Night Vision Ayone running a Terrapin Range finder in conjunction with NV rig?

hognuts

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Apr 18, 2009
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What is your set up? Is there and adapter required to mount the range finder to the NV rig? Where would you source said adapter? Thanks, apologize if it is already been hashed out, I searched the threads and didn't see it if its here.
 
The Terrapin does not have a NV mode, the display will bloom out the device and be unreadable. The PLRF's and Vectors have a NV mode, and various adapters to fit monoculars. I use both systems, and the Vector Nite models and MOSKITO have II tubes in the unit itself. That works a fair bit better than a PVS-14 on the day only system.
 
I was a bit bummed when I tested the terrapin and found the NV mode is not actually suitable for NVD use. Cory is exactly right on the effects.

To range at night I have ended up using a visible laser in conjunction with my terrapin. I use a dbal or peq with the visible red laser and lase the steel target using nvds. Using the terrapin without nvd I hold down the range button to illuminate the reticle and focus on the red laser down range, upon release of the fire button the range is given. It is not nearly as high speed as what Cory is doing with the vetor nite, mosquito, or other plrfs but it works for me shooting steel.

I would love to be able to do it without using a visible laser but I have not been able to justify the additional cost to upgrade to a vectronix with a true NV setting. I had high hopes for the Wilcox laser with the rangefinder but it costs more than the vectronix would. Anyone else have any solutions or ideas for ranging at night?
 
I just tried mine tonight, and it has a Night Vision mode, which I didn't put it in, it did bloom a bit, but ranging up close I was able to range the neighbor's house (granted, not very far out), I have yet to try the Night Vision Mode setting to see if it minimizes the "blooming" but I was able to see the display, not ideal maybe but I will get back to you once I actually take it out on a night hunt.

***when I tested mine I just held it in front of the NV unit***

I have a gen 3 head mounted unit I picked up from Frankie, PVS-14 with the torch, I use this set up for "spotting" then I can engage close targets with a laser on the AR, or switch to the 6.5 SAUM with the D-930 mounted in front of USO 3.8x17x44 with DBAL-D2 set up for longer shots. So far I have only engaged steel with the set-up, but have watched alot of game through it....just the wrong game! :) I go out looking/calling for yotes and end up seeing deer and elk most nights, but one of these times I will get it put together!
 
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I own a PVS14 and a PLRF10, Just holding the 14 up behind the range finder i have not been succesful. it seams that the plrf blinks "NIGHT" after every range firing. this total blooms out and cant be healthy for the tube. I also cant get mine to read out the yards. maybe im doing something wrong? but before i bought the adapter i wanted to try like i did, and from that i dont think its worth buying the adapter.

Clardon
 
You need to set the PLRF to the night mode, when you have done so, you will not see the display WITHOUT the NVG, it will be that dim. The "night" mode of the Terrapin just dims the display about 45%, so it's not overly bright in dim light. It is WAY too bright for use with NVG's, and unless the tube is autogated you have a potential of cause damage to the unit.

To access the night mode on the PRLF, click the range key 5 times to get to the config menu, cycle through the options with the azimuth key until you see ntOn, then click the range key 5 times to store the change.
 
You need to set the PLRF to the night mode, when you have done so, you will not see the display WITHOUT the NVG, it will be that dim. The "night" mode of the Terrapin just dims the display about 45%, so it's not overly bright in dim light. It is WAY too bright for use with NVG's, and unless the tube is autogated you have a potential of cause damage to the unit.

To access the night mode on the PRLF, click the range key 5 times to get to the config menu, cycle through the options with the azimuth key until you see ntOn, then click the range key 5 times to store the change.

Ill try it again tonight, but I did put it into night mode and every time i tried to range something directly following that it would flash in full intensity "night". ? doesnt make sense so i gave up, but ill try again tonight.

CJG
 
Hmm, I don't know what you are getting, since the display can't actually display 'night'. If it's in night mode and it's not really dark, it will flash 'ngtOn', which will let you know it's in night vision mode when you try to use in in daylight. In daylight you would not see anything at all, and then start to think the battery was dead or something, but if it's dark, you should just see the reticle and then the measurement in the NVG.
 
Ill try it again tonight, but I did put it into night mode and every time i tried to range something directly following that it would flash in full intensity "night". ? doesnt make sense so i gave up, but ill try again tonight.

CJG

I don't have any time with the 10s but my terrapin will flash the "night" also if set to night mode and the range button is depressed and held. I am not saying you are holding the button down but if you are try just clicking and releasing.
 
Hmm, I don't know what you are getting, since the display can't actually display 'night'. If it's in night mode and it's not really dark, it will flash 'ngtOn', which will let you know it's in night vision mode when you try to use in in daylight. In daylight you would not see anything at all, and then start to think the battery was dead or something, but if it's dark, you should just see the reticle and then the measurement in the NVG.

Tryed again last night and still no go. took it out in the dark and every thing. as soon as i press the button it flashes in full power "nght on". when in night mode and i have the illuminated box on, it seams like that part work, but i just dont get why it flashes in full power the night on every time i try to take a reading. i guess ill actually try to read the directions and see if by chance im doing something wrong. does anyone else have a plrf10 and pvs?
 
If I'm steady I can look through the NVD and see where my terrapin hits. THen look at the readout. Takes a little practice but I have done it a few times. The Vector is best for that role. If you can slave a terrapin to a mount with a spotter/NV with reticle you could do it easy.
 
I don't have a terrapin unfortunately but I think it'll work with it just like it does with my leica 1600. With my helmet and pvs-14 on I hold my leica with both hands to steady it good and hold down the range button to make it scan. The laser is not constantly on but it shoots every 2 seconds or so on the leica and I just put the laser on what I'm trying to range. When the laser hits it I let off the button and look to see what it was. I can easily range tree lines and such at 600 or so yards.

Not practical but it works!