I can’t lie, I love the finer things in life. What I don’t love is being broke and to that end I try my best to maintain a reasonable balance between wants and needs. Ok fine, I’m a cheapskate sometimes but as a man with limited means has a lot of optics needs. I don’t ask much from any of mine, only that they hold zero and not be too blurry to see. Point is, I’m a cheapskate. Wait...point is, I can live under a $200 budget and still be happy.
The Vortex Venom, $169 from Palmetto State Armory with sale code. My fun money hasn’t run out for the year but I do have a dozen or so other hobbies including the all important “keep the wife happy by funding her hobbies as well”.
Bushnell TRS-25, $44 at Amazon on Black Friday.
Last month’s family picture ( +1 since this with my son’s first build) featuring the Vortex StrikeFire, SPARC, and SPARC AR, all under $200/ea.
And sometimes I repurpose while deciding what I want. Mark AR 3-9x40 on my muzzleloader.
A pair of 1.5-4x20 Mark ARs on a .44mag and .357 mag. $189/ea. at Field & Stream.
Another F&S special; Nikon P-Tactical 1.5-4.5x20 for $89.98 on “oops” sale. Made a nice birthday present for my 14 year old daughter and her AR.
If nothing else, all of the above optics except the Bushnell feature lifetime warranties which means I won’t be out anything if they break. When I’m good and ready to part with the money my next optic will be an Eotech.