Back in the old days, the military would take binoculars and scopes to salespeople in the surroundings. Since these devices are slowly but surely became more affordable and they are now no longer exclusively for Government and military personnel. Even your average Joe on the street could buy cheap night vision goggles for a hundred dollars or so. Units is a great toy to play with especially if you want to sneak around in the dark, but they can also be used for more serious.
There is no reason for a normal civilians to get cheap night vision goggles. One of them may be to see things that others can't do. Heck, you might also want to watch birds fly at night for all I know. It all comes to the personal preference of the end. These units can also be used for more serious purposes such as monitoring at night when you hear a strange sound in your House. You may be able to clearly see who or what broke into your House before they see you.
There are people who get cheap night vision goggles for sporting purposes such as hunting and jogging. Hunters can find safety glasses for their hunting in nearby gun or sporting goods store, devices such as thermal night vision will allow hunters to go before the sun rises and see the animals they hunt clear daylight. Joggers can also use the devices to see clearer, especially when they are out before the Sun is up. This allows to see clearly and avoid anything that could be on its way.
Now when you shop for the night goggles, the odds are not, you'll find cheap night vision goggles in your neighborhood sporting shop. The reason for this would be because technology always evolves and that is why most shops are unwilling to keep any eye protection devices in stock. They go out of fashion faster than clothes, when newer. better products coming to the shop, old left behind. Still, there is another option is to shop online, shops online, of course, have more variety, and there is a greater chance that you'll find what you need.
Now that the night goggles is readily available, try one of fun with it. Cheap night vision goggles can be found online or in your nearby store about shopping at the nearby store would try on vision goggles but you don't need as much different whereas if you buy the night vision goggles online, it would offer a greater quantity, but you do not have the opportunity to test drive before purchasing. It is up to you, as I have said. It boils at own preference.