On sale at Cabela's for $99 with $10 off and free shipping.  

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Vortex-Crossfire-II-Riflescopes/1441169.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dcrossfire%2Bii%26CQ_st%3Db

This would be my first scope purchase (tried a few scoped rented ARs, not sure brand/quality), 16inch mid length Aero AR.  Will be shooting paper targets upto 200yards and steel plates upto 500.  Bench rested or bipod, daytime shooting and not planning on hunting.  

How would this fare as a beginners entry level scope?  I was also looking at a Nikon P223, but that is at least $100+ more.  Any opinions appreciated. Thanks

Vortex has an incredible warranty.  I know because I had to send back two Crossfire IIs for broken reticles.  The third one is still in the box and won't go on anything I care about.  This was several years ago, so they may have fixed the root problem.



I have two Viper PSTs and love them, but they're a bunch more money.  For budget scopes, consider SFWA or Primary Arms.

I've had a completely different experience.  I've not had to use the warranty but I really like the scope and would recommend it.  After 800 rounds it has performed extremely well.  When I bought it I was able to compare it to the Nikon P-223 1.5-?? and the Browning AR Throwdown 1-4.  The eye relief was much more forgiving than those other two and the picture seemed sharper.  This was the first scope I have purchased for an AR, and the only scope I have used other than on my rimfires, so my experience is not vast.  I like that I can shoot with both eyes open at 1X.  I'm a more experienced pistol shooter and even with iron sights on an AR I shoot with both eyes open up 25 yards.  As I understand it a variable magnification scope will not have a true 1X.  it is not like shooting a red dot where the image through the optic seamlessly blends with the sight picture around it.  You have to focus through the optic and what is around it blurs somewhat.  It didn't take long to get used to this and it has become automatic.  I'm sure there a better optics out there, which I read about every time someone talks about lower cost optics, but I am happy and satisfied with my purchase.  I've only shot out to 100 yards so I can't speak to suitability for greater distances, but I can say I am shooting 3" groups at that distance.  I'm know better groups are possible, but I am the limiting factor not the scope.

Consider it a place holder scope.  It is Chinese with very low grade glass and indifferent build quality.  High failure rate and usually comes in last in scope comparison tests.  Decent quality in Vortex begins with their Diamondback line.  

It might "do" for a while, but you will likely want to upgrade.  You don't have to spend a whole lot more for a good basic scope, though.  Options really open at about $199 or so, and become really good at $299.  There is a reason they are unloading it at that price.