[swaghauler]

I know that the normal method of doing night vision is to just give it a range and you simply cannot see farther than this limit. I'm interested in treating NV Goggles somewhat more transparently. My thought is to give various Generations of NV Goggles "bonus shifts" on the Observation and Spotting Table based on lighting conditions. My idea would be to list the light levels that you can use the NV Goggles in and what improvements in detection they give while worn. Otherwise, how would they affect the player's skills while in use? Here are some stats for the various generations of night vision intensifiers:

Generation I NV (IR Illuminator needed): This the Russian standard until the late 80's (and the T72/T80).

Resolution (Lines per mm): 20 to 25
Signal-to-Noise Ration (the higher the better): 8 to 10
Tube Life (hours of operation): 1500 hrs

a 75m maximum range of normal visual recognition is commonly listed. I would say that driving, shooting, or operating hand tools would be TWO LEVELS more difficult. Riding a motorcycle, reading and flying are impossible to do.
Chances of Detection:
Daylight: NO
Dusk/Dawn: NO
Full Moon: treat as Dusk/Dawn
Half Moon: treat as Full Moon
Partial Moonlight: treat as Half Moonlight
Starlight: treat as Partial Moonlight
Overcast: treat as Starlight

Generation II NV: This is the Russian standard from the mid 80's until the late 90's. It is also a Police Standard until the late 90's.

Resolution (lines per mm): 40 to 45
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (higher is better): 16 to 20
Tube Life (hours of operation): 5,000 hrs

A 200m maximum range of normal visual recognition is commonly listed. I would say that driving, shooting, or normal operation of tools is ONE LEVEL more difficult. Riding a motorcycle or reading would be TWO LEVELS more difficult. Flying would be THREE LEVELS more difficult.
Chances of Detection:
Daylight: NO
Dusk/Dawn: NO
Full Moon: treat as Dusk/Dawn
Half Moon: treat as Full Moon
Partial Moonlight: treat as Half Moon
Starlight: treat as Partial Moon BUT requires IR illuminator
Overcast: treat as Starlight BUT requires IR illuminator

Generation II+ NV: These are "reconditioned" GEN II NV Goggles fitted with GEN III tubes but still using the GEN II imager. Pioneered by Russia but commonly used by American Hog hunters in the late 90's.

Resolution (lines per mm): 45 to 54
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (higher is better): 16 to 22
Tube Life (hrs of operation): 10,000 hrs

A 300m maximum range of normal visual recognition is commonly listed. Driving and shooting are ONE LEVEL more difficult. Flying and reading are TWO LEVELS more difficult.
Chances of Detection:
Daylight: NO
Dusk/Dawn: NO
Full Moon: treat as Daylight
Half Moon: treat as Dusk/Dawn
Partial Moonlight: treat as Full Moon
Starlight: treat as Half Moon
Overcast: treat as Partial Moon

Generation III NV (including 90's Autogated GEN III): The most common form of Western night vision from the late 80's until the mid to late 90's. Russia caught up to the US with GEN III night vision on the T90 in the late 90's. Autogated night vision would be a Western/NATO exclusive during the Twilight War.

Resolution (lines per mm): 64 to 72
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (higher is better): 20 to 24
Tube Life (hrs of operation): 10,000 hrs (Autogated is 5,000 hrs)

A 350m range of normal vision is often quoted for GEN III NV. Driving, reading, and shooting all suffer a penalty of 1 on the skill roll (a 14 becomes a 15). Flying is ONE LEVEL more difficult due to the lack of depth perception.
Chances of Detection:
Daylight: NO
Dusk/Dawn: NO (GEN III Autogated is YES as Daylight)
Full Moon: treat as Daylight
Half Moon: treat as Dusk/Dawn
Partial Moon: treat as Full Moon
Starlight: treat as Half Moon
Overcast: treat as Partial Moon

Generation III+ NV Autogated: These 21st Century goggles have a few improvements over traditional GEN III goggles. It uses a white on white technology (as opposed to the green hue more commonly seen) for improved contrast as well as REAL visual depth perception (for flying). There are no penalties when using these NV goggles.

Resolution (lines per mm): 76+
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (higher is better): 24 to 30
Tube Life (hrs of operation): 10,000 hrs

a detection range of 500m is commonly listed for these. As stated above, there are no skill penalties associated with these goggles.
Chances of Detection:
Daylight: NO
Dusk/Dawn: treat as Daylight
Full Moon: treat as Daylight
Half Moon: treat as Dusk/Dawn
Partial Moon: treat as Full Moon
Starlight: treat as Half Moon
Overcast: treat as Partial Moonlight

Generation IV NV: I have no definitive info on the Fusion sights other than they combine thermal and starlight into one device.

Let me know if this is a good start to night vision. CDAT, Army Sgt, I know you have more experience here. your opinions would be appreciated.