Mount
A mount connects a night vision device or J arm to a shroud, which is typically bolted to a helmet. Different mounts offer various methods of adjustment, such as tilt and height adjustment. Many mounts provide a mechanism to fold the device upwards into a "stowed" position, where the device is kept clear of the user's eyes. This often includes mechanisms that turn the night vision device off when it is stowed.
Shroud
US shroud
The U.S. military introduced and popularized a modular system where a shroud is bolted to the front of the helmet, which then allows attaching a compatible mount with a simple locking mechanism. Russian ground force helmets such as the 6B47 and LShZ use a shroud that accepts the same mounts, with some visual differences.
Russian Aviation shroud[1]
This shroud is found on Russian aviator helmets, being used with the ONV-1 Skosok, GEO-NVG1, and GEO-ONV1 goggles. It is attached higher on the helmet than the US type.
Device Interfaces
Over the years, different standards have been developed for the mechanical interfaces between the mount and the night vision device.
What all these interfaces have in common is that they securely attach the device to the mount, while giving the user the ability to quickly attach and remove it.
Bayonet
Norotos Rhino
- Only supports pitch adjustment
- Patented force-to-overcome stowing mechanism
Norotos Rhino 2
- Improved version of the Norotos Rhino
- All features of Norotos Rhino, plus height adjustment
- Also produced with Dovetail
Norotos TATM
Dovetail
Wilcox L4 G24
One of the most well known mounts, it features height, pitch and distance adjustment, while being extremely lightweight. The flip up/down function on this mount requires depressing a button, which makes sure the device stays deployed or stowed regardless of mechanical force.
Cadex Low Pro
Although similar in adjustability and format to the G24 mount this one is slightly bulkier while certain features differ. Most notably the Low Pro uses force-to-overcome to flip the mount into stowed position while requiring depressing a button to release and fold down. This allows for quickly getting a device out of the way but ensuring it wont accidentally fall back down. Compared to the G24 the adjustability of height covers a larger span, making it suitable for bridged monocular setups and binocular housings that are particularly tall.
Ball Detent
Wilcox GSGM (Ground Spec Goggle Mount)
Wilcox L4 G01
The ball detent mounting system was introduced to the U.S. military with the AN/AVS-6 aviator binoculars, but later adopted by some ground forces as well. Today, even civilian search and rescue pilots rely on this system.
In contrast to the Dovetail or Bayonet system the mounts do not feature pitch adjustment, with compatible devices solving pitch adjustment internally.
Ball detent mounts include contacts for power supply, which are interrupted when the device is folded into the stowed position. Thus, many devices using ball detent mounts don't feature an internal battery compartment, relying on the power supply of the mount alone.
When stowed, devices using ball detent are much closer to and further back on the helmet than with most Bayonet or Dovetail mounts, making them optimal for their originally intended use inside of vehicles.
