I have only personally witnessed four particular scope brands fail,those being Tasco,Simmons,bsa,and nikko sterling.I have actually witnessed more than one of each of those brands fail.As a result,I won't trust any of them.
The best of the worst -cheap scope brands
- Thread starter nickorette
- Start date
A Falcon optics with MP-20, FFP and 0.1 knobs.
Of those brands, I've only own a Tasco.
While I was impressed with the value for the price when I purchased it, I'm now planning to replace it. I really like the Savage that I have it on, and have found that even with relatively gentle handling it sometimes doesn't hold zero between range sessions. Good rifle + cheap glass = frustration. Shooting a tight group is all good and well, but the fun tends to go out of it when it's not grouped around your point of aim.
The other problem is that I made the "mistake" of putting good glass on another rifle I own. This has given me a night/day comparison. Same day, same range, same conditions, huge difference in clarity and image quality. Huge difference in price too, but I think it's worth it.
While I was impressed with the value for the price when I purchased it, I'm now planning to replace it. I really like the Savage that I have it on, and have found that even with relatively gentle handling it sometimes doesn't hold zero between range sessions. Good rifle + cheap glass = frustration. Shooting a tight group is all good and well, but the fun tends to go out of it when it's not grouped around your point of aim.
The other problem is that I made the "mistake" of putting good glass on another rifle I own. This has given me a night/day comparison. Same day, same range, same conditions, huge difference in clarity and image quality. Huge difference in price too, but I think it's worth it.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- New Scotland
If you had to buy a low end scope I'd tell you to skip the new scopes and look for a good used Leupold or Burris. A Fullfield II 3-9 can be had around $200 or less and will last forever as opposed to a junk scope that will inevitably break. You're better off turning the cable off for a month or not eating out and buying a better scope than resigning yourself to buying junk.
I have a scope i snagged of ebay for 65.00 a couple years ago just for the heck of it. Was gonna put it on a varmit caliber that i never did buy (17hmr).
I ended up stickin it on my BSA enfield shtle 3* .303 and after many many rounds.... quite a few rough huntin trips in all kinds of weather..... she still functions as new. She is a "visiontac" 6 - 18 x 42 with parralax adjust.
i will be pickin up a new busnell elite 3200 or 4200 .... as far as i'm concerned for the money, the bushnell elites are THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCk on any budget,
I ended up stickin it on my BSA enfield shtle 3* .303 and after many many rounds.... quite a few rough huntin trips in all kinds of weather..... she still functions as new. She is a "visiontac" 6 - 18 x 42 with parralax adjust.
i will be pickin up a new busnell elite 3200 or 4200 .... as far as i'm concerned for the money, the bushnell elites are THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCk on any budget,
I have had good experiences with the Bushnell Banner series. Aswell as used Redfields. But I am looking forward to trying out a Vortex scope sometime. They have an interesting illuminated reticle. And their prices seem pretty good.
I dont like most of the others though. I particulary dislike the cheap, hi magnifaction scopes. They lack the clarity to see clearly even in good light at 24+ times magnification.
I dont like most of the others though. I particulary dislike the cheap, hi magnifaction scopes. They lack the clarity to see clearly even in good light at 24+ times magnification.
+1. On the up side, it only cost me $100 to learn this lesson.
I'm getting lots of use of a $200 Meuller APV 4.5-14x40 AO scope. The image clarity is excellent, you have no trouble seeing 22 cal holes in paper at 200 yards at 14x magnification and its bright at dusk. I think its one of the best budget priced scopes for a light caliber rifle.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I agree...
I concur with coltfan, this is too close to, throwing money away.
BigUglyMan is the closest to my opinion as well.
Edit: Even if it's going to be used on a 22 LR, would you regret a cheap purchase, if this scope failed in the middle of a smallbore match?
I concur with coltfan, this is too close to, throwing money away.
BigUglyMan is the closest to my opinion as well.
Edit: Even if it's going to be used on a 22 LR, would you regret a cheap purchase, if this scope failed in the middle of a smallbore match?
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I would never buy any of these scopes, since I consider them a waste of money. However I did receive one with a rifle that I purchased. It's a BSA Contender 4-16x 40mm scope. AO on the front bell.
What a piece of Cr@p. The glass was mediocre, the field of view wasn't good (You sure see a lot of the scope housing when looking through it) and best of all the Parallex adjustment doesn't work. The AO is really just a focus. I checked and there was still all kinds of parrallex error. Fortunately the rifle is a real shooter, and I knew about the scope so it's not big deal. Having never bought one of these scopes. I will say this as loud as I can. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. That's $100 or whatever they cost that could go towards a good product.
The only cheap stuff I'll ever use on a rifle are:
1) Falcon, 2) Burris. Maybe Leupold VXII depending on the price.
No Trashco, lower Bushnell, BSA etc. You can't really get anything good below the $400 dollar range, other than a Burris FFII.
What a piece of Cr@p. The glass was mediocre, the field of view wasn't good (You sure see a lot of the scope housing when looking through it) and best of all the Parallex adjustment doesn't work. The AO is really just a focus. I checked and there was still all kinds of parrallex error. Fortunately the rifle is a real shooter, and I knew about the scope so it's not big deal. Having never bought one of these scopes. I will say this as loud as I can. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. That's $100 or whatever they cost that could go towards a good product.
The only cheap stuff I'll ever use on a rifle are:
1) Falcon, 2) Burris. Maybe Leupold VXII depending on the price.
No Trashco, lower Bushnell, BSA etc. You can't really get anything good below the $400 dollar range, other than a Burris FFII.
I would not buy either of those mentioned. As others said, I would save and buy a good scope once. Not only reliability/ repair wise, a poor piece of glass leads to poor shooting results. You get what you pay for with optics, you buy cheap crap, you get cheap crappy results.
What about Hawke?? is this a better scope than the mentioned above?? I should mention that i'm looking for a scope to mount on my shogun to use ocasionaly. I saw a 3x9 40mm for 150,00 $ compared to 3200 for 250,00 $. Will a newbie like me see the difference??
RYBACK!!!
RYBACK!!!
I have a POS Tasco 6-24x40 that was BRAND NEW and put it on my .22 and got 3-4 inch groups at 50 yrds...
Replaced it with a 20 yr old "Bell" 3-9x32 and got immediate results down to 3/4 to 1 inch groups...(using a 10/22)
Tasco will NEVER sit on top of any more of my guns.
Leapers seems to have good optics. Clear, sharp images with no fogging.
Replaced it with a 20 yr old "Bell" 3-9x32 and got immediate results down to 3/4 to 1 inch groups...(using a 10/22)Tasco will NEVER sit on top of any more of my guns.
Leapers seems to have good optics. Clear, sharp images with no fogging.
i have a hard time believing that Phil at P&D speaks highly of leapers...i've bought a few leupolds off him and he's a very honest straight shooter....he'd tell you straight if something wasn't so good..so yeah i can't see him saying that about Leapers...save your money..Falcon Menace bottom line..then up..i've had $200 bushnell's that crapped out on me..200 bucks is a nice chunk of cash for a NF or Leupold MK 4...and NF with MOA reticle and knobs..how can you beat that, no converting.
