I know nothing about it but I’ve decided it’s something I need to get into sooner (relatively) than later. There’s a few WP thinfilm 14s in the EE I’ve been eyeing. Also looking at helmets and whatnot. Anyway, howdy

Good advise, thanks.

You won't be sorry.  I bought a PVS14 from TNVC a few years ago and love it.  
My setup is a disaster though.  I recently got a HHV helmet with MLOK and can't seem to figure out how to get an IR  flashlight mounted on it with the Peltor attachments in the way.  Maybe velcro?  Anyway TNVC hooked me up for sure, it's a nice optic.

Duck tape?

Buy once cry once.  If you roll with a 14, thats great.  But dont skimp on the other stuff - helmet / skullcap, shroud, mount (hint, wilcox G24), lights, lasers etc.  I spent ‘little’ early on only to have to redo it later.  Buy once cry once.

My set up , for 14
D14 bridge
Wilcox G24
OpsCore Fast bump
KineticCounseling NERD for retention.

I use the DTNVS most of the time tho, and relegate the 14 for friends.  

For the friends who use the 14 i use a crye nightcap, wilcox shroud with a retention bungee and an norotos aka2 with dovetail, all old gear from my 14 setup.

I’m hip with the buy once cry once crowd.

My issue is figuring out what all that shit you posted is lol
I know the G24 mount is king, the bridge is for mounting 2 side by side correct?

Get a good helmet whatever you do.   The cost vs comfort will pay off big time. It’s important enough you might try out someone’s to make sure the size fits you.

Yes, not needed in your case.  A j arm with a dovetail would be though if you run a dovetail mount, which I would highly suggest.  Never was happy with the standard bayo mount.  I have the bridge because I also run my nox thermal on it.  Hard to achieve true fusion, but is good for spotting.

Def this.  Try out peoples helmets / gear / setups if at all possible.   Post here or in your HTF, see who is around that can help.  Hell, IM your location in TX and if you are nearby we can link up.

Yea, I don’t have any friends with NV. I’m in the Spring/Woodlands area though.

That down near Houston or DFW?

Look at the unity tactical marks and thyrm variarc.  That's what I use and my flashlight fits fine.  Plus, the variarc rotates to point the direction you need it.

Welcome!

Everyone said I'd get sucked into it, but honestly, I've been 100% happy with my PVS14 and decided against buying a MAWL as my dedicated night gun is a shotgun. It works pretty well passive aiming via aimpoint micro and with a Surefire vampire, and I can't PID stuff at MAWL distance, anyways. The shotgun is fast, accurate, and instant. So I actually got pulled in LESS than I was planning to step in myself.

That said, don't be poor!

What I mean by that, is if there is a "JuST As GuD" solution that will save you a few bucks when it comes to all this stuff...just don't. You don't have to spend bank to have a solid setup, but if you're going to buy a helmet, buy TW, Opscor, stuff like that. None of this chinese HHV or airsoft crap, because then you run into fitment issues with all of the OTHER stuff that makes this thing a package. Also, don't mix Wilcox and Norotos. Stay all Wilcox, or all Norotos. I'd buy second hand gear from a vetted source far before I bought new Chinese anything, if you're looking to save a buck.

As far as PVS14 vs. Bino, assess your own needs, and try both! I have seen lots of people buy PVS14 and wish they had gone bino, while myself was set on binos nearly, until I tried a set as well as a 14, and decided on and am very pleased with my 14.

NV dealers love to throw shade and smack talk and make tongue in cheek jabs and all that. Just ignore the dick helicoptering. I personally prefer TNVC, but there are a lot of other companies out there making PVS14's and binos that others swear by just the same. The night vision world is way testier than the street racing world, or the highschool dating world, so just...know that. It's like Game of Thrones or some shit. Just be aware of it.

My opinion: The custom tubes TNVC gets from L3 are EXCELLENT. Noone else gets those, and TNVC's 18um tubes have amazing screen cosmetics. They will also let you pick your specs and don't bill a cent extra for it. Except for this XLSH sale, they have nailed their deadlines from what I've seen, as well. The XLSH sale put everyone behind due to the wild volume, big time.

