Partner distributor
NNVT by JPNV in France.
Silicate Systems is the partner distributor of NNVT by JPNV image intensifier tubes in France. JPNV is the commercial brand; the tubes are manufactured by NNVT, a long-standing Chinese sub-contractor of Norinco. We carry the full range, from NVT4 to NVT7+ — FOM 1200 to 2200+, white P45 or green P43 phosphor, gated as standard from NVT6 onward. Every tube ships with its signed factory data sheet and the manufacturer warranty. Sold per unit, mounted in a housing, or in full device configuration.
Why buy NNVT from us.
Official NNVT distributor (by JPNV)
Tubes sourced directly from the JPNV factory. No grey channel, no parallel import, full chain of custody.
Official data sheets
Every tube delivered with its factory data sheet signed by JPNV — FOM, SNR, resolution, halo and EBI measured at end-of-line, under the NNVT label.
France-based factory warranty
2-year warranty, after-sales in France, standard exchange on manufacturing defects. No return to the USA, no return to China.
Five generations,
from NVT4 to NVT8.
The NNVT catalogue covers the full range of uses, from first-time civilian buyer to demanding professional. Five generations coexist — NVT4 and NVT5 in legacy Gen 2+, NVT6 and NVT7 in optimised Gen 2+ (gating standard, reduced halo), NVT8 in Gen 3 (GaAs photocathode). Traditional green P43 or more natural P45 white phosphor, by usage preference.
NVT4 · FOM 1200 – 1700
P43 green or P45 white · resolution 57+ lp/mm · SNR ≥ 22 · non-gated in standard build, gated NVT4-AG variant ≥ 1600 FOM
The entry point to the NNVT catalogue. Built on the legacy XD4/XR5 photocathode base. Largely sufficient for observation, night hunting and civilian prepping. Stocked regularly, ships fast.
NVT5 · FOM 1600+
P43 or P45 · resolution 64+ lp/mm · SNR ≥ 25 · gated in military grade only
One step up: sensitivity and resolution improved over NVT4. Targets demanding civilian users and early operational use in unlit areas. Good price/performance ratio for buyers stepping above entry tier.
NVT6 · FOM 1800+
P43 or P45 · resolution 64+ lp/mm · SNR ≥ 28 · halo ≤ 1.0 · gated by default
New-generation MCP and optimised photocathode. Gating becomes standard across the line — protects against momentary bright sources, essential for urban lit zones or laser signatures.
NVT7 · FOM 1900 – 2100+
P43 or P45 · resolution 68 lp/mm · SNR ≥ 28 (>30 on the upper line) · halo ≤ 0.7 · 16 mm gated · extended spectrum (~1060 nm)
The current professional standard (introduced in 2020). New photocathode with extended spectrum, reduced halo, dual FOM line (1900+ or 2100+) by selection. Recommended for mixed operational use and complex lit environments.
NVT8 · FOM 1700 – 2200+ (Gen 3)
P45 white (P43 on request) · resolution 64 ± 4 lp/mm (up to 68 on Class A) · SNR ≥ 27 (≥ 29 Class A) · halo ≤ 1.0 · gated · GaAs photocathode · MTBF 10,000 h
The NNVT Gen 3 line, with thin-film GaAs photocathode. MX-10160 format. Photocathode sensitivity above all Gen 2+ generations; sharper image in very low light. Available in two classes — A (FOM 2000+) and B (FOM 1500+) — depending on factory availability. 4 to 8 week lead time.
Three paths
to an NNVT tube.
Tube mounted in the Silicate housing
The NNVT tube is included in the full configuration of a LAB-NVS (binocular) or LNVM (monocular). Controlled atmosphere assembly and nitrogen purge included, IP-68 sealing factory-guaranteed.
Configure my deviceTube sold for home assembly
You buy your NNVT tube separately, then the bare housing, then assemble yourself. More flexibility, sealing not guaranteed by Silicate (assembler's responsibility).
View bare housingsReplacement or upgrade
You replace the tube in an existing housing (Silicate or 18 mm-compatible third party). Sold per unit with official data sheet, contact us for quote and lot availability.
Request a quoteAbout NNVT
tubes.
What's the difference between NNVT and JPNV?
NNVT (North Night Vision Technology) is the commercial brand under which the tubes are distributed for export. JPNV (Junpin Night Vision, based in Xi'an) is the factory that builds them — a long-standing sub-contractor of Norinco. When you buy an NNVT tube from Silicate, you're buying a JPNV tube labelled NNVT. Same line, same QA, same data sheet. We make the distinction explicit to avoid confusion in the grey market.
What sets an NNVT tube apart from Photonis or L3Harris?
NNVT is the leading Chinese manufacturer of image intensifier tubes. The Gen 2+ lines (NVT4 → NVT7) build on the XD4/XR5 photocathode base; the Gen 3 line (NVT8) uses a thin-film GaAs photocathode. The high-end NNVT (upper NVT7 line, NVT8 Class A) covers the same performance range as Photonis 4G/Echo or L3Harris UNFILMED, at a noticeably lower price. The difference lies in production volume and the absence of ITAR constraints — not in raw performance, which is now comparable.
P43 (green) or P45 (white) — how to choose?
P43 green produces a perceived brighter, traditional image, with better contrast on certain scenes. P45 white/grey is considered more natural and less tiring for prolonged use. Neither is objectively better — it's a usage choice. P45 is our default recommendation for civilian users. NVT4 through NVT7 are available in both P43 and P45; NVT8 ships as P45 by default, P43 on lot request.
Which generation should I pick for civilian use?
For observation / hunting / rural patrol, an NVT4 (P45, FOM 1400-1600) is largely enough. Beyond NVT5 the difference is felt mostly in lit urban environments or against momentary bright sources — where the standard gating from NVT6 upward becomes a real gain. NVT7 and NVT8 cover demanding uses: laser signatures, mixed operations, complex environments.
Are all the NNVT tubes you sell gated?
Not all. The standard NVT4 is not gated (gating is available as NVT4-AG). NVT5 is gated in military grade only. From NVT6 upward, the entire line is gated by default, including NVT7 and NVT8. Gating automatically cuts power during light bursts, protecting the tube and image — recommended as soon as you operate in potentially lit areas. (Note: "gated" and "autogated" describe the same function; we use "gated" throughout our documentation for consistency.)
What's the lead time for a single tube?
NVT4 and NVT5 tubes in regular stock: shipping within 5 business days after export file clearance. NVT6 and NVT7: 2 to 4 weeks depending on lot availability. NVT8 (Gen 3): 4 to 8 weeks depending on Class A or B and JPNV factory availability. The configurator shows real-time lead times on selection.