PVS-14 (Gen III and +) is where it's at. There are variations of that now as I understand it, like bino vs monocular, white phosphorous etc but the Gen III stuff is WAY WAY beyond the gen I stuff in performance.
You can get the really inexpensive Gen I stuff but it requires illum of some kind. I bought a Russian gen I NV scope thing years ago because I figured "something is better than nothing". That's sort of true but if you're really worried about having to do stuff at night, saving $ by buying Gen I vs Gen III is not the way to go.
Thermal is a really nice thing to have too, but if you can only get NV or thermal, get NV first. You can spot someone hiding in bushes with thermal at least out 100 yds, but you can't walk through the woods without light if all you have is thermal, you need NV to be able to sneak around. A handheld FLIR Scout (I think FLIR is selling a "Breach" handheld that is better quality picture than the older handhelds they were selling.)
** EDIT- It's not true I guess that you NEED NV to walk around in the woods at night, but it sure helps especially if you're not a lifelong woodsman. NV is simply a huge assist in being able to step out confidently and being able to land-nav as well as see what's out there. I was more trying to say that to make the point that IR is helpful but it isn't "night vision" enough to be able to go walkabout without running into tree branches, bushes etc, not the way NV is.**
Things that camo during the day generally are also camo at night. The NV lets you see, but you still aren't the eye of Sauron seeing everything. That is, you could be walking around in the woods with your NV, but if there's a guy in camo hiding in the bushes and he's not moving, you could probably about step on top of him before you realized he's there. NV is a great tool, but it isn't magic. Woodsman and outdoor skills are still really important.
NV + an IR, now you're talking at least if you're out in the woods trying to find something hiding in there. The two together really are awesome for seeing someone out there before you're seen, especially if you're being stealthy and not making noise/light.
Things like brighteners in your clothing detergent can really blow up under night vision - don't use them and look at your night clothing under NV to make sure nothing like that happened. I've seen for instance BDUs that were washed in that and at night they look like a black and white cartoon figure in camo pattern, but much more visible in just the amplified light.
Other stuff you need in the same vein:
-you need a mounting system of some kind to wear the NV. Just to warn you, you're looking at $ for this on top of the not-cheap PVS-14 or whatever you get.
Probably the best most robust setup is a helmet with a front mount. Just warning you though $ if you haven't priced it yet.
A Crye Nightcap is another good option, it's a soft cap you wear that you strap to your head and it has the NV mount on it. It's kind of like wearing a ballcap. Maybe $150 for the NightCap and another $50-$100+ for the mount but it is less expensive and more comfortable than most helmets. But of course, you don't have any helmet protection if that's important to you.
- I would also leave room in the setup to wear clear eye pro under the NV. I have almost been badly scratched in the eye from walking into tree branches in the dark and a friend of mine (during the day) scratched his eye that way badly enough to have to go to the doctor. (this assumes you're wearing a monocular NV, thus one eye is uncovered and might be exposed)
-you need an IR laser to aim with
-be aware that there are many thousands of sets of NV gear out there, including the least expensive stuff from Bass Pro Shop etc on up to pro-grade stuff. You should train to not walk around showing light or using IR illum except very very sparingly, as even Gen I NV gear can see that. If you're using an IR laser, it only comes on the quickest shortest bit to aim and shoot, and then off it goes.
You are not the only one around who can see in the dark.
There's a company that sells this and other tactical/prepper stuff who offers training, if you're in the SE US. You can buy the gear from them and then get some hands-on experience and some good instruction from folks who have been using it awhile. I've been to a couple of those and highly recommend it (I'm going to another one of their night classes later this fall)
I would HIGHLY recommend some experienced training- not just in how the stuff works and using it, but also in things like what kinds of TTPs would you use, if you know other folks around you have NV?
(If it's ok and not against forum policy/rules, I'll say the name or provide a link.)
EDIT - I've since seen classes from other trainers listed in this subforum, so I think it's ok to post this.
Here is a link to the upcoming November NV class that I'm referring to:
https://www.jrhenterprises.com/Night-Vision-training-Midnight-Rendezvous-2020-NOV-14-SOLD-OUT-Nov142020Midnight.htmIt says SOLD OUT but you can always try to standby in case there are cancellations.
If nothing else, like the rest of your kit, you need to have practiced putting on and using it a bunch, enough so that you're at unconscious competence level with it hopefully like you are with the rest of your gear. Do some of your dryfire practice with the stuff on, can you do your reloads with NV on and without having to look at your hands?
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