Night Vision Cold weather hunters...head mount PVS14 options

[dang472]

I currently have a Team Hillary bump helmet with a single PVS14. This setup hasn't been used much when the temps are in the teens at night. I'm wondering what you guys are running to allow at least a warm hat with a little ear protection. I like the Crye Nightcap but I wanted real world guys to tell me how they go about their business. In the future, I'll most likely grab another 14 so I'll need dual mount stability. Currently I'm hunting with a warm stocking cap and a hood if the wind is blowing down my neck.

 

[wigwamitus]

I wear balaklavas under my helmets. I have two helmets, one is a S/M size (the team hillary bump) and the other is a M/L size (the Ops Core ballistic). By getting the Ops Core a size too large, I can wear thick balaklavas under it and still snap the chin strap and be fine.
With the TH bump, I use the thin balaklavas but then I can also snap the chin strap and be fine.
I put the balaklava over my nose when I snap the chin strap to make sure I have the option to put the balaklava over my nose. And depending on the conditions, I to put it over my nose.
The TH with the thin works for me down to about 10F. Then the OC with the thicker works down to -20F, which is as cold as I've tried it.
I use FogTech on the glass surfaces to mitigate fogging. And I have some vented low pro goggles that works under the head mounted NODs. So I can ride the 4-wheeler or shoot into a 20 MPH head wind, wearing these googles even with the NODs on.
For me, in general the Ops Core is my cold weather or rain helmet (it has no holes in the top) and the TH is the warm weather helmet.

I've thought about trying a large balaklava OVER the Crye Night Cap, but I have not tried it yet.

 

[softcock]

Pretty similar as Post above about head-cover and Helmets . if the N./ N.E. wind not blowing to bad . I will wear a thin Fleece 'hard hat liner' on my head and it will cover my ears also with helmet over top .
If it really freezing and cutting wind, I wear a tight weave Fleece balaklava cover on head and face, with helmet over it . have to do a little adjustment and loosen the 4-point for different thickness of covers but it all works out good .

Only thing really I fight with in the colder months is Cold fingers and sometimes my eye will get a little watery burn when the wind is blowing pretty cold at nighttime .
.

 

[dang472]

Thanks guys, I’ll play with a few different thickness head covers. Most likely I’ll have to bump up a size to do what I really want.

 

[cake5150]

I use the shit out of my Nightcap and have been using it over the last couple months in some coldish weather (so far down into the 20s w/o issue). Tonight I had my flannel hood over it in addition to my winter coat's hood but it really wasn't that cold out. I really like the NightCap because it is cool in the summer (previously lived in FL where summers are BRUTAL) and warm in the winter since you can use hoods and earpro easily. Also, it stows in my NV bag easily and takes up hardly any space which is especially nice when flying. That little canvas bag holds the PVS-14, 3x magnifier, NightCap, counterweight, rhino arm, Streamlight SuperTac IR, LT-755, and spare batteries. I sold my nice helmet setups six months after I bought the Crye and haven't missed them yet, that was late 2014.

 

[skinney_7]

Under Armour cold gear face mask, and a Polartec beanie, under an oversized helmet and rig. It'll keep your head fine to -30. When it comes to those temps I'm worried more about my damn fingers.

 

[Strykervet]

Thanks guys, I’ll play with a few different thickness head covers. Most likely I’ll have to bump up a size to do what I really want.

Just readjust it to accept a watch cap. Or balaclava. Used to wear these under my helmet in the army. What works here is to find a thin one and then get a regular wool one. Wash the regular wool one and put it in the dryer to shrink. It'll then fit your head really tight (may have to stretch it some) doesn't need to be folded and is thicker now... I called it my "helmet liner" for cold weather; if not too cold I used the thinner, cheaper watch cap I liked to use for PT. Don't shrink this one, just pull it down over your ears and neck..

New army fleece watch caps are a lot looser, just get one bigger and it can be worn over the top. I'd do this unless it was just freezing cold and you'll be sitting around. Then I'd readjust it to put the watch cap under the soft cap. A thin one isn't as warm but a shrunk wool one is and works well for this.

Lots of options, don't need to buy another unless you've already got it adjusted as wide as it goes.

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Like wig said. A balaclava is the most comfortable way. I take duct tape and tape the holes off from the inside so the wind doesn’t give you frostbite on your noggin.