Our first shipment is coming.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. I finally have a meaningful night vision inventory update.

We aren’t purchasing these systems from another retailer, searching for random inventory or flipping whatever somebody else happens to have available. Our incoming inventory, custom configurations, manufacturing orders and warranty communication are handled through our distributor relationship with NVD.

Somewhere around the beginning of October 2026, we expect to receive our first shipment of NVD BNVD-SGC binocular night vision systems. These systems will be built with Elbit SLH Gen 3 white-phosphor tubes ranging from 2000 to 2399 FOM.

The price is $8,620 plus applicable sales tax and air freight. We are accepting preorders now.

What is the BNVD-SGC?

The BNVD-SGC is an articulating dual-tube night vision system with manual gain control and individual channel cutoff.

Its rotary control handles system power, gain and auxiliary functions. Each pod turns off when it is rotated out of the operator’s line of sight. The complete system also shuts off when flipped into the helmet-mounted stow position.

Review the complete housing specifications on the official NVD BNVD-SGC product page.

Elbit SLH tubes and the 2000–2399 FOM tier

SLH is the Elbit tube grade being used in these systems. They are American-made Gen 3, thin-film, autogated image intensifier tubes with P45 white-phosphor screens.

SLH is generally considered a commercial-spec tube grade. Commercial-spec does not mean Chinese, Gen 2 or bargain-bin garbage. It refers to the grading and cosmetic acceptance standards applied to the tubes.

Commercial-spec tubes can allow more cosmetic variation than higher military or aviation grades. Screen cosmetics, individual performance and the complete tube data sheets still matter.

What does FOM mean?

FOM stands for Figure of Merit. It is calculated by multiplying a tube’s signal-to-noise ratio by its resolution.

FOM provides a quick estimate of general tube performance. It is not the only number that matters.

• Signal-to-noise ratio
• Center resolution
• Gain
• Equivalent background illumination, or EBI
• Halo
• Photocathode sensitivity
• Screen cosmetics and allowable spots

Two tubes with similar FOM numbers can still behave differently. One may have stronger signal-to-noise performance while another reaches a similar FOM through higher resolution. NVD’s image intensifier guide explains the calculation and provides more information about Gen 3 and white-phosphor technology.

A standard preorder secures a BNVD-SGC within the 2000–2399 FOM performance tier. It does not guarantee a system at 2399 FOM.

• Every standard system will fall between 2000 and 2399 FOM.
• A standard preorder does not guarantee the top of the range.
• Individual tube specifications will vary.
• Each system will include its individual tube data sheets.
• FOM alone does not tell the entire story.

If you require a specific minimum above 2000 FOM or particular performance metrics, contact me before ordering. That request may need to be handled as a custom configuration with different pricing and manufacturing lead times.

I’m not going to advertise the highest possible number as though every customer automatically receives it. The paperwork will show exactly what is inside your unit.

What is included—and what is not

The included dovetail adapter allows the system to interface with a compatible night vision mount. It is not the helmet mount itself.

You can order the housing with the power port now and buy the battery pack later. You cannot buy the standard housing today and decide to add the port six months from now.

NVD’s optional external battery pack provides more than 85 additional hours of operating time. The port and battery pack are optional and priced separately. We will discuss that decision before submitting a custom order.

Clear terms now prevent aggravation later.

I promise this is not me yelling. This is me explaining what happens to the money and the inventory before either of us has a reason to be annoyed.

Standard incoming systems

Air freight is billed separately at actual cost. The system will be fully insured during shipment and will require an adult signature upon delivery.

Why there is a 25% cancellation fee

Frontiersmen is active in defense contracting and agency procurement. Those opportunities can be large, time-sensitive and require immediate purchasing power. Our working capital needs to remain liquid.

When I commit thousands of dollars to your night vision system, that is money I cannot use for another inventory purchase, agency order or larger defense opportunity. If you cancel after I have paid NVD, Frontiersmen is left carrying an expensive system purchased for you. I must insure it, market it and wait for another qualified buyer.

Cancellations are therefore subject to a 25% stocking and cancellation fee. This is not interest or a finance charge. It reflects the cash commitment and inventory risk Frontiersmen accepted for your order.

If a fully paid standard preorder is canceled, Frontiersmen retains 25% of the system price and refunds the remaining amount.

