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Well you're asking on FM where you already know the reviews are pretty good
My copy is outstanding, very sharp right to the corners at landscape apertures and it's probably my most used lens. The VR is simply invaluable (for me) as well. The reviewers I trust seem to agree the lens is best from around 18-24mm, and as good or better than the 14-24/2.8 from about 20-24mm. This matches my experience with the lens as well. I doubt sample variation is worse than any other zoom lens Nikon makes but I'm sure there's the odd lemon.
One thing you will find people criticize it harshly for is distortion at 16mm, but it is extremely easy to correct in post and takes no time at all. That might be one reason you see comments about underwhelming performance, since it has above average distortion at 16mm.
It's also fully weather sealed, doesn't change shape when zooming, has nanocoating, and accepts standard 77mm filters. Along with VR (which gets me shots all the time that I simply wouldn't have otherwise) those things have made it the no-brainer landscape lens for me personally.
Sounds like you are on the fence, so instead of taking anyone's word for it maybe you can borrow or rent the lens to see for yourself if the advantages outweigh the compromises.
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