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4/7/2017 1:38:25 PM EDT
I'm looking at getting into night vision (I've read all of the other similar threads on here but figured I would start my own as I wanted to list my own requirements).

I'd like something that conforms to the following parameters:

1) Helmet/ Head mounted
2) Preferably binocular
3) Price range Max -$1500 (maybe up to $2000)

I'm pretty sure this limits to Gen 2 stuff but I wanted to ask the group here. I'll be pairing this with a DBAL and I don't expect to be doing anything further out than 100 yards and would really expect to mainly be working in the 0-50 range. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Also thoughts on mounting options are appreciated. One of the reasons why I am capping the price of the NV unit itself is so I can get a halfway decent mount for it.
4/7/2017 2:26:21 PM EDT
[#1]
For $1500 you will be getting a lower spec Gen2 while for $2000 you are in the price range for a NG PVS-14. If that means sacrificing on the mount I would absolutely do it. A Norotos Rhino II (used go for nothing) is a good mount with the standard J-arm that comes with the PVS-14. Some may disagree, but I would say you don't gain much going dovetail with a monocular. There is the Wilcox G11 but that's going to eat money that could go towards a better specd 14.

For a helmet, is a bump enough? Suppose it is, either from OC or TW will do fine, the latter being a little more expensive though better.

Edit: just noticed the binocular requirement. You should forget that or keep saving. Gen2 binoculars for $2000 will be quite rubbish.
4/7/2017 2:31:29 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
For $1500 you will be getting a lower spec Gen2 while for $2000 you are in the price range for a NG PVS-14. If that means sacrificing on the mount I would absolutely do it. A Norotos Rhino II (used go for nothing) is a good mount with the standard J-arm that comes with the PVS-14. Some may disagree, but I would say you don't gain much going dovetail with a monocular. There is the Wilcox G11 but that's going to eat money that could go towards a better specd 14.

For a helmet, is a bump enough? Suppose it is, either from OC or TW will do fine, the latter being a little more expensive though better.

Edit: just noticed the binocular requirement. You should forget that or keep saving. Gen2 binoculars for $2000 will be quite rubbish.
View Quote
I don't mind the monocular at all bino is just my preference. Thanks for the heads up. Bump is going to be my helmet of choice, simply because I don't intend on being on a two way range
4/7/2017 2:47:45 PM EDT
[#3]
You can pick up a nice Gen 3  PVS-7 in your price range. It is a binocular but uses a single tube and mirrors. I run one on a helmet and also handheld. Does a good job.
4/7/2017 2:47:58 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:


I don't mind the monocular at all bino is just my preference. Thanks for the heads up. Bump is going to be my helmet of choice, simply because I don't intend on being on a two way range
View Quote
Bino is almost everyone's "preference" - at least at first. Once I became more accustomed to NVD I chose a monocular. It takes a little accustomization but, at least to me, it is worth the effort for the many advantages MNVDs provide. Especially starting with a limited budget, I recommend a monocular. Everything costs less.

RHNO II $75

OpsCore Skeleton $75

J-Arms Cheap

Binos provide advantages, also, but they have drawbacks - not the least of which is expense. If you start with a bino, I think there is less chance that you will ever give mono a chance and that would be a big mistake. If you decide you really need binos later then you can always bridge your monocular. I would rather have a good mono with twice the quality than a crappy bino with half the quality.
4/7/2017 2:55:10 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
You can pick up a nice Gen 3  PVS-7 in your price range. It is a binocular but uses a single tube and mirrors. I run one on a helmet and also handheld. Does a good job.
View Quote
Keep in mind that the PVS-7 is biocular and not binocular. It uses both eyes but because it uses the collimator you lose the biggest advantage of binoculars - stereoscopic vision. If all you want is two-eye viewing and you don't want to make time to train into a monocular the the PVS-7 is a reasonable choice. Make sure it is the B or D variant.

You can get up and running faster on a 7 but if you train hard then you will run into its limitations.
4/7/2017 6:23:42 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks for the advice guys!
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