HOW TO: Build your PVS15!

There are unfortunately few appealing options for mounting a current NVG on the helmet. The choices are limited to cheap China PVS14 Dummies, the rare ANVIS-9 Replica Kits made of resin, which can occasionally be found on eBay for a pricey 200 Euros or more, or the original, which is hard to find or completely unavailable, and also too expensive. Bernd and Hardy12 will show you today on SPARTANAT how you could improvise a fake PVS15 with simple means: (Click on all images to enlarge)

Due to the lack of night vision dummies, we – Hardy12 and Bernd – got creative and considered various DIY solutions for a PVS15. One option would have been to use Rapid Prototyping, as digital CAD models were available and it would have been relatively inexpensive to produce them. The catch was that the mount would be very fragile and prone to breaking due to the porous and rigid material.

So, we came up with the following:

Materials needed: 2x PVS 14 Dummy from EB

1x Wooden block approx. dimensions 50x50x30 mm

1x Washers and wood screws

1x Black spray paint from the hardware store

Hot glue and 2-component adhesive

Approx. 120 minutes of pure crafting time

HOW-TO: The idea was to combine the two PVS14 dummies into a new NVG, with one of them needing to be "mirrored." First, both PVS were almost completely disassembled using gentle force, delicate handling, and a flat-head screwdriver.

The eyepiece of one PVS can be left as is, while the shaft of the other is cut off. The "screw guides" and the round "ears" on the housing are removed.

Next, the eyepiece is glued to the former position of the front tube, and vice versa. A good centered and edge-parallel alignment is important - so first approximate and align - then glue!

Now you have a "matching" set of PVS14 dummies.

Next comes a bit of a challenge. The wooden block is cut and sanded to fit the dummy's shape. It is important that the block fits snugly for easier assembly later. I found a trapezoidal shape to work best - some trial and error may be needed to get it right. Also, make sure it's at right angles and aligned parallel! Before assembling the PVS, the remaining housing edges are sanded/cut off.

Now you can put the PVS together. They must be placed parallel and evenly.

Then mix and apply the 2-component adhesive. Align and fix the PVS. Both should be arranged slightly "V-shaped." A few hours later, you can fill it with hot glue.

Next, unscrew the small plate from the mount on the Rhino arm. This is the "normal" Norotos Rhino, which is affordable. Attach the Rhino to the wooden block using washers and a wood screw. Finally, cut the screws in half and glue them into the openings created.

Spraying the PVS connection with black paint and lightly dusting it (Sand Crylon) gives it the finishing touch! The replica is quite impressive! Have fun crafting and greetings from Bernd and Hardy12

Interested in the original? Here's the Photo File “PVS15”.