NV Helmet Setup: Task Lights and IFF

[@brandonschwertley2723]

A really good use of a strobe system is on night hikes with your pet and you're worried about them running off after a squirrel or something. Gives you a better ability to pick them out. Another good use would be on your vehicle once you enter a new area to mark where you parked. Night hiking in a new area can be daunting because you're worried about potentially losing where you came from.

[@Hatchet_Jack556]

I do this with my dog and it's a must in my opinion.

[@99cobra2881]

and for the low tech nights use glow stick necklaces and put on them like a collar. I use this for camping so I can easily see the dog

[@HWG-wm8ld]

A leash

[@brandonschwertley2723]

Wow aren’t you original

[@99cobra2881]

@@HWG-wm8ld Your mom won't let me take it off her

[@johnb.6468]

I really loved your performance in American Psycho. It’s pretty cool having a celebrity gun guys like Christian Bale.

[@NotHunterCooper]

Admin lights and stobes seem to be one thing you could really find a great price for on the Ali-Express knockoff market. They don't have to survive recoil, don't need to put out that much power, etc.

[@wylnd]

That`s it, got my repro strobe and princeton tec for 30 bucks each

[@Ayattar55]

I have PrinceTec tasklight and Helstar 6 on my primary helmet and exactly same setup with chineese knockoffs on the other. In retrospect, no repros being available in 2016 aside, I regret spending $$$ on original ones. Repros perform well enough and withstand heavy rain. And I obviously don't dive and don't halo jump :P

[@HappyFunTimeslmao]

I drop shit too much to not go anything but real deal tbh.

[@dogboy0912]

Yeah strongly recommend multiple map/task lights. Run a headlamp on your neck, if you have comms, run a lip light, if you have a helmet, run a stalk. Also have a handheld like a streamlight sidewinder 14032 to hold in your hands. These don't need to be the fanciest things. Just recommend blue/green light if you're using them with nightvision

[@jamesconner-myers4375]

The streamlight sidewinder 2 was the GOAT of headlamps in Ranger school and in my Infantry unit. It was the only red lens headlamp I could find that took AA batteries. That was huge. Had battery commonality with PVS-14's (and later back at my unit, our ancient PEQ-2's) and I could (and did) swap the battery in the dark while rucking, instead of having to struggle with 3 AAA's that alternate directions. Plus it has IR and a helmet mount, and can take EITHER a single CR123 or AA. I have 2 or 3 now.

[@djgunner258]

The Compact IIs are the best!

[@rmp5s]

Yea man, we had the regular Sidewinder (now apparently called the "LED Hands Free Light" according to their website) when I was in the Corps. It was seriously one of the bits of issued gear that was legitimately GOOD. Dropped one in a portashitter in asscrackistan and actually went through the shitty process of getting it out. Even after being thoroughly washed and DOUSED it in hand sanitizer, it still worked!! lol

[@xXREdWInDSXx]

would rather a shitty light than a nonfunctional one 🥴

[@rmp5s]

The old skool Streamlight Sidewinder was actually standard issue when I was in the Corps. They're pretty awesome, man. Always worked great. Streamlight makes great stuff...going to have to grab one of these new ones.

[@wonderloaf]

I wish I had a cool friend like Hop.

[@maverick00084]

As one of the 6 people to watch - I would appreciate you offering me a beer next time. Thank you.

[@RavenWolffe77]

You pointing out the Otto makes me want a review of that It looks pretty good, but Otto's website doesn't have a lot of pricing or purchasing information. Heck, it doesn't have a lot of information beyond dry specs in general.

[@alexisdetocqueville9964]

Lmfao the classic Hop format of going in depth through the pros and cons of gear just to say, "....and none of these are good options". Sidewinder compact is goated. I used one on my helmet as I currently only have a TW bump, so managed to rig it on the helmet through the holes with zipties.

[@F1SH_L3G]

I appreciate the info and your shared experience Hop 🍻

[@Jordan-ql6tm]

Long as that beers notta Bud Light we're all good brother 😂

[@riu.1180]

My black cat doesn't ever seem to realize her ass is sticking out of her concealment either. Nice video, appreciated by us nighttime boys

[@AlexanderEddy]

Oh Socko says a thing 😻

[@Reaver_Approach]

I love this niche. And I love you. Enjoy your beer and I'll enjoy the video.

[@l.robertvandyke4398]

Funny intro. True, though. No one else has nightvision, and no one else wants to talk about it. I still love it though.

