okay I did not read all of that but here is my suggestion. I compared a nikon 3-9x40 matte black to a leapold 3-9x40 matte black. the nikon was just as clear, at high power and low while it was far cheaper than the leapold. so all my rifles get nikons now. I also had the simmons, red head, bass pro allways save brand rifle scopes (in a package deal thingy) and that thing was utter junk compared to how the Nikon's treated me.
So I am sold on the nikon's, best all around bang for the buck!