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riley_A · April 19th, 2017, 17:42

Looking at a few different options for IIT's currently for a PBS-14 build.
The four options i'm considering currently are Harder digital tubes, Photonis Tubes, GSCI tubes, and used tubes.

As far as the Harder tubes go, I don't know much about them. Based on their website it seems like they only offer one 18mm inverting tube. Its a gen 2 tube with gain of 35000-65000, SNR of 18-23, and resolution of 57-72 lp/mm. So overall the spec doesn't seem too bad, but no other specs are offered and it doesn't seem as though they offer autogating. They don't list their prices either.

Next would be the Photonis tubes. I know they offer several different levels of tubes from their commercial grade gen 2 tubes, to their supergen tubes, to their XD-4 tubes, and then their XR-5 tubes. I've heard that the XD-4 and XR-5 tubes offer phenomenal performance for being gen 2, and the supergen tubes dont seem too bad either. Again price is unknown, although I've heard that the price of the XD-4 and XR-5 tubes can jump to well over 3k canadian which isnt very economical. Also correct me if im wrong, but it seems as though autogating is only available in XD-4 tubes and up.

Third option would be GSCI tubes. Hardly any information on these tubes available online it seems. GSCI's website doesnt show their products and the Brandon optics website shows the different tube options, but no spec sheets for each offered option. They do seem to offer their gen 3 GA 1 tube for a decent price ($680 cad) however for that price I wouldnt expect the specs to be best ever.

The last options is used tubes. Obviously not very plentiful here in Canada, but slightly more prevalent over in Europe. I'm aware that you have to be very careful when purchasing used tubes as some sellers can be fairly sketchy. Benefits to buying used being good price for a low hours tube in decent shape with maybe a few blems or fixable light damage. Downsides being that you dont always know what you're getting in terms of specs, and the supply of decent tubes isnt always plentiful.

I would love to hear some opinions on what the best option might be, and if someone could provide me with some pricing and spec information that would be even better. Also if anyone has any alternate suggestions that would be great as well.

April 19th, 2017, 17:42	#1
riley_A Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Calgary, AB	Image intensifier tubes Looking at a few different options for IIT's currently for a PBS-14 build. The four options i'm considering currently are Harder digital tubes, Photonis Tubes, GSCI tubes, and used tubes. As far as the Harder tubes go, I don't know much about them. Based on their website it seems like they only offer one 18mm inverting tube. Its a gen 2 tube with gain of 35000-65000, SNR of 18-23, and resolution of 57-72 lp/mm. So overall the spec doesn't seem too bad, but no other specs are offered and it doesn't seem as though they offer autogating. They don't list their prices either. Next would be the Photonis tubes. I know they offer several different levels of tubes from their commercial grade gen 2 tubes, to their supergen tubes, to their XD-4 tubes, and then their XR-5 tubes. I've heard that the XD-4 and XR-5 tubes offer phenomenal performance for being gen 2, and the supergen tubes dont seem too bad either. Again price is unknown, although I've heard that the price of the XD-4 and XR-5 tubes can jump to well over 3k canadian which isnt very economical. Also correct me if im wrong, but it seems as though autogating is only available in XD-4 tubes and up. Third option would be GSCI tubes. Hardly any information on these tubes available online it seems. GSCI's website doesnt show their products and the Brandon optics website shows the different tube options, but no spec sheets for each offered option. They do seem to offer their gen 3 GA 1 tube for a decent price ($680 cad) however for that price I wouldnt expect the specs to be best ever. The last options is used tubes. Obviously not very plentiful here in Canada, but slightly more prevalent over in Europe. I'm aware that you have to be very careful when purchasing used tubes as some sellers can be fairly sketchy. Benefits to buying used being good price for a low hours tube in decent shape with maybe a few blems or fixable light damage. Downsides being that you dont always know what you're getting in terms of specs, and the supply of decent tubes isnt always plentiful. I would love to hear some opinions on what the best option might be, and if someone could provide me with some pricing and spec information that would be even better. Also if anyone has any alternate suggestions that would be great as well.