I didn't pose this question because I need advise on what to buy . . . But more a general discussion on how much better low priced optics are that just a few years ago. I myself was a Leupold man for years, until I went to Cabellas and had the opportunity to "A/B" scopes on their scope stock. (Two scopes mounted at the same time for A/B comparison!) I was comparing optics by looking through them, not what name was on them!
I was amazed at what I found. I went home with a NIkon. This was four years ago and have had ZERO problems on my .300 WM ever since.
The BSA I mentioned comes with illuminated reticle, Mil-Dot for long distance elevation windage markings, adjustable objective, multicoated optics, up to 8 - 32 power, fogproof and waterproof, and target turret knobs. These are some of the features you can't even find on many scopes.
Now I know you "40 acre" boys sitting in your tree stand all day don't need some of this, but out here in the wild and wooly west, we might be sligin' lead at a 40 MPH Antelope at 385 yards! These features sure come in handy.
In short (too late for that), durability is the first thing I want when paying for a scope. Clear optics in low light is a tight second. But are we still judging product according to the name on the scope, or the product inside?