Tasco scopes and ebay.com


I have never bought from ebay until two weeks ago after the kids in kept telling me how cheap stuff was.

So I followed their instructions and joined. I guess I got carried away a bit at first as we bought our son a pair of wrap around sun glasses for $30-00 and I was assured they were very cheap, I then bought a folding pocket knife for $8.00. I cannot go wrong there.

These were only bought three days ago. So we haven’t seen them yet.

Anyway, being obsessive like I am, I checked out the rifle scopes and put in bids and have got two that I have paid for by Pen Pal.

They seemed so cheap and I haven’t seen them but I wonder a bit now.

One was claimed to be a Tasco 3 to 9 x 50 with an illuminated reticle that cost me $29.00 US but with postage added up to $49.00US. ($70 AUS)

The other was a Tasco World Class 6 -24 x 50 Illuminated Range finder Scope (with NcStar Scopes after the desciption). The pictures looked great so I put in a couple of bids and got it for under $100 US. I guess at the moment that that would translate to about $140 odd?

I have a few World Class Tascos on other rifles and have never had any problems with getting them to retain their POI or actually, getting them sighted in in the first place. But I have always thought they were made in Japan.

I have no intention on putting the scopes I have just bought on our rifles we use all the time. Its just I got carried away at them seeming so cheap.

Then, I have checked the net and apparently Tasco bought a company in China and the same scopes are sold elsewhere as NcStar with the same designations. The only feed back I can gather over the Net is from UK sites and the people there think they are good value middle of the range (?) scopes.

I wonder whether I have bought a couple of lemons.

Then again, I bought a Chinese copy of the BRNO Model 2 off Frank O’Reilly over 20 years ago made by NORINCO but called some weird name at the time. The magazines and bolts on our two genuine BRNO’s are interchangeable with this Norinco. It has a short, heavy barrel and is very accurate.

I swap scopes a bit on our rim fires and I know the NORINCO is as accurate as the BRNO’s. (I know, that is heracy).

I know many computers, VCR’s, TVs, ETC are now made in China,. And they are very good.

BUT, I wonder whether I have got to pieces of junk coming my way or whether they are as good as other cheaper brand scopes.


Any knowledge out there of NcStar scopes would be greatly appreciated,



Yeah, I know, the worst I am going to be out of pocket is only $200-


Ross

G'day, If you check the item location, you might find thaty the scope will be shipped from either Hong Kong, or china. sounds as though you have bought one of the chinese tascos.
I usually search on ebay for the second hand leupolds, after all, for $100, even if it's rooted, I can send it back to leupold and get it repaired for the cost of the postage.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

The big hassle with E-bay purchases is the inablility or lack of desire of the seller to ship stuff out of the US .I guess standing in a queue at the Post Office doesnt appeal to many folk.

That seriously limits what you can buy at times , unless you have a benevolant associate in the US who will on-ship things for you.

And , at the best of times , it is something of a gamble with s/h scopes especially . But that aside , the 'net is a source of better priced goodies that your local gunshop cant compete with - which is why stuff gets dearer at your local gunshop....

Once you have played a while on E-bay you will know roughly the shipping cost of a scope and will be able to factor that into your bid price.

Some stuff is more economic to buy locally still .

I picked up a brand new, still sealed in the box, Leupold 3-9x40 VX1 recently for $200AUS, dropped in my letterbox.
Ya can't beat some of those prices.
Also got an F1 Shooting Chrony, new in the box, for about 80 bucks.

Gotta watch the postage on some items though, some of the sellers will rip you if you're not on the ball.
Most sellers will ship to Aus if you ask them to.

Generally I love it though. I find I can get stuff cheaper and more easily from overseas than actually getting in the car and going shopping locally in the city. And I get to do it at my leisure sitting back with a beer in my hand, much better than fighting traffic, buying fuel, parking etc etc.

I just got a Visiontac 6 to 18X42 AO off Ebay for $75 Australian (shipped). All in all it appears as good quality or better than a Nikko etc. Hopefully trying it out pn my 6.5 Swede this week. I've bought a few items for my mountain bike off ebay and saved a heap on them, much to the disgust of my buddy who owns a bike shop.

