First I didn't say anything about not putting in the time or ammo,so your saying your first optic was a high dollar optic and you just jumped right in there.Some of us don't have that kind of money right off the bat,and if $500 is what it takes and I make that decision to go down that road,even if I have to save a bit I'll do it,but being retired and on fixed income sometimes it takes me a while to do things