Scopes, like binoculars, have indeed come a long way in the past 30+ years. I also remember those "dark tube" days of the 70's and 80's. You can even look at Leupold's top-end scopes from those years, and today's VX-1/Freedoms are still better.
Freedoms are a good value. One of the better values in scopes when you consider how much scopes from other companies weigh - consistently 3-5 oz. heavier and optically no better. I've never understood why Leupold scopes are so much lighter than everyone else's, but I value that, so Leupy represents a great value in rifle scopes to me.
Having said that, my last VX-1 is a slightly better scope than the VX-Freedom I used to own. Both are 2-7x33's. The VX-1 has slightly better image quality and better turrets. The difference is slight, but I noticed it and was a little disappointed in the Freedom series, for a Leupold scope. But, still better than your dad's Vari-X II, so take that with a grain of salt.
Another great value in rifle scopes are the made-in-Japan Weaver Classic series (K-4, K-6, V7, V10, etc.) IMO they are on par with Leupold's and have better reticles. I've always found the standard Leupold Duplex to be a bit too heavy in the center, and a little too imprecise at the taper for it to be useful. The Weavers have a finer center crosshair, a little more distance to the taper (which is useful as a ballistic reticle) and have a sharper taper that is easier to use for aiming.
3 of my 4 hunting rifles wear Weaver scopes, with the other being a Leupold VX-1 that has been very good to me.
