Don
I also looked at a comparable Bushnell and researched Alpen optics. In the Bass Pro store, I was able to compare the Nikon and Leupold side by side, looking thru one and then the other, looking in dark corners across the store. IMO the quality of the glass was better in the Leupold Cascades, I could see much better in the dark corners. I left knowing the Leupold was what I wanted; got lucky a week or so later and bought on sale at Wal-Mart. Regular price listed at most sources was $320-340; I paid $270.00, my first post ($170.) was a typo.
Hope this helps, Dennis