Night Vision Options.

[Bevan]

I have a night vision monocular, what is considered the 'best' option for using it for hunting?

Weaponmounted - behind dotsight or magnified optic?

Head/helmet mounted - in conjunction with IR laser? with NV-compatible dot sight? With magnified optic (is this even possible?)

 

[Bevan]

Re: Options.

Is something like the 1-4x24 NF NXS or the new SuB 1-8x24 short dot usable with a head/helmet mounted mono? Or is the eye relief too critical?

 

[IR-V]

Re: Options.

With head-mounted NV optics, your best bet is to use an IR laser aimer to get your weapon on target.

If you wish to put your NV monocular behind the ocular of a day scope, you're better off using something like a monoloc system to couple the two devices.

Whenever trying to "stack optics" (e.g. night vision with daytime aiming device) it is better to mount the night vision with the aiming device onto your weapon.

Head mounted NV optics will give you better navigation and scanning ability, especially if you need to be highly mobile in a low-light environment.

IR-V

 

[Bevan]

Re: Options.

Yes my theory was to go headmounted, as it's much more versatile for movement/hunting.


Switch from headmount to weaponmount when target located? Any QD head/weaponmounts for PVS-14?

 

[Bevan]

Re: Options.

What do I need to mount a -14 to one of these half-shell helmets?

http://www.pthelmets.com/products.asp?cat=14

 

[shooter6.5]

Re: Options.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2106387#Post2106387

Go to this thread for some great photos and ideas.

 

[codyb]

Re: Options.

sorry doubled up

 

[codyb]

Re: Options.

Larue makes a quick release weapons mount for the 14. I have one and you can leave it on the 14 and transition from gun to weapons mount, but with some pratice and the right optic set up I have found it is better to keep it on my head.

When trying to run it behind the 14 I found there was too much light transmission lost as I increase magnifcation. Running it in front of the optic shifted my poa/poi 6' @ a 100 yds.

An aimpoint has alleviated the problems I was having , but in hunting as my targets may not stop moving it has been better to keep the NV head mounted in my case.

 

[IR-V]

Re: Options.

Depends on how you hunt, what you hunt, and your type of weapon. For example, if you're using an AR-15 and need to be mobile to stalk small- to medium-sized, thin-skinned varmints, that could appear suddenly from cover (and quickly disappear back into cover), and which you are likely to engage within 50 - 150 yards, you're better off staying w/ head mounted NV for navigating, scanning, and shooting. This kind of scenario affords precious little time to be swapping your NV optics off your head and on to your rifle.

If you're using a bolt-action rifle (for example) and observing your quarry from a distance, and planning to shoot from a longer distance, e.g. beyond 200 yards, then you will more than likely have the time to disengage your NV optics from your head, re-mount to your rifle, and take a somewhat stationary observation position to continue observing before taking your shot. Note, however, that for distance shooting, placing a PVS-14 monocular behind the ocular of a day scope is not the ideal set-up (range and resolution will be limited due to the limited light transmission through the day scope as the primary). For long range shooting, mounting a PVS-22 UNS or PVS-27 MUNS in *front* of your day scope, or using a dedicated NV rifle scope (such as a 4X or 6X Raptor) will give better viewing performance. In this type of arrangement, you would navigate and scan with your head-mounted NV optic, then flip it up (or remove from your head), when going to your long rifle already mounted with dayscope+UNS, dayscope+MUNS, or NV rifle scope.

There are numerous QD head and weapons mounts for the PVS-14 that are commercially available. Hogrider's link to the show & tell thread has a good survey of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solutions.

More to come in my answer to your next question.

IR-V

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bevan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes my theory was to go headmounted, as it's much more versatile for movement/hunting.

Switch from headmount to weaponmount when target located? Any QD head/weaponmounts for PVS-14? </div></div>

 

[IR-V]

Re: Options.

First, avoid helmets with any type of duckbill, visor, or ledge at the front. These will interfere with the NV mount system.

You'll need several things to mount your PVS-14 to a helmet:

1 - A helmet shroud which attaches the mount system to the helmet. There are shrouds that affix via bolts through holes drilled into the helmet, and shrouds that clip onto helmets via tensioning systems.

2 - A mount system which includes either a fixed or pivoting cantilever "arm" that can extend forward from your forehead, and from which the PVS-14 is suspended. Some systems with pivoting arm will also have "cut off" mechanisms that will shut off power to the PVS-14 when it is flipped up and out of use.

3 - An interface that securely attaches to the body of the night vision scope and then connects to the mount system. A quick-detach (QD) option for quickly exchanging the PVS-14 in and out of the mounting system is going to have its key enabling components at this level of interface. An example is the Norotos dovetail or dual dovetail interface.

There are numerous makers of this equipment, all with different and often proprietary designs. Norotos and Wilcox are among the ones that have major contracts to supply the U.S. military and U.S. federal law enforcement.

IR-V

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bevan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do I need to mount a -14 to one of these half-shell helmets?

http://www.pthelmets.com/products.asp?cat=14 </div></div>

 

[hrt4me]

Re: Options.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: codyb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Larue makes a quick release weapons mount for the 14.</div></div>

IMHO, a much better option rather than a throw-lever system which eventually degrades your rail: SNVG DLOC PVS mount

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

Re: Options.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B. Melick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: codyb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Larue makes a quick release weapons mount for the 14.</div></div>

IMHO, a much better option rather than a throw-lever system which eventually degrades your rail: SNVG DLOC PVS mount </div></div>
What I like about Summit so far is that they tell you the height of the optical centerline (in the item spec sheet) and offer you other heights. Other popular mount manufacturers do not give you this important info on their website and you have to call or e-mail them for it.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: Options.

You can see our TM-14 mount that uses the Aimpoint twist base as its floor. http://www.tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-tm14-pvs-14-weapon-mount/

We sorta killed "two birds with one stone" and you can also use the Aimpoint 3x magnifier with the same base we utilize.

The TM-14 is designed to perfect align with a lower 1/3rd co-witness mount RDS. The beauty of the mount is of course light weight at .8oz but the very fast transition from helmet to weapon and vice versa in approx 5 seconds is a real plus.

We've had this version out now for approx. 8 months and it's presently going through on-going trials for big Army.

Another viable option that has been around for awhile is PRI's M-69. http://www.tnvc.com/shop/m-69-pvs-14-adjustable-weapon-mount/ It will fit not only the PVS-14, but the D-300 along with a few other custom NV Body housings that utilize a 1/4-20 mounting hole.

 

[j-huskey]

Re: Options.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B. Melick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: codyb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Larue makes a quick release weapons mount for the 14.</div></div>

IMHO, a much better option rather than a throw-lever system which eventually degrades your rail: SNVG DLOC PVS mount </div></div>

I second Bach on this one, I like mine very much.