Adventures are tantalizing. They bring about emotions and anticipation that you didn’t know existed. While the destination or goal is the end, the journey to get there is what’s most exciting. The hard work, research, exploration, and due diligence culminate in the result. It’s why we start them—and sometimes never finish—because of the journey. And that’s where we start—at the beginning of a new adventure.

Creating a Superpower

Before taking a Low-Light course, I wanted to experience Night Vision without the added stress of live ammunition and people. In my mind, that’s how bad things come about—inexperience in a foreign environment. That’s why Ryan and I sought TNVC’s Try Before You Buy Event. If I’m being honest, the name is very misleading. This isn’t a consumer class to get you to buy something. It’s a class designed to give novices an introduction to night vision. Yes, you do get a discount perk for taking the class (that covers the class’s price if you choose to buy from them—you know, because night vision is expensive).

The class starts with an overview of night vision, from its inception to becoming a force multiplier during the Global War on Terror. Its history is fascinating. Early use dates to World War II but escalated during the Vietnam War (look up Starlight optics used on M21s). From there, technological advancements in electronics reached fervor in the waning years of the Cold War as Terrorist attacks prevailed in the developed world to where we are now. To our soldiers and operators in the field, Night Vision is a Superpower. It’s what separates the United States and its Allies from the rest of the world. And after seeing it, I get it. Seeing in the dark when your enemies can’t is a game-changer.

From there, the instructors dived into night vision-specific nomenclature—the jargon that regular folk don’t understand. This includes terms such as filmed vs. unfilmed, green vs white, FoM, gain, autogating, and so on. Night Vision is a foreign language, but one worth learning. We segued into the associated gear as we progressed through the history and terminology. This includes the helmet (ballistic or bump), IR aiming devices, and, of course, the mounting hardware that binds everything together. Finally, the night vision itself.

For those familiar, the workhorse of the night vision world is the PVS-14. This single-tube (monocular) device dates to the beginning of GWOT. Despite its age, the PVS-14 receives continuous updates. It’s the perfect beginner night vision setup and the one I was most excited to use. Others discussed included DTNVS, BNVDs, and BNVD-1531s. The 1531s were the envy of the class. These are binoculars that use an articulating bridge rather than a fixed bridge. This means the user can easily flip one monocular to the side, cool guy-level stuff.

The class’s final and most anticipated part was actual field testing and moving under NODs. This was why we took the class. Before going out, the instructors demonstrated how to focus (the chant—Front, Back, Front, is still engrained) and made sure our demo helmets fit properly. For this aspect of class, we did four cycles; each cycle was done with a different night vision setup. Our walking path was bathed in starlight, as well as some light spill from industrial buildings. We also took a tour of the Alliance Police Training Shoot House, which helped to judge the feel of wearing NVG in your own house. One of the instructors carries a Glock 19 pistol affixed with an Aimpoint ACRO P2. The instructor, once the weapon was made safe, allowed us to aim down the hallway with the ACRO under NODs—mind blown. Our final cycle led us out to a field where the instructors demonstrated various IR (infrared) illuminators and IR lasers. Examples from B.E. Meyers, L3 Harris, and Steiner were represented and showcased the application of such devices (more on this in future articles).

Here’s what I wore during the different cycles: PVS-14 Full Gain White Phosphor, DTNVS Green Phosphor, RNVG Fixed Bridge Green Phosphor, and BNVD-1531 White Phosphor Unfiltered. Here are my thoughts: I abhor Green Phosphor. Green does not jive with me; it almost hurts my eyes. I noticed a crisper and more defined image when I was using white. If I had unlimited funds, the 1531s would be the winner. Unfortunately, I don’t. But I learned something cool about myself: I could operate with “funky vision.” When setting up dual-tube NODs, people will focus the tubes at the same distance (either infinity or up close). I was able to have the left tube focused on close distances and the right tube focused on infinity (I’m right-eye dominant). This is a neat trick and a useful one, but I digress. The perfect setup for me is a PVS-14, White Phosphor, Full Gain. I felt I was able to generate a high-quality image that allowed me to pick out details. For all applications I’d need it for, this PVS-14 setup is economical (for night vision) and functional. Remember, my purpose for Night Vision is to use it in lowlight courses and general observation at night (weird stuff is happening all the time; just watch the news. Or don’t; it’s probably better you don’t).

Final Thoughts

For anyone interested in Night Vision but doesn’t have experience with it, take this course from TNVC. It’s informative, discerning, and an excellent beginner option that doesn’t add the stress of live fire in an unfamiliar setting. I felt the instructors were there for education purposes only and not as salesmen for TNVC. This allowed for a relaxed yet insightful environment. As you can imagine, Ryan and I were fired up afterward. What’s next? Well, Ryan already purchased a PVS-14. He had the other equipment already. For me, it’s put together a well-thought-out kit—helmet, firearm, chest rig, and plate carrier. Night Vision, for me, is one part of a system. A system that encompasses the idea of self-defense, training, and the Second Amendment. It’s a system that I take seriously, especially as world events boil over. Next up, let’s take a close-up on building the perfect night-fighting carbine, or really, the perfect training rifle.