Overview of the Nocturn Industries Katana Gen 3 Molded

At first glance, the Katana’s injection-molded design might seem like a cost-cutting measure, but it’s actually a testament to Nocturn’s innovative engineering. The molded polymer housing achieves an impressive balance of weight and strength, rivaling the performance of traditional 6061 aluminum housings. This design not only reduces manufacturing costs but also creates a lighter unit, making it ideal for prolonged use in various environments.

To test its durability, Nocturn provided me with a unit that had been subjected to rigorous abuse, including repeated drops from significant heights. Frankly, I was skeptical until I inspected the unit myself. Even after being informed that it was the same housing that endured such punishment, I had to double-check—it showed no obvious signs of wear or compromise. This level of durability is remarkable, especially for a housing in this price range, and sets a new benchmark for ruggedness in molded designs.

The cost savings achieved with the Katana are another significant highlight. Nocturn has managed to deliver a product that is not only more affordable than its ruggedized counterparts but also retains the critical features users demand. This makes the Katana an attractive option for anyone looking to enter the dual-NVG market without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Key Features

Despite its lower cost, the Katana is packed with features that rival more expensive housings. These include:

• Large On/Off Push Button: Easy to operate even with gloves, providing reliable control in various conditions.
• Inter-Pupillary Distance (IPD) Stops: Allowing precise adjustments to fit individual users comfortably.
• POD Shutoff: A convenient feature that preserves battery life by automatically powering down one pod when stowed.
• LEMO Port for Rear Battery Packs: Expanding power options for extended operations.

What’s particularly interesting is that all Tantos, especially in the “Diasho” configuration, are already injection-molded. This approach aligns with Nocturn’s commitment to offering lightweight, cost-effective solutions without compromising on ruggedness or functionality. The molded Katana takes this philosophy further by providing an option that’s lighter and less expensive while still packing in many of the advanced features users expect from premium housings.

The Nocturn Katana Gen 3 Molded Housing offers a fascinating entry into the world of dual night vision systems. Now, let’s delve into some of the pros and cons of this unit and explore what makes it stand out.

Pros

The main pro that stood out to me, which is kind of crazy, is how much money you can save with a unit that still takes an absolute beating. I would have never known this molded Katana had been dropped repeatedly off buildings if I hadn’t asked. It shows the great balance achieved here between weight and rigidity to give you the lightest unit possible while remaining insanely durable. Interestingly, I specifically asked for the unit that had been dropped repeatedly. Even after inspecting it, I had to double-check with Nocturn because I couldn’t believe it was the same housing that endured such abuse. This speaks volumes about the durability of their molded injection polymer, which, as they explained, is as strong as 6061 aluminum.

Another significant pro of this unit is the cost and weight savings. The molded version is lighter than the ruggedized one and is significantly less expensive without sacrificing key features. This combination makes the molded Katana an appealing choice for users who want a high-performance unit without breaking the bank. Currently, there is even a Manticore-R version in injection-molded polymer available, and I suspect we’ll see more of these options showcased at SHOT Show.

Interestingly, all Tantos are already injection-molded, especially in the “Diasho” configuration, which is one of my personal favorites.

One last pro I want to emphasize is that despite the lower cost, you still get all the “big boy” features. This includes easy-to-use controls, a large on/off push button, IPD stops, POD shutoff, and a LEMO port for rear battery packs. These features make it a highly functional and user-friendly unit. The only major differences between the Katana and the more expensive Manticore-R are a couple of additional features that may or may not be essential to you.

Cons

Everything that has pros also has cons, and the Katana is no exception. The first con, which isn’t really a con per se, is that it doesn’t come with manual gain. I’ve mentioned this before, but I want to reiterate: manual gain lets you dim the view down from max brightness, but it doesn’t make the image brighter than it would be without this control. Depending on your use case, manual gain might be key for preserving peripheral night vision, such as seeing your hands in low light. If you need this feature, I highly recommend upgrading to the Manticore-R. That said, irises and filters are available to modify the brightness after the fact, but it’s better to get the feature upfront if you know you’ll need it.

Another con is the inability to remove the internal battery when a battery pack is installed. Currently, the circuit is completed by the internal battery, but the rear pack is used for power first. While this design provides an emergency backup, I would have liked the option to remove the battery for even more weight savings, as I can with the Manticore-R. However, I understand some users may prefer the added security of a backup battery.

Thoughts and Recommendations

The Gen 3 Katana provides an excellent option for users focusing on cost savings while reducing weight. The molded version lowers the barrier to entry without sacrificing ruggedness or features. For those starting in night vision, this unit offers a fantastic balance of performance and affordability.

The price on Nocturn’s website, combined with mil-spec optics and green-phosphor tubes, is around $5,000. While this might sound like a lot, it’s a steal in the world of night vision. Plus, you can save even more with the discount code TLDco, making this an even more attractive option.

For perspective, I paid nearly $4,000 for my single PVS-14 setup. With the Katana, you get a full dual-NVG setup, which offers significant advantages like depth perception, critical for activities like hiking or operations. I found it especially effective when paired with an Ops-Core bump helmet, creating a lightweight and cost-effective training setup.

While the Katana is an excellent starting point, you can always upgrade to a more feature-rich system like the Manticore-R or the upcoming Samurai. Nocturn’s approach to reducing costs while maintaining quality is refreshing in an industry where $600 mounts are often considered acceptable.

Stay tuned as we visit Nocturn at SHOT Show to showcase some of their latest innovations, including the Chimera. Personally, I can’t wait to share more about these exciting developments, though my wife has already vetoed some of my wishlist items. We’ll see!