TNVC – Advanced Civilian Night Vision for Adventure and Defense
Eve Flanigan 09.27.23
The 2023 Lucid Optics Ballistic Summit, an annual gathering of gun writers and manufacturers who are not (yet) household names, was held in September at NRA Whittington Center in New Mexico. Attending and enjoying the learning, camaraderie, and stunning surroundings is nothing new. But this year was different in that I had an unexpectedly moving experience, thanks to TNVC, a company that uses the acronym for “tactical night vision company” for its name. Former SWAT officer Shane Cook, now full-time with TNVC, and pro shooter Bryan Hunter were on hand to explain the company’s various options for civilian night vision-equipped helmets and cell phone/gun vision products and mounts.
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Among the firsts on the consumer market from TNVC is a panoramic view through NV goggles. With a nearly double-than-standard 94-degree view, possibilities for nighttime hunting, search and rescue, and other adventures are in reach. Their helmets incorporate new developments that allow for practical use. No more removing the helmet to take a call, or better yet, add Bluetooth and a microphone for hands-free communications. Cables from the batteries to optics are now better-managed with a simple channel system on the side of Ops-Core helmets. I’ve used Gen 2 night vision (NV) devices in the past, and thought I knew what to expect when peering through, or at, TNVC’s several products on display. Aside from having friends
in Texas who use night vision to hunt hogs, I had virtually no practical interest in night vision prior to the conference and had no expectation that the TNVC product line would be the one I’m most excited to write about post-conference.
A number of other product lines with military roots have turned over their civilian sales to TNVC. Even the small array of products—three NV-equipped helmets with up to four sight tubes each, rifle-mounted lasers, and a cell phone attachment, a vast amount of technical expertise and specifications were shared. This writer isn’t familiar enough with current or legacy NV products to do more than scratch the surface of the information shared with media reps in attendance. For example, when I asked “what generation are these products considered to be,” based on my limited experience with purchasing an NV monocular, I discovered that “gen” language doesn’t really apply, and the products displayed at the Summit are mostly from the FAST line of helmets by Ops-Core, fitted with mounts and relatively cost-contained NV goggles from TNVC’s own shop or an impressive panoramic set from L3Harris Technologies, a respected brand that chose TNVC as its civilian reseller.
With a veritable avalanche of specs and product combinations to choose from, how does the average varmint hunter, property defender, or budding astronomist choose? Well, that is the reason TNVC has captured a substantial share of the American civilian market. They exist not only to sell products, but also to educate consumers and match products to their needs. Outfitting a helmet for a specific pursuit such as hunting from an ATV can be complex. Factors such as choosing the optimal battery system, choosing the ideal articulating mount, and combining the use of night vision with a gun-mounted laser or comms gear is not a novice-level project, especially when the gear might be used by different-sized people hunting with different rifles. For home defense, NV is just component of a plan that includes auxiliary lights and tactics. TNVC is focused on supporting consumers as they set up their NV systems.
When the group stepped outside long after sunset to try out TNVC’s wares, I expected to see grainy green scenes of the area in a hundred yard or so radius. That was based on previous experiences with night vision gear. What actually happened is something I will never forget.
NRA Whittington Center is a stunning place, nestled at the base of the southern Rockies with a view of expansive grassy plains, dotted by volcanic hills. At night, this remote retreat offers outstanding stargazing. The views are reason enough to visit. But donning one of the bump helmets handed to me by Cook, my world was temporarily transformed by TNVC, and my view of what the world we live in looks like was forever changed.
The view of the night sky through the two ocular tube-equipped helmet was something I never expected and do not have words to accurately describe. It sounds corny now as a write it, but it was a spiritual experience. Whittington Center’s iconic skyline suddenly showed itself under a host of millions of stars in layers as deep as infinity. The revelation of a wondrous but normally invisible aspect of the day took my breath away. Now, it could be that sampling the wares of another vendor, 10th Mountain Whiskey, had something to do with the degree of emotion I felt. Some of my varmint-hunting colleagues instead expressed excitement about how many more critters they could fell in one night with great NV.
Trying out differently equipped helmets and handheld optics, I began to understand why matching one’s intended use to NV products can be daunting without support. Some optics lent a clear view of the land all the way to the horizon, while people standing nearby were visible as silhouettes. Other lenses lent close-quarters visual acuity that approached the quality of daylight vision. While I couldn’t read the print on a paper a friend held up, I could clearly identify individuals and what they were doing. There was even an NV attachment for phones, allowing me to walk around and casually snap photos of the Milky Way. While the phone attachment picture quality didn’t match the quality of images viewed through helmet-mounted NG, it was still much more detailed than the naked eye detects, even with Whittington’s high-elevation and dark skies. The photos that accompany this article do not effectively convey the clarity of vision this gear provided. Videos on the NVTC website such as this one show examples of what on-the-ground action looks like.
As a clearinghouse for newly available civilian NV,TNVC is an ideal and needed bridge between highly technical products and end users. They teach not only product selection, but also how to properly fit gear for every member of the household or hunting party, and how to adjust to dark time navigation when artificial light, including infrared flashlights, can come and go. Tasks as simple as unloading the dishwasher or walking the dog in the dark are examples of recommended practice. Live fire training is also offered by TNVC at several locations nationwide.
TNVC’s depth of experience is such that, when purchased through them, some brands’ warranties have gone from one to five years, with transfer privileges. Because they’re staffed with people who have actually used and repaired these wares in previous careers, consumers benefit from expert support after purchase.
A base model bump helmet from TNVC is $650. A newly civilian-accessible thermal-augmented device will ship in early 2024 for $6,500. Prices can climb to $45,000 for a helmet fitted with the maximum capacity of four viewing tubes, a power source, and accessories like carry cases. For anyone who wants the latest visual gear for nighttime adventures, TNVC is a must-see.
Thanks to Lindsey Kollander of Retten1 for help with photography.
