Harpooner
The North Wales Police Unit chose the FENNS NG 700's (Gen 2+) with Omni 4 tubes as they gave better performance when used from an operational altitude of 500'. They also proved better suited to their needs when operating in both rural and urban environments. There were several sets of goggles tested during the trial period and it was hands-on (or should I say eyes-out) experience of the goggles that a decision was made. They were not as you put it "sold in an industry off-load". Gen 3 goggles are superior to Gen 2's, but in this instance the Gen 2+ goggles better suited the needs.
The gentlemen from the CAA are far from objectional to the use of NVG, infact they are doing everything they can to see their early introduction. The stumbling block you may find is the actual aircraft certification.
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...or should that read DCFI, MW? Anyway, thanks for the lesson on the anatomy of the eye! The reason a green image is viewed when using NVG is simply due to the type of phosphor used in the manufacture. You have a choice of two! Amber or green.
The main improvements made from Gen 2 to Gen 3 goggles are the reduction in pore size of the Micro Channel Plate (MCP)- a main component of the goggles. The signal to noise ratio has, as a result been improved. Gen 3's are, as stated above superior to Gen 2's but not for the use as required in Police Ops. You are not required to operate in "difficult conditions" (as you put it) during Police Ops and they are actually used in conjunction with both FLIR and white light.
The "experts" did not buy cheap and they were purchased for all the right reasons - Police flying as opposed to military flying.
Take off the camouflaged blinkers, there is life on the other side of the fence!
