Can y’all help me with an easy button for a full NV kit?
I have a BCM with 13” MCMR currently with an AP H2.
I know nothing about NV but want a solid basic setup. Budget is pretty open.
I’ve looked at the Photonis that JRH has but not sure if it’s a quality mono.
Do I need to swap my AP for a NV EOTech? Get an IR laser? Helmet for the PVS or whatever?
Really looking for the “get a 6920, Aimpoint, and G19” recommendation. Preferably stuff in stock.
Tag for interest.
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I spoke with Robert at JRH. He said if lead time is critical, Photonis Echo, DBAL A3, and Ops-core helmet. The helmets are tough to find he said.
We are seeing on average 68LP and 30 and over SN on Echo spec units with very clean tubes.
Another poster here just posted his data sheet numbers in another thread.
I’m ready to order the Photonis and DBAL. The ops core LE helmet is $1200. Is that an overkill helmet just to hold the PVS?
There is “bump” helmets like a skateboard type helmets also. ACH helmets are usually a good solid inexpensive choice also when available.
If no ballistic protection is needed a bump helmet or something like a Crye Nightcap with a counterweight will work also.
I mentioned the Ops Core FAST LE because a shipment is arriving Monday and I know we have 1 of that model that isn’t already pre-sold.
Yeah if the ops core is all I can get right now there’s not much of a discussion.
Well there is certainly other options as well.
Gentex/Ops Core was running a 4-5 month lead time on ballistic helmets before TSHTF ordering all this stuff this year. This order that is arriving Monday was placed about 6 months ago now.
Disclaimer - I’ve only used NV for fun/recreation/shooting/hunting - I’m a hobbyist.
The Team Wendy EXFIL LTP is a reasonably priced non-ballistic helmet option (about $300). I’ve found that a helmet with counterweight is more comfortable than a soft option (Crye Nightcap or the USGI NVG head mount), and easier/quicker to don/doff and adjust comfortably.
If I made a list, it’d be:
[ul]
[li]PVS-14 variant[/li][li]Bump helmet (ops-core, team wendy etc)[/li][li]Counterweight (ops-core)[/li][li]IR laser/illuminator like a DBAL[/li][/ul]
I wouldn’t bother with mounting the PVS14 on a rifle. I have a mount for it, but every time I’ve been out and about, having a head-mounted NVG and IR laser/illuminator has worked best. I found it too hard to use the rifle-mounted NVG to scan and look around.
I don’t have the links or know what lead time is on anything; this is just my opinion after using night vision for work.
Mount the PVS-14 on your non shooting eye. This way you can still shoulder your rifle and use your red dot like a BUIS if your IR laser isn’t working/ sub optimal for the immediate situation. When I got used to squinting my eyes, it became somewhat natural to walk around and choose if you wanted to ‘see’ in NV or regular spectrum. With a single tube you want an IR laser for aiming. Some dudes claim they can shoot through their aim-point with a single tube, but it didn’t feel right to me. Also look for a surplus MICH helmet, with the NVG shroud still on it. They would be ballistic and mount your NVG’s. If you have the right harness a PVS-14 doesn’t feel too bad on a MICH.
I have a photonis echo and am very happy with it. Used it to kill 3 coons last night. Robert at JRH is a great help.
I picked up a team Wendy helmet as mentioned above from here.
Thank you for your business!
That is the Doing This From Scratch checklist that will get you up to speed quickly.
Very sound advice.
This thread is funny now after actually speaking over the phone this morning.
Thanks for jumping in man.
Is the Team Wendy bump okay with the Photonis? What else is needed for mounting? Any need for the counterweight stuff?
Exactly what I was looking for. Great post.
The Rhino mount is what interfaces between the shroud on the helmet and the J arm (comes with your PVS14 from us) that attaches to the 14.
The shroud on the helmet is pretty universal, unless you go with one of the knockoff chinese made helmets, then you can EXPECT the shroud to be off spec. Gentex/Ops Core and even Team Hillary is pretty universal and you shouldn’t have an issue with the shroud from either of them mating up with a Norotos or Wilcox Rhino arm.
Chase tactical makes a nice bump helmet.
https://www.chasetactical.com/product/chasetactical-bump-helmet-non-ballistic/
I’m also at the point of buying NV. Should I get:
Binoculars or a monocular when it comes to navigating and also comfortable shooting?
TNVC PVS-14 Bino’s or one good white phos and filmed tube with a J arm?
Steiner CQBL-1
I already have 2 ops core pots, my daytime ballistic pot and a black multicam bump that I’m going to use with the NVG’s.
Scalarworks 1.93 mount and Holosun solar and battery micro red dot.
For Bino’s, which one? Which one for a 1 tube monocular w/ J arm and Rhino mount. I haven’t heard of Photonis before, what is their advantage over a TNVC and how much is one tube?
