In short: A monocular has one tube and one eyepiece, a binocular has two tubes and two eyepieces, a biocular has one tube whose image is split to both eyes, and a panoramic device uses more tubes for a wider field of view. More tubes mean more weight and a higher price – and better terrain perception. For a first device, a monocular is enough for most people; a binocular makes sense if you will wear it for long periods and move around in it.
Why the number of tubes matters
At the heart of every night vision device is the image intensifier tube. It is the most expensive component, and its specs – resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, FOM (figure of merit, a single number summarising tube performance) – decide what you see at night. That is why device types are mainly defined by how many tubes they use and how the image reaches your eyes.
This gives a simple rule: the number of tubes drives the price more than anything else. Two identical tubes in a binocular mean roughly twice the most expensive part compared with a monocular using the same tube. We don’t quote specific prices here – they depend on the tube, the housing (the body of the device) and the optics.
Monocular (e.g. PVS-14)
A monocular has one tube, one objective lens and one eyepiece. The best-known type is the PVS-14: a versatile device you can hold in your hand, wear on a head mount, attach to a helmet with a J-arm and a helmet mount, or – where the rules allow – use on a weapon. The US Army description lists power from a single AA battery and head, helmet and weapon mounting.
Weight: the specification of our NGS PVS-14 lists 0.35 kg. The US Army description of the AN/PVS-14 gives 1.2 lb (about 0.54 kg) for the whole system including battery and helmet mount.
An advantage that gets less attention: your other eye stays free and dark-adapted. You can use it to see your surroundings, a map or a screen without intensification. The downside is that each eye gets a different image and your brain needs time to get used to it. We cover the monocular in detail in PVS-14: the complete guide.
Biocular (e.g. PVS-7)
A biocular has one tube but two eyepieces. Prisms and lenses split the image from the single tube to both eyes. The description of the AN/PVS-7 calls this “simulated binocular vision” – both eyes see the same image, so there is no true stereoscopic (3D) depth.
A biocular is comfortable for observation because both eyes look the same way. The drawback is that both eyes are taken up by the intensified image, so you have no dark-adapted free eye. We don’t quote a typical weight for this category – it varies by model.
Binocular (e.g. PVS-31, BNVD)
A binocular has two tubes, two objective lenses and two eyepieces – each eye has its own channel. Because each tube looks from a slightly different position, the image has real depth. A typical example is the PVS-31 (BNVD – binocular night vision device). The L3Harris spec sheet lists the AN/PVS-31A at under 450 g with an AA battery, excluding accessories.
In a US Army study where people walked over rough terrain with a monocular, a biocular and a binocular goggle, the binocular performed best and was the one participants preferred; the authors found no consistent difference between the monocular and the biocular. For balance: other research summarised that depth perception with night vision is still worse than with the naked eye in daylight. A binocular helps, but it doesn’t replace daytime vision.
More about binoculars, interpupillary distance and balance in PVS-31 / BNVD binocular guide.
Panoramic (e.g. GPNVG)
Panoramic devices use more than two tubes. The best known is the GPNVG, whose four tubes together cover a wider field of view. According to the L3Harris spec sheet it has a 97° horizontal by 40° vertical field of view (a typical monocular or binocular has about 40°), weighs under 800 g without accessories and is powered by an external battery pack.
This is a professional category. US devices controlled under ITAR (US export regulations for defence articles) are not normally available to civilians in the EU.
Comparison table
| Monocular | Biocular | Binocular | Panoramic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 (e.g. GPNVG) |
| Eyepieces | 1 | 2 | 2 | depends on model |
| Depth perception | limited | limited (same image for both eyes) | stereoscopic | stereoscopic, wider field of view |
| Free dark-adapted eye | yes | no | yes, if you flip up one side (articulating types) | no |
| Example weight (source) | 0.35 kg (NGS PVS-14) | not stated | under 450 g (AN/PVS-31A, L3Harris) | under 800 g (GPNVG, L3Harris) |
| Relative price | lowest | low | high | highest |
| Typical use | first device, observation, hunting, airsoft | observation | long wear on a helmet, moving over terrain | professionals |
Which type for what
Nature and general observation
For observing from one spot, a monocular or biocular is enough. If you will mostly hold the device in your hand, weight is not critical – money is better spent on a better tube.
Hunting
Hunters often start with a monocular that works both handheld and as part of a setup. Rules on using night vision for hunting differ between countries – check them before you buy. See Night vision laws in Europe for an overview. For spotting game, night vision is often combined with thermal.
Airsoft and sport games
In games you move, often in woods and over uneven ground. A helmet-mounted monocular is a common start. If you play often and for long sessions, a binocular gives better terrain perception – at the cost of extra weight that needs a counterweight on the helmet.
Professionals
For long wear and movement over terrain, professionals commonly use binoculars, and panoramic devices for specific tasks. Compatibility with the helmet, mount and power supply matters just as much here.
How to decide – a short checklist
- Will I mostly hold the device in my hand, or wear it on my head or helmet?
- How long will I wear it at a time? Over hours, weight and balance matter more.
- Will I be moving over terrain? If so, a binocular gives noticeably better depth perception.
- Do I need one eye free (map, screen, sight)?
- What is my budget? A better tube in a monocular can give you more than weaker tubes in a binocular.
To see how the parts of a setup fit together (device, mount, helmet, counterweight), try our build configurator. If you are deciding between white and green phosphor, see White vs. green phosphor.
The information on this page is general, is not legal advice, and laws change. We cite the source and the date we checked it. Before buying or using a device, verify the rules with the relevant authority or hunting association. Last checked: 9 Nov 2026.
Sources
- L3Harris – AN/PVS-31A BNVD sell sheet (under 450 g with AA battery, excluding accessories; 40° field of view) – L3Harris (PDF) (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- L3Harris – GPNVG spec sheet (four tubes, 97° × 40° field of view, under 800 g without accessories) – L3Harris (PDF) (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- PEO Soldier (US Army) – Monocular Night Vision Device AN/PVS-14 – PEO Soldier Portfolio (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- GlobalSecurity.org – AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle (single tube, “simulated binocular vision”) – globalsecurity.org (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- DTIC ADA294018 – A Comparison of Monocular, Biocular, and Binocular Night Vision Goggles for Traversing Off-Road Terrain on Foot – DTIC (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- Armentrout, J. J. (1993): An Investigation of Stereopsis with AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Goggles…, Virginia Tech (DTIC ADA275332) – DTIC (PDF) (checked 9 Nov 2026)
- NGS PVS-14 specifications (0.35 kg, 1 × AA) – NGS PVS-14 product page (checked 9 Nov 2026)