I have not been a contributor to this forum for very long at all ... and my not be a worthy one anyway, though I try to be. I have read many, many posts asking about scopes and other optics. And frankly I am a huge fan of top end glass. But I realize not everyone can shell pout $1000 or more for the best glass out there.I would like to hear from others as to where the "value" lies when it comes to "useful in the field" scope performance. By that I mean where are the breaks in value?

I'll take a crack at it:

Note, these are MY observations about what quality levels are associated with certain price points. Your mileage may vary. Use your own eyes, & form your own opinions! I'm looking at street prices here, not MSRP.

< $100 = May or may not last, low clarity, iffy proposition as to whether adjustments are accurate or repeatable, or whether it will hold POI. Simmons, Tasco, Barska, BSA, et. al.

$100 - $150 = Quality glass, generally accurate & repeatable adjustments, will hold POI, far more durable. For a vast majority of hunters, this will buy all the glass they'll ever need. These models sold for well over twice this price 4 to 5 years ago, and are light-yearsahead ofnearly anythingcould be bought atnearly ANY price 15to 20 years ago. Elite 3200, ProStaff, Browning, etc.

$151 - $250 = Same as the last category, but will include more sizes in the same product line. Fro example, the Elite 3200 can be had for $125 to $150 in the 3-9 x 40. To get a 3-12 or 4-16 will cost a bit more.

$250 - $400 = More clarity, adjustments move independently (no confounding of horizontal & vertcal), better color, less fading at the edges, strong warranty. Weaver, Elite 4200,VX II, VX III, Conquest, etc.

> $400 = more coatings, higher quality glass, more reticle choices, etc, lifetime warranty. Frankly,my eyes can't tell a noticeable difference above this price point. Kahles, Swarovski, Zeiss, S&B, Doctor Optics, VX-L, VX-7, etc.

FC

Now that's a tough question. There are so many points to consider. I will say that, in today's market, there are some very good, great value scopes out there. I tend to just cateorgize them into three groups:
1) Cheapos (usually Chinese crap, sometimes Philipines) such as Barska, BSA, NC Star, etc. I don't care to own or use these at all.
2) Mid lines. These are typically very good optically, and are (more often than not) priced at a good value point. At the upper range of these I'd include Zeiss Conquests, Bushnell Elite 4200 and 6500, Sightron Big Sky, Nikon Monarchs, Leupold VXIII and above, Burris Sig Selects, Trijicon, etc. These will usually do ANYTHING required in most hunting scenerios. Well worth using IMO. There are some others in here that I would consider O.K. but nothing to write home about. We're talking about ones like Burris FFII, Nikon Buckmasters, Sightron I and II, Leupy I and II and Rifleman, etc.
3). The uppers. These are wonderful instruments and very expensive. The fancy Zeiss', Swaros and S & B's are a joy to use. I'd place the Kahles C series close by also. Are they worth the extra $ or are they 2X or 3X as good. NO. Should you use them if you want or can afford too... DEFINATELY. Nothing worse than to see a $1500 + rifle with a $100 scope. Just gross IMO.