Cultural Impact and Civilian Ownership
Although the AN/PVS-4 is one of the best-known Night Vision Devices it is not a commonly recognized device. Up until recent times, prohibitive costs and availability limitations on devices such as the AN/PVS-4 resulted in very few items being available outside of the Military.
Because of the limited availability of 25mm image intensifier tubes and housings to civilians, what AN/PVS-4s did become available tended to have well used tubes and as a result, civilians tended to avoid buying them.
The availability of third-generation riflescopes of higher quality for professionals would have provided another option for shooters while the lower cost of first-generation consumer night vision devices would have led to lower end consumers purchasing cheaper imported scopes.
However the AN/PVS-4 does have a reputation for holding zero and being able to withstand high recoil, making it popular amongst enthusiasts who are able to get a reasonable good condition item.
The optics are considered exceptional, even by contemporary standards and the biggest drawback compared to modern scopes is the weight.
Although the AN/PVS-4 has not had a great deal of cultural impact, it's legacy of high quality night vision has become a staple of movies and television shows which often do not show real equipment.
As a result, very few people that do not have military, firearm or night-vision experience are likely to recognize one visually.
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