I'm one of those who find the current night vision mode hard on the eyes. It's too bright and actually hurts my eyes after a while. Fighting a whole battle with this mode at high speeds takes a lot of concentration because everything is the same colour. I keep hitting small obstacles that I can't see well for example, and I sometimes have a lot of trouble seeing the enemy among buildings unless they are moving. I guess that's the point of this mode, and I'm not complaining about it per say. It's fine as it is.
BUT...
On night maps such as River City Night, I would much prefer to use simple flood lights to illuminate my path, which would let me see actual colours and different terrain and shapes much better.
Pros:
- Allows you to see terrain and shapes better than in a monochromatic mode.
- Counters the enemy's night vision mode at close range, even though it would be pointing downwards like car lights and not directly in your eyes.
- Only one 'Mech in a lance needs his flood lights on for others around him to see better, so it benefits even the ones not using it. This means you could use it to mask dark 'Mechs following you with the glow of your own light (to some level at least).
Cons:
- Would generate a big amount of heat over time which would be visible by heat vision mode (remember Predator 2?). The lights being external however, the heat would not affect the internal 'Mech's heat or very little.
- Does not only counters the night vision of enemies, but also your own and your teammates'.
- Allows the enemy to see you very easily from far away.
Edited by Tweaks, 10 September 2013 - 10:51 AM.