so you aren't trusting your 3K tube to a ebay banned J-arm.

Buy on here form another player who's been down the path already and has priorities that have changed.

[R711]

Gen 1/2 are legal to bring in. But, it is all dependant on the company if they have filled out the ITAR paper work. Most don't because the market up here is so small. Little legal known fact, it is against the law for a non American to look through a Gen 3 set of NVG's/FLIR systems. There are a few good companies that sell the systems here, go with them as they have all of the paper work in order.
I have always been tempted to order a set from China of the knock off 14's. But, for 350$ American, not sure of the risk.
R711

[Canadian Psycho]

Very few of the companies in canada that can get gen 3 out of the USA will sell to civilians. ITAR contracts prohibit the sale to civilians. Many companies offer gen 3 to military and law enforcement. ITAR not only dictates what can leave the USA, but also what and who it can be sold to or used by once it leaves.

Gen 1 is useless for airsoft, the most common nvg in use are d-300s which many use, are a solid gen 2+ unit. Used they will run you $1600, a batch was imported several years ago and they do pop up forsale from time to. Time.

[Zack The Ripper]

Seriously man. Don't bother with importation. Much more money than what you could get away with spending.

Get age verified, get on the classifieds forum, and wait for a Gen 3 or really good Gen2+ to pop up for sale and grab it. I only use my PBS-14 at MilSim events, and the odd time on a night hike with the girlfriend, and even with the hole it left in my wallet I still think it's worth every penny spent.

Plus, if/when MilSim/night vision/airsoft isn't your thing anymore, you can sell it for essentially the price you paid for it and make pretty much all your money back. Good night vision doesn't really depreciate in value over time, so it's almost like having a lifetime money-back guarantee.

Food for thought.