Setting Up Your Night Vision & IR Laser

I get a lot of questions, whether its via email or in comments, about setting up night vision equipment. Its something I cover in the Scout Course and the upcoming Carbine Course, not just setting them up but operating under them individually and as a team. And while there’s a few different ways to set your gear up, I’m a traditionalist and above all, keeping as simple a layout as possible. The simpler, the more rugged, the better.

My night vision device of choice is the PVS-14- its a simple and very rugged unit, and the one I’ve used since my first deployment to Iraq 14 years ago (hard to believe its been that long) and specifically, the newer white phosphor unit. I love it- it looks like how the outdoors look right after a snowstorm, and the advantage really is amazing to see even over the old green tubes that used to give us the little gremlins after moving under them all night (if you know what I’m referencing, you know what I’m saying;) ). Its a lightweight, single tube unit that can either be mounted in front of my ACOG (or some other optics) as well as on my head- making an efficient combination for multiple uses.

My old, tattered ACH helmet still painted from overseas work, replete with the X-nape straps for comfort. Not tacticool these days, but definitely functional and more affordable.

How I set mine up on my head is pretty simple- I cover my non-dominant eye because I can still use red dots with my dominant eye at night. For some this is tricky and that’s not how everyone’s brain works and I get it. But it works for me. But also, as everyone who’s done any night training with me knows, I can see very, very well at night and I keep my natural night vision in one of my eyes. In mounting it to my head, I run my old ACH helmet with the old school bolt-on rhino mount and flip-down J arm. I know, I know, there’s newer, latest n’ greatest stuff out there. But I’ve been running this setup a LONG time and its never let me down. Its light enough, and since the ACH is not a cool-guy piece of gear anymore, but it works.

Fighting with a weapon under NODs requires an IR laser to aim. Mine is mounted out front and centerline with the bore. No pressure switches to break either- I index the laser with my thumb. The sling loop just behind it serves as the memory point for my support hand and every one of my ARs are set up this way for commonality. The PEQ-15 is just one option of several on the market that are good to go, but its also one that sits the lowest on a rail so that there’s no obstructions in my field of view through the ACOG.

The package is light, streamlined and effective. There’s no bullshit hanging off the sides to get caught in my working environment and no bells, whistles or gimmicks.
The way it should be.

By NC ScoutPublished On: June 17, 2021Categories: NC Scout, Weapons36 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

36 Comments

SOG June 17, 2021 at 09:15

ACH helmet no bullshit i have one with almost identical color pattern sprayed in the backyard paint booth!
also ACH can still fit slim earpro such as walker razor, if you are looking for inexpensive helmets this is the way i have even seen them as low as 75 bucks at mil surplus shop and they are kevlar so your noodle has some protection. the bolt on mounts for nods can still be found for cheap so there is a lot of bang for your buck with these
the opscores and team wendy’s are cool and they serve a purpose but if you are building out kit for a tribe your family etc.. these ACH’s are the way to go.
- Johnny Paratrooper June 17, 2021 at 17:08
  
  The helmet over the headphones thing works ok. But DAMN is it hot. I couldn’t take it in the summer in the Middle East. I just rolled naked. But during the winter it’s nice because it keeps your ears warm.
ghostsniper June 17, 2021 at 11:04

Way too expensive for me. Just hafta stay old skool I guess.
- NC Scout June 17, 2021 at 11:08
  
  What’s that saying about being in the land of the blind?
  - KOBK June 17, 2021 at 11:42
    
    No doubt the shekels are high for this gear and some are working towards it.
    However, some simply will never have the bread.
    It would be great for those cats to find “hunting grade” options for night vision, lasers and thermal that could put SOMETHING within their reach. We don’t want to sell the idea of saving money going this route vs getting the real deal for sure, but there must be something to help those who have no other choice.
    I just started looking for these options for some friends whom I know will never be able to afford mil. grade NOD’s etc. no matter how much they see the need for it.
    Just embarked on this journey to have something to suggest so nothing to offer at the moment but someone else must have some ideas.
    I recall you Scout mentioning on one of two of your live shows a class member showing you a Leupold (?) NV device that was impressive ? I’ll have to go back and find the comment and go from there.
    - SOG June 17, 2021 at 12:57
      
      low price options are gen 1+ night vision devices
      or ATN or sightmark Digital NV scopes in the 400-600 range
      you can obtain something, even a handheld viewer for a few hundred, sold my Harley Project bike i bike and some other crap to score my first real NVD, there is always something that can be sold, traded or worked part time to obtain these tools
      https://nightvisionexperts.com/collections/gen1/products/ghost-hunter-1×24-gen1-night-vision-goggles (these are cheap and the airsoft crowd has been snapping them up)
      https://www.ebay.com/itm/164902876947?epid=140982988&hash=item2664fa3713:g:a68AAOSw5URgoKNq
      https://www.atncorp.com/smart-hd-weapon-sight (weapn mounted digi nv sub 700$) the weapon mounted options have reticles so no need for laser
      https://www.atncorp.com/night-vision-goggles PVS 7 models here under $2K even the WPT
      https://www.atncorp.com/atn-nvg7-wpt-night-vision-goggles
      https://www.atncorp.com/thermal-monoculars
      AGM makes some handheld units
      Adapt over come and be creative and resourceful
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZvFEwD8vjA
      - KOBK June 17, 2021 at 17:03
        
