The Black Optex Zero Lens is an optical alignment kit that enables the use of a PVS-14 night vision monocular to be mounted in front of day optic with zero shift in point of impact. Seen here mounted in front of a BROWE 4 x 32 optic, this allows the shooter to maintain the same shooting position, muscle memory, and eye relief with his primary sight. This quick detach mounting system enables rapid installation and removal of the PVS-14 from the weapon.
Several versions of stickers that mimic the markings on genuine AN/PVS-14/15 Night Vision Devices have hit the market. They are designed to be placed on resin models of the devices to enhance realism for MilSim players and reenactors.
However, because of the way they are being marketed by some, we encourage everyone to pay attention to several key features of any real night vision devices they purchase or are issued. It has come to our attention that there are unscrupulous vendors marketing shop built subpar versions of the NVGs using tubes of unknown quality. They may use these types of stickers to mislead buyers. Military issued systems should be ok unless someone tried to do a switcharoo or supply at the small unit level got a ‘good deal’ on additional systems. Be diligent in pre-combat inspections.
If you need actual devices, buy factory direct ITT units that come with factory ITT stickers serialized on the unit that match the enclosed pre-paid UPS labels along with RMA tags. There are numerous vendors that are trustworthy. The best advice when dealing with night vision is: ‘Cheap’ doesn’t just mean inexpensive.
IWA attendees, be sure to stop by N-Vision Optics at Stand 7A-426 in the US Pavilion.
They’ll be showing several new products including the Long Range Surveillance Monocular which is compatible with Nikon and Canon SLR Cameras and their lenses as well as the PVS Dual Mount seen above.
Enter to win your favorite pair of ‘Smith Elite Tactical Lifestyle Eyewear’. In the comment section for this photo on Facebook, tell Smith how you would use their eyewear to protect yourself…
For example, what would YOU see through your new pair of Smith Elite ballistic glasses or goggles? Combat? A target? A cloud of dust?
To enter, please ‘like’ their Facebook page and leave your comment. The top three winners will be announced March 15th and featured in an upcoming blog post.
We’ve covered BE Meyers line of GLARE devices in the past and even mentioned ways they are employed. Now, ADS and BE Meyers have teamed up to produce this video that gives you a great perspective on how the gear is used and what it looks like, not only from the user’s standpoint but from the target’s as well.
The video depicts the use of the GLARE MOUT Plus at a Traffic Control Point (TCP), and how use of this non-lethal laser enables the TCP to engage the vehicle at a safe distance and determine the intent of the approaching vehicle. Not only does it attract the attention of the target but it also helps conceal the locations and actions of the personnel manning the TCP from the target.
You may notice a couple of interesting facts concerning the decrease in checkpoint deaths in Iraq starting around 2005. The sources of this information are articles in the NY Times and the Wall street Journal. At this point you might consider the information dated, but it comes from the time when these lasers were first fielded and the results are astonishing when you consider going from seven deaths a week to just one, that is a big deal. BE Meyers has related to us that the one death a week cited was often shown to be hostile intent toward US forces and the Escalation Of Force lasers actually discovered the intent and allowed for earlier and decisive engagement.
Also shown in the video are the LA-9/P and the GLARE Enforcer. The LA-9/P is the primary non-lethal EoF laser used by the US Marine Corps and Navy, and the most powerful EoF laser available. It provides greater than 1,500 meters of stand-off range in daylight, 4,000 meters at night, and it is the only non-lethal military laser that incorporates a safety control module to secure the laser, should anyone enter into the eye hazard area.
Jeff Bradbury, Marketing Executive, BE Meyers told SSD, “Our GLARE LA-9/P and GLARE Enforcer are the only devices with integrated safety modules that automatically control the laser if targets are in danger of exceeding permissible laser exposure limits. This gives our military and law enforcement users a truly long-range non-lethal option, with stand-off distances up to and beyond 500 meters. That kind of power and safety provides an escalation of force capability to communicate with and engage targets on land or at sea across all operating scenarios.â€
GLARE MOUT Plus
“The GLARE MOUT PLUS combines all of the positive attributes of the original GLARE MOUT device, and adds a training mode to further protect users, nearly doubles the power providing much greater standoff distance, and extends its environmental performance from -20° C to +50° C. The improvement in standoff distance is particularly valuable to the warfighters, providing a non-lethal escalation of force option that is effective at 500m in daylight, providing valuable time to make the right decision and take effective action,” said Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development, BE Meyers.
GLARE Enforcer
BE Meyers continues to improve their products and expand their offerings. Additionally, they have not only improved the capabilities of our military but adapted the technology for use by law enforcement, providing safe, EoF capabilities. For example, the GLARE Enforce is the only non-lethal visual disruption laser FDA approved for law enforcement organizations. This green laser relies on Eye Safe technology which automatically adjusts the output power depending on the target distance, ensuring the delivery of maximum safe power at all times while maintaining the safety of all nearby personnel against accidental eye injury.
Last week, the Navy announced that they had awarded a contract to L-3 for their binocular night vision device. These are actually built by the Insight business unit now part of L-3 Warrior Systems. Below is the announcement.
L-3 Communications Corp., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a $49,958,000 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Special Operations visual augmentation systems binocular night vision device (BNVD). The BNVD’s will provide special operations forces with enhanced surveillance, identification, recognition, and detection in all light and weather conditions especially where vision is limited or restricted due to obscured and low/no light conditions. Work will be performed in Londonderry, N.H., and is expected to be completed in February 2017. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-12-D-JQ01).
Remember how these contracts are written. The amount is a maximum amount (ceiling) and not necessarily the amount that the contractor will receive.
Tags: Insight, L-3 Posted in Optics | Comments Off on SOCOM Purchases L-3 BNVD
BROWE Inc has introduced their 4 x 32 Combat Optic (BCO) in both and A-TACS AU Flat Dark Earth to complement the Black version already on the market.
The BCO is “dip coated” in A-TACS AU which many will find effective for camouflage and will blend in with the finish of many weapons already coated in the pattern.
In the case of the FDE variant, they rely on a CeraKote “H” series thermal cured ceramic coating which is applied over the Bio Black Titanium anodizing.
