Re: Are Laser Rangefinders visible to NVG?
It will depend on the wavelength of the laser. Most commercial models are 830 to 850 nanometers, wich is pretty much in the sweet spot for the normal NVG tube.
The Vector 1500 is 850nm, as is the PLRF-10. The Vector IV and up (21, 25) are 1050nm, as is the PLRF-15. They are NOT visible to NVG's.
As Frank says, most night work, even with a NV scope is done at 200-400 yards, a basic PBZ will work just fine and no rangefinding is required beyond knowing the far end of the range.
When I work out to 600-800 using the PVS-26, I use an IR laser on the spotters rig to illuminate and ID targets anyway, so a quick ping with even a PLRF-10 not a major problem. Without IR illum, you've got a real hard time ID'ing a target, so you are pretty much forced to go active anyway. If the air is clear, it's not easy to see the beam from even slightly off axis unless it's fairly high power. If there is much particulate in the air, the beam can stand out quite clearly from 90 degrees off.
Mill relation at night, without artifical light on the target, or through a NV device, is not going to meet with much success at any distance where you actually need it to work.
