Forums46
Topics537,925
Posts9,730,747
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Night vision + helmet setup
#7230327
07/20/18 07:16 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634
floresrsr
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634 |
Folks, Im learning about night vision monoculars and the tactical helmets so that i can have a hands free setup. What is your setup? What are your pros and cons? Thanks in advance.
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war. Ernest Hemingway
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: floresrsr]
#7230452
07/20/18 01:10 PM
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,237
Double Naught Spy
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,237 |
I can cover a few of the cons of tactical helmets. I have tried them, don't like them. That isn't to say they are bad, just not for me.
1. Weight - First you have the helmet. Then you have your NOD(s). Then you have your counter balance weights on the helmet to offset the NOD(s) so as not to cause as much neck strain by the imbalanced distribution of weight caused by the NOD(s). Some folks get used to the weight. Others (like me) found it and the strain it caused to be unacceptable after long periods of hunting. 2. Bulk/height - people seem to bang their helmets on the door frame getting in and out of vehicles 3. May limit the use or type of hearing protection you want to use 4. May cause you to have to mount your rifle in a different manner 5. Depending on how you outfit your helmet, it may tend to snag on things in heavy brush
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: floresrsr]
#7230568
07/20/18 02:45 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,429
TLew
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,429 |
Agree with DNS -- you have to figure out if it's right for you.
I have an OPS-core BUMP helmet, wilcox bridge, and mount my Flir Breach to it for my non-dom eye. Battery pack goes in the counterweight pouch and all in all it's pretty light.
The advantage of my setup is I hate holding the monocular up to my eye for long periods of time while walking and worrying about my rifle, cords, straps, etc.. The disadvantage of my setup is that the breach reduce depth perception while walking, can't be used in pure dark situations like NODs can, and doesn't align with my eye "perfectly" because of how it was constructed. BLUF - I prefer the helmet setup still.
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: floresrsr]
#7231321
07/21/18 03:59 AM
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091 |
Team Wendy helmet, optics are below. Riding or walking, I wouldn’t do it any other way.
Takes a little practice, but I drive my Pioneer lights out with my Thermal, no problem.
Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50 M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: floresrsr]
#7232324
07/22/18 04:46 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915
hdfireman
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915 |
I agree with the Team Wendy helmet. I started with a cheap Chinese knock off and the Team Wendy is far superior. To start go with a Gen 3 PVS-14, j-arm and rhino mount and a counter balance. I have mine balanced so that I don't have a need for the chin strap. I use mine to drive and stalk and feel it is an important part of the way I hunt. When I get to a shooting position I remove the helmet and using the chin strap I hang it at my side on my extra rifle mag.
I agree it adds weight to you melon but I have gotten used to it and can wear all night long. The reason I like stalking with helmet mounted NV is I always have eyes on the target as I make my approach. There are many times a pig will think something is there and look right at me. I stop and wait for it to go back to eating. I can then move closer. Also I use an IR laser and in the event they alert and run I can immediately put rounds down range with the IR. I have seen many times when people make a stalk and as they get close the pigs will alert and move on because the hunters kept walking. You can do the same with a hand held thermal but then you are tying up a hand.
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: TLew]
#7233694
07/24/18 02:05 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634
floresrsr
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634 |
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war. Ernest Hemingway
|
|
|
Re: Night vision + helmet setup
[Re: hdfireman]
#7233697
07/24/18 02:06 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634
floresrsr
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634 |
I agree with the Team Wendy helmet. I started with a cheap Chinese knock off and the Team Wendy is far superior. To start go with a Gen 3 PVS-14, j-arm and rhino mount and a counter balance. I have mine balanced so that I don't have a need for the chin strap. I use mine to drive and stalk and feel it is an important part of the way I hunt. When I get to a shooting position I remove the helmet and using the chin strap I hang it at my side on my extra rifle mag.
I agree it adds weight to you melon but I have gotten used to it and can wear all night long. The reason I like stalking with helmet mounted NV is I always have eyes on the target as I make my approach. There are many times a pig will think something is there and look right at me. I stop and wait for it to go back to eating. I can then move closer. Also I use an IR laser and in the event they alert and run I can immediately put rounds down range with the IR. I have seen many times when people make a stalk and as they get close the pigs will alert and move on because the hunters kept walking. You can do the same with a hand held thermal but then you are tying up a hand. Thank you.
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war. Ernest Hemingway
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, txcornhusker
|