Night Vision Target Acquisition with Multiple Shooters & Systems

[rlsmith1]

What's the best way to designate targets for guys using thermals only?

For the guy on a thermal, it's fairly easy to run a LUNA or Tor Mini and using that to designate for the guys running I2, but how can the I2 guys designate targets for the thermal guys? All I've thought of is a visible laser but that would require them coming off the scope to observe.

Not terribly concerned with light discipline since I'm chasing varmints but I do like to approach things with all situations in mind... Plus using a vis laser with nods and thermal is just not cool bro.

Any other basics of communication between shooters at night would be much appreciated. Anything above and beyond "over there, you see it?" would be helpful.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

My thermals have a digital compass built in. If you have a few landmarks you can use them and say 211 degrees just right of the big tree, etc. Or 211 degrees 140 yards if open fields.

I also have a compass for my PVS-14 and my range finder has a compass. My thermal rifles have IR lasers to paint for NV only guys, but it is usually the Thermals that find the targets.

 

[rlsmith1]

For sure, but a clip on with an illuminated can spot eyes pretty dang far away. How’s the CNVD guy communicate to the thermal?

 

[Old Man with Gun]

If the thermal has an IR laser on it that is zeroed to the thermal, they can talk you in.

My thermals have IR lasers, mostly to show NV people targets, but it can work the other way with NV seeing where IR laser is pointed and saying left 50 yards, down a little, now look just left, etc.

 

[TheHebrewHammer]

There are no LWIR lasers available to the public. The best you can do is throw an IR laser on the Thermal gun, and have the NVG guys be situationally aware of where the thermal guys are aiming. Or just win the lottery and upgrade everyone to SWIR clip-ons, they have a built in laser.

 

[rlsmith1]

There are no LWIR lasers available to the public. The best you can do is throw an IR laser on the Thermal gun, and have the NVG guys be situationally aware of where the thermal guys are aiming. Or just win the lottery and upgrade everyone to SWIR clip-ons, they have a built in laser.

Love it, those things are bonkers would love to look through one let alone own one

 

[GreenMushroom]

What's the best way to designate targets for guys using thermals only?

For the guy on a thermal, it's fairly easy to run a LUNA or Tor Mini and using that to designate for the guys running I2, but how can the I2 guys designate targets for the thermal guys? All I've thought of is a visible laser but that would require them coming off the scope to observe.

Not terribly concerned with light discipline since I'm chasing varmints but I do like to approach things with all situations in mind... Plus using a vis laser with nods and thermal is just not cool bro.

Any other basics of communication between shooters at night would be much appreciated. Anything above and beyond "over there, you see it?" would be helpful.

Unfortunately there's no good way for us plebes. We're in heavy woods alot and use thermals heavily so it's not uncommon for one person to spot something as it passes into cover before they can convey enough info for other people to detect it. The best method is for everyone to have l2 and practice switching back and forth from thermal to l2 quickly. We have eyesafe lasers on our helmets for this so they're always handy and use them quite a bit for designation.

If you're in a group close together I've found it helpful when you 1st come up to an area you want to observe to pick out a landmark that everyone can see and declare whatever it is as 12 o'clock. Doing this at 1st when everyones clumped together avoids the stupid can you see the "x" that looks like a "x" game once you seperate. Try to pick something distant if possible so that if you move away from each other the calls are still reasonably accurate.

 

[rlsmith1]

Thanks @GreenMushroom I’m in the Midwest so definitely not as complicated as wooded areas. Hopefully some version of the cool toys are available soon