We actually did a light test using a light meter comparing the Leupold and the Nikon. Beleive it or not, the Nikon's were brighter scopes. Comparing apples to apples, quality wise. I still buy nothing but Leupold, period. The difference is slight enough that it's a wash as far as I'm concerned. My old eyes can't really tell the difference and I tend not to shoot in the dark. I'd say, buy USA.