I owned lot of different scopes over the years. I've also drug many of them into hunting camps that really torchured them.

In all of those years i've put more Leupolds on my "work" guns than anything else. I also have two Williams scopes that i bought back in the 70's that still work perfectly.

If i was buying a new scope today i'd without a question buy a Zeiss because they are better in low light conditions and are as good as or better than everything else out there today in every other way. My second choise would be another Leupold. I buy my scopes for life, not untill i get another rifle!

I've yet to have the "gas wear out" in a scope, and the real test to this is, put your scope in the freezer over night, the next morning put it in a pan of luke warm water and see it any bubbles start riseing.

My scopes will past this test, cause if they didn't they didn't go hunting with me. If you go hunt fall brown bears on the Alaska peninsula, your scopecan get pretty much the same treatment. Other places in Alaska can be like that too, and your going to be out there for a while, so why carry something you can't trust?

I had a 2x6 Williams scope on a 338 mag. one time, and while crossing a glacier i fell hard on the gun. The scope would no longer rotate to a higher power and the tube was bent. I put up a target and it was still on the money.

I think a "quality" variable scope today won't be failing in the feild just because it's a variable... None of mine ever have, but i won't put a low end scope a work gun either.

DM

Scope choice is all about budget. Everyone here will buy the best scope they can afford. Most scope companies stand by their products, even the lower end scopes. Unless you drop your gun or fall on them they will usually last a lifetime. I usually buy scopes around $200-$300. I will spend money for the best mounts I can find. I figure as long as the sopce doesn't move it should stay accurate.

Get a leaupold. The basic 3-9x40 usually starts at about 200-250$. They are WELL worth that and more.

I have to totally disagree with you on the clarity and brightness issue. Let me tell a little tell that will show the differences. I was walking into our hunting area with my dad years ago. We were strolling downa two track that opened into a fairly large clear cut during the early dawn. When we got to the edge we always stopped and glassed the cut. Dad saw a doe at the far end of the cut (about 200 yards) next to a cedar. He told me to take her. I raised my rifle and couldn't make out anything. Dad raised his rifle and said he could see her clear as day. So I searched, I could see the outling of the cedar but not the deer. So dad took my rifle and handed me his. I could then see the doe clearly and dad couldn't see anything. Long story short I killed the doe, and started saving for a Leupold scope to replace my bushnell sport view that day.

Now I will only put high quality optics on my weapons. Thats not to say that I won't shop for bargains because I do. I really like the Weaver Grand Slam series for a medium priced High quality scope. The bushnell elites are nice, the upper end Nikons are good. But, for a scope that I'm taking to the mountains it will always be a Leupold Vari-x3(preferably) or the new VX3 in 2.5 x 8power. Never failed me so, if it ain't brokedon't fix it.

Your choice of Nikon is just fine, and it has a lifetime full warranty. Clarity is a subjective term at least in regards to what you as a person expects from it.

It actually has more to do with resolution I think and it can be measured. I do know that scopes with better optics are more pleasant to use. I have owned scopes from 30 dollars to 400 dollars and the more you spend on good optics it does make a difference.

Can a cheaper scope work, sure it can if it works in the conditions you use it for. At least spend enough money to get a scope with good coatings on all the lenses. How clear or bright a scope is doesn't matter if you pull it up on a wet snowy day and the lens fogs over while your aiming. Been there done that.

Don't buy into the big objective giving you more light either. Better coatings and glass are always better than a huge objective.

A clearer scope is also better on the eyes, especially when using one at longer distances for longer periods of time like target shooting or varmint hunting.

I tried about 4 scopes on my 17 HMR before I found one I liked. Ranging from 100 dollar BSA's up to a 400 dollar Cabela's brand (A nikon I think). You could deffinately tell the difference in the scopes as you moved up in price, especially at longer distances and higher powers.

Go to a good shop and pick two scopes of the same power and simular size. One being a lower priced tasco or bushnell in say 3-9 or 10 power with a 40mm objective. Then look through a more expensive scope like Zies conquest or something in the same size. If you can't tell a difference in resolution, color and brightness you should have your eyes checked.

You can do the same thing with binocs, look through some cheap walmart tascos and then through a high dollar pair. It's like night and day.

Does that mean you have to spend a fortune on a scope to get a servicable one to hunt with? Nope, not at all. However it doesn't mean the more expensive are not any better, because they are.

Paul

I have 3 Bushnell Trophy scope... 1 on a 300WSM, 1 on a 444 Marlin and 1 on Knight 50.cal inline... All 3 shoot perfect and I think the clarity is pretty good... If your on a budget I'd get a Bushnell

The easiest way Ive compared scopes is side by side at the range close to dark. I dont mean after legal hunting time but in the last half hour of low light.

If you take a cheap scope like a Tasco or BSA and crank them up at low light looking out 150 yards or so its hard to see the target very clear. If at the same time I look through a high end scope like a B & L or Nikon(thats high end to me, I don't spend over 500$ fora scope) its very obvious how much clearer they are.

I hunt a large field a lot in the eveand at 250ish yards when its getting close to quiting time(when the bucks come out)I like to crank the scope up to max power and just can't do that and stillsee veryclear with the cheaper scopes. I have a couple of cheaper Simmons 3x9's that you cant turn up more then 4 or 5 power without it being just to dark that far out in the field.

Try to get a side by side comparison(not in the store)that how I can tell the biggest difference between the scopes. I know when we are out shooting some groups I can still shoot with my 4200's and see the targets fine while my buddy is putting away his guns with some of the cheaper stuff. I used to be a big believer in Leupold stuff and had a couple of VX III's and II's and after looking thru them at the range close to dark compared to my buds Monarchs and the B & L 4000 I have I sold all ofLuppys but 1 and happily wear Bushnellson most of my rifles. I have no doubt which are brighter.

Thanks for the replys! I might have been misunderstood with the title "Scope clarity, so what!"
I know that there IS a difference in clarity, but even cheaper scopes can make decent low-light shots!
I just want something tht is going to hold up! As I've said, I've had 3 different scopes fail, and I can promise you they were not abused!
Perhaps I am just snake-bit! 3 failures is more than many people have in a lifetime!
I am almost sure that there are no statistics for scope brand failure rates, but I sure would'nt mind seeing that kind of stats!

I have just about decided on the Nikon Monarch, as most people say it is as clear or better than Loopies, at a savings of over 100.00!

I guess the bad thing about deciding on a new scope is that, most companies "claim" a "lifetime warranty" and "full multi-coating."
Leupold has just about "forced" others to offer a good warranty, and while others like Nikon maybe as good, or better, for less $$$, I've always heard that Loopy's repair/replacement has always been great! No fine print! Just repair or replace, no questions asked!
To me the BEST warranty, will be the one I never have to use!

Ditto...