PVS "Nachtmahr" 50Hz thermal vision, light weight, DVR recording, monocular

Join the PVS420 Discord where you can find the ongoing development of the PVS Nachtmahr and much more.

https://discord.gg/Ce9BJ2DK3j

Archiving 1:1 perception by using a 640x512 x9 thermal camera using a 0,39" display and a NP18 lens + 1.5x digital zoom.  Check video at the bottom. 

OR

Archiving 1:1 perception by using a 640x512 x13 thermal camera using 0.39" display  and a NP18 lens + NO digital zoom!

UPDATE 12.04.2025

Added the Display Frame for the Nachtmahr.

UPDATE13.04.2025

Added USB charging LED carpet top cover  and USB C Socket dust cover. 

UPDATE 14.04.2025

Added TPU lens cover 

UPDATE16.04.2025

Added wiring schematic

UPDATE30.04.2025

Added the option to add a Runcam DVR for life footage recording on micro SD card.

UPDATE08.05.2025

Added a battery spacer ring if the Runcam DVR board is used in combination with 3 lipo cells in parallel

UPDATE 16.05.2025

Removed “joystick carpet” and added “joystick frame” it prevents constant accidental button presses of the joystick by creating a recess that is easy accessible. 

UPDATE23.08.2025

Added ESP32 alternative (instead of Attiny85)

Added a friction adapter for helm mounted arms to better grip on a bigger surface. 

Parts list: 

The following two camera links are affiliate links. They won’t cost you anything extra, but they help support the project and its ongoing development. This allows me to recover a small portion of the costs while continuing to offer everything for free.

Mini2 Series Thermal core:

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3A7JYtl

or here

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ontNcM5

 Buffer Capacitor: 6.3V10000UF 2PCS

10V 16V 25V 35V 50V 400V Hochfrequenz-Aluminiumkondensator mit niedrigem ESR 100UF 220UF 330UF 470UF 680UF 1000UF 1500UF 2200UF 3300UF - AliExpress 502

NP18 18x Lens:  The WHOLE lens and NOT just the core!! 

NP18 Digitales Nachtsichtgerät, Wärmebildgerät, Fernglas, breites Sichtfeld, 18 x 0,39–0,5 Bildschirm mit Schutzabdeckung - AliExpress 502

Voltage booster: REMOVE A, B contact to set it to 5 volts!

1/5 stücke 1,5 A Multi-funktion Mini Boost Modul Step Up Board 5V 8V 9V 12V LED Anzeige Diy Spannung Modul 3,7 V lithium-batterie - AliExpress 502

Main Power switch: 

10PCS 12*8MM DC 30V 1A On Off Mini Push Button Schalter für Taschenlampe 1208YD selbst Locking - AliExpress 13

0,39" Display: Typ4 or Type5 depending if you want 2 more color filters:

Wärmebild-Nachtsicht-Teleskop-Sucher, 0,39 Zoll Miniatur-Display - AliExpress 1420

alternative display link: 

0.39 Inch OLED Display Viewfinder for FPV Drone Aerial Photography 1024*768 Micro AV HDMI Thermal Imaging Night Vision Device - AliExpress 502

Navigation switch joystick: 

1/5/10 stücke Fünf-weg Navigation Schlüssel Modul Unabhängige Tastatur Schlüssel Schalter Taste 5D Joystick Mikrocontroller - AliExpress 1420

ESP32 (instead of ATTINY85 and 3.3 volt Step down converter):  RECOMMENDED!!!

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008212278653.html

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Attiny 85 dev board: Blue Type-C USB  (OUTDATED!!!!, ESP32 recommended instead!!)

 Digispark Kickstarter-Entwicklungsboard ATTINY85-Modul für Arduino USB Micro / Typ-C USB - AliExpress

Step down converter: SET TO 3,3Volts!!! (OUTDATED and only needed with ATTINY85!!)

Ultra-Kleine Größe DC-DC Step Down Power Supply Module 3A Buck Converter Einstellbare 1,8 V 2,5 V 3,3 V 5V 9V 12V - AliExpress

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JST  connector for camera control with micro controller:

Amazon: 5PIN 1.25mm
https://www.amazon.de/vuniversum-1-25mm-Female-Stecker-Kupplung/dp/B0BNF6J1RJ

 or on aliexpress: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002332868366.html 10 pairs 5P 

Brass heat melt inserts: M3 ( 100 pieces) 

M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Messing Wärmeeinsatz Mutter Sortiment Set Hot Melt Rändelgewindeeinsatz Einbettung Kupfer Mutter 3D-Druck Nutinsert - AliExpress 13

Grub screws for focus ring: M2,5 5mm

Klasse 12,9 schwarzer Kohlenstoffs tahl Sechs kant Innen sechs kant Innen sechs kant schraube Kegels pitze Maden Stellschrauben Schrauben m2 m2, 5 m3 m4 m5 m6 m8 m10 - AliExpress 13

Main case screws: M3 16mm (20 pcs) 

JUIDINTO 10–30 Stück Torx-Rundkopfschraube M2 M2,5 M3 M4 M6 schwarz plattiert sechs Lappen Torx-Flachkopfschraube - AliExpress 13

Camera screw inserts: 

5 Stück Kameras ch raube Mutter 1/4 bis 3/8 Zoll Konvertierungs schrauben Standard adapters ch raube Schnell spann schraube Stativ halterung Adapters ch raube - AliExpress

USB C Charging board: 

2IN1 Lithium-Ladegerät Ladeschutz/Schutzplatine Combo Typ-C PD USB TP4056 1A 1S 5V 3,7V 18650 Li-Ion Lipo CELL - AliExpress

Rubber eye cup:  L24 incline

33-38mm PVS-18/14 NVE Nachtsicht Okular Augenschutz Fernglas Infrarot Wärmebild Zielfernrohr Gummi Rückstoß Augenschutz Tassen - AliExpress

Nice to have water resistant foam filled tacticool storage case for the Nachtmahr: 215x165x90mm

Wasserdichter Hartschalenkoffer, Werkzeugkoffer mit Schwamm, Aufbewahrungsbox, Koffer, Präzisionsinstrument, Sicherheits-Werkzeugkasten, Hardware-Werkzeugkasten - AliExpress 1420

RunCam DVR Micro SD Recorder addon (optional): 

Runcam DVR: 

RunCam Mini FPV DVR Verlustfreier Videoausgang für Mini FPV Racing Drone Quadcopter - AliExpress 26

You can directly wire it or use some JST connectors to be able to disconnect the top for easier assembly / disassembly. 

Lithium polymer batteries: if you manage to pull off a perfect wiring you can make 3 fit, if you do a messy job only 2: 

Lipo z.SHV 102540 Batterie 1100 mAh Polymer-Lithium-Batterien wiederaufladbar für GPS-Locator MP3 medizinische Schönheitsgeräte LED-Licht - AliExpress 44