Don - I have just observed the one you are talking about
(Magnum 1.5-6x30 EDS) - it is mounted on my friend's Merkel K3 kipplaufbuchse in 9,3x74R. It sits there for a couple of years now - it was on a couple trips to Zim and still going perfect according to its master). Haven't heard about a single complaint about Nickel's so far.
I was rather surpirsed how slick classy and elegant this cope is - mounted realy low - perfect match for a kipplaufbuchse or small framed double - once you see it mounted in person all the other scopes look awkward. It also has that neat time frame look that (IMO) modern ones lack of. If I'd be looking for scope for my Merkel it would be among highest contenders.