NV optics setup

[Nrai2020]

What are the recommended set ups for night vision goggles and using popular optics like EOTECH EXPS or TRIJICON ACOGS. Are these optics recommended when using night vision? Will a riser be needed? Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance

[dousan]

I use a exps3 on a Unity as well as another setup of a t1 on a Unity.
Riser not needed. some like a 1.93 or lower 1:3. Preference. Do what works best for you.

Acog isn?t ideal. Maybe put a dot on top but quite sure won?t see through it under night vision. Tube optics are less than ideal. Especially when shooting from awkward positions

[tacticalcity]

I am far from an expert, but I can share what I have learned over the past couple years.

Assuming you are running your night vision device on a helmet and not weapon mounted this is how it is typically done. Bear in mind, there are laws in California that regulate what can and cannot do with regards to running night vision. I am NOT addressing that here. Others will likely post that below. Or you can research it on your own. Just know weapon mounting the night vision device comes with more restrictions and is less practical than helmet mounting it. But it gets more complicated than that, legally speaking. Consider this advice for running night vision in a free state. Then research what California won't let you do from there.

RIFLES

ACOG is no go for a plethora of reasons. The tritium powered reticle is way too bright for use with night vision. And if you think you get lost in magnification during the day, that is way worse through night vision. Even if you were to run a red dot on top, not being able to dial down the brightness of the optic itself is an issue when your night vision device ends up behind it.

EoTech and similar devices give you a nice big window to get behind and before the Unity Mounts and other skyscraper height mounts came out was a popular choice because of that. You could get behind it with ease. The downside to using these with a skyscraper mount is they no longer co-witness with irons for day use. And their battery life is good, but not awesome.

Aimpoint T2s and similar micro sights are popular now that Unity and other Skyscraper mounts have come out. If you can afford an Aimpoint T2 the battery life is AWESOME. The raised height makes them easy to get behind with your night vision device. Plus, the Unity Micro Mount has a built-in iron sights that can be used with or without the front sight post or a standard front sight. Bear in mind, they are bitch to use with the option front sight because they have a 1" sight picture. But it is doable. The upside here for SBRs and AR Pistols is that it opens up real estate for IR devices like a PEQ-15 or Steiner DBAL.

The least easy way to run night vision is by running a red dot on top of a magnified optic. This is because you are likely to bump your night vision device into the scope. Alot. People who run their rifles noses to the charging handle like myself have an especially hard time.

Which brings us to our next device. You will want an IR aiming laser and IR illuminator of some sort. These are not the same thing, though they often come on the same device. Some lasers come with just the laser, some come with an illuminator, and some come with a slaved visible laser. Ideally you want all 3. Lets start with the IR laser. This is an additional aiming device for use with night vision. You can use it instead of the red dot. But I recommend having both. It also lets you point out something to your team/friends/range mates. If the opposing force has night vision...it is less helpful. You will want to stick to using your red dot instead. But still a mut have. Next lets talk about the IR Illuminator. This is a flashlight that can only be seen thru night vision. This is a must because your night vision needs some light to work. The less ambient light the less useful night vision becomes. Having an IR illuminator not only makes up for lack of ambient light but also acts like a spotlight making it easier to see things off in the distance. But again, if the opposing force has night vision you have to use it as sparingly as you would a regular visible white light. Lastly, a slaved visible laser allows you to sight in the IR laser without the need for night vision. If the visible laser is zeroed so is the IR laser. It makes life much, much easier. Know that compared to military models the civilian versions kinda suck. But they do work. Also know airsoft stuff is not reliable for anything other than plinking. The price is tempting, but expect it to break/lose zero/blink out/etc. Holosun is as cheap as you can go and expect it to work. Not Somogear. Steiner is significantly better. The price gets pretty insane after that. Trust me you will already have sticker shock before you get to the BE Meyers MAWL.

PISTOLS

A red dot with night vision settings works great. The night vision device will not work with iron sights. It is hard to explain. But know you will not be able to able with irons using night vision. Additionally, night sights will not work with night vision. They might even damage your tubes. They are too bright and will BLOOM and starburst big time. Totally unusable. But a red dot with low night vision settings works awesome. It is ideal.

There are very few pistol lights with IR settings. They are also INSANELY expensive. Like all things night vision related. My favorite is the Surefire Vampire series pistol lights. It has a white light mode, off mode, and IR mode. No laser. If using a red dot, you do not want a laser running at the same time. Doesn't matter if they are different colors. The color looks the same through your tubes. It is either or. Streamlight TLR-1 VIR II is another popular option. This one is best when not running a red dot. Because in IR mode it displays both an IR laser and IR illuminator. It is not as fast as running a red dot. Nature of using lasers on a pistol vs a rifle. But it works. If you have a pistol you don't want milled for a red dot, it will do.