I thought the Bushnell Elites had a lifetime warranty to the original owner? I had an Elite 3200 mounted on a 270 wsm. The glass was good but I hated the eye relief and I always got the feeling that I was looking down the cardboard roll from a roll of paper towels(if that makes any sense). I don't get that feeling from my Leupold's or Nikons. I wound up sending mine back to Bushnell under the "no questions asked" 1 year warranty.

Don't have any experience with the Vortex line of optics, however I have read some good reports concerning their binoculars. Specifically the 8x42 and 10x42 Diamondbacks. All accounts I have read the users were pleasantly suprised with the quality and felt to really move up in quality would require quite a bit more money. I plan to pick up a set of their Diamondback binoculars.