Rugged is overhyped to the hilt around here. I'm a hunter first and a bench rest guy much less so. I might shoot 100 rounds through my deer gun every year, most of my shots in the real world will be less than 100 yards.
I guess we are both confused, as I don't see why anyone would need a variable that goes to 10X for shots less than 100 yds. unless you were hunting mice.
As far as durabilty is concerned, if you shoot enough, you'll break one. Any scope can die, but I've never killed or seen a 6X power killed because of recoil. Seen some variables croak though.
Variables certainly have their place and I use them as well, but for most big game hunting up to 400 yds. I don't see them as a must have.
If I want to get a closer look at what I'm seeing, I grab the binos.