[@KitCreep]

The Stalk looked really appealing to me when I first saw it. Unfortunately I’m still stuck in 2015 so I have the original Comtac arc rail mounts that leave just barely enough room for some goggle bungee mounts. I just use my pvs14 map light as a task light and an inforce wml on the back of my helmet as an umbrella light. I just pull the inforce off my shotgun since it’s QD and I can also put it on my rifle in case my Surefire vampire goes down. Great multipurpose option. For strobes I just use an ms2000 cuz gwot vibes and the big pos also acts as a bit of a counterweight.

[@jonathanpatterson9454]

Some companies sell an adapter to attach the same way that Ops core amps do to free up that section of rail

[@dogboy0912]

I'd just sticky the tiny stalk light.

[@ZimkaAvi]

Ah yes, the best way to spend an afternoon

[@Trouble_2-1]

Got 2 Unity Sparks on my helmet. Simplest method to tell them apart is just to use a sharpie and mark the green with a G and the infrared one with IR. Doesn't diminish the effect these thibgs put out. Or put them side by side and systemize it by deciding right side = IR or somthing. As long as you have a system and get familiar with you gear it's smooth sailing.

[@predragdjuric-tt9uc]

a great very interesting video Mr.Hop.I do hope that you got way better and that you are going to make some really great and interesting videos on the Shot Show Mr.Hop.have a good one Mr Hop.

[@20DYNAMITE06]

I don't mind the beer... it's the fact I had to wait 11+ minutes to get to the cat action that is pissing me off.

[@20DYNAMITE06]

I don't even have night vision 🤣

[@Magnus730]

nice content Hop. I'm in the process of getting myself some night vision so this is good information to keep in mind.

[@sliderofelay]

I use the mission first tactical little light with a knock off pic rail like the one you showed. It works great.

[@djgunner258]

Just a heads up the Sidewinder compact II is better than the stalk IMO. More candela for a more focused beam. Form factor isn’t as good but it’s a trade off I’m willing to take. Umbrella lighting is still possible on the highest setting.

[@dogboy0912]

I would just have both. Keep the compact as a necklight or clip on/handheld. Keep the stalk for a helmet light as well. Both have their benefits

[@ripHalo0002]

moduar chest rigs are the way to go!

[@jhutch1470]

I use the Sidewinder Stalk. It has visible light in red, white, blue, and green. It also has the IR stuff. I had to get the instructions back out to get the color back to red, when I got it stuck in green. It's not very intuitive, but does a lot of things if you get the hang of it.

[@dogboy0912]

Recommend against red while aided. Red is the most sensitive wavelength to nightvision and causes the most bloom. Green is softer, and many goggles have blue light filters which means blue light has no impact on aided operators.

[@VitaminCLV]

Gotta love cats

[@ZaneHallCHS]

Otto Review? How do they compare to comtacts and such? Love your videos. Especially the cat segments :))))

[@Hoplopfheil]

The Ottos are pretty good. A bit hard to justify when used comtacs are so easy to find though.

[@eugenechurch6135]

Just got my pvs14 monocle today. So sick,

[@skeetwebster9389]

I feel pretty special being one of only 5 people to see this vid!😁

[@Militaristics]

TNVC has a dual mode single cell vamp head that's only 5mW of IR when clicked once for low mode, 2 clicks gets you full 100mW of output. it's the best option I have found and might be worth looking into.

[@IcyReaper]

Hop, Another informative vid, thanks. BTW, whats that watch you are wearing looks like a old military watch?

[@Hoplopfheil]

Got a timestamp? I usually wear a Vaer C5 Tactical Field

[@IcyReaper]

I looked it up thats the watch thanks. Saw it somewhere and couldnt find again. You picked one I was looking for.

[@caesarleon1]

Bro read my mind I was literally just searching to see if he put out a video on this topic

[@Hugh_Jassle]

Thanks Hop there goes more of my money.

[@Kycirion]

I'm drinking a beer or four quietly in the background while watching this video.

[@MoonMoon-gu2ge]

I think I still have one of those little ir strobes that connect to a 9v battery they issued us, never once fucking used it in 6 years.

[@matt291]

Awesome video. Id live to see a video about your earpro.

[@jcarter855]

I still run an old Petzl STRIX IR, it does everything well enough. Costly to find these days though...

[@_Art.Vandelay]

It’s only acceptable if it’s a Busch Lite (not Busch Heavy. There’s definitely a difference)

[@dogboy0912]

Task light recommend blue or green light. Yes red light doesn't travel as far, but red actually has the most bloom and appears brightest while aided vs green or blue. Not great if you're trying to reduce your signature vs aided or not bloom out others/your own goggles, but it also might not matter based on your environment. Many NVDs have a blue light filter which means blue light is completely compatible (you can't see blue light through them) which means you can do all unaided work under blue light without it affecting anyone on goggles. Also if you use yellow highlighter and hit it with blue light, it will glow if you're referencing some navigation/mission products. The ol streamlight sidewinder 14032 is standard on our gear and can do blue, green, ir, and visible which works good enough for a lot of things. It's not the most high speed nor is it hands free (though it does have a clip). This is in addition to a lip light and they occasional stalk light that someone puts onto their helmet.

