What is Dual Band?
Dual band fusion systems are observation devices that use both night vision and thermal. There are a few types, but what we have here is a bridged system.
A night vision monocular over one eye and a thermal monocular over the other are linked together using a special bridge mount that allows both to be used at the same time or individually. This is the best of both worlds, but it is heavy, and you need to know how and when to use each device.
The Kit
Armasight sent me this setup, which includes:
- Armasight PVS-14 night vision monocular
- Armasight Sidekick 640 mini thermal monocular
- Team Wendy EXFIL Bump Helmet in Armasight Gray
- OTTE Gear night vision helmet bag
- Wilcox G95 NVG mount
-
Rayvn Group modular bridge mount
I added a few more components:
- Otto NoizeBarrier headset with helmet mount
- Nextorch Star Multi-light source tactical helmet light
- Nextorch UT61 tactical helmet signal light
- Bungie retention strap
- Amazon counterweight system with Velcro
-
Stickers and patches
The Parts
The Armasight PVS-14 features an Elbit Gen 3 unblemished white phosphor tube rated at 2,700 FOM, 34 signal to noise, 81 resolution, .88 EBI and .67 Halo. That will all make sense if you are a night vision nerd; otherwise, don’t worry about the specs. Basically, it is a very good tube, but if you are just getting into night vision and are on a budget, you don’t really need something this good.
For someone starting out on a budget, I would recommend a Gen 2+ PVS-14 monocular with relatively few blemishes. Make sure it is autogated or has some kind of system to protect the tube from bright lights. White phosphor is much nicer than the old green images, and get something with FOM over 1,400. At that rating or higher, I doubt I would really be able to tell much of a difference in real-world use.
Next, the Sidekick 640 is one of the best values in thermal monoculars. It’s lightweight and user friendly. The “640” designates the sensor size. The larger the sensor the better the detection capability, and 640 is one of the largest sensors in devices this size. Because this is a digital device, the other important aspect is the firmware. Unlike many other brands, Armasight takes feedback from customers and continually updates its firmware to improve performance. I think that is an underappreciated point when looking at thermals.
The Rayvn Group bridge makes both units work together. This bridge allows you to adjust each unit to position it precisely in front of your eye to get the best image. You can also swing each monocular away individually or remove each pod if you want to use only one device.
Since I received this package, Rayvn Group sent me an updated bridge, which includes:
- all stainless-steel hardware for more corrosion resistance
- redesigned PVS14 arm for better fit
- redesigned Sidekick pod for more articulation
-
added thumbscrew stops for toolless removal
Accessories
Those are the main elements, but I’ll go over the rest of my setup, because the accessories really make a difference. I love this Team Wendy helmet. Pricewise, it’s right in the middle of the market. I would suggest not skimping on the helmet. Any helmet is tolerable for a few minutes, but you will probably be wearing this setup for hours. Get a good suspension system and padding.
Don’t overlook your hearing protection setup, either. Yes, you need to protect your hearing, but the other important element is that it adds more rigidity and connection to your helmet. This helmet is not only heavy, but the weight is cantilevered in front of you, so when you move around, it can be wobbly. The clamping effect of the headset makes a big different.
I used an Otto Noizebarrier headset with Otto helmet mount for Team Wendy helmets. I tried a lot of different, less expensive setups, and this one just shined. Not only the sound is fantastic, but the comfort and stability were amazing.
I attached an Amazon counterweight system with Velcro to the back of the helmet to help with balance. Finally, I added a Nextorch strobe and task light. Nextorch has affordable and design-focused products that make sense, and they are always improving.
The strobe is for personal safety. It’s easy to lose sight of people in the dark, so a helmet-mounted strobe makes sure no one thinks I’m a target. The task light is for admin purposes such as loading mags or fixing gear. It also has IR and visible light settings and is easy to use.
The Experience
The Armasight fusion kit is at the cutting edge of night shooting technology. You can dominate the night with this system. It can really do everything. The big thing to know about this dual band setup, though, is that it is not about fighting. It’s about detection.
For running and gunning, a binocular night vision system is probably best. As night vision goggles are analog and don’t need software, the images are formed at the speed of light. That’s why they are so good in dynamic situations like CQB. You can also see depth in the image, so it is easier to do things like navigate and drive vehicles.
I did get to the point where I can move around and shoot using both devices. There is a bit of a trick to letting your dominant eye take over with the PVS-14 and just seeing highlights through the Sidekick. It is slower, and there is a learning curve.
Driving is limited to night vision only, because thermals can’t see through glass. Also, thermal images are flat, so it is hard to navigate. Plus, there is lag with the digitally processed image.
How it Works
The dual band shines when detecting a target that's in a static position or moving slowly. Night vision brightens the night, but there are still shadows and places to hide. Movement is easy to detect, but if something is camouflaged in the daylight, it is still camouflaged through night observation devices. Looking into a dark room or cave without any ambient light still requires illumination with additional IR lights.
In contrast, thermals see all heat. They can also see through limited rain and fog. Even if someone has a tarp over them, if they are touching the tarp, their heat transfers through. This is why predator hunters love thermals so much. Animals stick out like sore thumbs. The only way to hide from a thermal is to put a barrier and some kind of thermal gap between the thermal and the target. Unlike in the movies, thermals cannot see through walls or even windows.
Think about it. How far can you see a human, even in the daylight, if they are not moving and not silhouetted? Maybe at 300 or 400 yards? The Sidekick 640 can detect human heat out to 700 yards. As long as you have line of sight, the camera will see them. That’s a huge advantage. If you have ever experienced it, you understand.
One of the newest uses is for drone detection. Drones run hot compared to the cold sky, so it is easy to see them.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Dual night vision and thermal capability
- Increased detection distance
- Flexible mount
- Similar cost as binocular night vision
- Similar weight as binocular night vision
- Armasight support
- Can be purchased in stages
Cons:
- Cost
- Weight
-
Learning curve to use both devices together
Conclusion
If you want to see everything and have this capability, the Armasight fusion kit is a fantastic turnkey option. Yes, it’s expensive, but it is priced competitively for the market. You are getting a top-of-the-line night vision and thermal in addition to all the accessories necessary to start using it right away.
Obtaining the entire package as a kit has significant advantages. The night vision market is not yet uniform, and there are many options for helmets, mounts, adapters, etc., with few universal standards. Armasight has done the work for you in choosing high-end, functional, but affordable components to go with the observation units. It is about the same price and weight as getting binocular night vision googles, but you get the added capability of thermal detection.
You can also build this setup slowly to spread out the cost. Armasight sells all these parts separately, or you can start with the Sidekick from Guns.com. That’s where I would start, as it provides the most capability right away.
