Surprisingly good scope if you understand the limitations of this price range - Vector Optics Everest 3-18x50mm GenII Rifle Scope

After trying out 4 different low-end scopes from $65 to $270, I choose this VO Everest 3-18x50mm SFP scopes to use at my range. My shooting is primarily with an AR-15 shooting .223 at mostly 200yds and 100yds at an outdoor range. I live in FL and so far it's always been bright and sunny, I usually shoot between 8am & 5pm. Given the excellent lighting conditions this scope has been excellent up to 200yds. The locking turrents and side focus are both surprising to me for a $160 scope, and work well so far. The issue with inexpensive scopes is primarily how well they hold up over time. Benchrest shooting at the range and carried to-and-from the range in a padded rifle bag is about as pampered a life as any scope can hope to live, so I expect this scope to do well until I outgrow it. I also tried out an Athlon BTR Gen1 6-24x50 for almost twice the price and choose this one as I felt the Athlon didn't add enough extra value to warrant the extra cost. Personally I think the view was very similar and the difference between 24x and 18x at 200yds wasn't as great as I expected it to be. I also love the MOA reticle, detailed but not overly busy, but won't be doing holdovers until I make it to the 600yd range. It's also not illuminated but for my shooting that's not needed. This scope will probably end up on a bolt action .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor when I get one, but for now it works on the AR just fine for target shooting. Overall I'm very happy with this scope.