The easy answer is that it is needed more than ever. People, now, are choosing the range they want to shoot at, the equipment is no longer a limiting factor. So why would anyone choose a scope that limits what range you can shoot at when you don't have to? Extended Focal Range is parralax adjustment which usually comes down to 10 yards. Most scopes, back in the day, didn't. There are still many scopes that are adjustable that only go down to 25 or 30 yards, OK for most but not Airgunners. Almost all the fixed parralax hunting scopes of old had the parralax set to 100 yards. The rimfire scope's parralax was usually set to 50. There is no need to limit yourself anymore, so don't. Spend good money on a good scope because they last and can be switched from gun to gun easily filling many different roles.