Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
There are very large differences between Vortex's model lines, which do you mean? I have a Viper 3-9x40, and for $300 it's awesome. I have two other hunting rifles, one wearing a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, and the other a Leupold VX-2(the new VX-2, not VX-II) so I've been able to directly compare.
The Zeiss is by far the clearest and brightest, but for the price it should be. The adjustment knobs suck.
The Vortex Viper has great adjustment knobs and a very clear and bright image, not quite up to the Zeiss, but noticeably better than the VX-2. The glass etched reticle means that the reticle is black all the time, I don't know anything about durability differences between different types of reticle construction.
The VX-2 is a 2-7x33. The image quality is in 3rd place in my hunting scopes. It is perfectly adequate as a scope, but there is noticeable distortion at the edges(the other two have none that I can see), and it's generally not as sharp as the Vortex. Brightness seems on par with the Vortex. It's wire reticle I don't like as much because it changes color depending on lighting conditions. Ever looked through a Leupold with backlight and saw the reticle as brown-tan, I don't care for that. Leupold's sure seem to be tough enough, and have a good warranty if you need it. I am also a person that gives a shit that it's built in the US. I bought the Leupold because I wanted something light. For more money than the Vortex I'm disappointed with what it is though. 2 piece scope body and wire reticle, what year is this, 1970?
Anyway, if you're looking at Vortex's Viper line I recommend them. They're nice scopes, with good glass. I at one time had a Diamondback and it was more on par with the VX-2 above, and their Crossfire line is undergoing changes now as the old ones were very unreliable.