Softpoint,
The clarity of optics are important, but keep in mind that looking through scopes in a store is very different than looking at them in the field during dusk and dawn. (I'm referring to light transmission here, not necessarily clarity and sharpness.)
Another very important note: All you posted about was clarity. Remember that the problems that you had with the Tasco regarded it's precision adjustments (or rather lack thereof). Just because a scope has decent optics does not necessarily mean that it's construction is just as decent.
Think of it this way. With optics, you need to think of two things:
1) Optics - their clarity, sharpness, ability to show the viewed subject in its true color, etc.
2) Construction - the strength of all internal, and external, parts to keep everything consistent and precise. Will the adjustments track precisely? Will the cross-hairs fall out? Will the zoom work well? Will the focus ring work well? etc., etc. etc. Put in other words, is it really shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep thess two thoughts separately and independently of each other when conisdering to buy a scope. Otherwise, you may be in a world of hurt.
Zachary