Because anything mechanical is prone to failure at some point, and it's helpful to know the mfgr will stand behind it, even after 20 years of hard use.
Admittedly, I've not gone thru all the posts in this thread... but, if it's not yet been mentioned, the Vortex 1-8x Strike Eagle is a prime candidate for what you've described.
Very solid, true 1x setting, nice & clear thru 8x, and the reticle is quite useful. The Vortex warranty is fantastic...
I'm an Army Reservist mobilized on a 365 to San Antonio (real hardship tour, I know).
I found this forum via Google search for an item in the classifieds... I forgot how restrictive forums have become, due to scammers out there.
Anywho, I go by the same handle on the FAL Files, have a ton of...