I need a short, low power scope.

[AJ Dual]

As an aside, I'm amazed there's as much of a market for ~$2000 short range scopes tactical as there appears to be.  I wonder if .gov sales are driving this segment and keeping prices high.

.mil sales is part of it.

The other part of it is if you want variable power, and no changes in eye relief, POI/POA, parallax, everything in first focal plane, and it's quality glass, quality ISO-9xxx construction methods, sealed, and resistant to actual honest-to-God rough-n-tumble abuse, it's going to cost you.

If people think the Trijicons are pricey, go look at the ELCAN Spectre DR 1-4x scopes.