The more you spend the less quality you get... How do you figure that? When it comes to optics you get what you pay for. Now with that being said, there are some very expensive scopes out there and you have to decide on what features are right for you. On the budget end my choices would be a Nikon Prostaff or Burris Fullfield, moderately priced Leupold VXII, moving up the ladder a Zeiss Conquest. Personally I can't justify spending more that $450 for a scope depending on what the intended use is. That having been said, you buy the best scope that you can afford, if you have to save up for a little bit to buy better glass then you will be ahead of the game when you find out that the cheapo scope you bought just doesn't do it for you.