Ebay is great for buying a lot of hunting gear but the US site has lots more gear on it than the Aus one. I recently bought a Timney trigger from the US for AU$80 which is exatcly half the price I was quoted by several GS aroound Sydney. Arrived without any dramas.

I would say you have the bought the Chinese version of the Tasco. No problem with that as long as you recognise that you generally get what you pay for, particularly with precision instruments like scopes. I read an interesting comment from one of our noted gun writers the other day which was along the lines of shooters will happily spend $1,200 on a rifle but only $100 on a scope and then when things go pear shaped they usully blame the rifle

Tasco does still manufacture some of it's range in Japan but these are usually at a higher price point than the Chinese version.

If you get the chance I'd be interested to see how you think the Tasco compares to any of the more expensive scopes on the market.

Scott

I have bought a quite a few items off E-Bay most of the sellers are honest. Sometime it takes a lot of time to get what you paid for. I was only screwed once by a seller, but it only cost $3.50 including shipping, but I still ain’t happy about it no kiss and it wasn't a female either. Check the shipping cost first some items are selling ridiculously cheap and they get you on the shipping.

Would I buy from E-Bay again? sure if the price is right.

Avatar,

I've only been looking for two weeks and I haven't seen a Leopold. How long did you have to wait til you saw the one you got?

Just a laugh here. I was out shooting corellas for a farmer who has can let his "employees" shoot them, this afternoon.

Scott, I'll be back later as I have just got a call.

The Tascos I have on my .243 and .204 both have made in China now I have looked closely. I haven't had a problem with either scope.

I had a bit of trouble getting the Ruger to shoot well (to me, that's about a MOA or a bit over.

To Swede,
You are right on about the postage and handling.

When I put in my bid for the 6 to 24 x 50 World Class scope, I thought I had an absolute bargain until I got to Paypal, and I realised it was going to be a bit more: the bill came through on my VISA and it was $141.00.

There were a few dollars in there for ebay fees and dollar exchange.

Anyway, after I get the scopes, I will then know whether to really get upset.

Fenrig,

We have three 6,5 x 55 swedes in different degrees of modicafation and I like the calibre. Easy to reload and not fussy. And I have one model 38 in unfired condition that I have been offered a fair bit for. Not for sale.

Husqvana and Carl Gustav (I don’t know a great deal about the companies) really knew what they were doing.

Swede,

Drew go a pair of sun glasses for $20 AUS and was very happy.



Later.

I am a dope!

I thought I should get the box out for the Tasco Mag IV 6 to 24 x 40 that;s on our .243 at present. I paid $160 off our local dealer.


Guess what,

“Made in Chinaâ€

on the end of the box.

And I thought it was made in Japan. Doesn’t matter. It is very good, just the clarity at the higher settings aren’t as good as some other scopes.



BUT,

Leopold on ebay!!


I am having another look now.

GBB

To Swede,
You are right on about the postage and handling.

When I put in my bid for the 6 to 24 x 50 World Class scope, I thought I had an absolute bargain until I got to Paypal, and I realised it was going to be a bit more: the bill came through on my VISA and it was $141.00.

There were a few dollars in there for ebay fees and dollar exchange.

Anyway, after I get the scopes, I will then know whether to really get upset.

Fenrig,

We have three 6,5 x 55 swedes in different degrees of modicafation and I like the calibre. Easy to reload and not fussy. And I have one model 38 in unfired condition that I have been offered a fair bit for. Not for sale.

Husqvana and Carl Gustav (I don’t know a great deal about the companies) really knew what they were doing.

Swede,

Drew go a pair of sun glasses for $20 AUS and was very happy.



Later.

I am a dope!

I thought I should get the box out for the Tasco Mag IV 6 to 24 x 40 that;s on our .243 at present. I paid $160 off our local dealer.


Guess what,

“Made in Chinaâ€

on the end of the box.

And I thought it was made in Japan. Doesn’t matter. It is very good, just the clarity at the higher settings aren’t as good as some other scopes.



BUT,

Leopold on ebay!!


I am having another look now.

GBB

quote:

Avatar,

I've only been looking for two weeks and I haven't seen a Leopold. How long did you have to wait til you saw the one you got?

