TWO CHOICES
IMAGE INTENSIFIER TUBE
QCNV IMAGE INTENSIFIER TUBES
Explore Our Image Intensifier Tubes
Compare GEN2+ and GEN3 image intensifier tubes by interface configuration and key specifications.
GEN2+ Image intensifier tubes
3 CONFIGURATIONSSpecifications shown below are for the Q4-A grade.
Q4-A
MX10160
2-contact
- FOM
- 1,600–1,800
- SNR
- ≥25
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- 750 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
Q4-A
MX10160
3-contact
- FOM
- 1,600–1,800
- SNR
- ≥25
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- 750 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
Q4-A
MX11769
Pigtail cable
- FOM
- 1,600–1,800
- SNR
- ≥25
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- 750 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
GEN3 Image intensifier tubes
3 CONFIGURATIONSSpecifications shown below are for the Q5-A grade.
Q5-A
MX10160
2-contact
- FOM
- 2,200–2,400
- SNR
- ≥35
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- ≥2,000 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
Q5-A
MX10160
3-contact
- FOM
- 2,200–2,400
- SNR
- ≥35
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- ≥2,000 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
Q5-A
MX11769
Pigtail cable
- FOM
- 2,200–2,400
- SNR
- ≥35
- PHOTOCATHODE SENSITIVITY
- ≥2,000 μA/lm
- PHOSPHOR
- P43 / P45
- INPUT VOLTAGE
- 2.2–3.4 V
- WEIGHT
- ≤75 g
PHOSPHOR COMPARISON
Green vs White Phosphor Image Intensifier Tubes
GREEN PHOSPHOR
- CLASSIC LOOK
- FAMILIAR VIEW
WHITE PHOSPHOR
- NATURAL LOOK
- VIEWING COMFORT*
* Phosphor preference and viewing comfort vary by user. Compare individual tube specifications as well as screen color.
BUYER SELECTION REFERENCE
Which IIT Should You Choose?
Start with housing compatibility, then compare tube grade, gain control and phosphor preference.
Swipe tables horizontally to compare all options.
01GEN2+ vs GEN3
| Selection guide | 01GEN2+ · Q4 series | 02GEN3 · Q5 series |
|---|---|---|
| Choose this when | You want a cost-conscious configuration for general observation and volume purchasing. | You prioritize higher SNR and photocathode sensitivity for demanding low-light observation. |
| Photocathode | Multialkali photocathode | Gallium arsenide (GaAs) photocathode |
| FOM | 1,400–2,000 | 2,000–2,400 |
| SNR | ≥22 / ≥25 / ≥29 | ≥32 / ≥35 |
| Sensitivity | 650 / 750 / 1,000 μA/lm | ≥1,800 / ≥2,000 μA/lm |
| Phosphor | P43 green / P45 white | P43 green / P45 white |
| Gain & gating | Non-gated / gated options; external gain / brightness adjustment options. | Gated power supply; external gain / brightness adjustment options. |
02Choose Your Tube Interface
| Interface guide | 012-contact | 023-contact | 03Pigtail | 04Lead-wire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | Contact pads on the tube body | Three contacts on the tube body | A flexible cable / tail connection | Lead-wire connection |
| Main reason to choose | Contact-based integration | Three-contact connection | Flexible cable connection | OEM wiring flexibility |
| Performance effect | Choose FOM and SNR separately. | A third contact does not by itself improve image quality. | A pigtail does not by itself improve image quality. | Lead wires do not by themselves improve image quality. |
Match the complete tube specification: package dimensions, image orientation, output window, contact or connector layout, and gain-control requirements. A matching model-family name alone does not establish drop-in compatibility.
03Recommended Starting Grades
| Tube grade | 01FOM / SNR | 02Resolution | 03Suggested purchasing priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4-B | 1,400–1,600 / ≥22 | ≥64 lp/mm | Cost-conscious general observation and volume purchasing. |
| Q4-A | 1,600–1,800 / ≥25 | ≥64 lp/mm | Balanced starting point for general-purpose monocular and binocular projects. |
| Q4-A+ | 1,800–2,000 / ≥29 | ≥64 lp/mm | Higher Q4 grade when improved SNR is a purchasing priority. |
| Q5-B | 2,000–2,200 / ≥32 | ≥64 lp/mm | GEN3 option for buyers prioritizing higher SNR. |
| Q5-A | 2,200–2,400 / ≥35 | ≥68 lp/mm | Higher-performance GEN3 option for demanding low-light observation. |
04System & Specification Guide
| System / requirement | 01Configuration | 02Selection focus |
|---|---|---|
| PVS-14 | QCNV PVS-14: FOM 1,400–2,400+ tube options. | Monocular configuration with manual gain control. |
| BNVD 1431 / BNVD 3150 | QCNV BNVD 1431 / BNVD 3150: GEN2+ / GEN3, FOM 1,400–2,400+ tube options. | Binocular configuration; prioritize matched phosphor and balanced image appearance. |
| Binocular tube pairing | Matching phosphor for both viewing channels. | Compare gain, SNR, resolution and image appearance across the pair. |
| EBI / gain / blemishes | Q4 / Q5 EBI: ≤0.25 μlx. | Assess EBI under the same test conditions, alongside gain, halo and blemishes. |
For a tube recommendation, provide your housing model and revision, preferred phosphor, target FOM / SNR, quantity and gain-control requirement.
The power of QCNV IIT
01
Stable Signal Amplification
QCNV IITs are engineered to deliver consistent low-light signal amplification with controlled noise levels. Optimized photocathode sensitivity and precision power supply ensure clear imaging performance in extremely dark environments.
02
High FOM Performance
With FOM ranges available from 1200 to 2200+, QCNV image intensifier tubes provide strong resolution and signal-to-noise balance. This allows night vision systems to achieve sharper target recognition and improved operational reliability.
03
Scalable Manufacturing
QCNV supports stable production and bulk supply of image intensifier tubes for night vision manufacturers and tactical equipment distributors. Consistent batch quality and reliable delivery make QCNV a dependable long-term partner.