Iron worker, I do agree. I am sick of the over priced products too! However, I still end up buying them because of the quality. These companies know they have us by the balls and raise the prices every year. For example, I bought my first Nightforce 12x42x56mm NXS in 2002 for $1480.00. The same exact scope is now selling between $1750 to $1800, that's about a $60.00 a year price hike. Nothing has changed, to my knowledge, on the scope to warrant a price increase. However, I still buy Nightforce scopes because of the quality. Anyhow, good luck on your scope quest.
Wildcat