I am familiar with the Leupld Vari-X III and Ziess Conquest. My Vari X-III's are "old" by today's scope technology developments. The Conquestrs are failry new. I have had no issues with either. I hunt almost exclusively in areas where shots seldom exceed 200 yards. A 3-9, 2-8, 1.5-6, 2.5-10, etc. easily fit my needs. Uless you are shooitng mostly at very long distances, I see no reason to pay for anything above 10X. VOrtex is getting a lot of "good" chatter , but I am not first hand familiar with them. Buddy has a long eye relief Viper (not sure what model) on a Contender and likes it.