My first Night Vision set up

[CStuck]

I think night vision is one of the coolest technologies man has ever come up with, so I have been working toward getting my own for the last year or so. I started by getting a helmet, IR light, counterweight, laser, and a housing. Then I purchased the tubes and had them installed. I am far from an expert on this subject, but over the last year of reading and asking questions I believe I have more knowledge then the average joe.

Here are some photos of my inital setup and the supporting cast of parts to make it more effective. I dont really have a goal in mind, but zapping coyotes, night hiking, star gazing have all been fun thus far. Also the photos really dont capture how clear and cool it really is


taking a photo through the night vision is very challenging.
2200 FOM WP Photonis4G tubes


If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them but again I will state I am no expert on the subject.

 

[Riesel]

That really is cool and a big step up from my digital night vision. Not being a
radical here but it really is special to "own the night"

 

[CStuck]

That really is cool and a big step up from my digital night vision. Not being a
radical here but it really is special to "own the night"

It's a whole different experience seeing & shooting in the dark, and knowing very few other's have the capabilities. I am in love with it haha

 

[boltfluter]

That is a really nice set-up you have there. Can you give us some details on the components you chose. The detail in the photo is amazing to say the least.

Thanks Paul

 

[CStuck]

That is a really nice set-up you have there. Can you give us some details on the components you chose.

Thanks Paul

Sure thing-hope this helps-let me know if you want more details.

Helmet #1 Shellback Tactical IIIa ballistic-I also have a bump helmet on the way for normal use, but wanted to have a ballistic for a SHTF situation. I have some walkers ear pro that I disassembled and re-wired to have a longer cable to make it work on the helmet as I wasn't ready to buy Peltor Comtacs or Ops AMPS.

NVG Mount-Wilcox G22 mount in FDE

NV strobe-is an airsoft replica of a S&S PRECISION MANTA STROBE ( I'm no operator so I didn't feel it necessary to spend $200+ on a strobe)

Surefire M300V so I can have IR and white light on the helmet for either lighting up a room or if I need to turn off the NVGs and see something with white light. It is on a VariArc™ Helmet Mount. (a little loose)

Kinetic Consulting NERD velcro / bungies to keep the NVG in case the mount drops it or I push the wrong button in the dark

NVG housing-UANVB Katana-I wanted to support a small buisness first, I had found out about Nocturn Industries a while back and followed them and learned more about Nicholas and Jeff. Nocturn industries is a wonderful group with fantastic gentlemen who have helped me a ton. (see this review https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/03/26/nocturn-industries-uanvb/) my unit is a more recent revision to its alittle lighter and cleaner with better screws.

I purchased the Glass from Kosher surplus (Carson Lens) and sent glass, housing I had back to Nocturn. I purchased tubes from them and they installed all the parts and sent it back to me the next day. I chose Photonis 4G White Phosphor tubes due to availablitiy and price. I paid $4400 for the pair of tubes installed.

I could do an entire write up on my wonderful experience with the Nocturn guys, maybe another day.

Pistol is a G17 gen3 with a gray ghost precision slide and leupold delta point pro so I can use a pistol under NODS, I also have a SureFire X300V Vampire 350 to aid in IR illumination.

AR is a 13.7 BA Hanson barrel- JP enterprises flash hider-BCM KMR rail- Streamlight pro-hl light- BE Meyers MAWL C1+ ---You cant see in the photo but a Reptila 1.93 mount with a Aimpoint T2, timney hit trigger other AR parts etc. ---Next is to build the same AR in 300blk and get two suppressors.

 

[CStuck]

Here is a video I was able to capture
first part of the video is without IR illuminator-the second part is with IR

this is me holding my phone against the eyepiece, it looks so much more crisp in person

 

[Woofie]

This may be a bit off topic but the thing I like using my NVGs for is to see just how many more stars I can see without driving to Death Valley.
If you really want to know what a "star-decked canopy" is, walk out onto the salt at Badwater at Midnight on a moonless night

 

[CStuck]

This may be a bit off topic but the thing I like using my NVGs for is to see just how many more stars I can see without driving to Death Valley.
If you really want to know what a "star-decked canopy" is, walk out onto the salt at Badwater at Midnight on a moonless night

Agreed! I used to hunt in western Nebraska with little to no light pollution so I have a sense of a star filled sky. It's a wonder to see

 

[drano38]

Nice setup!
Consider adding a weight to the back of your helmet to offset/balance the NVG weight. Your neck muscles will thank you during long wearing sessions. A chunk of lead with velcro attachment works well.

 

[CStuck]

Nice setup!
Consider adding a weight to the back of your helmet to offset/balance the NVG weight. Your neck muscles will thank you during long wearing sessions. A chunk of lead with velcro attachment works well.

Thank you very much. I do have a counter weight pouch on the back, it has some lead and some extra batteries. Haven't gotten the balance perfect yet, still tweaking it.

 

[boltfluter]

Sure thing-hope this helps-let me know if you want more details.

Helmet #1 Shellback Tactical IIIa ballistic-I also have a bump helmet on the way for normal use, but wanted to have a ballistic for a SHTF situation. I have some walkers ear pro that I disassembled and re-wired to have a longer cable to make it work on the helmet as I wasn't ready to buy Peltor Comtacs or Ops AMPS.

NVG Mount-Wilcox G22 mount in FDE

NV strobe-is an airsoft replica of a S&S PRECISION MANTA STROBE ( I'm no operator so I didn't feel it necessary to spend $200+ on a strobe)

Surefire M300V so I can have IR and white light on the helmet for either lighting up a room or if I need to turn off the NVGs and see something with white light. It is on a VariArc™ Helmet Mount. (a little loose)

Kinetic Consulting NERD velcro / bungies to keep the NVG in case the mount drops it or I push the wrong button in the dark

NVG housing-UANVB Katana-I wanted to support a small buisness first, I had found out about Nocturn Industries a while back and followed them and learned more about Nicholas and Jeff. Nocturn industries is a wonderful group with fantastic gentlemen who have helped me a ton. (see this review https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/03/26/nocturn-industries-uanvb/) my unit is a more recent revision to its alittle lighter and cleaner with better screws.

I purchased the Glass from Kosher surplus (Carson Lens) and sent glass, housing I had back to Nocturn. I purchased tubes from them and they installed all the parts and sent it back to me the next day. I chose Photonis 4G White Phosphor tubes due to availablitiy and price. I paid $4400 for the pair of tubes installed.

I could do an entire write up on my wonderful experience with the Nocturn guys, maybe another day.

Pistol is a G17 gen3 with a gray ghost precision slide and leupold delta point pro so I can use a pistol under NODS, I also have a SureFire X300V Vampire 350 to aid in IR illumination.

AR is a 13.7 BA Hanson barrel- JP enterprises flash hider-BCM KMR rail- Streamlight pro-hl light- BE Meyers MAWL C1+ ---You cant see in the photo but a Reptila 1.93 mount with a Aimpoint T2, timney hit trigger other AR parts etc. ---Next is to build the same AR in 300blk and get two suppressors.

Great write up! We appreciate all the typing. Phew!!

Thanks Paul