OK...here's the deal. Went to the range with a friend and got to look through his new Bushnell scope. Don't know the model, but it had a center dot along with some other reticle features. He said MSRP was close to $700 if that helps pinpoint it. Anyway, I found that I would really like to try a scope with a target dot reticle. I have lots of scopes have owned maybe 25-30 different ones...Leupold, Burris, Bushnell, etc; most with duplex reticle. I am a hunter primarily and occasionally shoot at the range to zero rifles and test reloads. So, my question.....With this info could you guys help me narrow my search for a good scope to experiment with? Would like to keep the cost below $500, but will spend what I have to for a good one. I'll appreciate any help you can provide. Also if you could describe the pros and cons of dot scopes. Oh another thing.....the scope will go on either a squirrel rifle or a varmint .223 or .204. Feel free to make recommendations or both and I appreciate any help you can provide.