Mate, there are shiploads there.
Make sure you are looking at US sellers who ship internationally.
Stuff comes and goes quite a bit so it pays to keep on it from day to day really.

quote:

I was out shooting corellas for a farmer who has can let his "employees" shoot them, this afternoon.

You should really learn to leave those Corellas alone GBB.
Take a Bex, a nice cup of tea and a lie down, and it will all seem much better in the morning.

Atavar,

I hadn't been to the US ebay site until this morning.

Very different. I see now how you could have got Leupold so cheaply.

Isn't it interesting that most of the advertisers on ebay Aus are the big dealers in the US.

I had a Bex but it never solved the problem.

I don't get it.

On ebay in the US, the scope I bought are getting heaps of bids.

As a NsC scopes.

What am I missing?

By the way, I own 5 Leopold scopes. My quality rifles wear appropriate scopes. My Model 70 .222 wears a Zeus (sic) at the moment.

I guess I like buying gun related stuff.

G'day, GBB, if you buy from the USA, just be aware that you may have to fill in an application to import a firearm component form from customs.
Yes< I know it's stupid, but it has happened to me a few times out of the dozen or so times I have imported stuff. Sometimes projectiles (not ammo), once a scope (plain old leupold 3-9 vari-x 2), once an actual firearm part (gasp, a triggerguard!).
Might not happen to you, just be aware it might!

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

quote:

I don't get it.

On ebay in the US, the scope I bought are getting heaps of bids.

As a NsC scopes.

What am I missing?

Simple, a bidding frenzy. Happens all the time.
Don't get involved in it.
Know what you want and what you are prepared to pay and stick with it.

quote:

I guess I like buying gun related stuff.

Don't we all. And Ebay is the place to get it, no doubt, especially in this country.

Sambar,

I wondered about that as I buy a fair bit of stuff from Lock, Stock and Barrrel in Nebraska. Their prices are great.

They will not send a fair bit of stuff over here because of Customs.

I bought a BASIX trigger for my .204 as they had no Timney's left in stock and you could not believe the yellow tape to get it.

They will not ship scopes over here.

Thanks mate

Atavar,


I must get the name of the boutique winery just north of here. The only one until you get to Great Western.

I kind of guessed a bidding frenzy. I was just was very surprised when compared to ebay.com.au


I have no intention of getting involved in it. I just am now looking forward to seeing what the "Tasco" scopes I bought are like.

One of the Chinese Tascos on my .204 allowed me to nail a fox on the way home tonight at just over three hundred paces. It doesn't change its POI as you wind through the magnification.

Lets hope.

quote:

Originally posted by Sambar 9.3:
G'day, GBB, if you buy from the USA, just be aware that you may have to fill in an application to import a firearm component form from customs.
Yes< I know it's stupid, but it has happened to me a few times out of the dozen or so times I have imported stuff. Sometimes projectiles (not ammo), once a scope (plain old leupold 3-9 vari-x 2), once an actual firearm part (gasp, a triggerguard!).
Might not happen to you, just be aware it might!

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

The Customs regs on prohibited imports are quite specific on what items are 'firearm parts' [see below]. Scopes aren't among them at this point, so an import permit is not needed for those [though you may get some dill at UPS or FedEx that thinks so - so use airmail as it's almost always cheaper, due to copping less Government charges at this end].

BTW, scopes do require a Defence Dept permit to export them from Oz!

Trigger assemblies are another matter. The big hassle there is not at this end, though an import permit is required.

It's that under the US export regs any specified firearm parts [barrels, actions et al], and any order including any parts whatsoever of firearms which total over USD100, requires an Export License. And this is slow [like 6 weeks plus] and bureaucratic to get, if you're not set up to do it routinely [like e.g. Brownells]. That's why many US suppliers just don't want to know about shipping overseas. And many that do, charge a lot if a license is needed.

