The New Buckmaster scopes have 92% light transmission and the new VX-II has the old Vari-xIII lenses which have similiar light transmission low 90's. If one were to shop carefully you can buy a Nikon Monarch for the mid 200's and it would be equivalent to a VX-III Leupold optics wise. May not have the eye relief but glass wise it is its equal. Recoil wise again the Leupold is a more proven commodity but I haven't heard of too many Nikon Failures.