I have owned a couple of Leupold scopes. I had a VX-3i that I upgraded to a Leica, and I had a VX-5HD for a while as well, I think it went with a rifle.
The VX-3i is sort of an anachronism in the scope world today, as is the Swarovski Z3 line; in that they are capped turret, lightweight, 1 inch tube, single purpose hunting scopes with generally quite simple reticles. Of scopes of this type, the Swarovski and Leupold are probably the best quality options still on the market, though Vortex has their Razor HD LH line which hangs with them in both cofiguration, and quality.
Also of this type and still on market are Nikon Monarch 3 (recently discontinued maybe?), Burris Fullfield II, Vortex Diamondback, Bushnell Elite etc. though these are a step down in quality in my opinion based on build quality, eye relief (especially Vortex Diamondback...*shudders*), durability, and so on. I realise that the Nikon Monarch 3 is considered good glass, I have owned two of recent manufacture, but they fit in with the above scopes better than the VX-3i and Z3 in my experience.
The Leupold VX-5 line and up are of a more current style, exposed elevation turrets that are meant to be spun, 30mm tube, illumination, some more complex reticle options, and all of the other add-ons of questionable utililty, but proven marketability. In this category of scope, the VX-5 I owned was excellent optically, with good eye relief and eyebox, but fell a bit short on build quality when compared with the higher end scopes that it is competing with.
For the price the VX-5's were selling at a year ago, they were exceptionally good value, but the price has been moved up by something like 20%, and the value isn't quite what it was.
When I say build quality, compare a new Zeiss Conquest V$ to a Conquest V6. They are built to mimic each other in style and features, but the turrets, fit and finish, and glass are all noticeably better on the V6, it's not just a question of better glass.
I have ended up with Leica 30mm illuminated scopes, as the build quality is great, they offer the best contrast that I've seen in the class, they aren't too big and are still unmistakably "hunting scopes" rather than dual purpose abominations of compromise like the Zeiss V4 and V6, and quite a bit better value than an illuminated, 30mm Swarovski, be it a Z6i or Z8i. The Leupold VX-5 was my second choice at the previous price point, though at the current pricing I would have no hesitation in going Leica Visus, or the new Fortis 6 if it can be found.
Swarovski has a cachet that is undeniable, they have become the mark of quality in a hunting scope in this neck of the woods, and probably have better resale than any scope in the high end class. I think I would buy a Z3 if I was going traditional, a 3.5-10-42 and a pure hunting rifle would be sweet.
Swarovski also has excellent illuminated 30mm, high zoom scopes, but they are in the price range of a Schmidt and Bender Polar, Zeiss Victory, Leica Magnus, and I have never owned a scope in that class.
I know next to nothing about tactical type scopes, and am not likely to ever learn much about them either, so Nightforce, Vortex Razor, S&B PMII et al. will be for others to comment on.
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