Some excerpts from the Oz Customs regs on what is classed as firearm-related 'prohibited imports' here; note that the definition of a 'firearm part' is quite narrow for imports:

1)
Subject to subregulations (2), (2A) and (2B), the importation of a firearm, a firearm accessory, a firearm part, a firearm magazine, ammunition, a component of ammunition or a replica is prohibited unless:
<snip some irrelevant exemptions>

4)
In this regulation:
"component" of ammunition means a projectile, cartridge casing or primer designed or adapted for use in ammunition.

"firearm" means a device designed or adapted to discharge shot, bullets or other projectiles by means of an explosive charge or a compressed gas, whether that device is fitted with a magazine or other feeding device designed to be used with it or not, but does not include the following devices:
<snip some exempted items like nail guns>

"firearm accessory" means any of the following devices:
(a) a silencer designed or intended for use with a firearm;
(b) a device designed to modify a firearm so as to give it a rapid fire capability;
(c) a device capable of converting a firearm to fire in a fully automatic condition;
(d) a folding stock;
(e) a detachable stock.
"firearm magazine" means a magazine designed or intended for use with a firearm.
"firearm part", for a firearm, means any of the following items:
(a) a gas piston, friction assembly, action bar, breech bolt or breech block;
(b) a firearm barrel;
(c) an assembled trigger mechanism;
(d) a receiver;
(e) something, other than a complete firearm, that includes 1 or more of these items.


For the full text, hunt down: "CUSTOMS (PROHIBITED IMPORTS) REGULATIONS 1956 - REGULATION 4F" on the Web - it's readily available.

G'day Doug, Yes I understand the act, it's just a pity that so many of the people working for customs don't! How else do you explain me having to chase down the local DFO, in order to get a form 307(?) in order to import a scope?
And then having to drive to the Tullamarine Customs centre in order to pick it up?
It wasn't FedEX, it was the flogs at Customs. Their extremely helpful contribution, besides seizing an item which doesn't appear on the prohibited list anywhere, was to tell me that I "need to pick up a form from your local Cops, dunno which one but it's the same as the one to import a gun" Very helpful!
Anyone else run into the same sort of helpful attitude?

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

Dave,
Folk on another forum [AHN] have found that contacting the Customs Dept Head of Prohibited Imports has been very useful, in getting this sort of ignorance sorted out.

Usual rule applies - you have to get the name of the obstructionist critter, so that they can be straightened out by their superiors.

I've only brought one scope in [last year], but it came through no problems, despite being opened for Customs inspection [even to the removal of the shrink wrap, which was left in the carton].

I've bought a few items off ebay including a 4x leupold, I have found that if you ask the seller everything you need to know including cost of shipment, method time to get here etc and check their feedback before you bid you are fairly safe.
I had some .458 Lott cases shipped through, customs opened the box and notified me that they were good to go no problems. Then again I do live in the N.T where firearms just don't seem to be a big deal.
Pete.

The two tascos turned up in the one package this morning from Hong Kong. Minus their boxes or mounts but well wrapped.

First impression is that they are quite nicely put to-gether and optically, not too bad. I'll have to compare them to one of our leopolds when we get home.

The 6 to 24, I am going to mount on the .204 Ruger that I know is sub-MOA and I'll see how it takes being adjusted from lowest up to highest power and how it affects the grouping.

I know it is no Leopold but is it value for money? By 7 tonight, I'll have an idea about holding its zero at least.

Greybeardbushman,

The bloke on Ebay who floods the optics page with the cheap Tasco scopes with an illuminated reticle is a pain in the ass.

The number of listings he uses is simply ridiculous. I suppose he figures that he can sell more by saturating the Ebay market with his product.

Anyway the scopes he sells are definitely manufactured in China, as are the cheaper Leupolds VXI models & most other entry level priced scopes.

The optical quality of these scopes is surprisingly good though. The parent companies are able to produce their scopes in China for a fraction of the price it would cost them to do the same in their country of origin.

You may notice more expensive Tasco, Leupold, Bushnell & Weavers etc advertised elsewhere. These are the better quality scopes made in Japan or USA etc. Going up the chain to even higher quality, provides us with the best quality scopes from Europe like the Swarovskis, Pecars, kahles etc.

