With regard to the Cabelas HD- is there a particular year manufactured that you are referring too?I have - twice. I've owned two mint pairs of the newest SLC's over the past 4 years. They didn't make me any thinner, better looking or more attractive to my wife. I had the second pair side-by side on tripods for hours trying to justify the cost vs. Zeiss Conquests, but just couldn't see it. Everyone's eyes are different. To me, the Zeiss were as good or maybe even slightly better at center resolution, esp. in the twilight hours.
On this forum, that's heresy, but it is what it is. I'm not brand loyal and have been known to drag around re-branded Cabelas Outfitter HD's that cost me $175 on the used market, because I know they are made on the same line as Zeiss Conquest HD's, and have the same glass, and give me the same information at 1/5th the cost.
Currently, I'm using Leupold BX-4's and IMO they are the equal in image quality, contrast and resolving power to the Conquest HD and SLC's, but they are lighter and more compact and handle much better.
I'll let the big names carry the big name glass.