The Leupold 1.5-5 and similar were good scopes for your application 20 years ago. Now there are so many better LPVO options.
For illumination I prefer a single red dot over complete reticle illumination for a hunting scope of this style. I would start with scopes that use that feature and go from there.
I really don’t know why someone would think a scope with a throw lever will freeze up? It’s not like variable power scopes are something new.
just ouf of curiosity which ones do you have in mind?