At the end of the day though you will probably find the cheaper Chinese Tasco more than ample for your purpose. I recently purchased a new Tasco 6-24 x 42 Varmint scope from Cleaver firearms in Queensland & I was like wise disappointed to find it was made in China. On my BSA .222rem it holds POI very well, I`m not so sure it would do the same on my .300 Win mag though.

Good luck with it & have fun on Ebay. I`m already addicted.

Cheers Morton

Morton,

dead right

quote:

definitely manufactured in China, as are the cheaper Leupolds VXI models

Are you sure about this?
I find it hard to believe just quietly.
Made in USA stamped on the scope and also on the packaging. Stars and stripes there too. Also an NRA membership application card in the box.
About as apple pie as it gets....

The optics are great by the way.

Avatar,

I have done it again ! Further investigation tells me the scopes are assembled in the USA from some Chinese manufactured parts & the remaining parts are manufactured in the USA.

I have been told today the lenses are actually made in China on behalf of Leupold for the XVI models. However if you have different information that wouldn`t surprise me either.

My information is coming from an ex-gun shop owner, he may be off the mark & if he is please accept my apologies for not researching it enough myself.

The bloke listing all the cheap Tasco scopes on Ebay is still a pain in the ass though, that much I can guarantee you !

Cheers Morton

Actually sick of all the tasco light inside crap on ebay, really cheeses me off. The vx1 to my knowledge and from the leupold sight are US. But i have seen that the burris 3-9 and the 4.5-14 you see on the US ebay are actually assembled in china,. I always check out the canada/usa ebay for scopes as it gives you an idea of the price, and they often will ship to Aus, just ask and get a quote using usps air.


cheers cc

This is heracy, as I said before.

BUT my little NORINCO 22" barrel copy of the BRNO with its (I now know) Chinese scope is more accurate that both our BRNO Model 2's, one with a costly Leopold that I also bought at Frank O'Reilly's.

stranger things have happened.


cheers cc

quote:

Anyway the scopes he sells are definitely manufactured in China, as are the cheaper Leupolds VXI models & most other entry level priced scopes.

Leupolds made in China???
I don't think so.
Have some VX 1's (NIB) in front of me right now, all stamped made in USA.

Do you have some proof that they are made in China?

TrackersNZ

Absolutely no proof whatsoever, just advice from a friend who once owned a gunshop & is probably way off the mark.

You may have missed my reply to the "made in China" statement I made.

It is 4 posts above your latest, please read this & it should clear things up for you.

Cheers Morton

Just me

Not stirring people up.

I put the 6 to 24 by 50 AE Tasco on our standard .204 Ruger and it does hold its point of impact.

At about 18 power, it becomes a bit fuzzy and its not good by 24. But I did shoot a fox at just over 300 paces when out near the Y. Creek last night.

It definitely is not in the same league as a Leopold, let alone a Docter.

But I got very good groups at 100 yards set on 8 then wound to 12 and the same. No change in POI.

The light is useless. Makes no difference in bright light and is a nuisance when it gets dark.

As someone said above, you only get what you pay for.

BUT BTW, as part of my job, we get a lap top every three years (we have to pay for them with a deduction every pay), and I now have a great G4 iBook.

I won't tell you what I found on the body of this computer, but as far as it goes, this thing is the bees knees.

It has converted other PC users at m,y school to iMacs.


R

TrackersNZ, Morton3, straight from the horses mouth at leupold, on the rifleman and vx1, the lenses are GROUND in china, coated in the USA and assembled into the scopes in the USA.
And to be honest, I cannot tell the difference between my old vari-x11 and my new vx1. And I don't really care, they both seem to work fine, and have the same lifetime warranty.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

Sambar 9.3,

Thanks for that, pretty much what my mate is telling me.

As you say, it makes no real difference where it`s manufactured, providing the quality is acceptable.

The lense factory in China where Leupold buy their lenses from, is as you suggest the very same factory many other scope manufacturers buy their lenses from also.

Obviously Leupolds management have been quick enough to recognise the chance to compete with the cheaper brands, would only be possible with the use of Chinese labour/components.

I`m sure there are some Leupold PURISTS out there who might find this a bit ordinary, seeing the scope is stamped Made in USA.


Aren`t we as a nation going through the same experience with labelling laws here in Australia ?

Cheers Morton