REVIEW: FMA GPNVG18 Dummy

The most important stag in the area carries the largest antlers. This is similar with night vision devices. The more "Tier 1" a unit is, the more sophisticated the technology. Ever since the operation against Osama Bin Laden, but even more so through its depiction in "Zero Dark Thirty", the latest night vision device from DEVGRU has been thrust into the spotlight. Now the first dummy replica has appeared and is available at TOY SOLDIER. We took a closer look at the GPNVG18 from FMA for you. (Click on images to enlarge)

Here you can see the GPNVG18 together with its current counterparts PVS15 (top right) and PVS18 (middle right). The size difference may seem modest here, but it is not. The two pieces at the top are together about the same size as the GPNVG18. The FMA presentation includes a night vision device (bottom) and battery box (left) with a cable.

Front view. Characteristic are the four lenses, which give an insect-like impression. Blue lenses are inserted in the front here, shimmering beautifully. In other models, you have to buy such lenses separately. Here, a spare set of lenses for the front and back is even included.

From behind, you can see that two tubes are combined. This results in a panoramic image in the original, but here it is a highly blurred view. However, the FMA clone is just a display item without function...

With the FMA model, there is a cap that is mounted in front of the lenses. Curved clear lenses, which protect the actual lenses, should be inserted into the fixed cap. These lenses need to be glued in by yourself. Otherwise, there is little to assemble with the kit. You still need to apply the glue with the markings yourself.

If you want to adjust the interpupillary distance, you can turn the night vision goggles on the right and left, so that the two optical bundles move inwards or outwards. On the original device, the markings are white. The FMA is nicely functional here, really adjustable.

The suspension is a bit tricky: it fits into the mount (we tested with an Emerson L2G05 and an FMA Norotos, you can see them below), but it doesn't snap in place. Also, it is made of plastic. The suspension on the dummy PVS18 next to it is made of metal and fits perfectly. You either need to swap it out or there will soon be a small retrofit part that would be worth it here. However, you can also modify the plastic disk with a knife to make it fit (the problem is the inner edge on the sharp side of the BNVIS Mount).

The biggest drawback of this non-functional dummy are its casting seams (click on image to enlarge). However, it must also be said that this is nothing that cannot be fixed in 30 minutes with a hobby knife and sandpaper. The plastic in Dark Earth - a black version is also available - naturally looks very new. Dusting and weathering with good modeling techniques helps to achieve more realism.

Just like with the real GPNVG18, there is also a power cable here that can be plugged into the night vision device with a connector and connected to the battery box.

However, this one is a bit too short. It stretches in a way that you can't plug it in when the NVG dummy is in the front positions on the mount. Extending the cable by two centimeters would be a real improvement. Here you can see the GPNVG set mounted on the FAST Ballistic (above) and the Airframe Helmet (below). This only works with the cable because the battery box is not centered.

The battery box, which is attached to the back of the helmet, can actually hold 4 CR123A batteries. It is secured with a screw, which also secures a rotating ring and a rubber safety strap - but only when the screw is tightened. If you open it up, you will have the screw and rotating ring in your hand. By the way, the plastic needs to be washed with soap, as it is so greasy that the Velcro we wanted to attach to mount the box to the helmet wouldn't hold.

CONCLUSION: Despite some small weaknesses, the FMA GPNVG18 dummy is a fantastic replica. If you want, you can compare the images with those of the Original in the Photo File (there is also a picture of how the view through an original device looks like). The lenses are also a big plus on the FMA. The non-matching mount, the short cable, and the casting seams are flaws that can be corrected. For the money, there is nothing to complain about with this model of one of the most modern night vision optics. In terms of wearing comfort, it is an amazing experience to have these antlers on your head. This device is big and powerful: Tier 1, after all... We are looking forward to the "functional" dummy that is supposed to follow. With it, you won't have night vision, but green LEDs will light up the eyes, so that the attached GPNVG looks real in the dark.

The FMA GPNVG18 Dummy is available at TOY SOLDIER for 55 dollars (excluding shipping).