If you're going to go with a Photonis tube, JRH seems to really be pursuing that market, but for L3 filmless, TNVC is who I'd heartily recommend.

Congrats

Sorry, north Houston.

Texas Thermal Mafia territory. You're right near a lot of good guys if you want to go local. UNV, as well as a few others.

I presume you plan to get out of town to use this thing? If so, it can get kinda dark...I recommend L3 filmess, and pick a spicy tube. I used to live in S TX, as well as NE TX, and have friends all around you. Outside of the cities, it can get reallll dark.

Yea we have some property up north of Huntsville I plan on using this at. And I didn’t find anything when I searched for Texas thermal Mafia, is that a real thing or just something that went over my head?

The whole area you are in is filled with companies who deal in thermal. It's like the silicon valley of thermal.

This. Only buy quality. You don't have to get the top of the line but get something quality with a good warranty. A solid pvs14 is all sorts of useful and even if you upgrade to duals or better tubes you will have family and friends that will want to go larping with you and you don't want them wearing junk. Plan the whole thing out before you start buying. Are you married and and is your wife going to want to go?

My wife and I each have this as our base setup.

2500$ xls pvs14 from tnvc/night goggles
475$ Team wendy or ops core bump helmet with
       marshmallow pads and Mohawk from tnvc.
120$ rhino2 off ebay
 75$ pvs15 dovetail adapter from tnvc
175$ Mod Armory dovetail j-arm adapter
275$ tlr2 eye safe laser/illuminater off ebay. I've only used it on a pistol but will try on a carbine soon. Will supposedly take the streamlight tailcap for a remote switch. At any rate it'll get you started and can be used on a pistol when you upgrade.

3620$

If you think you'll run a 2nd device in the future (which you will) get the Mod Armory d14 bridge instead of the jarm. Run as a single mount with the dovetail mount and screw removed it only weighs .9 oz more than the jarm. I would recommend this upgrade and you'd be a little over 4k with shipping.

You will probably want thermal also so factor that in.

Very good info, thanks.

I’m looking at the EE but also new options from TNVC. Looks about $3600 from them for a good 14. I also found this one but I’m not sure what the specs mean. Also, echo spec makes me think lower quality tubes maybe? It does have a 10y warranty though.

I'm sure anything from jrh is solid. I ordered my nox from them and they along with tnvc/nightgoggles are very active on these forums. If your not going to just order an xls an move on with your life you need to do some serious research if you want to get your $ worth out of a more expensive tube. I'm very happy with our xls but I kinda view nightvision as a vehicle for hauling my thermal around so ymmv.

Well, I’m 9 hrs N of you bud.  

As mentioned, there are lots of people in your AO who will let you play with their setup.  Dont be afraid to ask!

I can second Robert at JRH.   Upstanding guy and takes care of his customers.  If you go with JRH, call him for the best deal.

And, my .02, I would not go with an xls system unless I went with a bino form.  XLS can offer a good image but suffers from limitations that unfilmed overpowers in certain situations, ie, buy a good unfilmed wp 14 or buy bino xls.  

While the man with one eye in the land of the blind is king, the man with two eyes slaughters them all.

Enjoy the ride OP, but be prepared for bino-envy.  In six months I went from 1 Sionyx > 2 Sionyx > pvs14 > now waiting on my binos

The XLS stuff seems to be OOS.

https://tnvc.com/shop/echo-arms-fast-attach-m-lok-plate/

@soccommatthews Shoot me a PM, my dude. I live and work in the area. You’re definitely welcome to come try out my wizard eyes (green poorbois), thermal (Zeus 640, 30 Hz cause I’m poor) and LAMs. I’ve even got a spot I can night hunt (not that I’ve seen anything lately) just north of intersection of the San Jac and 45 in Conroe.

THERE YA GO!!!!
THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT!!   Way to step up lilMAC!!!! ??

I love letting people play with the setups I have. I have a camping trip planned this May 15-18. I've invited several Arfcommers to come on out and have met several great people. I bring all my fun toys and give everyone free reign to try it out. All I ask is to please don't break my shit. OP if you're free that weekend PM me and I'll send you the location.

