2024 Fundamentals of NV/Thermal Course

Build Your NV Foundation

Course Description, Background and Goals

In the night vision world, it’s entirely possible to have owned (and used) night vision capabilities for years without having a solid foundation in its fundamental use. We see this all the time, for a multitude of reasons – getting range time in the dark is hard, and might only be available a few times a year to the average user (or less). And even then, without the guidance and experience of experts, what should you even be doing with your NVGs to get more comfortable and capable when you do get on the range without wasting those precious hours?

This course will be the opposite of our annual event, Nocturnality Symposium. At this course we will start at the beginning, advance slowly at first through the basics of night vision operation and function, and delve a into a little theory and specifications. We will discuss how the head mounted NVGs we know and love are supplemented by thermal devices, and longer range night vision optics, to achieve an intended goal. We’ll do all this while showing you live examples of all of the pieces of the puzzle so you get the full picture.

Then, we’ll move into basic performance shooting concepts with night vision to get you comfortable, safe, and effective. You’ll be shown techniques for engagement up close and at distance, with active laser aiming systems of various types as well as passive engagements. We’ll compare thermal and longer range clip on solutions in each context, so you’ll actually understand a direction to go in terms of setting yourself up in the future to achieve what you want.

Who This Course is For

This course is for night vision users who seek formal instruction on fundamentals and basics up to intermediate concepts and techniques. It is intended primarily for those that have their own equipment but have relatively limited use with it beyond their own individual recreational uses (whether live fire or not).

If you’re worried this course might be a little too introductory for you, don’t. We likely will cover and demonstrate some things that will benefit you at the fundamental level. We’ll also work up to some challening, safe, skill building techniques to practice on your own and improve your NV shooting skills. Because we are a night vision and thermal supplier, we also have the unique benefit of being able to show diverse equipment and put more of the night time universe into perspective for you in a real way.

What if I don’t have NVGs of my own, but I want to come gain experience so I know what to do/purchase in the future?

If you can provide prior firearms course training completion certificates, we have rental equipment you can utilize. We’re not about gatekeeping, but we also firmly believe that you need to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. Given the safety implications of this type of course taking place in the dark, we want to stress that a basic level of proficiency in performance shooting is needed to attend.

What if I’m not ready to train in the dark yet, but still want to learn and see night vision and thermal options so I can make an informed purchase later?

This course is taking place the same weekend as our 2024 public night vision demo event at Sugar Creek Range in Lancaster KY. You can come out to the Friday Night Demo and ask all the questions you want and see tons of cool stuff on a smaller, less intense scale. This training course takes place on Saturday night and Sunday night at the same location.

Key Information

Co-Located NV Demo Event

This course takes place on Saturday and Sunday nights, but on Friday night (September 27th) we are also hosting a public night vision demo event at the same location, Sugar Creek Range from 7pm to 12am. The demo night is a great opportunity for buddies or family who may not want to or be able to take the course to also experience night vision and learn in a fun, safe environment. The demo night will feature limited, gamified live fire stations as well as allow access to ask questions and see some cool NV stuff first-hand.

If you’re signing up for the class, feel free to show up a day early and hang out and get to know us before hand. These events are always a lot of fun.

The demo night is free to attend, but the night vision live fire stations have a cost to play, which includes the ammunition required and all equipment. These fees benefit the range directly and not Nocturnality.

 

Where, When, and Registration

WHERE: Sugar Creek Range in Lancaster, KY (1033 Perry Rogers Rd, Lancaster KY 40444)

WHEN: This course takes place over two nights, Night 1 begins Saturday September 28th at 5PM until 12AM, Night 2 begins Sunday September 29th at 5PM until 12AM.

COST: Course tuition is $400. If you are qualified for rental equipment, the equipment rental fee is $250 for the weekend which will include the basic necessities to benefit from the course.

REGISTRATION: Register below using the registration form. There is space to request rental equipment. We will work with you to confirm proficiency requirements if you need to rent equipment.

Required Equipment

– Primary and secondary weapons with the ability to engage using night vision (infrared aiming laser or proper passive aiming sight such as a red dot etc)
 
– Head mounted night vision device
 
– Supporting equipment which will allow you to carry and draw your secondary weapon safely, sling your primary weapon, carry at least three spare primary magazines and two secondary magazines. Hearing protection.
 
– 600 rounds of primary ammunition and 300 rounds of secondary ammunition. We may not shoot all of it, but this amount ensures you will have enough to make it worth your time

 

– Admin gear: a sharpie, personal lighting such as a headlamp or handheld flashlight, a suitable tool for making adjustments to sights or lasers

 
– Proper attire/shoes/outdoor gear. The conditions may be wet, muddy, and are likely to be very warm and potentially humid/foggy. Water and food are your responsibility. We recommend some bug repellent, gloves, long pants, shoes or boots with good traction or tread, a chair and
 
– Sound suppressors for your primary weapon are encouraged but not required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Registration Form

Cost: $400

 

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