ryn, you will probably do the same thing we all have done. Buy cheap cause thats what you can afford. Seems to work, and then you might or might not have a problem. Upgrade to fix that problem. If it still isn't fixed keep upgrading. Then one day you might upgrade cause of namebrand or recommendations or cause you want the "best". But sooner or later you will fall into a place where you are comfortable with a certain amount of quality.

For me, I started with a cheap tasco. The recticle fell. I then got a simmons. Can't remember the model. It fogged up. I then got a 8-point, and the POI kept shifting. I then at 25 got a leupold. For the past decade, I have bought dozens, and been happy. But recently have asked the same quesiton you ask. So I tried a bushnell 3200 and was shocked and happy. But didn't like the eye relief. So I went with a 4200. Very happy with a little cheaper than the Leupold. I think I found my comfort level of quality price and all. Some people don't stop there and go to the Swarski (not sure how to spell), and some go further for even more high dollar.