Can You Use Any Helmet for a Night Vision Helmet?

You may be a hunting enthusiast for quite a while, but you may also be a first-timer when it comes to night vision devices. For those who like to go out in the woods or somewhere else at night, they often bring night vision devices to help them see better in dark places.

There are different types of night vision devices, such as night vision goggles, night-vision monoculars, night-vision binoculars, and so on and so forth.

If you’ve gotten tired of carrying a flashlight or night camera while camping out in the dark, spelunking, or doing emergency rescue missions at night, it’s way better to go hands-free with a night vision helmet.

A night vision helmet is simply a helmet equipped with a night vision device. It can offer you a hands-free operation of your devices, so that you can use both of your hands for more important matters.

Many night vision helmets can be assembled, with many units coming with a helmet and the night vision together. But some people go the DIY way, assembling a night vision device to their existing helmets.

But before setting up a night vision device to a helmet, here is the most important thing to remember: there is no “one-size-fits-all” way to do it. Deciding on the type of helmet you’re going to use is also another factor before setting up your night vision gear. You can also learn more about how to provide the best customer experience. 

  • Ballistic helmet – A ballistic helmet is designed to stop a bullet or projectile from penetrating the skull. It is a standard equipment worn by the infantry.
  • Bump helmet – A bump helmet may not protect you from bullets but it can protect you against bumps and falls while providing the ability to mount a night vision device or any other gear. It’s definitely cheaper and lighter than a ballistic helmet. It’s often worn by civilians in potentially risky non-combat situations, such as wild boar hunting or live-action role-playing.
  • Motorcycle helmet – A motorcycle helmet has a rugged plastic shell outside and foam inside. If the head is hit, the materials in your helmet will help dissipate the impact’s force and energy, reducing the pressure applied to the skull. It can also be mounted by a night vision device or any other gear.

Close-up portrait of a bearded special forces soldier observes the surroundings in night vision goggles.

All of these helmets can be fitted with a night vision device to turn them into night vision helmets. A lot of night vision helmet setup differ depending on the type of night vision device you’re going to install or your budget. If you want night-vision goggles (NVG) for your regular helmet or for ghost hunting equipment, here’s what you’re going to need:

  • NVG shroud – It’s a platform attachment at the front of your helmet, allowing you to integrate your NVG or other gear such as lights or cameras.
  • NVG mount – It is used to attach to the NVG shroud.
  • Small bungee cords – They hook onto the NVG’s side and pull tightly to the head to secure the NVG or any other gear you’d like to add to the shroud. 
  • Batteries – They power your NVG. These are typically installed at the back of the helmet.
  • Counterweight pouches – It’s expected that an NVG or any other gear adds to the weight of the helmet. These pouches go at the rear of your headgear to help balance the weight.
  • Morale patches or ID placards – These items are used for identifying friend or foe (IFF). They help your team identify you as “one of them.” This is particularly important when they’re using night optical/observation devices (NODs), which can distort faces.
  • Helmet cover – It provides a protective layer to your helmet. It also provides camouflage and prevents the light from glaring off the helmet’s surface once it has formed a sheen.
  • Helmet bridge – It’s a one-size-fits-all item for mounting accessories.
  • Headband – Also known as a sweatband, it was a part of the PASGT helmet’s suspension system.
  • Tourniquet – It is used to stop or limit blood loss. It is usually attached to the back of the headgear with Velcro.
  • Strobe light – It is installed on the top of your helmet so you can be identified as friendly by helicopters, drones, etc. It is another important IFF item.
  • Flashlight – It is mounted to a rail system or NVG mount for illumination in dark conditions.
  • Camera – It is one of the standard pieces in every tactical headwear, used to record and process real-time data.
  • Eye protection – It protects the eyes from explosive fragmentation, blast pressure, etc.
  • Ear protection – It protects the ears from high-decibel booms, preventing or minimizing the risk of tinnitus or deafness.

How much does it cost to set up a night vision helmet?

This is no lie: get ready to see a lot of zeros when figuring up your budget for the night-vision headgear setup.

For instance, ballistic helmets alone can range between $200 and $1500. However, the tech additions like NODs, lights, cameras, etc., are really the ones that drive up the budget.

If you’re going for a budget setup, always remember: you get what you pay for!