I was in the same boat as you. Wanted quality glass, but was having trouble justifying some of the prices for the top of the line stuff. My budget was $3000, and at the time (6 months ago) almost no one had a lot of options in stock. I ended up getting a kahles 3-12x50. It's glass was crystal clear, and it was great, but shortly after buying it, I decided I wanted a higher zoom than 12 power. I heard good things about IOR Valdada, but no one in Canada sold them, and the scope I wanted was $3100 American, plus shipping. Then I stumbled on a website, optics-trade.eu. I was pleasantly surprised at their prices and ended up ordering the IOR 4-28x50 crusader. It came in at $2700 Canadian, about what I paid for the kahles 3-12. Scope just arrived in the mail today, I'm very happy with it. So don't cross IOR off your list just yet.