I've got the 4.5 -14 X 50 model..............VERY impressed with the optics! Extremely clear and sharp, even out at the very edges. The eye relief and lack of extreme change in eye relief between min and max power is also quite impressive. The speedial adjustments are what originally sold me on the scope, and they seem to be a good compromise between tall "tactical" adjustments and the common low profile adjustments. The fact that they won't accidentally get moved is most impressive. The other percs that Leupold includes with these scopes are pretty good too, but I haven't taken advantage of them yet.
If the 2.5 to 10 is the same as mine (except the magnification), then I'd say $700 is a steal!!