#NightVision.

Hard Head Veterans, a veteran-owned and operated helmet manufacturing company, announces the launch of the HHV ATE GEN3 Ballistic Helmet. These updated and modern ballistic helmets are made in Texas and designed by Americans who have experience in law enforcement, military, and other fields that contribute to making a high-quality ballistic-rated helmet. The new ATE GEN3 helmets have taken loads of customer feedback and now include a dial adjustable chin strap, a superior protection profile, and new night vision-compatible shrouds.

James Reeves is at IWA 2024 visiting the PARD booth to discuss their new digital combo units – rifle scopes that use both digital night vision and thermal. The PARD TD32/TD62 are multi-spectral scopes that offer both thermal imaging and visible light sensors for daytime and nighttime use. These scopes allow for separate or combined use of thermal and night vision imagery, featuring Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode for enhanced observation and identification. They use high-sensitivity thermal detectors with resolutions of either 384×288 or 640×512, and a NETD of ≤25mK. The TD32/TD62 models are equipped with an 800×800 IPS ultra-high definition circular display, offering a comfortable and clear visual experience similar to traditional optical scopes. They also feature a 100mm long eye relief for comfortable extended use, a 1200-yard Laser Range Finder (LRF) with ballistic calculation capabilities, and one-shot zeroing for thermal and night vision channels for precise shooting. These scopes are designed for durability, with an IP67 waterproof rating and 6000J recoil resistance, and they come with replaceable and rechargeable 21700 batteries for extended use.

While I am not a long range shooter nor do I shoot clip on night vision, I do know that MDT makes quality gear. The MDT ACC Elite NV Bridge allows for the use of clip on night vision or thermal optics in front of a magnified optic when using the MDT Elite Chassis. Additional details can be found below .

Hunting enthusiasts can now upgrade their gear with the latest in thermal technology thanks to Liemke’s newest line of premium thermal optics, the Luchs-1 and Luchs-2. Made in Wetzlar, Germany, these devices offer high-definition thermal imaging and versatile use as a handheld monocular or attachment to any daytime riflescope. With whisper-quiet calibration, rapid refresh rates, and easy operation, the Luchs line incorporates the latest in thermal technology to provide hunters with detailed and high-contrast images of their prey.

Armasight, a manufacturer of night vision optics, thermal imagers, and illumination devices, has just released a new IR illuminator. The Armasight Watchman IR illuminator can be handheld or weapon mounted, runs on either a single 18650 rechargeable battery or two CR123 lithium batteries, and has a high output of 600 mW. The package includes a weapon mount, tape switch, and an 18650 battery.

Welcome back to another Friday Night Lights. Last week I posted about some hidden night vision related gems at SHOT Show 2023. TFB in the Dark returns with full auto M16s, night vision and other machine gun night vision shoots during SHOT Show. There were four night shoots last week including the TFB staff shoot. Let’s see what people played with in the dark.

Last month I was in Germany for a week. While I was there, I stopped by to check out IEA MIL Optics. I know them as one of the premier night vision dealers in Europe. They are an L3, Unity Tactical, EOTech and Wilcox dealer. They have other products not just those and they are a firearms dealer. Their head of workshop, Leon Kurz, gave me a tour of their gun room. They have some very interesting firearms.

Eye protection from high-powered lasers is a safety aspect a lot of people look over. While most of us aren’t getting blasted daily with unsafe wavelengths and intensities of light, law enforcement, military, industrial workers, and those who like to train with night vision sometimes are. Gatorz Eyewear wants to help fill the gap that exists within the eye protection world with their new Laser Defender Technology which will be made available first with their Magnum and Specter frames.

Leica is well known German optics company that is probably more renowned for their cameras than its sports optics. However, the company has been slowly adding to its sport optics category, and today they are happy to announce their first-ever Premium riflescope with the introduction of the Calonox Trinity. This new riflescope is intended to offer shooters a “turnkey” solution for both day and night time precision shooting applications.

X-Vision Optics is a Minnesota-based company that focuses on providing customers with infrared night vision devices for hunting. The X-Vision Optics XANR100 Night Vision Rangefinder combines a number of technologies and features to give the customer a capable, convenient, and affordable method for extending their night-time shooting capabilities. Like the rest of X-Vision’s night vision optics, the XANR100 Night Vision Rangefinder comes with a built-in IR Cutter for illuminating targets at distances of up to 150 yards.

Earlier this year Pulsar sent us a really interesting new toy, and it has now been made official. Pulsar calls it a new generation of multispectral binoculars, named Trionyx T3/T3i. With these magic binoculars, you get a combination of thermal, digital night vision and overlay fusion imaging. The Trionyx T3/T3i models are designed for hunting, search and rescue, personal security, and outdoor recreation.

Welcome to the first episode of the TFB B-Side Podcast. The B-Side podcast is going to be a little less focused and a little more light-hearted than the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast. This week I brought on one of TFBTV’s favorite presenters, Hop.  On today’s show, Hop and I discuss what we call the Hierarchy of Gear Needs and how it applies to responsible citizens going about their daily business. We talk all about the gear and firearms that you run into out in the wild and hopefully provide a perspective to those new to the industry for what order to buy your gear in if you’re interested in becoming prepared incrementally for unforeseen events. Let us know your thoughts and experiences with this subject after you listen and we look forward to hearing from you in the next episode.

One of the country’s leading digital night vision device manufactures has landed a pretty big contract with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. SIONYX recently acquired a 5-year long contract to provide FBI agents with the pocket-sized Aurora PRO digital night vision camcorder to allow their agents to capture full-color daylight images in low light conditions. The SIONYX Aurora PRO operates using an extremely light-sensitive sensor in stark contrast to true night vision devices which use image intensifier tubes.

Night Vision Devices is a Pennsylvania-based operation providing low-light optical solutions for both US and foreign governmental agencies, as well as the growing civilian night vision market. The company describes themselves as: “…the source for the highest quality US manufactured night vision binoculars, monoculars, weapon sights, night vision parts and service in the industry. Incorporated in 2005, NVD is a U.S. Veteran Owned Small Business that prides itself on being a premier manufacturer and tactical integrator of night vision binoculars, monoculars and weapon sights which are built to full MIL-SPEC qualifications. NVD is currently the third largest system manufacturer of Image Intensified (I2) night vision systems in the United States.”

At the Gathering at the Sawmill 2021 which was an event put on by Palmetto State Armory, EOTech teamed up with PSA to showcase the PVS-24, a clip-on night vision device that will soon be made available through PSA to the civilian market.