All I can do is base my what I think on my own experience. For some reason these forums, can really boast a product or really spead total crap about a product. Alot of times, I see these people has never tried out the product.

But in this case, I am concerned about Hunter338's problem. The VariXIII and VXIII are two different designs. After talking to some length to leupold techs, the VXIII are 3 piece designs tube changed from a single piece that was hard to build. the older variXII was three peice too. It was always believed that the single piece tube was more durable on hard recoilers like 416 rigby or 375 HH. After talking to Leupold, they claim totally different, that the new design is every bit as tough as the old design. They claim they only improved things with the clarity, and focus adjust, etc. but what are they going to say. I believe the bottom line is they cost cutted. We all do it. And you better do it to survive in this global economy. The plan is to cost cut by changing manufacting process's without affecting the quality and in some instances, improve it. I just hope they did improve it. Only time will tell. I don't have any of the new VX scopes. I still plan on trading around for the older Vari X styles for a while at least.