Interesting read. Nice to see a down to earth attitude.
I was kind of down on the optics of my SS 16X until Monday of this week when I picked up my new glasses, well actually Tuesday after one day to adapt.
With the new prescriptions the experience was pretty much like upgrading to a NXS i.e., brighter, more clear and crisp.
As expected it tracks well also. However, I'm not fully accustomed to clicking yet as I arrived at the range one day with the zero set one full rotation low.

I appreciated the idea of you friend shooting a last shot @ 100 to confirm zero.
At this stage in life I can't "see" the purchase of S&B optics with these Bushnell eyes
