Nikon has so many different models and names and variations and price points and gimmicks(like the BDC) that it is difficult to understand the differences in their lines. And they do not volunteer the differences for a person to make an educated decision.

Overall Nikon makes some pretty good lenses, and some decent scopes. The biggest problem with the Nikon scope is the erector system, and the scopes ability to track properly. Few people understand these erector systems(including myself), and a lot of shooters think that that just because the scope makes an audible click that it is not a friction adjustment elevator. And I do not like friction adjusted elevators. the trick is to find out what Nikons are friction, and which are not. Good Luck, Tom.