re: Best Rifle scope for <$500

I own a Leupold VX3I, Vortex Viper, and a Meopta Meopro and I must admit the OB favorite Meopta is the clearest and best in low light situations. I've compared them next to each other on my back patio during bright conditions and past legal shooting hours and the Meopta just has better clarity. With that being said all are fine scopes and better than my very capable Nikon Monarchs that I used to swear by but the next scope I buy will be either another VX3I or a VX5 because I love the CDS system. If you don't do longer range shooting get the Meopta.