Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

[Silenced America]

I have finally taken the plunge and purchased some PVS 14s, PEQ 15, and I am now looking for a tac helmet and a good camera that will mount to it. I have a helo hog hunt coming up and I would like to video it. I think that a camera that mounts to the helmet and a rifle rail might make for some good demo videos as well. Mainly, I want a comfortable helmet to mount my 14s to for hog hunting at night. I have been looking at OPS-Core for the helmet and a Drift HD action cam, but what are some other good options?

 

[The Colonel]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

You already mentioned them, but Opscore had a pretty good display at SHOT this year. Their helmets and accessories looked like good quality. Not sure on price but the offered ballistic and non-ballistic helmets. I would assume the non-ballistic is what you are looking for.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

Scott, the Ops-Core is supposed to be the best there is. Ops-core was just bought by another company and that has slowed production way down. I have had one on order with TNVC for almost two months now so if your hunt is sooner than later you may want to get a back up. The PT helmets are not bad and you can mount a camera and the PVS-14 to them but they just are not as comfortable as the Ops-Core.

 

[ss10ring]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

Go for the Opscore I have the A-Alpha from TNVC and a buddy has the Opscore FAST bump and I wish i would have went that route

 

[The Colonel]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

I just spoke to Tom at Opscore. Their least expensive, non-ballistic helmet is the military base jump model. It's plastic molded, and runs in $200+ range. It comes with the NVG mount and picatinny rails on the sides for your camera. The next step up was the Carbon helmet. It was made from carbon fiber and was in the $600+ price range. Again, non-ballistic and a bit heavier than the base jump.

I'm no way affiliated with Opscore, it just so happened that at training yesterday, the exact topic came up for us and this thread was fresh in my mind. I spoke to Opscore about a T&E helmet and they were more than happy to accomodate me. I know for your situation that might not be the case, but if any tactical teams or companies are looking at purchasing multiple helmets, it's available. My department likes to try shit out before dropping any sizeable amount of coin on anything.

Happy hunting

 

[jbgleason]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

I have been issued/worn several different brands for long periods so FWIW.

Ops-Core is the Ferrari of helmets. Most comfortable I have ever worn hands down. Most expensive I have ever had. Hardest to get as well (everyone wants them and - rightfully so - they prioritize deploying units over other orders).

If you can't get one in time for your hunt, you might look at the A-Alpha from TNVC. I don't know much about that one as I went straight from a modified skateboard helmet to the Ops Core. I will also say that a ballistic helmet like the MICH or such is not a horrible option for the NOD mount. Not because the hogs will be shooting back but because the extra weight will help to stabilize against the NODS dragging the helmet forward. For NODS use, weight distribution and a good suspension system are key. Otherwise you will spend all of your time fiddling with your helmet and getting banged in the face/nose by your NOD and helmet rim. Which sucks bad.

For the camera mount this is not such a big deal. I have the Contour HD and really like it. It mounts to the rail on my helmet (Ops Core) and I also bought a mount to put it on my rifle. The rifle mount will always capture your shots but the head mount will give a fuller experience of what you are seeing while flying around. Just be aware that helmet mounts sometimes don't look straight down the gun depending on how you shoot and your seating position. My buddy just did one of those hunts and used two cameras (gun mount and helmet). He put the videos together and ended up with a really nice piece.

 

[b0xcrash]

Re: Tac Helmet and Other Accessories

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JB Gleason</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been issued/worn several different brands for long periods so FWIW.

Ops-Core is the Ferrari of helmets. Most comfortable I have ever worn hands down. Most expensive I have ever had. Hardest to get as well (everyone wants them and - rightfully so - they prioritize deploying units over other orders).

If you can't get one in time for your hunt, you might look at the A-Alpha from TNVC. I don't know much about that one as I went straight from a modified skateboard helmet to the Ops Core. I will also say that a ballistic helmet like the MICH or such is not a horrible option for the NOD mount. Not because the hogs will be shooting back but because the extra weight will help to stabilize against the NODS dragging the helmet forward. For NODS use, weight distribution and a good suspension system are key. Otherwise you will spend all of your time fiddling with your helmet and getting banged in the face/nose by your NOD and helmet rim. Which sucks bad.

For the camera mount this is not such a big deal. I have the Contour HD and really like it. It mounts to the rail on my helmet (Ops Core) and I also bought a mount to put it on my rifle. The rifle mount will always capture your shots but the head mount will give a fuller experience of what you are seeing while flying around. Just be aware that helmet mounts sometimes don't look straight down the gun depending on how you shoot and your seating position. My buddy just did one of those hunts and used two cameras (gun mount and helmet). He put the videos together and ended up with a really nice piece.</div></div>

I have the Contour HD, and after you work out all the quirks with the data on the sd cards, and having to format them in the camera after every shoot, the camera is pretty darn good.
Slim, lightweight and mounts about anywhere, I also have the picatinny mount for mine as well. I posted some videos on youtube using the Contour HD. (don't hate, or just ignore the fact I also play xbox when its too cold or nonstop raining to shoot)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obcgPlYi0qg

On that helmet....I have a ACH and a MICH, but darn I love that OpsCore....dang now I an going to have to wait two months for one....thanks guys for introducing me to OpsCore..or my fault for stumbling upon this thread.(darn addictions)