Night OP: do you need NVGs to be even remotely effective

[screwballjim 94]

This will be my first big airsoft op. I've done one previous night op and due to money constraints I've never bought a set of night vision gear. Is a set needed for broken homes night op to be of any use.

[Dave 781]

No, most of the playerbase does not own NVGs.  It's a little early to determine what the illumination will be, but I believe the night game is played near a town (which is surrounded by open field), so moonlight will help. 

 

 

Also, don't spend money on the gimmicky Gen 1s.  They may seem like a cheap solution, but a $150 flashlight will serve you far better than a $400 set of night 'vision'.  YMMV

[Raptorkat 121]

No, but it damn sure helps. You can be just as effective battling those with NVGs with a good weapon light and just a little bit of moonlight. 

[Guest Specs]

As mentioned by the great guys above, a good set of moonlight adapted eyes will do wonders.

 

It always comes down to funds of course. 1 set of NVG's can get you a ton of other kit. Just consider your priorities before taking an unnecessary plunge.

[screwballjim 94]

Yeah they aren't in the budget for sure I gotta build a gun just for this event

[Danarchy 190]

I used a scope mounted Gen 1 at the BH1 night game and, as it took place in town, with the fire and pyro, they were next to useless. NVG1's are useful in woodland, to scan shadows and search for movement, but not that great in CQB or areas with buildings, except to check deep shadows.

 

At BH2, I had Gen 3, but had a lousy mount that made them next to useless, plus had serious fogging problems, when my fan goggles died on me. Even if you spend a fortune on NVG, keep in mind that you have to have a suitable mount, which can get expensive real quick. Many people complain that the replica helmets don't sit well with an NVG on the front, so you need to get a real base jump or ballistic model. Then the arms can be real expensive.

 

Like everyone says, they can help (but you better spend time before working out bugs in your system and using how to use them), but you can get buy without them. Invest in your gun first and a good set of goggles that won't fog (i.e. fans) for the best advantage in night games. Foggy goggles are your worst enemy in the early evening hours and even Gen 4 NVG won't fix that problem.

[Dave 781]

NVG fogging issues is actually why I deep sixed my goggles and went with M Frames.  Having the extra weight close to your face traps the moisture and causes your goggles to fog fast, even with dog crap and pro wipes or w/e that stuff's called.  Running my 15s caused my M Frames to fog ever so slightly on a warm night, but it's far better than when I went shooting and my safety glasses turned into frost panes with a smaller monocle.

 

DANARCHY speaks the truth on the mounts.  Buddy gave me one of his junker airsoft helmets with a mount so I can entertain folks (strictly in the name of business... maybe) with low light shooting.  I had to dremel the mount because my cheapo rhino wouldn't mate to it.

 

I think I posted this in the NODs' thread, but NOD wobble can be fixed with elastic retainment straps.  I personally use the NRL-3, which can be cinched up enough to pull the PVS-14 tight upward (and thus reducing a majority of the wobble, along with not making me cringe in fear of it falling off).  I've since upgraded to a Norotos mount for my 15s which is fairly bomb proof but still use elastic bands to completely eliminate wobble.  Wobble is the most annoying thing in the universe if you are wearing NODs for more than a few minutes.

 

 

In short, get a high power flashlight, a decent gun mount, and save your money.  NODs are fun and you should definitely save up to get a set, but don't eat ramen for the next 2 years because you want to have a slight advantage for a few hours at an airsoft game.

[Big Candy 321]

 

In short, get a high power flashlight, 

Everything was absolutely correct...  however, a crazy flashlight is great, as long as you know how to use it.  At last years End State, the night OP really brought out the "moron" in people, as light discipline was completely non- existent. 

 

Its amazing how much light you don't need to function, given the smallest amount of moonlight, and any ambient lighting that might be in the area.

 

Back on subject, NODs are great, and very helpful.  Even Gen 1's can work pretty well...  but you will need to invest in an additional IR light.  Biggest drawback to that...  you become a wonderful beacon to anyone else with NOD's.

[Nase 15]

*snip

 

Back on subject, NODs are great, and very helpful.  Even Gen 1's can work pretty well...  but you will need to invest in an additional IR light.  Biggest drawback to that...  you become a wonderful beacon to anyone else with NOD's.

 

NODs are great. Personally I just have a Gen 1 rifle scope, but it is amazing how many people think that because they have better night vision like Gen 2 or 3 they are automatically more effective. I killed a guy running Gen 3 because he had an IR beacon on the back of his helmet flashing like crazy, and my little ol' Gen 1 could see him coming forever. NODs aren't a cure all for night games though. I've also had guys with Gen 2 - 3 walk right by me and even look at me but because I was camo'd up and completely motionless they didn't see me and I was able to get the kills. So no, like everyone else has said, you don't need night vision to be effective. It definitely is fun though!

