I'll take a crack at it:

Note, these are MY observations about what quality levels are associated with certain price points. Your mileage may vary. Use your own eyes, & form your own opinions! I'm looking at street prices here, not MSRP.

< $100 = May or may not last, low clarity, iffy proposition as to whether adjustments are accurate or repeatable, or whether it will hold POI. Simmons, Tasco, Barska, BSA, et. al.

$100 - $150 = Quality glass, generally accurate & repeatable adjustments, will hold POI, far more durable. For a vast majority of hunters, this will buy all the glass they'll ever need. These models sold for well over twice this price 4 to 5 years ago, and are light-yearsahead ofnearly anythingcould be bought atnearly ANY price 15to 20 years ago. Elite 3200, ProStaff, Browning, etc.

$151 - $250 = Same as the last category, but will include more sizes in the same product line. Fro example, the Elite 3200 can be had for $125 to $150 in the 3-9 x 40. To get a 3-12 or 4-16 will cost a bit more.

$250 - $400 = More clarity, adjustments move independently (no confounding of horizontal & vertcal), better color, less fading at the edges, strong warranty. Weaver, Elite 4200,VX II, VX III, Conquest, etc.

> $400 = more coatings, higher quality glass, more reticle choices, etc, lifetime warranty. Frankly,my eyes can't tell a noticeable difference above this price point. Kahles, Swarovski, Zeiss, S&B, Doctor Optics, VX-L, VX-7, etc.

FC