[@quigleypuffs]

Spectre gunships is so 2010. We actually have Ghost Rider gunships now.

[@jonathanpatterson9454]

I know my sidewinder has blue, green and red for visible options. You’ve got to use the button(press it 3x?) to switch between the options.

[@germen343]

Looking for the screenshot for my next Hop thread on /k/

[@samfisherxboxog8925]

Now all you have to do is produce a blink182 song and we’ll know you’re serious about the hobby.

[@SMACK1978]

I probably missed it but is anything Z Bolt makes worth looking into? They seem to be in an upper tier price range…

[@JoshuaCalvert80]

Cheers mate!

[@salfox1820]

For white work light just wear a headlamp as a neckalce so you can take your helmet off when you need to.

[@wylnd]

I am using a helmet mounted IR flashlight coupled with a defocused laser as night bike riding illumination. A PEQ for the head :D The torch handles everything up to 20m and the laser 150m. Pretty fun near/far light combo, needless to say that`s full on Gen1 mode glowing like a christmas tree

[@timotheus2003]

Sounded more like a white claw

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen6680]

Hop what's your beer of choice

[@xxxlonewolf49]

Going from a FLIC to a TAPS was night & day, so much better, when I was serving.

[@Token_Black_Guy]

Got issued a flc bought a taps off ebay

[@highdragguns]

Good shit as always! What's the tl;dr on the Noizebarrier vs ComTacs? I'm about ready to throw my Amazon PoorTacs in the trash.

[@sldsnk3]

How do you like the Otto’s? I tried on a pair and the spatial awareness seemed top notch. Strongly considering upgrading to a pair.

[@QuestioningLogic]

Do you have a video talking more about you ear pro mounts? I’m very interested in those & what rails they’re compatible with

[@TexanApollyon]

Sweet

[@Synergy7Studios]

How do you like those ear pro mounts? Seems like the rear mounted ones arent as stable as the top mounted ones.

[@3tacoman]

Heat cat !!

[@D.M.Luiz.]

Hop after diving into battle rifles these days, do you miss your old PTR, or do you dislike it even more

[@rufusrizzo78]

How could you drink a beer?!!?!?! I can't believe I have to listen to you enjoy a beer, while all I have is coffee. Kidding, I don't care...

[@jerrybooher69]

Otto noizebarrier tacs are tits they are overlooked for their performance for sure

[@flopus7]

Taps or eagle h harness are king

[@JohnSmith-te1zd]

Drinks beer from a can instead of a bottle: *immediately loses street cred*

[@AndyGergen]

How are you liking the Otto’s?

[@Me6rimlock]

Hey hop the meprolight mor pro is a red dot with a ir laser built in. I havent seen many people review them, could be something cool to try out.

[@purplenurple4208]

That beer better not be BUD LIGHT......

[@meanmarine24]

Used IR beacons in airsoft. It makes a huge difference for foe identification. Night time combat can be chaotic, even with NVG's. IR beacons made it very easy to identify a target as foe, especially when close to friendly playes. However, these days...too much NVG capability on both sides :)

[@meanmarine24]

A neat little beacon is the Pelican IR beacon. Cheap, lightweight, easy to use, just powerful enough for 50-100m identification.

[@HWG-wm8ld]

You guys use nv in airsoft? That’s commitment

[@dogboy0912]

IR glowstick or IR light hand signaling. Just hash it out for your team beforehand. "We will signal with an IR 3x flash and you will respond with a buzzsaw with IR chem or draw a circle with IR."

[@meanmarine24]

@@dogboy0912 Very good tip. Yes we sometimes used IR WML flashing (or even white light flashing) for friend/foe identification. It's smart because it makes no sound and you can communicate around corners in CQB while being silent.

[@meanmarine24]

@@HWG-wm8ld It's the most fun you can have without going to jail... :)

[@ftn5546]

I care!

[@eugenechurch6135]

No sure fire hl 1? Has task, red light and ir and stroke Ina. Way smaller package?

[@aelsi1337]

that cat knows you can see it, but it was staying there under the blanket because it's warm. my cat tries and fails occasionally to tuck herself under covers when she gets cold

[@HWG-wm8ld]

They love the down sleeping bag.

[@Tarburz]

:goodinfo:

[@Malibuthe6th]

dad posted new opinion

[@carbharharbcar5867]

shotshow video please , does the jakl bullpup look good? freak.

