I was in the scope business for many years, and believe me it's the buying public determines what's available in the long run. Most manufacturers offered fixed pow scopes long after they quit selling at the retail level. There is something called the economy of volume, and it applies to all mass produced goods. At one time, variables were considerably more expensive and somewhat less reliable than fixed powers. As variables got better they became more popular, especially on rifles chambered for cartridges suitable for varmints and big game. As variables became more popular, the prices came down relative to fixed powers and it wasn't long before a 3-9x was about the same price as a fixed 4x, 6x, or 8x of the same quality. It got to the point where I was selling about twenty variables to one fixed. There is such a thing as perceived value, and most people are not willing to pay the same or more a fixed power than for a variable.
Last edited by timbo762; 10/28/12.
