The Aetec is the primo scope in the Simmons lineup. As far as the difference between the view at 2.8 mag vs 3.0 mag I doubt that the human eye would even notice a .2 change. That said, I would still go with the 2.8-10 X 44 Aetec as they have worked VERY well for me. I have 1 on the 35 Whelen and 1 on the 444. Each have seen 200= rounds and have not moved off zero.