Here's the problem, I have a Simmons Aetec that was well sighted in. The scope was "babied" and never knocked around. During a hunt, I went from 10X down to 2.8 and then back up to 10X. Then when I looked at the target, everything was blurry, and the power ring would only move about 1/4" and did not appear to change the power at all. As I said, it was all blurry and out of focus. To me its obvious that something came loose! I did readjust the eyepiece focus, and the sight picture is now clear, but the POI is now "walking " badly! Something must still be loose. Has anyone ever had this problem? I am going to check with Simmons, but even if they replace it, I have lost all confidence with the Aetec! As I said, this scope was "babied" there is no way something should come apart like that!

You're scopes done, I have had a Tasco do the same thing in the past, nothing a guy can do for it.

Yep, I first thought about just trashing it, I may see if Simmons will repair or replace it, but as far as my confidence with it, thats cooked! Even if they do replace it I am going to a Nikon or Leupold!
I also once had a Tasco that went south on me at the gun range, Tasco replaced it, and the new one failed on a hunt! So this is my 3rd. scope failure! It might just be my bad luck or whatever, but these scopes were not abused, and were on a .308 , not on a super-recoiling magnum!
I know those who have sworn by the Tasco's and for 4 years, I've sang the praises of the Aetec! I've heard of a few high-dollar scopes ending up as junk, but I am really beginning to think you get what you pay for!
Again, cheap glass IS cheap glass! Clarity can be close, but doesn't mean a thing when the guts fall out!

I just looked at the fine print of Simmons warranty. Their "Lifetime" warranty excludes "normal wear and tear!"
Since my new scope options are Leupold or Nikon, I'd like to know how Nikons "lifetime" warranty works, but I have not found it. Does anyone have any experience with Nikons warranty? I have heard that Leupold's warranty covers even dropped scopes! That sounds like a warranty that you can have confidence in, that you will never need to use it!

Simmons is a very win/lose type of company, I have hadbad Simmons scopes, and I have had very good ones. Every Simmons isn't built the same!!!

I have had three Nikon scopes, and I still own two of them. I have never had anything go wrong with them, so I can't tell you what their warrantee service is like.

Nikon makes a nice scope. They are bright and clear, but their eye relief isn't what a Leupold has. The Leupolds I have used have all had VERY forgiving eye relief. The eye relief is only negative comment I have about my Nikons.

I am looking for a scope for my new rifle, and I think I am going to shell out the clams for the Leupold VX-III.

I have both a Nikon and Leupold scope. I have never dealt with warranty work for either but I will say this, I was very impressed on the warranty registration on my Leupold scope compared to Nikon...

Check out www.opticstalk.com that is the on line catalog/forum link for SWFA. They have a great selection of optics and are great people to deal with. Their optics forums have a number of VERY knowledgeable optic professionals that know the optic business, how scopes work and the companies that make them. By the way, the general opinion of many of these pros consider the Bushnell Elite 4200 3x9x40 at about $260 to be the best scope value for scopes less than $500. Check their sample list for great prices on demos and refurbished scopes. The old Simmons had its problems and with the acquisition by Meade the quality may suffer even more.