And also is the VX3 brighter and clearer than the VX2, or does it just have extra bells and whistles?

The glass in the VX-3 is much better than the VX-1. The VX-1 is about the same as the old Vari-X II, and it was a pretty damned good scope.

Sorry, I meant the VX2 NOT the VX1. I paid $275 for my VX2 3-9x40 and was wondering if I go with a VX3 3.5-10x40 ($500) or a VX3 4.5-14x40 ($545) if I'm getting a scope with more clarity and/or brightness, and also what would be a step up from them.

Trijicon and Meopta would be worth a look.

I have a VX2 and several VX3's. I was never impressed with the VX2 glass, but think the VX3 glass is excellent. Also, I rate the VX3 glass above the Vortex Viper PST glass, which is better than the VX2 glass.

This is good to hear, as I really want to go with the VX3.

I think there is a $100 rebate on the VX3 right now, and next Saturday Camera Land is having a 15% off sale and no sales tax. Just FYI

Thanks, I saw that $100 rebate while trolling Optics Planet -- but I am not ready to buy anything yet.

There is a big step up from the VX-1 to the VX-2 in glass quality, not a huge amount when going from a VX-2 to a VX-3. Then there is a large jump from the VX-3 to the VX-6. The VX-R glass is between the VX-2 and VX-3.

I have a VX-2, VX-R and VX-3. Can't tell much of a difference under normal light but can under low light and very bright light. My view comes from owning them, selling them where I work and speaking by phone with Leupold every couple of months. YMMV.

In the price range I can afford I prefer Meopta over the VX-3.

Which Meopta is equivalent?

Meopro - VX-3
Meostar - VX-6