[@gray_shoots]

I'm one of the five people who watched this video

[@operatorlxix5839]

Hey Hop, which Sionyx camera are you using for your night filming?

[@Hoplopfheil]

Aurora Pro

[@MourningConstitution]

Thanks!

[@othernamesweretaken1871]

Will we get your thoughts on the TA110?

[@secondamendment1927]

Off topic-do you know of a digital NV monocular for helmet use that does not have any bluetooth/wifi/gps or similar crap?

[@ethanbarnes3973]

I personally prefer the mpls pro to the stalk. They are both very similar. The button options on the mpls seem harder to ND a vis light im not a huge fan of the spinny selector on the stalk.

[@frankcastle4435]

Is it me or does Hop look just the guy that played the young John Conner, Anton Yelchin

[@tylerfrogley1227]

I care hop…. I care

[@LeifyGuy]

My Princeton tech light has a dead battery every time I try to use it.... much like my eotech

[@dogboy0912]

Make sure it's actually off and not in IR but I feel ya

[@LeifyGuy]

@dogboy0912 I only ever use it while wearing nods, when I turn it off, I know it's off

[@jackjmaheriii]

For the record, overhead assets can’t see the strobes mentioned in this video unless the pilots are also wearing NODs. Their pods see in the medium range IR (MWIR) spectrum. In 2014 that friction caused a blue on blue that whipped out 1/2 an ODA. Don’t forget to submit your DD Form 1972 72 hrs in advance, and please refer JP 3-09.3 for all your CAS needs. Sincerely, Guy-who-misses-having-a-small-crumb-of-relevance-so-he-dips-into-civilian-centric-YT-videos-and-plays-Mr.Know-it-all.

[@illidur]

Is it not normal for CAS to wear NVGs on night missions?

[@jackjmaheriii]

It’s common for them to have NODs but it’s somewhat uncommon for them to wear them because they lose access to their HObIT (or whatever other helmet mounted display they have.) Except helo pilots. They have them on for the whole mission.

[@HWG-wm8ld]

I find it difficult to not give sound advice too.

[@illidur]

@@jackjmaheriii Interesting and thanks for explaining.

[@dogboy0912]

Read some JP 3.09-3 today actually lol. Yeah I'd suggest having IR chem lights to buzzsaw. It's been a minute but you can see that pretty clearly on flir iirc. There is a low light mode on the flir but for targeting, weapons are boresighted to the IR so that's the mode you'd want to be in.

[@MrSLF]

👍

[@tugarin2345]

DJI drones are our Angel of Death.

[@jeremyfigueroa1683]

Hey hop, in all honesty, for getting ones first bump helmet. Would it be better to go with hhv or save up nd get ops core/ team wendy? I know ballistic helmet you get what you pay for, but for bump helmets. Pros and cons for each one?

[@Hoplopfheil]

There are so many weird issues with the HHV that I wouldn't recommend it. Team wendy has the best "entry level" bump (better pads, suspension) but the new ops core super high cut FAST bump is my go to bump helmet now. The downside is it costs like 500 bucks and is still just a bump.

[@jeremyfigueroa1683]

@Hoplopfheil alright, so if money is no concern ops core. If it is, team wendy

[@erichaines5518]

deschutes?

[@js-fh4zz]

🍺

[@ReaperLust]

Hop is old enough to drink beer?

[@mabs9503]

Gm 🍻

[@Hoplopfheil]

Hi Mabs

[@Slivyr]

Love me sum Kitteh (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) Love me sum IR autism. Love me sum PDP Reviews. I pray one day I shall have all.

[@DustyGamma]

3:46 Legalise AC-130s! Or at least give them to law enforcement. It'd be like the anime "Tank Police" only with planes!

[@Shimitzu]

0:10 it's not 5 people, it's just me watching it multiple times

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

as one of those 5 people, I don't mind, as long as you don't mind, I just poured a whiskey and coke.

[@UncleDanBand64]

Yeah but, what kinda beer was it?????

[@BigBigBigJeff]

How DARE you drink a beer

[@toddinfl]

For urban shtf u need high ir for when u n ur bros are fanned out combing thru the remains of said metropolis.

[@randomidiot8142]

People joke about Kel-Tec and their cocaine consumption while developing new products, but holy crap the tactical doodad manufacturing crowd must live on it.

[@w.w.9047]

I’m avoiding the NV IR rabbit hole simply because I don’t care to learn an entire new set of gear jargon.

[@polloi84]

staLk

[@headache237]

What are some good helmets for big heads😂

[@Hoplopfheil]

Whatever's available in XL, I suppose.

[@wagahagwa6978]

that intro made me thirsty