Vortex Edge is the training division of Vortex Optics. They have a $12 million+ facility and it is simply amazing. If you can train there, do it! We plan to be back there several times next year. The weather was amazing--the best that we ever had in a class. Dry, with temps in the 70s. Illumination was perfect. No bugs, wind, snow, rain—nothing. Oh yeah, we were inside…
This was a rental heavy class for us. 6 sets of goggles and associated equipment. This is great to see—students who want to “try before you buy” while getting the training. And TNVC’s policy is that you can use that rental fee towards purchase of similar equipment. So, if you want to go to a class and you do not have the equipment, no worries. We limited amounts, so if you are interested in doing that for a class, sign up early.
We saw a wide spread of night vision devices in this class. Everything from green PVS14s to white phos DTNVGs. No student complained of being under-equipped, and in low illumination conditions (at times) we were able to complete all the drills with little difficulty.
There were surprisingly little difficulties with guns and gear in this class. I cannot speculate on any particular reason why, but with the combination of the quality of students we had and the indoor conditions, many challenges associated with training outside with its environmental conditions might be a factor for this.
We were able to slightly tweak our POI for this class and complete an NVG run for our “hide and seek” event. This was a unique opportunity as the shoothouse at the facility is complete enclosed and quiet. Students quickly saw the advantages that night vision can provide when going against an opponent without the same capability.
We were able to put the TOR MINI on a student's carbine in this class as well. Simple to mount, easy to zero and worked great for him. It is a very capable unit for an amazing price. It will remain as an option at all future classes for students to check out and try.
We have a couple of Nightfighter classes left this year, with only a few seats remaining for the Montana class. And one more Armed Professional class too. The full classes are nice to see and a blast to teach.
We cannot say enough about the Vortex hosts. Super friendly, eager to make sure that training was going right, and opened their amazing facility to us. Again, check their calendar out and get there for a class if you can make it. They also provided lunch on both days, and donations for that went to the local chapters of the Concerns of Police Survivors charity.
Additionally, several companies stepped up to offer students swag and such for their attendance. We really appreciate their generosity and are proud to have them associated with our classes.
Vortex Optics
Rite in the Rain
Ops-Core
Unity Tactical
Thyrm
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