Nigel -
I now have a few friends who use them in non nvg cockpits quite happily and would not dream of going back to not having them .
I wait for the inevitable accident reports then. Your other comment
Apparently only mil pilots can use them safely
is quite wrong but you do need training before you use them.
In a recent chat with an AAIB investigator we were discussing how many of those who own their own helicopters have been successful in some field (business or sports mainly) and have been successful often because of their willingness to take risks, buck the trends or break the rules. Unfortunately, this mindset is often transferred into their flying and is a major cuase of incidents and accidents.
Flying around, untrained, with NVG in a non-lit cockpit is just arrogant and stupid.