Impor tant Export Rest rictions ! Com modities, produ cts, technologi es and ser vices of thi s manua l are contro lled b y the U.S.
Depar tment o f State Oce of D efense Trade Controls, in accordance with International Trac in Arms (ITAR), Title 22, Code of
Federal Regulati ons Part 120-130 and/or by the Expor t Administration Re gulations (EAR) of U.S. Depar tment of Commerce. At any
time whe n a license or a writ ten approval o f the U.S. Govern ment
is app licable to it, it is illegal and strict ly forbidd en to exp ort, intend to export, tr ansfer in any other manner whatsoever, sel l any
hardwar e or technical da ta, provide any a ssociated ser vice to any
non-U. S. re sident, beyond or within the United States territory,
until th e valid lice nse or writ ten approval has been issued by the
Depar tments of th e U.S. Gover nment h aving j urisdiction . Addi tionall y U.S. law prohibits the sale, transfer, o r export of items to
certai n restri cted parties, des tinations, and embar goed countries,
as iden tied on lis ts maintaine d by the U.S . Departm ent of State,
the U.S. Department of Commerce, and t he U.S. Depar tment o f
Treasury. It i s the responsib ility of the Customer to be awa re of
these lis ts. The sale, tra nsfer, transport ation, or shipme nt outside of the U.S. of any product prohibited o r restricte d for expor t
without complying with U.S. export control laws and re gulations,
includin g prope r expo rt licen sing, do cumentation or au thorization, is unlaw ful and may result in civil and/or cr iminal pe nalties
and/or constitute a fed eral cri me. Diver sion cont rary to U.S. law
is stric tly prohibited .
2
SAFETY SUMMARY
Before operating this product, you must carefully study this Operation and Maintenance Manual.
The Armasight Cipher Digital Night Vision Clip-on System is a precision electro-optical instrument and
requires careful handling. To avoid physical danger to the user and damage to the equipment, follow
all WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTES.
Below are denitions of the alerts that will appear throughout this Manual:
WARN ING – Identies a clear danger to the person operating the equipment.
CAUTI ON – Identies risk of damage to the equipment.
NOTE – Highlights essential procedures, conditions, and statements, or conveys important instruc-
When installing the equipment on a weapon, verify that the weapon is clear and that the safety
is on before proceeding.
WARNING:
This product contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions! The FDA
has reported an increase in the number of deaths that are associated with an apparent sensitivity to natural latex proteins. If you are allergic to latex, it is a good idea to learn which products
contain it and strictly avoid exposure to those products.
WARNING:
It is recommended that you use an eyecup on the eyepiece of the day scope. This will allowfor
comfort and adjustment. It will also prevent light from escaping through the eyepiece and alerting other NVD users to your location.
CAUTION:
Although the equipment is highly resistant to damage from light overload, DO NOT point it,
either powered or inoperative, directly at the sun or any other source of high-intensity light
that the unprotected human eye cannot tolerate (such as welding arc). To prevent inadvertent
exposure to these light sources, never leave the equipment unsupervised with the objective
lens cap removed.
3.1.2 Installing the Cipher on a Picatinny/Weaver Rail 19
3.1.3 Clamping Device Adjustment 21
3.1.4 Installing the Cipher on a Weapon Using the Optional FSRS System 21
3.1.5 Installing the Cipher on the Lens of a Day Scope 23
3.1.6 Installing the Light Suppressor for a Day Scope 25
3.1.7 Fastening an Advanced Wireless Remote Control to a Weapon 25
3.1.8 Mounting a Platform Ring to the Cipher 26
3.1.9 Installing Additional Equipment on the Cipher 27
3.1.10 Connecting an External Video Recorder/Display to the Cipher 27
3.1.11 Connecting an External Power Source to the Cipher 27
3.1.12 Installing an IR Illuminator on the Cipher 27
3.1.13 Installing the 3x magnier 28
3.2 Controls and Display Indications 29
3.2.1 Cipher Controls 29
3.2.2 IR Illuminator Controls 31
5
3.3 Operating Procedures 31
3.3.1 Operating the Cipher 31
3.3.2 Operating an IR Illuminator 32
3.3.3 Cipher Shut-Down 32
4. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING 34
4.1 Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services 34
4.1.1 Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) 34
4.2 Operator Troubleshooting 36
