How often do you fly nvgs up?  

I fly with them up if I'm enroute waaay above highest obstacle, in the city, or IFR.  At any time I need to check visibility I flip them down.  

I fly with them down on descent and almost always on approach.  Unless you're in an urban environment that you are very familiar with.  

Whether you are flipping your NVGs up and down or looking around them, you have to do both to see LED tower lights and pad lights.  

I see some guys log 100% of their night time as NVG and don't believe it, but by all means, do your thing.  

We aren't still in the Army and flying in zero illum down creeks, and maintaining x amount of feet above highest obstacle is not a suggestion in HAA.  See 135.615.  

When in doubt chicken out because its freaking scary under sinking clouds at night with no options other than climb/confess or press on and hope things turn out ok.  

NVG/TAWS/RADALTs are great.  Not hitting the ground is the goal.  

The ground remains undefeated.