Yeah, I'll stay out of the general optics quality discussion, but you can put me down on the side of quality mattering.
For RDSs at least, there's stuff going on inside the optic that is highly tuned to the frequency of the light the LED (or laser) emits. Changing color causes the dot/reticle sharpness to not be as good as it could be, or maybe other stuff (parallax?) I don't get as I am not actually an optical designer.
This is a common result of featuritis. More features does not equal better, and often is a straight line to an overall worse product.
And as far as the quote "I've used a bug buster, and if you don't mind it's drawbacks, namely mediocre clarity and very heavy crosshairs, and trust it to hold zero and not fog, fine. I'd rather pony up for a Nikon Buckmaster/Prostaff, Weaver V series or Vortex Crossfire."
Sorry, I do trust the UTG, especially since used heavily in the Dismal Swamp where I have hunted for years. Clarity is excellent, and holding zero has never been a problem even with some as old as a decade. Yes they have thicker croshairs, but that can actually be a benefit. When in the swamp I am NOT shooting 100 yards to a target.When going into the swamp, I make sure to go with the Bug Buster. Why the place is about as harsh a environment as you will see. Muddy, fog, wetness, etc. The Bug will hold up every time. Solid as a Rock.As I mentioned,
NOTE*** I own a Nikon Prostaff. Nice scope but will not be going into the swamp. Clarity is great for longer range rimfire shooting which I do a lot, not as good at close range, Much better at close range with the Bug buster. Great for focusing deep in thick cover. I love it. .
Lol, yep, all those gimmicky Manufactuers that make illuminated optics, Like Bushnell,Vortex,CVlife, Trijicon, Primary Arms Leopold, UTG, Nikon and on and on. Gee, I hate actually being able to see the reticle in low light. I just like to point and shoot the with a scoop.
Hey, look at this Gimmicky scope, man only a fool would buy from a Company that sells such gimmicks. 11 Iluminations. Must be some dumb down company that can't sell a thing without a "Featuritis" gimmick.
Oh, and by the way I do trust the