Check out the Sightron SIII line as well, better glass than the VX-III or VX-3, and close to the Zeiss Conquest, but with turrets that to me are just a bit more user friendly.
I also had good luck with a Burris XTR 3-12 a few years ago, it was my first semi-expensive scope and ran flawlessly for me, crosshairs were a bit thick for me for target shooting, but would have been great for hunting. Glass was in the same range as the Leupold that you are looking at. Only downside is that scope is big and heavy, not necessarily something you want in a scope that you have to hike around, but then again I'm a fan of staying in shape.