My last scope purchase was a Sightron SII 3-9x40. It
cost me less than $200 and worked perfectly for my
newest rifle.
My decision was influenced by doing some searching on
the net, since I didn't know of anyone who personally
owned a Sightron. You might want to check out
www.chuckhawks.com. With a little searching on that
sight, you should be able to find a review written by
Randy Wakeman called "Scoping it Out." There are also
several reviews by Chuck Hawks on Sightron products.
Another site that I found useful was
www.shortmags.org,
where there is a "guides" section that includes scopes.
As for me, personally, it's a little too early for me to
formulate an opinion on durability. The optics are very
nice, for sure. The scope has thus far survived a mule
deer hunt and an elk hunt without a hitch, but then, I'd
expect that from any scope!