My first scope was a Leupold vx-II 3-9x with a 50mm objective. It is a great scope with unbeatable eye relief. I have since purchased 3 Bushnell elite 4200's 2.5-10x with 40mm objectives. While the eye relief is not quite as good as the Leupold, they are very bright scopes with excellent eye relief and a rainguard coating for better vision in the rain. I think they may be the best "value" in scopes today. I haven't used a nikon so I can't comment.