Setting up a Helmet for Night Vision Use

Night vision allows the user to see and operate in low-light conditions. It is an excellent asset for hunting, navigating, observing, and more. While you can use night vision as a handheld device, you can also head mount most night vision devices to use hands-free. A very popular method for mounting night vision devices is a helmet.

Using a tactical helmet can be confusing as there are many different brands, options, and methods of mounting your night vision device. Other components to consider when choosing a helmet include counterweights, rails, straps, shrouds, and more when creating your night vision system. This guide will assist you in selecting a tactical helmet and explain the options for mounting your night vision device.

Ballistic vs. Bump Helmets

When choosing a helmet, you have two options to choose from initially. You can use a ballistic helmet or a bump helmet. If your main priority is target shooting or hunting, then using a non-ballistic bump helmet would be a great choice as it will save you a lot of money compared to a ballistic helmet. Bump helmets do not protect from fragmentation or small arms threats. Still, they will protect you from injuring your head, much like a bicycle helmet.

Bump helmets are significantly lighter than ballistic helmets and are ventilated to allow for better airflow. Most of these helmets already have built-in shrouds to accept NVG mounts. This means that NVG-supporting equipment for ballistic helmets will also interface with bump helmets. Ballistic helmets offer fragmentation and small arms threat protection. There are varying levels of threat protection provided by ballistic helmets, so ensure you choose a helmet tested to your desired threat rating. These helmets are suited for law enforcement, the military, etc.

If you want to take a class that involves navigating a shoot house with live ammunition, a ballistic helmet will typically be required for your safety and the safety of others. While these helmets offer ballistic protection, they will be much heavier than bump helmets and more expensive. There are also helmets available that are made for airsoft and paintball that do not provide the extent of protection from a bump helmet or ballistic rating from a ballistic helmet. Most tactical helmets will also be compatible with most standard NVG shrouds and mounts. 

There are also several cut types for bump and ballistic helmets, such as High, Mid, and Full cuts. High-cut helmets are cut higher around the ears. This provides more space for accommodating headsets. The higher cut also offers greater maneuverability and comfort but less protection. A Mid-cut helmet shields the ears, making it difficult to wear specific headsets. The design also typically results in a slightly heavier helmet. A Full-cut protects the ears and extends further down than a Mid-cut helmet. This provides the most overall protection but will also mean increased weight.

Tactical helmets come in various styles and variations such as the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT), Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), and the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH). PASGT helmets often feature 19 layers of Kevlar and provide level IIIA protection. They typically weigh from 3.1 to 4.2 pounds. MICH helmets are similar to PASGT helmets but eliminate the sweatband and chinstrap and add a four-point retention system. It is more lightweight than the PASGT, providing increased comfort and ballistic protection. The ACH is an updated MICH version with a more advanced Kevlar for increased protection. MICH and ACH helmets typically weigh 3 to 3.6 pounds. The ECH is identical in shape to the ACH but is slightly thicker and made with lighter materials. 

Helmet Shrouds, Mounts & Arms

A shroud is a mounting bracket on the front of the helmet. Shrouds are made from various materials, including polymer, aluminum, and even a hybrid of both. Most modern helmets use a three-hole shroud, but some use a single-hole shroud. Many helmets come with the shroud pre-installed, but some helmets will require you to drill holes into the front of your helmet, using a shroud as a template to mount the shroud properly. If you are buying a ballistic helmet, make sure the shroud is pre-installed. You do not want to drill into a ballistic helmet. The shroud is essential for mounting night vision goggles to the front of your helmet as it will secure the night vision mount to the helmet. Shrouds can have other features, such as lanyards and bungee cord compatibility.

The mount is a pivoting armpiece that locks into the shroud on the helmet. There are many different options for helmet mounts that vary in price, materials, and features. Mounts will allow you to flip up your night vision device when not in use; they also can adjust the eye relief of your night vision device by extending further or retracting closer to your eye. Some mounts offer the ability to cant your night vision device to create a lower profile when stowed upright or sit more comfortably in front of your eye when in use. 

Arms are the last piece of the mounting setup for your night vision device. They are used to adapt your night vision device to the mount and are typically known as a J-Arm due to their shape. Arms typically use a thumb screw to attach to the night vision device and a dovetail or bayonet interface to attach the arm to the mount. Most night vision devices will include a J-Arm in the box. 

Whatever shroud you select or your helmet comes with, ensure it is compatible with the mount and arm you intend to use or that you have the appropriate adapter to use it. 

Suspension Systems

The suspension system is the straps on your helmet around your head and chin. This is a critical component when using a helmet-mounted night vision setup. Standard chinstrap designs do not provide enough stability and allow the helmet to teeter on the crown of your head. The additional weight your night vision goggles adds to the front of your helmet will pull it forward. Adding a strap that fits around the nape of your neck will help to prevent the helmet from leaning too far forward. Modern helmets offer nape straps and the standard chinstrap to help with this issue. If your helmet does not include a nape strap, you may be able to attach an aftermarket one.

Helmet Counterweights

Counterweights are designed to add weight to the back of the helmet to balance the night vision device weight at the front of the helmet. Counterweights can be homemade or purchased from a manufacturer directly. Most manufacturers use a pouch with hook and loop compatibility to Velcro the pouch to the back of the helmet. They can come with weighted lead bags or pouches that help to offset the weight at the front of the helmet. They can also house external battery packs for your night vision, acting as a counterweight. Counterweights may only be necessary for some, however. Nape straps work very well to keep the helmet from falling too far forward. Helmets that cannot use a nape strap would benefit from using a counterweight. 

Other Tactical Helmet Accessories

Many other accessories can be used to customize your helmet to fit your needs. Upgrade your helmet pads to increase comfort, breathability, and reconfigurability. Helmet rails add gear to your helmets, such as IR lights, communication equipment, batteries, etc. Add a lanyard to your helmet and attach it to your night vision device. If your night vision device falls off its mount, the lanyard will save it from being lost. 

Hearing Protection and Headsets for Helmets

Many helmets offer the ability to equip hearing protection and tactical headsets. Electronic ear protection with headbands can be made to fit by removing or reconfiguring helmet pads inside the helmet. This can be slightly uncomfortable when using your helmet for an extended period as the ear protection cannot be removed unless you remove your helmet and take it off. Many current offerings and adapters allow the user to pop off the ear protection when they are not needed to increase comfort. This helmet mounting method keeps the pressure on the helmet itself, not your head. It allows you to easily pop your ear protection on and off when needed. 

Shop Night Vision Goggles & Helmets at OpticsPlanet

Night vision is an asset to anyone who intends to hunt, navigate, or operate in the dark. Setting up a helmet for night vision can be difficult as many components are needed to mount your device. It is essential to understand the cost of your potential setup by pricing out each piece, including the helmet, shroud, mount, arm, and any possible gear and accessories you may need to fit your needs. When selecting each component, ensure they are compatible, as not all mounts, shrouds, and arms are universal.

Ensure you choose a format that suits your budget and your needs. While it is nice to have additional capabilities and gear attached to your helmet, that weight can add up and cause fatigue when worn for extended periods. A lighter-weight, minimalistic setup would be more beneficial if you intend to wear your helmet for a prolonged period. Check out our Tactical Helmet Buyer's Guide for tips on buying the best helmet and accessories for your application.