Night Vision LPVO and Night Vision

[matman1]

As the title states how is using LPVO's with binocular night vision? I know the canonical way to aim with night vision is to use a laser, however I'm worried that with the proliferation of night vision especially in milsim airsoft games, you'd be giving away your position by using a laser.

I know red dots are useable with night vision, albeit a bit more difficult than normal. Is the same true with LPVO's? Or does their limited eyebox make it pointless? As I see some LPVO's have night vision compatible illuminated reticules.

 

[whisper35]

Depends on how you have the scope mounted and I'm assuming use with an AR here. Most RDSs/HWSs are forward on the receiver and their size allows for the NOD's tube to fit behind them. Most LVPO setups I've seen have the ocular lense pretty much on top of the charging handle so that's not much room. You'd either have to extend your stock further or "float" your rifle in front of you which would kill your recoil management and probably bash both your scope and tubes. For my part I bought a NV-capable MRDS in an offset mount for passive aiming.

 

[Qazwsx]

Pita. Be better off with a nv capable red dot perched on top so it's easy to see through.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Ehh....this an lpvo with nv.

 

[Ironman8]

I’m assuming this is for head worn NV (PVS14 or dual tubes) so my understanding is that you’d need a piggyback MRDS or possibly an offset MRDS. Although I don’t know if offset would work unless you have a tube over your dominant eye (offset on right hand side for RH shooter).

My other question for those who have tried it, is it possible to have a PVS14 on your non-dominant eye and be able to get your LPVO lined up as normal with your dominant (unaided) eye? I’m not talking about “passive aiming” but more of an “oh shit” I need to go white light and use my day time reticle. I run my LPVO on a 1.93 mount if that makes any difference...just don’t have a 14 yet to try.

 

[TheHorta]

Ehh....this an lpvo with nv.

Looks light!

 

[TheHorta]

I’m assuming this is for head worn NV (PVS14 or dual tubes) so my understanding is that you’d need a piggyback MRDS or possibly an offset MRDS. Although I don’t know if offset would work unless you have a tube over your dominant eye (offset on right hand side for RH shooter).

My other question for those who have tried it, is it possible to have a PVS14 on your non-dominant eye and be able to get your LPVO lined up as normal with your dominant (unaided) eye? I’m not talking about “passive aiming” but more of an “oh shit” I need to go white light and use my day time reticle. I run my LPVO on a 1.93 mount if that makes any difference...just don’t have a 14 yet to try.

You can do both, but it’s something you need a lot of training/practice with to get comfortable and proficient with. Getting your face/helmet/NOD to play nice with a LPVO can be frustrating. Lots of contact between them, even under non-stressful situations. Using an offset or elevated RDS can be easier and quicker.

 

[Downtown]

I experimented with the concept without success. Eyebox issue, as others have noted. Also realized it would be of limited utility. For long distance night shooting, there are much better options. For short distance night shooting, a RDS is preferred anyway.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Looks light!

actually it is compared to my other rigs lol

 

[matman1]

Looks like the consensus is to use a RDS. I hadn't thought of the space issue getting the face + nods into position behind the optic.

 

[JKrum]

You can do both, but it’s something you need a lot of training/practice with to get comfortable and proficient with. Getting your face/helmet/NOD to play nice with a LPVO can be frustrating. Lots of contact between them, even under non-stressful situations. Using an offset or elevated RDS can be easier and quicker.

Agreed, if you're using a helmet-mounted NOD, a RDS with a Night Vision setting (extremely dim) would work, for all rifle mounted NODs a LPVO and forward-mounted NOD is far superior. If it's milsim, the RDS and monocular or binocular system makes sense. NODs with an IR laser would be much more effective; of course is not always in the budget.

 

[matman1]

Agreed, if you're using a helmet-mounted NOD, a RDS with a Night Vision setting (extremely dim) would work, for all rifle mounted NODs a LPVO and forward-mounted NOD is far superior. If it's milsim, the RDS and monocular or binocular system makes sense. NODs with an IR laser would be much more effective; of course is not always in the budget.

I do have bino NODs + a laser, however in allot of the milsim games I go to ~20% of people have gen 3 NODs meaning that a laser would totally give away my position. Which is is foreshadowing what a war against a peer adversary would be like. No more active NODs, only passive.

I've been considering getting an LPVO for a real rifle, but was wondering about its dual purpose use.

 

[JKrum]

Gotcha, I'm not saying using NODs to look through a magnified optic is impossible.... but I will say it is completely impractical. It is extremely difficult to line up the tube/ocular lens and achieve proper eye-relief and focus. The eyebox sees diminishing returns as well usually. Those that spent years trying to use NODs with their laser range finders can attest to that struggle.

I do applaud you for practicing IR discipline though. You might be amazed at how overlooked that discipline is in the military at all levels.