Just got my new PVS-14 setup in today. TNVC OMNI VIII. Also got an Ops Core Fast Base helmet and a rhino mount.

For you guys that use these things, do you have any tips for using it? I'm planning to mainly using it for driving/walking while pig hunting and identifying what I see on thermal. I might also weapon mount it occasionally. I plan to get an IR laser and a good illuminator pretty soon as well.

I've come to the conclusion that this night vision stuff is worse than guns. Maybe more addictive and way more expensive.

MDMorrow, Which thermal did you go with? If I remember right, you had an L3 spotting thermal??

Cheers,
TXGrubby

I actually have owned a few now and the one I've kept is the Pulsar HD19s. It's great performance for the price. I feel that it outperforms a lot of units that are quite a bit more expensive.

MDMORROW, one of the things lots of folks forget to do with the PVS-14 is the initial focus. There is a sheet (if it doesn't come with the optic you can Google/download it) that has some squares/dots on it. You tape it to a wall and follow a specific procedure with the rear (eye piece) focus. This is to adjust the optic to your eyes. After that, the only focusing you need to do is on the front (objective) focus. I can't tell you how huge of a difference this makes in the clarity, particularly out at 3-400 yds.

awesome thanks for that info!! I'll give that a try

Glad you like the TNV-14 Omni 8 unit. They are latest Mil-Spec tubes from L3, you made a great choice while complementing thermal with ID first that comes from using NV.

If you're weapon mounting, an IR laser is the most effective way to keep your head up and shoot. Some tips on using your NV, is to walk a lot, especially on uneven terrain to get used to the depth perception and leaving your dark adapted eye open. With practice, you brain will be able to switch back and forth from your NV eye, to your unaided dark eye that is a real benefit running a single monocular at times.

Another area of interests you will find in the near field and far field focusing. PVS-14's (once your diopter is set as the poster above described) you will have to constantly re-focus your lens every 5 yards or so when approx 30 yards and in. there are some nifty devices that allow you to near and far field focus at the same time, one of them is this device. http://tnvc.com/shop/matbock-tarsier-eclipse-nvg-focus-enhancer/ It was developed from a few NSW guys and I really like it that gives me the best of both focus worlds.

Have fun and enjoy your new PVS-14. If you have other tactics or training questions, please do not ever hesitate to call us. We're here after the sale as well as we are trainers and educators first. Thank you MDMORROW

P.S. Next year TNVC will have a full slate of NV training courses we will announce, so if you decide you want some formal training, we will be doing some commercial courses that are open to all US Citizens vs. our on-going restricted Mil/LE courses.

Vic