I had been threatening to buy something other than German glass for some time. Well I took a chance and bought a Vortex VHS LR. It is easy to see the difference in glass between the Vortex and my Zeiss scopes. I wouldn't say the Vortex is poor but it doesn't have the clarity of the Zeiss scopes...
For a little over a $1 K you can get a Zeiss HD5. Proven quality and some of the best glass available. I believe at this price it's one hell of a deal.
Don't own either but that may change soon. Currently using Zeiss but have heard that both NF and Vortex are fine scopes. I have also heard that the glass for both NF and Vortex...