Hey whats up, my favorite bearded large pot-sters!
Today, Ive got a fun product to show you that might just give you some actual
superpowers. So, as my Wizarding Brothers, trust me when I say this one is
right up your alley. We re taking a look at the Nocturn Manticore-R,
going over its features and how it operates.

As weve discussed before, it can be tough to navigate night
vision gear, with terms like GPNVG, ANR, and BNVD floating
around. It s like trying to figure out the Safariland naming
convention—it gets confusing fast! My goal is to break it down in simple terms,
so you can better understand what s out there and what you actually need when
buying a housing, instead of just guessing.

Night Vision Housing Basics

Night vision housings, especially dual-NOD setups,
are extremely expensive. It can be frustrating to spend all this money and not
get exactly what you need. That s why I recommend, if you re serious about
purchasing, to reach out to Nocturn Industries, Dark
Industries, or Custom Night Vision. Work with them to ensure
you re getting the right fit for your needs. I can even save you a bit with the
discount code TLDco over at Nocturn Industries.

Full Disclosure: My Biases

I ll be upfront—I m biased. Nocturn is a
fantastic group, and they re huge supporters of the channel. I really believe
in what they do, and they re just solid people. But I encourage you to watch
other reviews too, like those from Cold Harbor Media or Custom
Night Vision, to get a broader perspective on the Manticore-R. The goal is
to make sure you re an educated consumer, especially when making such a large
purchase.

Other Night Vision Gear Recap

Before diving into the Manticore-R, let s
quickly go over some previous night vision setups we ve talked about. I ve
previously shown the Tanto and Daisho Bridge configuration,
which is a smart upgrade path. Start with a single Tanto, and over
time, you can add a second and a Daisho Bridge to transition
into a dual-NOD setup. This approach is cleaner and more cost-effective than
jumping straight into a dual setup like the PVS14, which might
leave you stuck when you want to upgrade later. The Tanto–Daisho combo
gives you more flexibility for growth.

The Manticore-R: What s It All About?

Now, let [s dive into the Manticore-R. This
housing is designed to hold PVS14 optics, and it s built to be
rugged. The R in its name stands for “ruggedized,”
and it s made from 7075 T6 aluminum. The design is CNC-machined
from a single block of aluminum, making it incredibly durable. To prove this,
the Nocturn team even dropped the Manticore-R from
over 130 feet to showcase its toughness. If you ve got a friend who s a bit
clumsy and always smashing their gear, this could be the perfect housing for
them!

It s not designed for underwater use, but it does exceed
the IP68 rating, so it s pretty resistant to water, though I
wouldn t suggest testing that by tossing it into a lake.

Optics Compatibility and Features

The Manticore-R works with PVS14 optics,
which means you can use milspec Carson glass, RPO 3.0 glass,
or the newer Boom Slang glass for a wider field of view. While
I personally prefer milspec glass for first-person recording,
the Boom Slang is fantastic for those who just want the best
optics for general use. You ll get a better view, without that narrow
“toilet paper tube” effect.

The Manticore-R also features a full LED
ring around the housing, unlike the PVS14, which has a single LED
indicator. This red ring provides more visibility and helps you monitor your
battery and IR illumination status. The front optics also allow you to use
affordable iris options, which is a much better deal than some
expensive $400 alternatives.

The Infinity Locking Ring and Battery Features

A cool feature on the Manticore-R is
the infinity locking ring, which allows you to quickly snap back to
an infinity stop. It s perfect for quickly switching between close-up and
long-distance viewing. The housing uses a single CR123 battery,
offering about 25 hours of runtime. There s also a two-pin Limo port,
which lets you connect a rear battery pack for extended use. Some folks don t
like battery packs, but I find them handy, as they also double as a
counterweight.

Adjustments and Controls

The Manticore-R has a smart and
easy-to-use IPD (interpupillary distance) system. The stops are set
from the factory, and the housing is designed so that once the stops are set,
you can articulate the pods and they ll always return to the correct position.
However, don t mess with the adjustment screws, especially the IPD stop screw,
as it can mess up your setup.

Additionally, there s a pod tension screw to
adjust the tightness of the articulation. You can play around with it, but just
make sure you don t mess with the IPD stop screw!

Other Cool Features

The Manticore-R also includes lanyard
retention rings, which are essential for securing your night vision to your
helmet. Don t skip out on this—losing your NODs because you
didn t use a lanyard is a disaster waiting to happen. I m serious, please don t
be that person.

Push Button Controls and IR Illuminator

The Manticore-R features push-button
controls for activation. The power button is on the right, and you can turn it
on by holding it for two seconds. The IR illuminator is
activated by pressing two clicks, and you can adjust the IR without affecting
the focus. The buttons are intuitive once you get used to them, and I like that
each action is deliberate.

Manual Gain Control

The manual gain adjustment is a bit
overrated in my opinion. While it s nice to have, I rarely found myself using
it. The auto-gating feature and fixed gain on
the tube are sufficient for most uses. The manual gain is really more useful
for very specific situations, like extended operations in low light. For the
average user, it s probably not that essential.

Weight and Final Thoughts

The Manticore-R weighs 484g with the
battery and 598g with my Iris and Brown Bear setup.
It s incredibly lightweight, especially compared to a dual PVS14 setup,
and it s much stronger too.

After using the Manticore-R for testing, I
can confidently say it s one of the best night vision housings on the market.
The individual pod shut-off, adjustable IPD stops, and the deliberate button
controls make it a top-tier option. If you re looking for something solid,
the Manticore-R is a great choice—though you may need to get
used to the push-button controls.

I ll walk you through how to set it all up in the next
video, but for now, I hope this review helped clarify the Nocturn
Industries Manticore-R and what it brings to the table. Stay tuned for
more content on night vision accessories, cleaning, and how to get the most out
of your gear!