King of Minimalism
Simple, compact and rugged, the Boson Proton MNVG won the hearts of many night vision enthusiasts and professionals, thanks to its incredible ease of use and reliability, making it a perfect pick for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Stemming from those very same design choices that made the Proton so successful, Boson reinvents itself by crafting the brand new Proton Lightweight, a simple yet unique system, going against the new trend of complex devices.
No-Nonsense
As already seen in very well-known and popular designs such as the ACT DTNVS and Nocturn Katana-R, the Proton LW, features a very minimal and simplistic design, aiming at reducing cost, complexity and weight while enhancing ease of use and reliability.
The Boson Proton LW sports an incredibly sturdy 7075 Aluminum body, topped off by a unique anodized finish, making it a perfect pick for heavy duty applications such as military and law enforcement usage, all while weighing in at just 535g with milspec optics thanks to the reduced bridge size, being one of the smallest and lowest profile available on the market.
The unit is compatible with all kinds of PVS-14 style optics, powered by a single CR-123 battery allowing plenty of runtime (over 50 hours) and controlled via a simple push button for a simpler design.
In addition to that, the unit features independent auto pod shut-off, allowing the user to cut power to each pod by simply articulating them out of the way, greatly increasing ease of use and making multitasking much easier. The mechanism is actuated by a mechanical circuit, unlike some other designs that use accelerometers to control the shut-off feature, which may end up causing unintentional power-downs while running, jumping or performing any kind of sharp movements.
The hinge design makes for a smooth articulation while ensuring that the pods are sturdily secured thanks to two points of connection to the bridge, one forwards and one back, enhancing structural integrity, thus increasing reliability in arguably the most crucial spot in any articulating device.
Sharing is Caring
At first glance, the Boson Proton LW might seem as a basic unit without many features, although what actually makes it stand out from the rest, is its ability to quickly turn into a monocular thanks to an additional battery compartment that can be added to one pod, while the other stays attached to the already existing bridge, turning one binocular into two completely independent systems, also thanks to the fully enclosed nature of the pods, which are completely sealed from the outside even when detached from the bridge, preserving purge once the device is split.
This unique ability allows users to share their device with others, and most importantly allows the wearer to combine one monocular pod with a standalone helmet mounted thermal device, offering the best of both worlds in one single binocular night vision device.
Is it Worth it?
While the Proton LW brings many appreciated features such as the automatic pod shut-off, metal construction and the unique ability to split itself into two monoculars with the addition of an external battery compartment, it may turn off some of the more picky users due to the lack of manual gain, IPD stops and external power connection, the Proton is in our mind a still a very much unique and competitive system in its own right, being a minimalistic unit, with a very competitive price point, coming in at just USD 1811 / 1622 EUR / 2445 CAD, which makes it the most affordable metal articulating housing on the market. That includes a 5y manufacturer Limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
Taking into considerations all the pros and cons of the device, we think the Proton LW is a system that is able to satisfy a wide range of use type scenarios, such as military, law enforcement or recreational use, for users who prefer a more simple and easy to use system, but might turn off the more needy night vision enthusiasts who’d prefer a more complex and sophisticated system such as the Low Light Innovations MH-1 (also available for purchase on our website).
Customize your Boson Proton Lightweight now at NorthernTacticalDefense.com and feel free to contact us for more infos about it.