        Excellent suggestions SOG, thank you.
        I’d rather some of my guys & friends have something so they don’t shoot me !
        Even if they can up grade to the real deal down the line it’s a good start. Appreciate it.
      - James June 17, 2021 at 20:41
        
        Thanx SOG,these seem some good alts for folks with a tight budget and also for me with a bit of a bigger budget items might want for me crossbow without breaking the bank,still want 14’s,can afford but still trying to learn what I can before I make the leap.
      - NC Scout June 17, 2021 at 21:24
        
        There’s NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH with night vision. You 100% get what you pay for.
    - VAdeputy June 17, 2021 at 16:19
      
      Sionyx Aurora Black digital NV. Around $900…. Digital night vision that I believe can be attached to a helmet or head mount device.
      Better than not having anything except the Mark I eyeball…..
      - New Name June 19, 2021 at 23:05
        
        While better than some options, some of the Aurora lineup has some serious limitations.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zrdBpKv18c
Anonymous June 17, 2021 at 11:23

4
boss21 June 17, 2021 at 14:41

Even Jesus said to sell your garment to buy a sword. Not having these things is a no go
The wife grumbled a bit when I got one years ago until she looked through it.
bill June 17, 2021 at 17:05

Ok we have the cool Night vision stuff, So my question is : Can you see Game Camera ? Can you blind the camera, Hack the wifi signal and see other cameras in your location.
Just askin for a friend.
- vyt1az June 17, 2021 at 18:37
  
  I don’t know of any game cameras that don’t use IR illuminators to see at night, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to see them lit up like a flashlight at night under NVGs.
  - bill June 17, 2021 at 22:04
    
    Good answer, thanks
- NC Scout June 17, 2021 at 21:26
  
  It’s not that I don’t understand this question, it’s that the premise is silly and you’re jumping all over the place with what you’re asking.
  And no, I’m not going to tell you how to jam a signal on the internet.
Alex June 18, 2021 at 08:02

Digital night vision is not an acceptable substitute because the image you’re seeing has a lag time. If you have an enemy trying to maneuver on you, and your digital makeshift NODs aren’t giving you a real time depiction, you’re going to get fucked. I would add a Trijicon RMR mounted to the top of your ACOG for passive shooting. We’re at a point where NV is more ubiquitous than ever before. IR Lasers can give your position away.
- Johnny Paratrooper June 18, 2021 at 10:10
  
  The problem with the RMR mounts is that as soon as you try to climb a wall, ladder, or dive for cover, your RMR breaks into a dozen pieces. I was issued 16 of those things to mount to the ACOGs that the Squadleaders had in Baghdad and within two weeks every single one was broken. Without exception. Every single one.
- SOG June 18, 2021 at 13:21
  
  I was referencing digital or thermal hunting scopes on dedicated rifle such as hog hunters use. for example some are in the 400-600 range and now you have a night capable rifleor spare upper that is a night time multiplier etc.. digi head mounted arrangements i would not suggest.
  As NC noted you get what you pay for with NVG and Thermals there are no shortcuts but if you absolutely need to see at night a rifle mounted or handheld optic/thermal can be obtained,AGM,FLIR etc..
  - Luke June 19, 2021 at 21:40
    
    Good info in this thread. Was telling NC between jobs but will be fine at some point. Will pick up a NV. He probably saved me money just on what he recommended alone (monocular) around $3k. The IR laser PEQ-15 was something I didn’t think would be so pricey but looked at the link and whoa. Anything you recommend SOG that might work as good? Thanks in advance.
    - SOG June 23, 2021 at 14:34
      
      Steiner Dbals, or on the cheaper side the holosun IR/Visible laser combos are price friendly. the DBals have gone up in price/value and are engineered very well so i would go with that option.
Randy June 18, 2021 at 11:14

Thoughts on the crye nightcap? Theoretically seems good for a guerrilla force since it can stowed in a pocket or pouch along with the PVS when not in use.
HP June 18, 2021 at 12:17

Thanks for this info! Very helpful.
JB June 19, 2021 at 21:03

BE ADVISED that some of the digital NV devices also are RF beacons as they contain wi-fi and bluetooth emitters. I do not own any and perhaps these transmitters can be turned off in the setup options. Just as IR emitters are like beacons to NV devices, RF emitters are beacons to radio recievers. A sophisticated enemy today carries equipment to detect and locate RF sources.
I also note these low cost devices lack serious environmental protections, as stated by their maker as “weather resistant,” a highly subjective term. My rule of thumb has always been to not go cheap if my life may depend. on it.
Perhaps the author could evaluate these low cost digital devices for a future article.
One example I refer to is this devices specifications:
https://www.atncorp.com/x-sight4k-pro-day-night-rifle-scope-3-14x
KOBK June 20, 2021 at 19:48

