Well, I used to be a Leupold nut...I still have a few. I tried Nikon and really liked them too. A friend turned me onto the Aetecs and I have been buying them since. Dollar for Dollar you can't beat em. I tried the Bushnell Elite 3200 about 2 months ago & hated it. I sent it back to BassPro. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a 2005 Aetec. Looks like a big jump for Simmons but I want to field test one to see if is lives up to the Hype.

Wonder if the new owners have changed the fact that Simmons had bad glass and used to fly apart on many rifles under recoil?

My only experience w/ Simmons has been the Aetec 2.8-10X44, 3.8-12X44 & the Pro Hunter 4-12X40. They have all been on .270 & .30-06s'. I have not had any problems w/ them.

I have an Aetec on my .308 it is a very good scope for the money. Compared to my Leupold Vari-X-II though, it is not nearly as bright in the last few minutes of daylight.

My Aetecs are so much brighter and lighter than my Leupolds that the latter now set on my book case and the Aetecs are out hunting. I am sold on the Aetecs. No more Leupolds for me.

But James do the Aetecs have 3 piece tubes? I bet not I've been selling all of mine thru Ebay I am done with them as well

Any light transmission specs? Where are these made?

Me thinks a 4-14x44 Aetec is in my very near future, That's been my only complaint with them. The lack of a higher power scope. I have a 2.8-10 x 44 on my .260 and the 4-14 will go good on my .300 Win Mag.

Where they are made is left to quess. It says that they are made at an American owned and operated company. It says American and German Technology. One piece tube. It does give some other info about coatings and stuff.

that has been my only complaint also, a 12 power as their highest is a little small, the 4-14x 44 is definatly a plus and will end up in my posession soon.