I have got some experience with noritake's dot-matrix VFD.
1. VFD is quite reliable.
2. Temperature range is better than with LCD.
3. VFD is subject to aging.
please ask if you need more detailed questions.
As I can remember, Noritake has special "drop-in" VFD modules, which is pin-to pin nad mechanically compatible wit LCD.
I'm pretty sure - these modules are more expensive than LCD.