You can slam Leupolds all you want but I have an old Vari-X III that I've had on my Sako for ten years. A couple of years ago I slid off of a ATV bridge on my lease into a freezing cold creek. Threw me about 10-15 feet down the creek with my rifle right beside me. Cleaned the rifle and shot it that afternoon. Still right on the money. This scope hasn't lost any clarity in ten years. I like Bushnells also, but for my "go to" rifle I would only use the Leupold's VIII if it is anything like the Vari X III.