He didn't say "high end" he said "higher end" which I would say the Gen II PST qualifies as. Realize that for most people $500 on a scope is an insane amount of money much less the $4K+ that the TT's, Hendsoldt's, and some of the S&B's command. My Dad and brother both love their $120 Simmons 6.5-20x scopes and they just don't see the value in my Gen II Razor even when comparing them side by side.
I was finally able to look thru a 3-15 Gen II PST and have to say that I was very much impressed by it. The turret clicks were excellent (both tactile and audible), the illumination as well as focus and power were smooth, and the illumination itself seemed very nice. For most people the Gen II PST is going to be all of the scope they will ever need if they aren't relying on it to put food on the table, keep them alive on a 2-way range, or using it for work in some other way.
Honestly, if I hadn't gotten my Gen II Razor for a great price before these came out I may have went with the Gen II PST instead. It got the Gen II Razor (and my AIAT) because I could. The reality is that a Tikka T3 CTR and Gen II PST would do everything that I will ever need and some day I may just sell the AIAT and Razor.
I would go for the Gen II PST in the OP's shoes and enjoy the crap out of it. If you ever do have a problem with it Vortex will stand behind it 100%.