4.3 Maintenance 37
4.3.1 General 37
4.3.2 Cleaning Procedures 37
4.3.3 Battery Removal and Replacement 37
4.4 Return Instructions 38
APPENDIX 39
A. List of Spare Parts 39
B. Product Warranty Registration Card 41
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE TITLE PAGE
2-1 Cipher Digital Night Vision Clip-on System 12
2-2 Cipher Standard Components 15
2-3 Optional Equipment 17
3-1 Battery Installation 19
3-2 The Cipher Fully Assembled with the Mount 20
3-3 The Cipher Mounted in Front of a Day Scope 20
3-4 Mount. Top View 21
3-5 Mount. Underside View 21
3-6 Optional FSRS System. Component Parts 22
3-7 Day Scope Mounted in FSRS System 22
3-8 The Cipher and Day Scope Mounted in FSRS System 23
3-9 The Cipher Installed on the Lens of a Day Scope 24
3-10 Scope Mounting System 24
3-11 Estimation of the SMS Turning Angle 25
3-12 Light Suppressor for a Day Scope 25
3-13 Advanced Wireless Remote Control 26
3-14 The Cipher Fully Assembled with the Platform Ring 26
3-15 Platform Ring 26
3-16 IR Illuminator 27
3-17 IR Illuminator. Battery Installation 28
3-18 The Cipher with a 3x Magnier 28
3-19 Cipher Controls 29
3-20 Button Control Panel 30
3-10 IR Illuminator Controls 31
4-1 Remote Control. Battery Installation 38
A-1 Cipher Spare Part List 39
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE TITLE PAGE
2-1 System Description 12
2-2 System Data 12
2-3 Mechanical Data 13
2-4 Optical Data 13
2-5 Electrical Data 13
2-6 Environmental Data 13
2-7 IR Illuminators Data 14
2-8 Scope Mounting Systems Data 14
2-9 Cipher Standard Components 15
2-10 Optional Equipment 17
3-1 Controls and Indicators 29
3-2 Button Controls 30
3-3 IR Illuminator Controls 31
4-1 Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services 34
4-2 Operator Troubleshooting 36
A-1 Cipher Spare Parts List 39
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
USAGE
You must familiarize yourself with the entire manual before operating the equipment. Read the entire
maintenance checklist before performing maintenance. Follow all WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, and NOTES.
MANUAL OVERVIEW
The Manual contains sections on operating and maintaining the Cipher Digital Night Vision Clip-on
System.
Throughout this Manual, the Cipher Digital Night Vision Clip-on System will be referred to as the Cipher
or the equipment.
A List of Spare Parts is in Appendix A.
The Product Warranty Registration Card is in Appendix B.
6
7
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1.1 TYPE OF MANUAL
Operation and Maintenance (including List of Spare Parts).
1.1.2 MODEL NUMBER AND EQUIPMENT NAME
Armasight Cipher High Performance Digital Night Vision Clip-On System.
1.1.3 PURPOSE OF EQUIPMENT
The Cipher is a Digital Night Vision system intended to be used in conjunction with a daytime sight or
riescope (hereafter referred to as a “day scope”). When mounted on a weapon in front of an existing
The Armasight Cipher provides excellent target acquisition and aiming capabilities for the demanding spor ts shooter, game hunter, military, law enforcement, or security personnel. Based on the highsensitivity CCD array, the Armasight Cipher eliminates the traditional requirement of removing your
existing day scope from your rie, to replace it with a dedicated night vision sight (which would also
involve re-zeroing). The Cipher mounts in front of any standard day optical sight.
Factory bore-sighted to tolerances of less than 1 MOA, no re-zeroing is required. The Cipher allows the
user to maintain consistent eye relief and shooting position, and because the user views his own day
scope’s reticle (which he is familiar with), no re-training is required.
The Cipher is compatible with most commercial and military specication day scopes or binoculars,
and ts any Picatinny, MIL-STD-1913, or Weaver rail via the quick-release mount.
Optional adapters make it possible to mount the Cipher directly to the objective lens of a variety of day
scopes and binoculars.
The Cipher is powered by two CR 123A (2×3V) batteries. An external 6 VDC/1 A power source can also
be used to power the Cipher.
The Cipher can be controlled by a wireless remote control that fastens to the weapon.
A detachable long-range IR illuminator provides additional lighting and enables the use of the Cipher
in extremely low light conditions or total darkness.
The Cipher is equipped with a standard video input/output function for connecting to an external vid-
eo display, which allows the user to monitor or record for in-eld documentation or training purposes.
