NNVT 16mm vs NNVT 18mm: Which Tubes Should You Choose for Your LAB-NVS Night Vision Binocular?

The 16mm format bets on lightness and compactness, without sacrificing the essential performance expected today. Here's how to choose between the two formats.

Introduction: Two Formats, One Mission

In the world of night vision, the diameter of the image intensifier tube is a topic that comes up often. Should you go with an 18mm tube, a historically widespread format, or switch to a more compact 16mm intensifier tube — what we internally call the "extra small anvis"? The answer depends on your use case, the optics you want, and your budget.

Like its 18mm counterpart, a 16mm intensifier tube amplifies available light (moon, stars, residual urban lighting) to produce a usable image in the dark.

At comparable generation, quality, and specifications, a 16mm tube can offer an experience very close to — or even equal to — an 18mm, while allowing for a lighter and shorter overall setup.

This article presents the concrete differences and the reasons why the 16mm format is becoming particularly appealing for modern builds.

16mm and 18mm: What Does the Diameter Actually Measure?

The number 16 or 18 (mm) refers to the diameter of the screen (not the outer diameter of the tube as a whole — obviously).

Theoretically, a larger tube can capture a wider circular image, but the final result also depends on the photocathode, gain, signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, halo, objective lens, and system calibration. The NNVT 16mm tubes we sell match 18mm tubes at equivalent class/FOM.

The Main (Theoretical) Advantage of the 18mm: Image Surface Area

The 18mm retains real advantages on paper. Its larger screen diameter can contribute to a slightly wider field of view, depending on the objective lens chosen. It's also a well-established format, with a long history, many compatible systems, a second-hand market familiar to experienced users, and prices that are more attractive than those of 16mm tubes.

For observing a wide scene, scanning terrain, or getting that very open feeling, this theoretical advantage can matter.

But as we mentioned, NNVT 16mm tubes match their 18mm counterparts.

Why the 16mm Appeals to Mobile Users

A Lighter Final Device

The first argument in favor of the 16mm intensifier tube is the lighter weight of the final device. The gain is about 50-60 grams for a binocular unit.

16mm tubes are indeed 40% lighter.

But smaller tubes also allow for a reduction in housing volume (and therefore the amount of material used to manufacture it).

16mm tubes are indeed 25% less bulky than 18mm tubes.

During an airsoft session, a patrol, a hunting trip, or a long observation period, a lighter and more compact setup is more comfortable to handle and to hold in position. The operator expends less energy raising the device, stabilizing it, or compensating for its weight.

More Compactness, Less Overhang

The second benefit is the compactness of the overall setup — as mentioned, 25% less bulky (calculations performed in-house).

A 16mm housing can therefore be narrower and, above all, shorter. This is the case with our LAB-NVS MK2 16mm, which is shorter than its 18mm counterpart. The binocular then takes up less space in a bag, is easier to store, and catches less on branches, straps, or gear.

This compactness also improves balance. A less bulky, less protruding device is less prone to overhang. The result: less torque exerted, less pressure to compensate over time, and reduced fatigue. For professionals and enthusiasts alike, comfort isn't a minor detail — it helps you stay alert and actually use your equipment over the long haul.

Discretion and Ergonomics

A compact 16mm system is therefore more discreet, particularly when moving through confined spaces or trying to avoid gear snagging on the surroundings.

Conclusion: Is Optical Performance Really Inferior?

Not necessarily. On today's market, good-quality 16mm tubes — like the NNVT 16mm — deliver resolution, gain, and signal-to-noise ratio comparable to 18mm tubes of an equivalent class. There is therefore no reason, other than budget, to rule them out from the start for a binocular or monocular project.