Custom orders

A custom order requires a minimum of 50% of the system price up front. This applies to higher guaranteed FOM levels, specific performance requirements, an external power port or another custom option.

Frontiersmen does not charge interest or finance charges during manufacturing or the 30-day final-payment period. The 50% option is available, but it is not an open-ended financing arrangement.

If you use the 50% option, the remaining balance, applicable sales tax and air freight become due when NVD completes the system and Frontiersmen issues the final invoice. You then have 30 calendar days to pay.

If payment is not received within 30 days, the order is considered abandoned. Frontiersmen retains 25% of the total system price as a stocking and cancellation fee. Any portion of the original deposit remaining after that fee is deducted is refunded, and the system may be placed into available inventory.

Voluntary cancellations are subject to the same fee once payment has been accepted and an incoming system has been allocated or a custom order has been submitted to NVD.

Payment responsibility and order priority

I do not have a lot of time to chase people around for payment. I will send the invoice, explain the due date and answer reasonable questions. After that, it is your responsibility to monitor your email, review the invoice and pay on time.

Respect my time, and I will respect yours.

I do not have a collections department. Hank has also refused to make payment-reminder calls, so that option is apparently off the table.

Frontiersmen operates on a first in, first out basis. Incoming systems are allocated in the order cleared payments are received. Custom orders enter the manufacturing queue when the required payment and complete order information are received.

A verbal commitment does not hold your place ahead of somebody who has completed the order and paid. Manufacturer schedules and lawful government-priority requirements can affect final timing, but Frontiersmen processes customer orders fairly and in the order they are properly received.

The honest lead-time situation

Our first shipment is already moving through the manufacturing pipeline. We expect it somewhere around the beginning of October 2026.

Once the incoming allocation is spoken for, follow-on orders for this same 2000–2399 FOM SLH configuration are expected to move to an estimated 30-day manufacturing schedule, at least to start. Every other configuration currently on the list is estimated at three to five months.

For perspective, many new L3Harris- and Elbit-equipped system orders are being quoted at one year or longer. NVD already has the supply position needed for this specific configuration, which is why its estimated lead time is considerably shorter.

That does not mean Elbit suddenly manufactures tubes in 30 days. It means NVD currently has access to the components and tube inventory needed to build this configuration. Move outside it, and the lead time changes.

Why distributor status matters

There is a difference between buying from a dealer who happens to sell night vision and working with a distributor that has an established relationship with the manufacturer.

That does not mean I control the manufacturing calendar or have a secret machine in the back room making Elbit tubes. It means we have an actual relationship and line of communication with NVD.

Warranty support

The BNVD-SGC is covered by NVD’s 10-year manufacturer warranty. Frontiersmen can help coordinate the process directly with NVD. Inspection, repair and replacement decisions remain subject to NVD’s warranty terms and technical evaluation.

I’m not going to sell you an expensive night vision system and disappear when the box leaves the shop. I’m also not going to pretend I personally manufacture Elbit tubes in the back room next to Hank’s dog bed.

Export restrictions and foreign agency requests

These systems and their accessories are controlled under United States export laws. They cannot leave the United States without the required authorization.

Frontiersmen cannot quote, sell, negotiate, arrange transportation or otherwise participate in an export transaction. We are active defense contractors, but we are not currently registered or authorized to broker night vision export transactions.

Being a defense contractor or an authorized NVD distributor does not automatically grant export or brokering authority. Federal brokering rules are addressed under 22 CFR Part 129.

We can direct a qualified international inquiry to the appropriate export team at Night Vision Devices. NVD will determine whether it can support the request and will handle licensing, end-user documentation, approvals, pricing and shipping.

After providing NVD’s contact information, Frontiersmen steps out of the transaction. We do not accept payment, issue an export quote, negotiate the sale or participate in the shipment.

Domestic retail, dealer, law-enforcement and agency inquiries are welcome. Foreign and international requests must be handled directly by NVD’s authorized export personnel.

Why we are doing this

Night vision is becoming a much larger part of what we are building at Frontiersmen Firearms. I do not want to dump random systems onto the website and pretend every tube, housing and specification is equal.

I want to offer equipment I understand, explain what you are paying for and help you select something that fits what you actually intend to do with it.

That is also part of what we are building with the Frontiersmen Night Vision Academy. Selling somebody an expensive set of tubes is easy. Teaching them how to select, configure and properly use the equipment is where the real value begins.