Burris Full Field II is what I'd get if it was me on that budget. I actually own one as well as a Leupold VX-I. I'm not sure I will own another Leupold either. I bought the Leupold first when I bought my rifle about 2 and a half years ago. Bought it new but the rifle used at a local gun shop. Lasted about 7 or so months. Quite a bit of that was while it was not being used. I used it during hunting season. Now I did have it fall over once in grass but the scope didn't seem to hit hard. Anyway, it worked for a bit after that and then all of a sudden one day I noticed that after I shot you could see what looked like the cross hairs shaking inside of the scope.

Off to Leupold it went. I used a $30 Tasco from Wal-Mart while this scope was in for repair. When I got back the Leupold I re mounted it on my rifle. This was right after hunting season that I mounted it. I sighted it in and shot it a few times and put it up. Brought it out again right before hunting season and shot it. Seemed like the scope was adjusting it self when shot. Off it went again to Leupold. Got it back and put it on a BP rifle that I just recently sighted in so I will see how it lasts. I will say I shot T7 pellets first then later switched to Pyrodex and it was about 7" high. I really wonder if the scope still isn't holding zero as that seems like way too much of a difference just for a change of pellets that were both 100 grains. However, I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt that maybe it was the pellets. That being said I do not like this scope and I wouldn't buy another one or recommend it to anyone. Although Leupolds customer service does seem to take care of you this is ridiculous for a $230 scope.

When it comes to clairity which is one think I hear people rave about on higher price scopes I couldn't tell a difference between the Leupold and the $30 Tasco I used. I had a couple buddies look through both and both of them said that the Tasco looked clearer to them. I personally couldn't tell much if any of a difference. I also never had any issues with the Tasco and seems like the Leupold is always having issues. Not to mention when the Leupold has worked it seems like it loses zero super easily if you bump the scope or it tips over or anything.

So now my rifle wears a Burris Full Field II I picked up on clearance last year for $199 with a free Garmin eTrex GPS. Too good of a deal to pass up so I thought I'd try it. After trying it I can honestly say this is my favorite scope. Now when it comes to clarity you can really tell a difference with this scope. A friend was helping me sight in when we put it on. He looked through it first and went "wow." So of course I had to look to see what he was talking about. If you looked through the Leupold then the Burris the was quite a bit clearer with more vibrant colors. Not that the Leupold isn't clear it's just after looking through the Burris it looked so much better.

After using the Burris I've also noticed it does a lot better in low light. I can see things through it I can't see with my naked eye where as with the Leupold if I can't see it with my naked eye I probably wont see it through the scope.

Now I've only had the Burris for a year or so but so far it's really held up well and not lost zero on me.

I've just been really impressed with it and the VX-I has been nothing but problems for me. If I was to choose between the VX-I and a $30 Tasco the next time I'd get the Tasco. I'm not saying it's the best scope out there however for me it's turned out to be a way better scope than the Leupold.

Now if I was going to pick any scope under $200 like you said you were the Burris is the clear choice. I'd for sure go with it again. It's like I said my favorite scope I've had. I've also got several buddies that were impressed by it.