This also allows the transmission of images from a remote display to the Cipher’s built-in display.
The Cipher can be used in conjunction with other Armasight equipment, such as the Recorder DT Digital Video Recorder and the MCS Miniature Collimating Sight, which is mounted on the Cipher’s Picatinny/Weaver side rail or detachable platform ring.
Extremely reliable and versatile, the Cipher is a useful multifunctional addition to any security or hunting equipment.
8
NOTE:
The Cipher can also be installed in front of the viewnders of various instruments to widen the
operational illumination range.
User recommendations for improvements to the device are encouraged.
Mail your comments to:
Armasight Inc.
815 Dubuque Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
USA
Or, send an email to info@armasight.com.
1.2 WARRANTY INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
1.2.1 WARRANTY INFORMATION
This product is guaranteed to be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under
normal use for a period of two (2) years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover the
battery, nor does it protect against damage due to loss, misuse or mishandling.
In the event a defect that is covered by the foregoing warranty occurs during the applicable period
stated above, Armasight, at its option, will either repair or replace the product, and such action on the
part of Armasight shall be the full extent of Armasight’s liability, and the Customer’s sole and exclusive
remedy. This warranty does not cover a product (a) used in other than its normal and customary manner; (b) subjected to misuse; (c) subjected to alterations, modications or repairs by the Customer of
by any party other than Armasight without prior written consent of Armasight; (d) special order or
“close-out” merchandise or merchandise sold “as-is” by either Armasight or the Armasight dealer; or (e)
merchandise that has been discontinued by the manufacturer and either parts or replacement units
are not available due to reasons beyond the control of Armasight. Armasight shall not be responsible
for any defects or damage that in Armasight’s opinion is a result from the mishandling, abuse, misuse, improper storage or improper operation, including use in conjunction with equipment which is
electrically or mechanically incompatible with or of inferior quality to the product, as well as failure to
maintain the environmental conditions specied by the manufacturer.
This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser. Any breach of this warranty shall be waived
unless the customer noties Armasight at the address noted below within the applicable warranty
period.
The customer understands and agrees that except for the foregoing warranty, no other warranties
written or oral, statutory, expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or
tness for a particular purpose, shall apply to the product. All such implied warranties are hereby and
expressly disclaimed.
1.2.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Armasight will not be liable for any claims, actions, suits, proceedings, costs, expenses, damages or
liabilities arising out of the use of this product. Operation and use of the product are the sole responsibility of the Customer. Armasight’s sole undertaking is limited to providing the products and services
outlined herein in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The provision of products sold and services performed by Armasight to the Customer shall not be interpreted, construed,
or regarded, either expressly or implied, as being for the benet of or creating any obligation toward
any third party of legal entity outside Armasight and the Customer; Armasight’s obligations under this
Agreement extend solely to the Customer.
9
Armasight’s liability hereunder for damages, regardless of the form or action, shall not exceed the fees
or other charges paid to Armasight by the customer or customer’s dealer. Armasight shall not, in any
event, be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including, but not limited to,
lost income, lost revenue, or lost prot, whether such damages were foreseeable or not at the time of
purchase, and whether or not such damages arise out of a breach of warranty, a breach of agreement,
negligence, strict liability or any other theory of liability.
1.2.3 PRODUCT WARRANTY REGISTRATION
In order to validate the warranty on your product, Armasight must receive a completed Product Warranty Registration Card for each unit, or the Customer can complete a warranty registration on our
website, at www.armasight.com. Please complete the included form (Appendix B) and immediately
mail it to our Service Center:
Armasight Inc.
815 Dubuque Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
USA
1.2.4 OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty service on your unit, the End-user must notify Armasight’s service department by
sending an email to service@armasight.com, in order to receive a Return Merchandise Authorization
number (RMA#).
When returning merchandise, please take or send the product to our service center at the address
above, postage paid, with a copy of your sales receipt. All merchandise must be fully insured with the
correct postage; Armasight will not be responsible for improper postage, or missing/ damaged merchandise during shipment.
When sending any product back, please clearly mark the RMA# on the outside of the shipping box.
Please include a letter that indicates your RMA#, Name, Return Address, reason for service return, Contact information (such as a valid telephone number and/or email address) and proof of purchase(s) that
will help us to establish the valid start date of the warranty. Product merchandise returns that do not
have an RMA# listed may be refused or be subject to a signicant delay in processing.
