Well, don't really have a dog in this fight, although I do buy stuff from TNVC on occasion. So as a customer, I would say TNVC has been a good vendor to someone who just wants to get a decent level of NV kit. I would also say that Augee knows his shit and has been a solid contributor to this forum. Ditto for Vic, and Sam. DTS has also made some contributions along the way, on the more technical side of things.
What I see here are several other factors. First and maybe foremost, I see a clash of personalities or maybe egos, when guys talk on line instead of face-to-face. So the "fog of the internet" comes into play. Secondly, I see a little immaturity here, as guys are perhaps looking for some kind of recognition or affirmation from their posts, and when they are "disrespected", lash out with diatribes that blame the other guy for everything up to global warming. And then you have the hangers-on who goad their favorite into more arguments, either to be included with the event, or for entertainment value. And lastly, I see competing businesses, which are trying to sell you something, which perhaps clouds the "data stream" for other reasons. Some are not below using "trolls" to goad their competition into saying inappropriate things. It's the internet.
In this particular case. You have a young fella, who may be talented in doing technical work, but kinda lacking in social skills. I think he seeks recognition for his talents, but is clumsy in doing so. He lashes out when folks don't recognize his him, and it kinda makes him look like a dick. I think he is very good at what he does, and has some very innovative ideas about esoteric shit, like re-potting tubes and what-not, but really over-reacts when he doesn't get the respect he feels he deserves. He is involved in the highly technical, and yes, highly skilled aspects of building and re-building these things. But is probably pretty ignorant about business and marketing.
Then you have an established business that is trying to sell you these things. They do a pretty good job at it, and are very good about taking the time to explain things to you so you can make an informed purchase. But for various reasons, someone might but butt-hurt at them about something or another, and takes some shots at them on line. Being only human, sometimes they get fed up and fire back. And here is where I think we need to separate what might be legitimate concerns from just emotional rants, or competitor trolling. Even though there might be a grain of truth in there somewhere, most criticism of TNVC has been over-blown by the guy delivering it, for whatever reason.
Then you have the dog-pile. Competitors who fan the flames to hurt their competition. Me-too's that want in on the action. And friends on both sides that wade into the fray. Oy veh.
Back to the OP, I would only say that for the average bear wanting to get into NV, you really don't need all the latest and greatest, the esoteric specs that guys quibble over here; all you really need is a good vendor to guide you through the process and match your particular needs with some decent hardware. And, IMHO, TNVC does a pretty good job at that. Especially so since Augee joined the crew. The rest of this could and should be resolved with a good "Smoker" at the SHOT Show, with 16 oz gloves.