Question for you gentlemen if someone happens to know off hand …
Which of the 3 main lasers (Dbal, Holosun LS321 I think is the model, or the Peq15) have the lowest profile ?
I prefer my red-dots at absolute 1.4″ (not the typical 1/3 lower co-witness).
Concerned about the IR laser being somewhat in the field of view.
Thanks guys.
- NC Scout June 21, 2021 at 10:22
  
  I have all three. PEQ-15.
  - KOBK June 21, 2021 at 13:24
    
    It’s never the cheaper one … LOL
    Thanks for the information Scout. Excellent thread, very informative.
    - NC Scout June 21, 2021 at 15:14
      
      The Russian Perst-4 sits just as low, but I’m still getting it and can’t give it a definite yay or nay just yet.
      - KOBK June 21, 2021 at 16:12
        
        yeah I’ve been eyeing that one as well since you guys mentioned it on the live show. Looks like it could be a decent alternative.
      - NC Scout June 21, 2021 at 18:18
        
        So far, so good.
- Johnny Paratrooper June 21, 2021 at 15:07
  
  I haven’t seen a PEQ-15 in years, but I remember them being nearly the same size as the Steiner. The Steiner however has some sharper edges on it because it’s made of metal and sits a little higher on the weapon.
  I would have to agree with Scout. I remember the PEQ-15 being around the same size as the Steiner, but the PEQ-15 is tucked in a little lower. Almost the same as a Steiner but squished into the rails.
  - KOBK June 23, 2021 at 20:28
    
    Thanks for the additional info JP on the PEQ-5 vs the Steiner Dbal.
    I’m really digging how small that Russian Perst-4 is. That one is nice and compact but it’s of course missing the IR illumination. Their full featured models seem in the typical size range.
- Luke June 21, 2021 at 15:43
  
  Hi KOBK you seem to know a great deal about NV. When NC first came out with this it was very helpful to novices like myself. He said he mounts the NV monocular to cover his non dominant eye. I am assuming at that point any shots made in the daylight would be biz as usual (dominant eye thru the red dot). Do you envision a time at night you would want to use the red dot with the monocular as opposed to using the using the IR laser? Seems like that would be tricky using the non dominant eye?
  I know I owe NC a training but I’m a good 700 miles away and times have not been to my favor (work and such). Not complaining but I did mean to eventually come to The Carolinas to tighten up.
  - NC Scout June 21, 2021 at 18:22
    
    Red dots are visible to an adversary as well. Proved it in the Scout Course.
    What he’s talking about is the same concept of occlusive sights (like the old armasight) and the Bindon Aiming Concept incorporates into the ACOG. It works for some people but not all, and only when one eye is covered. The theory is your brain puts the dot together with the night vision from the other eye.
    It works for some, but not all. Setting up night vision equipment seriously requires the help of someone who’s done it to do it right.
  - KOBK June 23, 2021 at 20:57
    
    Hey Luke,
    I’m certainly no expert, nowhere near the class of guys here and Scout already answered it.
    With a little practice your brain puts the images together. I’ve read about people who simply cannot do it but personally have never had an issue.
    Daily I practice with various optics ranging from 2x, 3x 5x prisms and LPVO’s with the Bindon aiming concept. I just go in the backyard, pick something in the tree line and go from a low ready to being on target. Start slow, build it up. It really does take a little work. And there’s no doubt it’s a hair slower than a red-dot (everything is !) but it’s very doable and realistic. And if you “lose” the image combination you simply blink and recombine it. Takes longer to type that out than to do it.
    It might seem weird at first but check it out. It’s just another tool in the toolbox.
    The night vision non-dominant eye / red dot dominant eye is kinda the same concept. To prove that try the scope cover trick Johnny Paratrooper details in his article form the last couple days. Cover the front of your red-dot and look at your target with your non-dominant eye in various light conditions. It absolutely works (for me). The trick is to NOT concentrate on the red–dot or you will see the black (lack of image due to cover) around it. If you just kinda “go with it” your mind will actually see what’s in front of the covered red-dot believe it or not. I swear I can actually see “through” the scope cover. I know that sounds weird to anyone who hasn’t worked it out, but those who have know exactly what I’m sayin’.
    Once you get the hang of it with covered red-dot, covered scope. or various powered prisms or scopes uncovered…. practice the Bindon concept while moving. You will get faster and more comfortable with it. Feels really weird t first but don’t give up on it. You will be glad you didn’t. And don’t get discouraged if its slow and you often lose the combined image at first. That’s totally normal and that’s why we practice.
    And yes, Scout is indeed correct about advisory being able to see your red-dot. Something to be aware of.