#NODs

I don’t normally use iron sights. Not when I can mount a red dot. But AMERIGLO offered up some of their iron sights for review and I opted for the AMERIGLO Tritium MBUS Pro front sight as well as optic height compatible tritium sights for my Glock 19X. Normally tritium and night vision do not go well with each other but you can use them and I will share with you how. The Friday Night Lights, this series is sponsored by ATN Corp, manufacturers of night vision and thermal optics like the THOR LT. As with all of our sponsored series, Friday Night Lights will continue to bring you unbiased news and reviews from a variety of companies.

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.”

There is a common trope in the night vision world: 1 < 2 < 4. These numbers refer to the quantity of tubes used in different sets of NODs (Night-vision Optical Devices). Monoculars like the PVS-14 or Photonis Vyper-14 are inherently more limited than binocular devices like DTNVGs, and “ panoramic” quad-tube NODs like GPNVGs are heralded by many as the holy grail of seeing in the dark – hence, one tube isn’t as good as two tubes, which aren’t as good as four. Although in practicality, the four vs. two debate is a bit more complex than this somewhat trite representation, with factors like weight entering the mix, the fact remains that quads are a big deal (and come with the big price tag to match). Doubtlessly, there is something to be said for panos’ offering of a wider field of view and resultant better situational awareness.

For this week’s Friday Night Lights we resume our Dual Tube Spotlight and look at a new bino NVG from ATN. The ATN PS31 is an articulating housing that resembles an L3 PVS-31 but it has features that set it apart from the pinnacle of dual tube night vision goggles.

Let’s take a break from the expensive gear posts and start at that pertain to night vision. There are techniques and things I take for granted regarding night vision. This is just because of my experience with night vision and my voracious appetite for night vision related information and content. They seem like common sense to me but not everyone has had the experience I have had with night vision and some people have owned night vision longer than me but have hardly used them. So I will spend this week’s Friday Night Lights on a primer article about how to use NODs for beginners.

Ops Core’s new Step-In Visor offers an innovative solution for eye protection. The Step-In Visor offers eye protection that is easily connected to a bump or ballistic Ops Core helmet having your personal protective equipment readily available in time of need. The Step-In Visor is available in Black, Tan, Foliage Green and Urban Gray and has an MSRP of $275.

TNVC Night Fighter Armed Professional is a course put on by Tactical Night Vision Company in order to provide vetted civilians and professionals with the tools to fight under varied lighting conditions. Students are expected to already have an understanding of low light and no light operations.

Night vision is an incredible tool, but to utilize it to its full potential it often must be able to be used in a handsfree manner. Everyone sees the “tacticool” helmet systems worn with NODs by all the tier 1 units. These are effective, but not all users need ballistic protection, strobes, or have the extra cash to devote to a helmet setup. Bump helmets are a good compromise, but again these are still relatively expensive and too bulky for some uses. Finally, many have seen and used a NVG head harness like the standard “skull crusher” that comes in the kit included with most PVS-14 units. While cheap, this system is so uncomfortable that it really is ineffective. During nearly any form of movement as the night vision bounces around and away from the eye.

Night vision goggles are a great tool but are not always practical. Sometimes we simply have to utilize our natural night vision. In order to get the most out of our natural night vision we should understand how our eyes see at night.

JW Ramp took this photo of his friend who wanted a new Tinder picture. This is what they came up with. BCM AR with DBAL, Surefire Scoutlight, Aimpoint T1 and what looks like Ramp’s bino MOD3 NODS. Who here uses NODS and Tinder? Perhaps not both at the same time.

As I drive closer and closer towards the night vision world, I am beginning to take notice of the near limitless amount of accessories available. And unless you plan on a weapon-mounted setup, shooting with night vision is going to require some sort of mounting platform – most likely a helmet. However, a side effect of mounting extra ounces to your forehead means that your helmet, and consequently your night vision, will want to pull the front of your helment downwards.