I guess I really have to see a low end scope and a mid level scope to know the difference. Simply paying more and not knowing if I'm getting something better seems stupid.

 

looking at two scopes, one being low and one mid, you can't visually tell the difference in quality usually. it's the internals.

the differences come in the glass and the adjustment knobs.

a cheap glass can shift very easily, you may have it zeroed and you fire once and its off. or just a small bump and its off. on a higher quality glass it holds its accuracy longer and holds up to bumps better. cheaper glass even a smaller bump sometimes can make it totally useless because it alters the internals.

also on a cheaper glass you have to be careful when its adjustable, you may sight in at 6x and when you adjust to 9x it throws it off and even more so when you go back to 6x. better glass doesnt have that problem.

find a local shop that knows their stuff or read some forums if you want to get detailed information.