REVIEW: Crye Precision NightCap

Finally we are in possession of a night vision device, but how is the best way to get it in front of your eye? A helmet or skull crusher would probably be the most stable option, but the transport is quite bulky. For those who want it small and light, the Crye Precision NightCap is certainly an alternative. We took a close look at it.

Above all, it must be said: you won't win a style prize with this hood. But always remember, when you put it on, it's usually pitch dark and you don't have to worry about judging looks.

The concept is simple: the NightCap offers you a light, but also stable way to get a night vision mount, called a shroud, onto your head. There is a very similar solution from Europe from Hexonia - HERE our review - called SCALP. By the way, in the picture you can see the latest shroud from Ops-Core with integrated retention cords, a very fancy part.

So how is this solved with the Crye Precision NightCap? Inside you can see a forehead pad.

Underneath is a carbon plate that provides the necessary stiffness. This plate is used to screw the shroud on, similar to a helmet. It fits, wobbles, has air.

The rest of the NightCap is basically just for securing the mount.

Well, not quite, on the right side there is a cable channel, in case you use an external battery pack.

At the top there are three Velcro strips to adjust the shroud to the correct height and adapt the hood shape. If you want to know exactly how the cap works: HERE Crye Precision has its own Operator's Manual for the NightCap.

Once adjusted, it looks like this. There is a Velcro area at the back. Here you can attach morale patches of your choice or the specifically created counterweight/battery pouch, which we generally recommend.

The strapping is designed in the style of Ops-Core. It works well.

The chin area is made of Hypalon. Surprisingly, it feels very comfortable. Maybe it's also due to the cushioning effect of the beard.

With light monoculars like a PVS-14 or a PVS-18 (seen in the picture), the NightCap is best worn, even without counterbalance.

Binocular night vision devices, such as "Dual Tubes," can also be used. But due to the higher weight, stability, especially in fast movement, is not as optimal. Here we recommend a helmet, which is simply the most stable but also the heaviest solution. And with binoculars, a counterbalance is essential, while monoculars can still be used without one.

The great advantage of the NightCap is its small packing size compared to a helmet. In the picture, you can see the NightCap compared to the Crye Precision AirFrame Helmet. The mesh is the same as the one used for the Crye helmet cover.

Since the Crye Precision NightCap is a hood, you can easily wear hearing protection over it.

CONCLUSION: The Crye Precision NightCap offers a relatively stable, extremely light, and easy-to-pack option for attaching your night vision device to your head. It reaches its limits during dynamic shooting or running, but it wasn't necessarily developed for that purpose. For normal movement and observation, the NightCap is an unbeatable alternative to a helmet.

The Crye Precision NightCap without Shroud is available at IEA Mil-Optics for 118 euros in Black and Multicam.

IEA Mil-Optics online

Crye Precision online