Focus problem with PVS-14 NVD behind a RDS??? Doesn't seem like a good setup to me???

2730 Views 11 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Tangle, Apr 4, 2013

Tangle

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2013

I mounted a PVS-14 NVD behind an Aimpoint CompM2. Did I see a problem or is it my imagination? Here's the specifics:

The AN/PVS-14 has two focus rings. One is on the front to focus the NV sensor for the range - much like focusing a camera lens on a camera. The other focus is on the rear to obtain the best focus on the viewing screen for an individual's eye. The latter has nothing to do with the problem, but included FWIW.

So let's say we're using the red dot alone. The dot is superimposed on the target - fine. Now let's use the NVD alone. We look into the eyepiece and adjust the focus for the range we are looking at. Now let's put them together. Here's where I think there may be a problem or maybe I just looked at it wrong or something.

The NVD is not your eye and behaves a little differently. When the NVD is behind a RDS, where do you set the range focus? On the red dot, or for the range you're targeting? Well, you almost have to focus it on the target, but doing so makes the red dot go out of focus because it's only about 4 or so inches from the NVD. So the dot and the target can't be in focus at the same time.

Am I seeing this right?

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jonconsiglio

· #2 · Apr 4, 2013

Call me and I'll walk you through it. Make sure you dial the dot down until it's barely visible, or better yet, just turn it off. With the PVS 14 behind the Aimpoint, adjust the focus for the range you're viewing. Then, dial the dot just bright enough to see it.

As long as the target is n focus, I'm good to go. The dot doesn't need to be crisp though I've never had one really blurry either. I don't hunt with NODs all that regularly, but I do have a good bit of experience with them.

Honestly, unless you're working with a bolt gun, get the PVS 14 off of the gun and get it head mounted.

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Tangle

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 4, 2013

jonconsiglio said:
Call me and I'll walk you through it. Make sure you dial the dot down until it's barely visible, or better yet, just turn it off. With the PVS 14 behind the Aimpoint, adjust the focus for the range you're viewing. Then, dial the dot just bright enough to see it.

Hey Jon!

That's pretty much the way I do it - maybe I dialed the dot up a bit high. I just didn't like the tandem arrangement for viewing - looks 'tuby' as I recall.

jonconsiglio said:
...Honestly, unless you're working with a bolt gun, get the PVS 14 off of the gun and get it head mounted.

I'm all set up for that - either via flip-down helmet mount or the head harness mount. I must be missing something though, how do you aim the gun?

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jonconsiglio

· #4 · Apr 4, 2013

Ideally you'd use a DBAL or PEQ 15. Without that, you just view through the Aimpoint as you normally would. You have two options. First is to use your NODs over your left eye then view through the optic normally with your right (right handed shooters) or use the NODs over your right and then look through your Aimpoint through the PVS-14. With the first option, your eyes will form the two images together.

You really need to get used to this set up though. Also, even with a 1/3 co witness mount, getting your head and right eye mounted PVS-14 will be work, that's why KAC has that high helmet mount available. Left eye NV and right eye for the optic is your best bet. Well, an IR pointer or two PVS-14's would be your best bet...

PRACTICE A LOT BEFORE YOU GO HUNTING so you don't have to focus on it then.

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munch520

· #5 · Apr 4, 2013

jonconsiglio said:
Ideally you'd use a DBAL or PEQ 15.

I wish!

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jonconsiglio

· #6 · Apr 4, 2013

munch520 said:
I wish!

I know! Eventually I'll have one, even if it's the civi DBAL. But, I have access to the i2 and PEQ-15, so I'll be going full power when I do. But, I'm too poor to do anything but borrow this stuff when I have the chance!

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munch520

· #7 · Apr 4, 2013

Yea $1-2k for something I'd rarely use...can't justify that. Borrowing is just as good!

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Tangle

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 4, 2013

jonconsiglio said:
Ideally you'd use a DBAL or PEQ 15.

Weeeeeell, I have a LaserMax UniIR. It's a Unimax laser in IR. I bought two from CTD for $177 each including shipping. CTD is now out and they're like $339 if you can find one. However....