OP, take Will up on this. Definitely good people.

I bought an ECHO from JRH and its great. No, its not unfilmed WP but for my budget and uses it like having a super power. SNR:32 and RES:68 here.

I have a new gen 2+ ATN PS-22 I'm going to be trying out this May too. I got it mainly for my DPMS .308 but I will be testing it on my primary AR-15 also. I have plenty of ammo to share.

@GreenMushroom

I was out last night sighting in a 9mm AR.  I have the TLR-2 eyesafe on the top rail where my front sight used to be.  When you put it on the bottom rail you are 5 inches below the line of sight through your Aimpoint, etc.  On the top rail I am almost in line with my Aimpoint.

I am 2.5in high at the muzzle, of course, and 2 in low at 90 yds.

I am thinking I will do the exact same thing with a 5.56 with a 50yd zero and be good out to about 250 yds.

The tailcap is the same as other TLRs, so the remote switch should be no issue.

When I am out in pastures the illumination/laser distance is 200+ yds.

Duuuuuude...IM inbound

Oh, I am in the Schertz / Cibolo area and the place I go camping is just south of Smithville.

Ahh, got it. That’s over by Bastrop so I’m a little familiar with the area.

Pretty much what I do. 50 yd zero, confirm I’m hitting a 1’ square at about 100.

Thanks @Lowdown3. I will

They open orders for a couple days and then get flooded and shut it down while they catch up. You'd have to call tnvc/nightgoggles to find out when they're going to open the orders again. If cost isn't your primary concern im sure that jrh tube would work great. In my case needing one for me and one for my wife and us both wanting thermal as well the high dollar tubes were not an option. My xls at least were an incredible value and the other reviews I read everyone seems to be happy with them.

Totally makes sense. Knowing myself, if I got that unit I would be question myself on it (should I have got the other one, how much better would it have been, over and over) until I finally broke down and purchased a “higher end” device. Maybe that’s a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. Right now I’m pretty settled on a L3/Harris gen3 thin film WP device with a G24 mount and j-arm. Those seem to be the items that have the waitlist. While those are ordered I’ll try and find deals on the helmet and whatever else I need. But I’m still open to other devices, still checking out the different sites, etc.

There's been some good threads recently comparing what you get for your money with the higher end tubes. If I was gonna step up from xls I would probably jump all the way to filmless. Probably with one of these.

https://tnvc.com/shop/tnvpvs-14-l3-gen3-un-filmed-white-phosphor-2/

Limited lifetime warranty vrs the 1 year of the L3 supertubes that are 5k. I don't fully understand the process but  I believe you can ask for set specifications on those also. Not clear on what happens if your 5k L3 tube goes tits up at 1 year and 1 day but I don't think I'd want to find out. All speculation aside though if your gonna wade into deeper waters I'd call tnvc and jrh. They are the real experts.

Nice to meet you @soccommatthews

Shame we didn’t see any hogs

You as well my friend. I appreciate the knowledge and I had a blast walking with you in the moonlight under the stars

I’d love to do it again sometime.

This is why I love this place.  That, and the imitation crab meetups!

@socommatthews

I decided the same not long ago. I unintentionally did it on a budget when I ran across a good deal on a Gen3 PVS7 here on the equipment exchange. Member had +1K feedback so I felt pretty comfortable with my purchase.

Anyways, for under $2,500 I was able to get everything I needed. It allowed me money left over to get the weapon mounted equipment. Will upgrade the goggle later of course whenever funds are available.

Located in San Antonio if you ever feel like linking up (if you want to try on some peasant quality NV )
*Sorry OP, should have read earlier in your thread when you mentioned you are in Houston

Attached File

@French1966, I'm also located in the San Antonio area in the Cibolo/Scertz area. Been looking for a local group for night vision practice, maybe after dark hikes. As I posted above I have a camping trip planned for May 15-18. If you want the location PM me.

Awesome, and very kind of you to reach out. Expect a PM shortly