I was just curious to know how these two stack up as far as ruggedness. I understand that Gen3 autogated units are good for dynamic lighting areas such as street lamps, and house lights and night and what not, but would a Gen2 system that is non-gated be okay to use in these circumstances as well? I find myself using my Gen2 PVS-14's more than I do my Gen3 PVS-14 because they seem to do plenty well while preserving my Gen3 for those times only when necessary. One is a NGI GEN2+, and the others are Armasight Gen2+ HD, and Armasight Gen3A. I use my NGI most of the time.

In regards to ruggedness I wouldn't want to drop any Gen NV onto a hard surface, so using a lanyard is paramount. They're built to be used so don't be afraid to do so. If your concerned with using it weapons mounted Thin filmed is not as robust vs thick filmed or filmless. I don't weapons mount mine due to the limitations of that setup but it is rated for 5.56. If you stay within the MFG's recommendations you should be GTG.

I have no plans to weapon mount. I have a few DBAL's that i use. Also from what I understand, Gen2 has a higher shock rating than 3.

For thin filmed from my understanding I'd say yes, but for filmless I'd call TNVC or NGI and ask them. If you get Sam from TNVC on the phone don't mention you have DBALs and ruggedness in the same sentence because that is a whole other thread LOL. He is honest, gives you a no BS opinion, prefers the ATPIAL-C over the I2 and the MAWL-C1+ over anything available to the civilian market.

It's usually not rated any higher ( excepting PHOTONIS tubes, which have a higher milspec ) but it is stronger and more resilient to abuse, including brighter light.

In urban areas, Gen2 is pretty close to Gen3. Away from the city, you either need something that is very high-spec Gen2 or high-spec Gen3. 

David. 

Both the NGI and the Gen2 Armasight are supposed to be Photonis tubes. How is Gen2 more resilient to bright lights? The difference between the Gen 3 GaAs photocathode and the Gen 2 Multi-Alkali photocathode, or is there more to it than that?

Well, it was a bit of a generalization, but Gen2 photocathodes are just a piece of metal, not a semiconductor. Also, the photonis autogating handles full-light use pretty well and I've seen people running them at shows all day without any filters, while everyone else seems to install ND filters to attempt that. 

David.