In SureFire Field Notes 74, Jamey Caldwell of 1 Minute Out discusses how to properly set up a carbine for both day and night use with NVGs. You can click and view the video above.

Caldwell has developed a specific setup to make his carbine more efficient and more fluid when operating in dark environments whether he is operating with NVGs or not. This setup allows Caldwell to go from IR to white light at any given time. Caldwell notes that most NVGs drastically reduce the field of view from the human eye’s natural 200 degrees to just 40 degrees. The limitation can increase the hazards of clearing small rooms quickly. He often chooses to splash white light with his  Scout Light® and look under the NVGs (Caldwell doesn’t run eyecups).

SureFire Field Notes 74
Jamey Caldwell, founder of 1 Minute Out

But carbine setup is critical. Caldwell prefers to adjust the brightness of his optic so that he can see the dot in the daytime or when using white light in a dark space. However, he balances the brightness to leave the dot dim enough that he can look through the optic and engage threats in low light without whiting out the NVGs. Caldwell favors the compact SureFire M300V Scout Light® on his carbine because it provides both white light and IR capability. However, he generally sets it to white light mode and uses an IR laser that’s set to activate flood illumination and the laser simultaneously when he uses NVGs. Caldwell says that this setup helps him to be fast efficient and fluid when faced with a low-light environment where threats may be present.

ABOUT JAMEY CALDWELL
SureFire Field Notes 74Sergeant Major (r) Jamey Caldwell, spent more than 21 years in the United States Army, serving his entire career in Special Operations. SGM Caldwell served 7 years with the 75th Ranger Regiment then spent the following 14 years in a Special Missions Unit that maintained a high operational tempo in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous other countries in the world. He has deployed to combat 14 times and has conducted well over 500 missions. SGM Caldwell has been awarded three medals for valorous actions in combat while under direct fire from the enemy. During his career, SGM Caldwell has consistently dedicated himself to the success of the mission and put the unit’s goals in front of his own. He has been sought after for his leadership skills, planning, leading combat operations, marksmanship, and CQB instruction, culminating from years of adaptive thinking in combat situations. For more information, visit 1minuteout.com.

ABOUT SUREFIRE
Located in Fountain Valley, California, SureFire, LLC is the leading manufacturer of suppressors, high-performance flashlights, weapon-mounted lights, and other tactical equipment for those who go in harm’s way or anyone who demands the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. SureFire illumination tools are used by more SWAT teams and elite special operations forces than any other brand. SureFire is an ISO 9001:2015-certified company. For more information on SureFire’s complete line of tactical illumination tools and equipment, visit SureFire.com.

To view more episodes of SureFire Field Notes, visit the SureFire Channel on YouTube. For more info on training with NVGs, check out SureFire Field Notes 56: Night Vision Training.