I would go with a Sightron, or a Nikon Buckmaster. Both are good optics and are available for around $200. Burris is another option to explore. Sadly in the world of optics, you do get what you pay for; prime example is BSA--cheap price/cheap quality.

A scope will show its stuff at dusk/dawn and in bad light conditions.
The coatings used on the interior and exterior are what you pay for as well as the grinding of the lenses.

Simmons Aetecs are by no means a cheap scope and the aspherical technology makes for great resolution.