I recently went through an exstensive search for an inexpensive scope...so I have good experience here.

For <$100, the Pentax Gameseeker can pretty much put you in the game as well as scopes costing $1,000 or more...if you consider that "the game" is being able to shoot all the way to the end of legal shooting hours. The durability is there, too.

I honestly think that if you get about $200 together, you can pretty much hunt with anyone at anytime. Burris FFII, Nikon Buckmasters, Pentax Pioneer, Sightron SI, Bushnell 3200, Weaver Classic V...all these scopes will let you see well beyond legal shooting light...and that's all anyone needs. All these scopes have excellent reputations for durability.

The next level...$200-400...I think is the "Entry Luxury" level and should be where everyone aims to get when they make a purchase. You get Burris Signature Select, Browning Buckmark, Nikon Monarch, Pentax WTU, Sightron SII, Bushnell 4200, Weaver Grand Slam...and even the mighty Zeiss Conquest..in this price class, and a hunter should never want or need for anything if he/she has one of these scopes riding atop their rifle.