I put a Magpul forearm (mid length) on my AR and mounted the IR laser on the left side as far forward as I could. On top of the IR laser, I mounted an Inforce dual white/IR light. Very compact and very cheap compared to a DBAL. I could even piggy back a Unimax green or red laser on the IR and have a dual beam and put the Inforce on top of that and it would still be a compact mount and position the light out a bit from the gun to reduce barrel shadow. Kind of a poor man's DBAL - well it was before the Uni IR price jumped to $339.

jonconsiglio said:
...Without that, you just view through the Aimpoint as you normally would......use your NODs over your left eye then view through the optic normally with your right (right handed shooters)......your eyes will form the two images together.

I wondered if that would work. I'll give it a try tonight if the rain stops.

jonconsiglio said:
...Well, an IR pointer......would be your best bet...

Got that covered!

jonconsiglio said:
...PRACTICE A LOT BEFORE YOU GO HUNTING so you don't have to focus on it then.

You know - that isn't easy to do. There's no place around here I can shoot after dark :sad:

But I think I can go to an indoor range where the lighting is not as bright as outside and leave the pin-hole cover on my NVD and shoot that way. The problem is I can only get 23 yds that way. But when I get to where I'm gonna hog hunt, I should be able to sight it in in the dark.

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jonconsiglio

· #9 · Apr 4, 2013

Understand how you use IR with NODs, just in case you're not used to it. The IR pointer is always offset. Usually offset both in windage and elevation. So, if I'm offset high and right to begin with and zero at 50, then I'll be hitting low and left after 50. What I try to do is zero at 200 if possible. This keeps windage out of it for the most part, especially since we're quite unlikely to use non magnified NODs and IR pointers past those distances.

90% of your practice can be dry... Just get used to movement under NODs, if not already, and focus on getting the gun into action quick. Remember that even though you have night vision capabilities, working your rifle will still be dark. So, know all your handling and movement with no light.

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Tangle

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 4, 2013

Thanks Jon!

I will do a lot of dry firing - very safely and cautiously of course.

When it's the real thing though, the pigs are gonna have to cooperate :tongue:

BTW, here are very impressive vids of pig hunting - not just the shots, but watch how fast they work the bolts!

I'm pretty sure that in all these vids, and there are more than these, that the rifle used is a Sauer 202 (bolt) or a Sauer 303 (semi). All the 'scopes' are Aimpoints. I use quotes because they are RDS with NO magnification NO parallax at any range, and have infinite eye relief. Whew! Some are really expensive, like my favorite the H34S - I don't have one, I just like it. Probably just as well served with an Aimpoint Pro for about half the cost.

As I recall, there are various models used in the first two vids, so you can keep an eye on the various scope models.

Links to part 2/2 and two others:

Wild boar hunt 2/2 (MUST SEE!!) - YouTube

Perhaps the best one of the four:

Wild Boar Fever 4 - Hunters Video - YouTube

pigs hunting with sauer 202 - YouTube

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jonconsiglio

· #11 · Apr 4, 2013

I'm going to have to take video the next time we go out. Those are huge in that first video. I LOVE the slow motion monster that tumbles when the third shot finally hits him.

Oh, and the roadway murder lane is awesome in that third video.

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Tangle

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 4, 2013

jonconsiglio said:
I'm going to have to take video the next time we go out.

Absolutely!!!! That would be great!

jonconsiglio said:
...Those are huge in that first video. I LOVE the slow motion monster that tumbles when the third shot finally hits him.

Did you see the chase dog catch up and latch on? 'Course the pig was dead or so near...

Actually I think the first shot hit him, there's some impact 'dust' but it's hard to believe it could keep running after taking a hit. I think they're using either a .300 Win or 7mm magnum.

jonconsiglio said:
...Oh, and the roadway murder lane is awesome in that third video.

That was amazing wasn't it!

I'll see if I can round up some more. They are both fun and inspiring to watch. Boy, they can run those bolts can't they!

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