Bridge
The term bridge refers to a mounting assembly that allows for binocular use of either two independent monoculars or two pods, meaning housings with optics and tubes that connect to a shared power source within either the bridge itself or through the mount such as the ANVIS Ball-detent mounts.
In the parallell use of monocular units there are bridges that allow for either unit to be released from the bridge as needed by a so called quick-detach system. This is a popular feature as it allows a second person to utilize one of the monoculars to observe that which hides in darkness or to allow room for the user to engage their unagumented vision to a task at hand without having to stow the unit fully.
Other bridges have different features such as, to name one, the Panobridge that allows the user to adjust the angle at which the two units sit from parallel to a wider setting as described here. Some of these dual-unit bridges are (or can be) adapted to facilitate the use of a thermal vision unit alongside a monocular night vision goggle.
In the case of units employing pods and a bridge the latter is a term for this essential part. The bridge is vital and integral to the unit itself and either connects to the power supply unit (PSU) by cable or contacts (ref. the aforementioned ANVIS Ball-detent) or houses the PSU as in the case of AN/PVS-31, DTNVS, RNVG and similar units that have on-board battery function (wether exclusively or not). These units do not normally allow one pod to be disconnected easily or at all in the field, at least not without serious or catastrophic damage to the whole system.
