Night vision + helmet setup

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Thank you.