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Posted: 11/26/2002 7:20:15 PM EDT
| Did all my time back in the 80's when PVS5s and PVS4s were the latest so I know very little about the new breed of NVD's and using them along w/ the Aimpoint and EOtech sights. My questions are , Wearing a headmount set of PVS5s or PVS7s and using the night vision setting on one of the above sights mounted on a flattop AR15 , can you sight the rifle , index the dot and engage a human size target. I have been told that you can only use these dot sights along with a weapon mounted NVD like PVS14s , but I do not think this is true. I understand there are range limits due to the 1X tube of the NVDs and dot sight, but what distance do you think you could effective engage a human size target. Thanks for all help. |
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Para069, It will work optically, your PVS-5 or PVS-7 or a PVS-14 in a head mount will see the red dot just fine (you do need to have one of the red dot sights with the very, very dim NV-compatible settings). The problem is the six extra vertebrae you need in your neck to get the NV objective and visual axis aligned with the weapon (assuming it's a rifle) sight. It sounds easy until you try it. That's the whole reason for mounting the NVD on the rifle aft of a suitable red dot sight, or using a head mount for the NVD and an adjustable brightness IR laser pointer on the weapon. The ranges they'll all work at are generally a good bit further than many people think. There's very little inherent degradation in the accuracy of sighting the rifle. The bigger challenge is often in acquiring and ID'ing the target. For what it's worth, the NVDs will also work with a conventional unlighted reticle scope, or one with an illuminated reticle if it has sufficiently low brightness settings to not damage the NVD or cause it to bloom. I've used my PVS-14D behind an NXS 5.5-22 and can produce groups nearly as good as in the daylight (nothing to brag about in either case). Pat |
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There are several models of NV gear that will work. The PVS-14, 6015 are monocular units that will mount on a rifle, or be used with a flip up headset. Used in conjunction with a night vision compable red dot sight, and you have a formidable approach to night time shooting. Keep in mind that this is a passive system too - you are not telegraphing your presence with a infrared laser. Anyone in your area that is also equipped with night vision could potentially detect an IR laser being used. |
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DevL, I don't understand, with a set of PVS7B's I have been able to use irons on a handgun outdoors. I haven't tried messing with indoor settings but I see no reason why iron sights on a handgun can't work. An AR is a whole different ballgame, when it comes to ARs I agree with Pat_Yates. Also remember that when the NV is a mounted scope on a weapon it may give away your position by lighting up your face in green when you move your face away from the sight. Also, you lose alot of flexibility when the NV is mounted to the gun--if you want to see something, you have to aim your gun at it... not so cool when checking that your team is maintaining their positions correctly. As far as the enemy detecting IR lasers... well I suppose if we were fighting the Army Rangers or the Russian Spetsnatz or something, it could be an issue, but even then it boils down to tactics... if you suspect the enemy does not have night vision, use your knight vision. If you suspect the enemy DOES have night vision, use flares, sure-fire type weapon lights, even spotlights or vehicle headlights to your advantage, in, for example, a near ambush situation, where you can neutralize the enemy's NV capability and then quickly neutralize THEM before they manage to un-ass their NV gear and adapt to your tactic. At a squad or fire-team level, that is why I believe that powerful lights and NV are not mutually exclusive, but rather complimentary to each other. If the enemy is ready for A, do B. If the enemy is ready for B, do A. |
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I was using the handgun at 25 yards. PVS7B's can focus close enough to be appropriate for map-reading. The focus settings are very general, I was able to alternately focus on my sight picture and on the target, 25 yards away, without adjusting the goggles at all. Try some 7's sometime and you'll see what I mean. This is why you pay $1400+ for the goggles. They are so good it's like cheating. |
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It was actually my friend's set of goggles. He claims that he got them used for $1400. He is also ex military and has alot of contacts in the army still. My guess is someone took them off base and "forgot" to bring them back. Oops! Don't you hate it when that happens? |
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A red dot or reflex on top of a flat-top receiver & a PVS-7B is doable. If you have the same optics on top of the carrying handle, you'll be contorting your neck to get a decent sight picture. I have an PVS-7B (51lp) on a PASGT helmet mount and a reflex here in this picture. 
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