[screwballjim 94]

Thanks for all the good info definitely gonna skip on the NVG's this year and just get a powerful light and maybe blind a few people.

[Runt511 180]

HSP: WML, $100 dollar solution

[Gunthar 32]

Thanks for all the good info definitely gonna skip on the NVG's this year and just get a powerful light and maybe blind a few people.

 

Be careful with that, many people use the Gen 1 NVG's without an autoshutdown feature. If you hit a powerful spotlight into their face you could fry their NVG's causeing someone to be very upset. No need for you to have a sun like spotlight, a simple gun mounted surefire will work just fine for what you will be doing.

[screwballjim 94]

Yeah that might be bad, a 320 lumen light wouldn't mess up anyone's gear would it?

[Dave 781]

Good question... maybe?  NODs should be treated like eyes... if they aren't protected (autogated), it's no different than playing airsoft without eyepro.  You get hit with a strong beam and it burns your tubes then it sucks to be you.  I was hesitant to bring mine to FG2 because a lot of people use lasers, but I accepted the risk.  If someone beamed them and I developed dark spots it's my fault; not theirs.  If you run NODs you need to understand the risk - they aren't toys and the financial consequences can be a far more than a 30 dollar part on asgi if they break.

 

Someone who brings a 1.5 bajillion lm flashlight is still an asshole, but not because it might burn out someone's Gen 1 night vision.

[Cactass 23]

Had something like this for Bulldog a few years ago. It was amazing.

 

http://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/a037.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=a037

 

If nothing else lock it to the on position, point it at the enemy, and walk away. The amount of fire it will draw is amazing.

[Toadvine 45]

Nigh vision optics are fantastic.

 

Like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

But you don't have to have them to be effective at night.

 

But if you DO have them, you'll have an advantage.

[Hawk 7]

I'm likely gonna just use my Surefire helmet light and a weapon light when I need to. That should be enough for a night op considering the lights are bright.

[BigSilva 118]

 NODS are great for sure.

Usually you don't need them to have fun at night and be an asset during gameplay. Usually there is one or two guys close that do have them and its always good to be there and help support.

We are working on some new stuff for night so its going to be great!

So don't sweat it if you don't have em. Just make sure you have red chem lights or a red strobe etc. for dead designation!

Silva Out

[Green 6]

Fogging was my biggest issue last year.  I'm buying turbofans before anything else.  From the position we were engaging, NVG's would have been useless as CDF had us lit up by spotlights.

[Viking_FA 9]

Kastway carries good priced torches and helmet strobes if you run short on time getting some too btw.  I had to buy a helmet strobe while at ESR 19-2 and those little things are BRIGHT well worth the price!

[MAYO 359]

No, you don't.

Flashlights will put most NOD users on the same level if you apply them correctly.

Do not spend any money on Gen 1.

Gen 2 minimum, works well for the most part. Would advise just saving up the money you'd spend on Gen 2 to get Gen 3 though.

Gen 3 works extremely well and will give you an extremely high advantage during a night game. You won't need an IR light. You can see just about everything just fine (depending on the moonlight and so on). Don't let anyone lie to you though. If you're not a perma-bad player, playing most night games with Gen 3 is like shooting fish in a barrel.

However, again, flashlights are just fine. Just USE them. Too many players try to act sneaky with their lights off.

[Dave 781]

Gen 1s bad, you say?  Imagine that!  

 

Inside joke

 

 

 

Gen 3 works extremely well and will give you an extremely high advantage during a night game. You won't need an IR light. You can see just about everything just fine (depending on the moonlight and so on). Don't let anyone lie to you though. If you're not a perma-bad player, playing most night games with Gen 3 is like shooting fish in a barrel.

However, again, flashlights are just fine. Just USE them. Too many players try to act sneaky with their lights off.

 

 

Yeah... Mayo and I had a blast popping entire squads off at a Tulsa game last year where the opfor would just pop a squat and wait.  Remember, with NODs we can see you 50 yards off, or at least recognize that there is something of interest there.  Just because it's dark and there's a bush nearby doesn't mean you are invisible...  There is strength in numbers and strength in lighting.  Make the night your day (be in $3k NODs or $30 flashlight) and you will be successful.

[Jasonoostra 13]

any good places to get a tatical one to mount onto the end of a rifle

[Dave 781]

Tactical what?  Flashlight?  NOD monocle?  Bayonet?  Rubber chicken?  Gotta be specific broheim.

[Jasonoostra 13]

flashlight for nighttime i got 230 LED ones but those are too bright to use