First, I'd like to make a shout out to Dave for his support on this site; it takes some balls and self control to walk into some of these bash fest threads.
I have several Vortex scopes, some cheap (Strike Eagle for example) and some high end (x2 Razor Gen2). Never had a problem that wasn't resolved with a quick phone call (when a company rep gives you their personal cell phone number, and walks you through things on a Saturday morning, that says a lot about their commitment to their customers; a shout out to Scott Parks @Vortex for his time and patience). I also help run our local PRS style monthly matches, so I see a LOT of gear getting run, a lot of times, hard. I haven't seen a PST Gen II yet with problems. That's not saying I won't, I've seen issues with many things (don't get me started on Rem700 bolts coming off, and RPR's with rails and/or barrel threads so out of spec you wonder how it made it past any QC).
Shit breaks. Deal with it. The more you pay, the less shit breaks (generally speaking). If you buy an entry level LR optic, and we have all been there, you get an entry level optic. Meaning it works, has reasonably good glass and some bells and whistles. The thing is not going to be bomb proof. Period. It will not have the same time and attention spent on it as something twice (or more) the cost. Now that being said, and "entry" level LR scope is around a grand. That's not chump change for many folks, so for many some additional assurances are needed to make them feel more secure in handing over their hard earned cash. Hence the Vortex Warranty. You know, the one that pretty much FORCED other companies to do the same (funny that Burris now has it, and yet years before their "limited warranty" was hotly debated as being shit). They saw the writing on the wall (as others have; EOTech, Minox, SIG, etc.), as well as the logic behind it, and have followed suit. A win/win for all of us shooters (in my book).
As to some of the comments within this thread...
Shit happens, deal with it. Shit breaks. Was it during your planned hunt? And you didn't bring a back up rig? Sound like 7 P's to me (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance). Two is one, one is none. Own it.
Has it happened to me? Yep. That's where I learned to pack extra equipment if it's something (like a hunt of a lifetime) I want to guarantee being able to do. A painful lesson ($700 out of state tag, travel, hotel, food, etc.), but one that I only had to learn once. I suggest some of you think about that.
Birddog, I'd be careful stepping into these threads as Burris rep/sponsor; it doesn't make Burris look real upstanding. I'm not saying you're not telling anything that isn't the truth of what you've experienced, just saying that some may perceive it as being a petty way to ding a competitor's line of products. You know how it is on these threads, with the XTR II glass debate that comes up now and again (which many of us have PM'ed to each other about, to be honest but also be understanding that it is what it is; i.e. just don't comment unless someone starts saying "it's as good as a S&B" BS), so you should probably sit back and let Vortex's rep handle it (I don't recall Dave stepping into any of the XTR II glass debates either). Just something to think about...though I (and many others) do appreciate Burris also having a rep on this site.
Primus, people shouldn't be banned for using PRS as an example of trust in quality, durability and functionality of a scope (that's about the dumbest comment I've read in awhile). PRS guns get run hard, and often take a beating. Your comment belies either an ignorance of that fact, or that of a bloviated tough guy internet keyboard commando's opinions that are absolute, indignant and often completely wrong.
In closing, I'll echo Morgan's comment "everything breaks" (says the guy who's $4k Hensoldt 45 got dumped over by the wind a few weeks back, while on a fully extended tripod, and landed on the ocular housing, on the concrete shooting line; and no, their warrant isn't "no fault"; again, shit happens and shit breaks, deal with it). If you don't believe things happen and things break, than you probably haven't been around this stuff long enough...