ORIGINAL: NVMIKE
I think the real choice is this..does the small gain in clarity justify the price jump. For some it will, some it wont.I KNOW first hand leupold customer serv. is unbeatable, but have also heard Zeiss is great also. Leupold is american made if that matters to you.
I would go with the 3x9x40 conquest which sells for the same price as the 3.5x10x40 vxiii so the extra brightness and clarity would not cost extra.The conquest is also american made if that matters to you.