Night Vision PVS-14 magnifier question

[Namekagon]

Never owned a PVS-14. How hard is it to install a magnifier? Can it be done easily in the field after walking into a stand? I'm considering the following plan:

Working toward a highly effective 2-man setup for predator hunting. We currently have a dedicated NV riflescope and a 640 core thermal rifle scope. My idea is that each guy should have both thermal and NV to have the best of both worlds on target location and ID. To me, the guy with the thermal scope should have a helmet-mounted PVS-14 to help scan/ID and to avoid dancing around the tripod constantly with the weapon-mounted thermal. Likewise, hunter with the NV scope should have hand-held thermal.

My thought is, the PVS-14 would be nice for navigation into and out of the setup without magnification. Once on stand, I think I'd wish it had a little mag boost. Need to be able to discern between coyote and wolf in the woods. Are the magnifiers easily installed in the dark in the field? Am I headed the right direction? Thanks.

 

[ballistic1]

The pvs14 magnifier I have has both a slip (friction) type adapter.. you simply push it
on over the objective on the pvs14.

It also can be removed from the 3x magnifier, and then the 3x magnifier can be
directly threaded into the objective of the pvs14.

For simple observation by hand, meaning the pvs14 is in your hand, the press fit would
suffice. But I would not trust it to hold securely if head mounted.. not mine anyway.

I personally do not use NV for navigation.. I just use thermal to move about..
Where we hunt there is plenty of stray light sources.. too hard
to constantly be mindful of inadvertently sweeping a tube.. so I've found
it much easier to use thermal .

As far as ease of installing a 3x mag on a pvs14... with alot of practice, Im sure one
could become proficient at it.. during the winter months, probably cumbersome with
gloved hands.

 

[wigwamitus]

Almost anything gets easy with practice.

I've used the 3x as a slipon with the 14 on my head, but only when standing still, not when moving.

I mostly have used the 3x magnifier on the 14 for ranging.

1 - Stop moving and orient towards the target you wish to range
2 - if wearing duals, flip out the right side 14
3 - remove bushy arc elite 1600 from the pouch and rest it into the apex of the flipped out 14 and the right side on the still flipped down 14.
4 - aim the LRF at the ground at press for a pulse. Note the pulse (which is an ir-laser) on the ground with the left side 14.
5 - Walk the pulse onto the target, pressing the fire button with the right hand and observing with the left side 14.
6 - If the target is too far away to see the pulse when at the target, remove the 3x magnifier from its pouch. Slowly as the delivered pouch emitts a LOUD velcro ZIP.
7 - Slipon the 3x magnifier
8 - repeat step 5
9 - read the distance off the display with the unaided right eye.
10-Repeat the ranging 2 more times or until sure you have the correct range.
11 - Return all items to pouches
12 - flip down right side 14
13 - Resume activities

If you are not moving, then slipping on the magnifier should work fine. If you are moving it might fall off so that would not be good. The glass might get cracked or scratched.

I used the screw on capability VERY rarely when I mounted the 14 + 3x on a .22lr behind an RDS. It can work for that, but I haven't used it like that in 4+ years.

 

[Namekagon]

Thanks guys, sounds like it would work for my purposes.