Estimated Warranty service time is 10-20 business days. The End-user/Customer is responsible for postage to Armasight for warranty service. Armasight will cover return postage/shipping to continental
USA End-users/Customers after the warranty repair is complete only if product is covered by aforementioned warranty. Armasight will return the product after warranty service by domestic ground
service and/or domestic mail. Should any other shipping/ international shipping method be requested
or required, the postage/shipping fee will be the responsibility of the End-user/Customer.
1.3 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
µm micrometer
AWREC Advanced Wireless Remote Control
C Celsius (Centigrade)
CCW counterclockwise
CW clockwise
F Fahrenheit
FFC Flat Field Correction
FL Focal Length
FSRS Front Scope Rail System
g gram
H Height
hr hour
in inch
kg kilogram
L Length
lbs pounds
m meter
mA milliampere
mils milliradians
min minute
mm millimeter
MOA Minute Of Angle
NO. Number
NTSC National Television Standards Committee
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
oz ounce
PAL Phase Alternation Line
PMCS Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services
RMA# Return Merchandise Authorization number
sec second
SEQ sequence
SMS Scope Mounting System
SOA Second Of Angle
SR Service Representative
V Volt
W Width
10
11
2
DESCRIPTION AND DATA
2.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The Cipher consists of two primary parts: a CCD imaging device and a mount. The equipment comes as
shown in Figure 2-1, with the mount secured to the body of the device.
The Cipher is a highly light-sensitive device. The Cipher sensor (CCD array) reacts to near-infrared and
visible light, and converts the received light into electrical charges. The controlling circuit converts
the entire contents of the two-dimensional array into a sequence of voltages that are processed into a
continuous analog signal. As a result, the Cipher displays real-time, contrasting gray-scale images that
correspond to the scene projected onto the focal plane of the sensor.
The main optical-electronic components of the Cipher include: an objective lens, an eyepiece, a grayscale CCD camera, a display, a control card, and a button control panel. The image is projected by the
output lens from the display to innity, and the resulting image is magnied when viewed through
the day scope. As such, when the Cipher mounted in front of the day scope, it converts it into a night
vision sight.
The Cipher has a digitally-controlled adjustment of display brightness. Because the Cipher displays information on the current operating state (battery status, active function, etc.), eld operation is simple
and convenient.
Manufactured for high tolerances, the Cipher has a lightweight and robust aluminum body.
A side Picatinny/Weaver rail allows an optional Armasight DT Digital Video Recorder or other equip -
ment to be installed on the Cipher.
A detachable Platform Ring makes it possible to mount additional equipment to the top of the Cipher,
such as an IR illuminator or Armasight MCS Miniature Collimating Sight.
A standard NTSC video input/output connector enables an external video display (a monitor, TV) or
video recorder to be connected to the Cipher. An external 6 VDC/1 A power source can also be connected to the Cipher.
The Cipher’s quick-release mount ts any Picatinny, MIL-STD-1913, or Weaver weapon rail. The mount’s
lever-cam clamping device ensures easy, quick, and reliable mounting and removal.
The Cipher is powered by two CR 123A (2×3V) batteries.
The Cipher is shown in Figure 2-1. The ITEM NO. column of Table 2-1 indicates the number used to
identify items in Figure 2-1.
12
7
6
5
4
3
1
2
9
8
10
11
12
FIGURE 21. CIPHER DIGITAL NIGHT VISION CLIPON SYSTEM
TABLE 21. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
ITEMDESCRIPTIONITEMDESCRIPTION
1Body8Output Lens
2Mount9Output Lens Cap
3Raiser
4Objective Lens Cap
5Objective Lens
6Button Control Panel
10
Turn-pull Switch
11
Connector (closed with a Cap)
12
Side Picatinny/Weaver Rail
13
Platform Ring
7Battery Cap
13
2.2 CIPHER SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE 22. SYSTEM DATA
ITEMDATA
MagnicationUnity (1x)
CCD CameraHigh-rate High Resolution Near-IR Hypersensitive
Pixel CCD Array Format768×492
CCD Array Spectral Response0.4 to 1.1 µm
Resolution, mrad56 SOA
Display TypeOLED
Pixel Display Format640×480
Display BrightnessDiscretely Adjustable to 8 Levels
Turn-on Time, max3 sec
Analog Input/ Output FormatNTSC
Output Resolution640×480 pixels
13
TABLE 23. MECHANICAL DATA
ITEMDATA
Weapon Mount TypePicatinny, MIL-STD-1913, or Weaver Rails