I've only looked through an old 6-18x, can remember if it was a Vari-X II or what, so no help there. But if I was buying another 4.5-14x VX3, I'd make sure I got the 30mm tube (side focus) model.
The 6-18 I had was hazy and lacked depth and was not good in low light. The gentleman I sold it to was putting it on a PD rifle- where it was probably wonderful- but it would be way down the list of scopes I'd put on a big game rifle.
