Thread: Another which scope tread.....new vs second hand

Sorry but another which scope thread,called into the gun shop to have a look at a scope for the wife’s 223 that she’s waiting on, just to get a bit of an idea what’s available. Budget restricted to maybe $500. Old mate showed me a Burris 4-12x42 I think, was ok , and I looked at zero tech 3-12, which is around $300 range. Both are made in the same factory in China. I was probably more impressed with the zero tech for the money. Then I had a look at some 2nd hand scopes, a new condition in the original box vx1 3-9x40 for $370 odd and a vx2 3-9x40 for $350 an older scope, black gloss with a bit of rub mark on the turret. Both scopes had perfect lenses, no marks. I thought the vx1 was probably dear enough,I think I paid around that new for the same scope 5yrs ago but what would the vx2 be worth, and how can you tell if it is a genuine loopy vs a cheap knockoff? Would you go for the 2nd hand over the new cheaper scopes? I was thinking the little bit of extra magnification might be handy? Thanks Steve