If you want to see in the dark without buying a dedicated night vision rifle scope, learning how to attach a night vision monocular to a scope is a smart solution. This method, often called “piggybacking,” can be a cost-effective way to add nighttime capability to your existing daytime optic. It does require the right gear and setup, but when done correctly, it can significantly extend your shooting hours.
This guide will walk you through the process, from choosing compatible equipment to getting a solid zero. We’ll cover the pros and cons, the essential hardware you’ll need, and the step-by-step procedure to make it work.
How To Attach A Night Vision Monocular To A Scope
The core idea is simple: you mount your night vision monocular in front of your regular daytime scope’s eyepiece. When you need to see in the dark, you look through the monocular, which then looks through your scope’s magnified view. For daytime use, you simply flip the monocular out of the way. It’s a versatile setup that preserves your normal shooting routine while adding a crucial after-dark function.
What You’ll Need for the Setup
Before you start, you need to gather the correct components. Compatibility is key here, and not all parts work together seamlessly.
- A Night Vision Monocular: A standard handheld or helmet-mountable unit (like many popular PVS-14 style devices) is what you’ll use.
- A Daytime Rifle Scope: Ideally, one with a large, forgiving eye box. Lower magnification scopes (1-6x LPVOs) often work better than high-power ones.
- A Picatinny or Weaver Mount: This attaches to your rifle’s rail, usualy in front of your scope.
- An Articulating Arm: This is the critical link. One end connects to the rail mount, and the other to your monocular. It allows you to swing the night vision into and out of position.
- A Monocular Mounting Ring: This clamps onto your night vision device and connects to the articulating arm.
- Tools: Typically Allen wrenches or screwdrivers to fit the specific mounts you purchase.
Step-by-Step Attachment Guide
Once you have all your parts, follow these steps to assemble and align your system. Take your time to ensure everything is secure and aligned.
Step 1: Mount the Rail Interface
Decide where on your rifle’s top rail you want the articulating arm to attach. It needs to be far enough forward so the monocular can swing clear in front of your scope’s eyepiece. Secure the base mount to the rail using the provided hardware, ensuring it is very tight.
Step 2: Attach the Articulating Arm
Connect the arm to the base mount. Most quality arms have a locking mechanism to keep them rigid when in use. Make sure you understand how to lock and unlock it for smooth operation. A loose arm will ruin your zero and cause frustration.
Step 3: Mount the Ring to Your Monocular
Carefully attach the mounting ring around the body of your night vision monocular. Avoid overtightening on sensitive parts like the housing or battery compartment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific ring to avoid damaging your expensive gear.
Step 4: Connect the Monocular to the Arm
Now, attach the ring (with the monocular in it) to the free end of the articulating arm. At this point, you should be able to swing the monocular into a position where it’s directly in line with your scope’s eyepiece. The eyepiece of the scope should be very close to the objective lens of the monocular, almost touching.
Step 5: Achieve Proper Alignment
This is the most fiddly part. You need to adjust the rings and arm so that when you look through the monocular, you see a perfectly centered, clear circle of view from your rifle scope. Any black shadows or vignetting means the alignment is off. This may require loosening, shifting, and retightening components several times. Patience pays off here.
Zeroing Your Night Vision Setup
Your night vision and your daytime scope have separate zeros. You must zero your rifle while looking through the night vision monocular. This zero will be specific to that combination.
- Set up a target in low-light conditions (dusk is ideal).
- Swing your monocular into position and look through it at the target.
- Using your rifle scope’s windage and elevation turrets, adjust the point of impact until it matches your point of aim through the night vision.
- Fire a group to confirm. Remember, this zero is for use with the night vision only. Your daytime scope zero remains unchanged.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While effective, this method isn’t perfect. Understanding it’s limits will help you decide if it’s right for your needs.
- Added Weight and Bulk: The setup adds noticeable weight to the rifle and can make handling a bit awkward.
- Eye Relief Challenges: You must maintain the eye relief for both the monocular and the scope. This can force you into a very specific, sometimes uncomfortable, cheek weld.
- Potential for Parallax: Misalignment can cause parallax errors, affecting shot accuracy.
- Dual Zero Management: You must remember which zero you are using and not mix them up. Some shooter’s use a different color of paint mark on their turrets for the NV zero.
FAQ Section
Can you attach any night vision to a scope?
Not exactly. You need a monocular-style device with a standard mounting form factor. Dedicated night vision rifle scopes or very large, bulky units are not suitable for this piggyback method. Always check compatability with mounting rings before you buy.
What is the best mount for a night vision monocular?
A high-quality, locking articulating arm is the best mount. Brands like Wilcox, Norotos, and Unity Tactical make reliable arms. Avoid cheap, non-locking arms as they will not hold zero and will wobble.
Does attaching night vision affect scope zero?
It should not affect your daytime scope zero if the mount is secure and the monocular swings completely out of the way. However, any impact or bump to the mount could potentially shift things. It’s good practice to check your daytime zero periodically when using this setup.
Is it better than a dedicated night vision scope?
It’s more versatile and often more affordable if you already own a monocular. But a dedicated night vision scope is usually more robust, simpler to use, and offers better optical performance because it’s designed as a single unit. The piggyback method is a great compromise, but not always the ultimate solution for professional use.
Learning how to attach a night vision monocular to a scope opens up new possibilities for your rifle. It requires an investment in the right mounts and some patience during setup, but the payoff is a highly adaptable system. You get to keep your familiar daytime optic while gaining a credible nighttime sight. Just be sure to practice with the setup in safe, low-light conditions to become proficient before relying on it in a real situation. With careful alignment and a solid zero, you’ll be ready when the sun goes down.