With a $200 budget it would be VX-1 from Leupold. The Redfield is a good scope too, but at about the same price the Leupold is a bit better. Especially on new scopes. When the Redfield was introduced it was somewhere between VX-1 and VX-2. The newer VX-1's are dramatically better and comparable to an older VX-2.
The Vortex and Nikon scopes I've used were clear and sharp. As far as I can tell they were durable and reliable as well. But other features such as excessive weight, short eye relief and tunnel vision turned me away from them.
