I like Vortex. Besides having to send one back a couple times (with good CS), they have done pretty well. But....for that money, you can find some REALLY nice Nikons out there that have better glass. If he's not spinning turrets and running a box test, he's be better served by clear and bright glass. In that price range if I was just looking at glass it would be a Nikon Monarch or a Sightron Big Sky. The Sightron is a really great overall scope....also with excellent customer service.

I'd also go a bit deeper than 3x9. You don't need more than 9x to shoot deer, but I find you do need a bit more to count tines and that makes a difference these days.

Lycanmyexperiencethrope