I have the VXII in 3-9X40 on my 30-06 and like it very much. That scope is crystal clear and I wouldn't trade it for any other (unless it was 4-12X50). I bought it on eBay new in the box for $265 with shipping.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/jan97FTburris.html

Here's an older (1997) but relevant article you should find interesting. The author, like some on this board, indirectly alleges that the VX's are overpriced, comparitively speaking.

Kind of sums up my feelings as well. Good read.

i have the VX II and i love it. My dad has the VXIII and he likes it a lot but i havnt seen much differance in them. I dont really think it would be worth the price differance. I have the 3-9x30 and i think i got it for under 250$. My dads friend has a gun dealer's licence so i got it a little cheaper. But i dont think that for that price you can get a better scope then that. But i have not owned nearly as many scopes as the rest of you have. I am only 16.

I'm in the Zeiss Conquest camp as well. I've got two of them. Each time I bought one I did side by side comparisons with the Leupolds, and in my opinion the Zeiss glass was better. Very clear, vey bright, very sharp, very solid, and like Leupold, Zeiss offers a transferrable lifetime warranty. Still, the Leupolds were very nice and I've never personally met a Leupold owner who wasn't pleased with them. I myself prefer a one piece design; say what you want about three piece designs working fine if they are machined right, I work in a manufacturing environment and see parts that are machined incorrectly every day.

If you want to save money on Leupolds, you might try bottom fishing on eBay for one. I've read many posts from guys who got bargain Leupolds on eBay and sent it back to Leupold for some sprucing up, free of charge.