[aigel]

You know, buying the best gear is an attempt to set yourself up for the best success. This is especially true around sports, including hunting. No offense, but often the least skilled or trained folks try to make up for it with equipment:

For example I often see fat guys on all carbon $10k bicycles. Or hunters with $1500 optics that wouldn't be able to walk 50 yards from their truck to stalk whatever they may find across the canyon.

I always slow myself down and try to go for mid-level stuff. I.e. my bicycle is heavy and inexpensive, as I need exercise, so no need to minimize weight or resistance. On hunting optics, I go mid-range and rather have money left for going hunting or shooting for practice, leave alone the worry of losing or damaging the equipment. I also make sure I do engage in a hobby for a while before upgrading. Did that with shotguns and still spent much less than what most guys would deem adequate for an upland scattergun ...

Maybe this will change one day, but for now family finances have priority and until I have that squared away, I'll be fine with my beater to mid-level equipment.

G