I didn't see where ryncam16 asked about $300-$1500 scopes. Unfortunately $175 is not a lot of money for glass anymore.

My experience with cheap $30-$50 scopes has been far different than that of what some others have posted here. I went through a series of cheap Bushnells and Tascos that fogged, were not repeatable through the power ranges, and to put it bluntly just plain broke.The weather here in Maine can be sunny to rainy to snow in a matter of hours. For what I ended up spending on cheap stuff, I could (and should) have bit the bullet and bought something better. Good glass can and will save the day.

If your experience is different, great. But after I have spent 6 days in the woods in rain, freezing rain, snow, sleet, and 15 degree weather, I want to be able to rely on my equipment with the greatest amount of certainaty possible.