Neal, I'm going to be honest with you, I'm not well versed on lower prices optics.. I can tell you this. If the scope is meant to last and grow with, that isn't the route I would choose. If it is clear, not built poorly, and the clicks are repeatable, then at that price it's a good deal. I cannot imagine complex optics for a $200 price however. Especially with a variable power scope. For me I care about having the crosshairs in the first focal plane. To me that is a non negotiable. Especially if you interested to shoot at longer distance. The next two things I care about are durability and amount of light that comes through. Perfectly clear optics is even less important than light and the scopes ability to get bumped and still do it's job. Having paralax adjustment is nice too, but not needed. I really recommend US Optics. But they are in the highest price range. Schmidt and Bender is a rival basically. For some better priced and still epic products vortex is beloved. So is SWFA. A used fixed ~10 power might be the best. Also a bit of advice, unless you have a lot of experience and know you really want something different, I would stick with an absolute basic millions dot/hash or MOA dot/hash reticle. It allows for the most growth, best site picture and most versatile set up. It is something I wish I would have done in fact. I'm not sad with my choice but I over did it thinking it would help. KISS unless you ABSOLUTELY know you want to have a different sight System.