Jordan,
I totally agree that high quality, dependable glass of relatively lower mag trumps lower quality, high mag glass. However, I hadn't ever considered the Leupold VXII to be of questionable dependability or quality.
I'll check out the Vortex you mentioned. If it beats the Leupold VXII for quality and dependability at the same price point, and
doesn't have a fast-focus eyepiece, I'll consider it for my next scope purchase.