Hi
Harvey! :waving:
Sounds like you'll fit right in around here - most folks here seem to be 'handy' types.
Couldn't agree more with you about needing a 'proper' scope. I also can't afford a Zeis so I went with the pretty standard Meji. This being
Steve's forum it wouldn't be right not to mention that you might want to
click here to see the Omano scope he sells. The price might be more than you're looking to pay but as I'm sure you know it's usually cheaper to just go ahead and buy the right tool first rather than go through three 'cheaper' ones first. 'Cheaper' because that's only true if they were actually acceptable.
I'll toss in the usual beginner advice as well:
1) Read through the forums - especially the Tutorials
2) Get James Meek's
The Art of Engraving (you'll probably really enjoy the parts about making your own tools)
3) Get Ron Smith's books on
Scroll Design and
Advanced Scroll Design