I have the rifle and scope setup but didn't make it out to the range today. A quick side-by-side of the Monarch 5 3-15x50 vs the Diamondback HP 4-16x42 shows the Monarch scope is MUCH nicer than Vortex, which is to be expected I suppose. If you can find a good deal on a Nikon Monarch, that is the way to go. Better glass overall by a pretty noticeable margin. Beyond about 400 yards, the clarity on the Vortex just goes away...almost as if the parallax can't compensate beyond that despite the numbers on the side. Low light conditions are much better/clearer on the Monarch as well and while it is a 50mm objective, I don't believe the Vortex would be any better if it also had a 50. For the price I paid for the Vortex scope though, I'll keep it. At full retail price, I would have returned it and gone for yet another Monarch. Natchez has some good deals on Nikon scopes and if another deal comes along, I may end up replacing this Vortex down the road regardless.

Anyway, just my opinion comparing 2 of the scopes mentioned here. If you can, try and look at these scopes in person because when they're side by side, the Monarch really shines. Both are better than any Bushnell I've looked through though.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you end up going with.