I'm not happy with my SII duplex reticle. The tube is damaged so I can't even sell it to offset a new scope. I want a minimum top power of 16x, AO or SF, and some type of reticle with quick hold-over reference points. I don't want above 18x, however, because of much smaller exit pupil. I've been looking at the Hawke Varmint 4-16 with 1/2 mil (at 10x) reticle for $189. I'm thinking for daylight varmints the glass will be up for it, and a heavy .223 shouldn't rock it too hard with recoil. It recoils just enough that I barely miss seeing the impact with the Sightron at 16x. Opinions for similarly priced and featured scopes needed as there are many (and many are pure junk). I've had VX3's and know I'm not going to get the same optic quality, I just was useable.