In subject 2482, Roger Opperman ([email removed]) writes:
> > . How much does the HUD limit peripheral vision?
>
> Built into a helmet? Lots. Find out how many military Helos have crashed
> at night because the pilot was wearing a 'night vision system', and ran
> into a power line or something equally pathetic. Imagine a soldier wearing
> this thing, crashing around in the brush, because he keeps tripping over
> roots he can't see very well.
>
> > . Does it connect to night-vision equipment?
>
> An NVS is maginally useful for pilots (see above), and more useful for
> a stationary spotter (like a sentry or sniper). For a person trying to
> move around on foot, it's probably not much more than dead weight.
>
> Sorry, Mark, but you're way off base on this. As a former
> "practicing" infantryman, I think it has been a while since you've
> used night vision gear.
True. It's been about 15 years. However, I think I've been doing a
fair job of following the technology in literature ("Jane's", and other
places).
> ... The primary factor to consider when you're a
> grunt humping in the bush at night is that you can't see ANYTHING
> anyway; take it from me -- having to turn your head to see the root in
> shades of green beats the hell out of tripping over it when you can't
> see your hand in front of your face. Modern low-light NVS goggles are
> fine for driving and MUCH more than adequate for walking. Admittedly,
> helo pilots do have a problem, but flying takes a HELL of a lot more
> peripheral vision than walking.
This may all be well and good for roadmarches at night, but for advance
recon in the dark, NVS isn't worth diddly. Peripheral vision is critical
(hearing is even more importmant, but that's another story). Every time
I ever tried this, we usually ended up on our bellies (or hands and knees
at least), feeling our way along, so as not to snap any sticks or rustle
too many leaves. If the foliage is thick, the problem is worse and NVS
is even less effective. BTW, you know that objects tend to be more visible
in your peripheral vision in the dark, than when directly faced. This is
because the cones (color receptors) in the eyes are clustered near the
center of the eye, whereas the rods (B&W intensity receptors) are dispersed
around the perimeter.
> ... When we get the thermal sights they
> use on AFV's down to a reasonable size, things will be even better. I
> expect they would equip everyone with the things now except for the
> cost and battery problems.
Until NVS and thermals are reduced to the size (and weight) of wrap-around
sunglasses, I'll take a naked, night-conditioned eyeball every time.
> As for radios, most infantry squad and team NCO's carry at least a
> radio receiver now. The military really got ripped on these things --
> we used to go out and buy the Radio Shack voice-activated radios `cause
> the issue ones were so bad. Having everyone in the platoon on the
> same frequency but only allowing the leaders to transmit would be a
> substantial advantage.
I don't have any experience with personal military commo sets (all they
teach us USMC bottom-of-the-food-chain types are hand signals :-)), but
I can't believe the RadioShack VOX headsets are better. I own two of them
(I used them to talk to the pit when I was Events Coordinator for the
Oregon Int'l Airshow, years ago). They have a max. LOS range of 1/2 mile,
and less than 1/4 mile in trees. Add to that, the fact that the little
whip antenna gets tangled in everything, and the VOX trigger requires that
you speak fairly loud before it kicks in. It also tends to get activated
inadvertently by other loud noises (gunfire comes to mind). It's bad
enough having to listen to the cacophony of a firefight, without hearing
it repeated and amplified in your radio headset! ("Jonesy!! Open fire!!"
"What?" "Open Fire!!" "WHAT?!" "OPEN FIRE!!" "Hold on while I turn off
my radio! I can't hear you over the gunfire!!") :-)
> If they do a decent job on the design, these helmets could be a real
> "Good Thing". Picture the Afghani with his knife being drilled at 200
> meters by the infantryman with adequate night vision. :)
Agreed. This is the Sentry/Sniper position I mentioned (above). Also,
this assumes little cover/clear terrain. Try this in the 'Nam and you'll
get your head handed to you.
Later,
Mark F. Cook
USMail: User Interface Technical Support
Hewlett-Packard - Interface Technology Operation
[address removed]
INTERNET: [email removed]
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