Ncstar?

[rileyjr16]

Found this scope on cheaperthandirt.com for $70. Wondering if anyone has one has heard of the company. It's a 4x32 scope and its got the look of the ACOG without the price. I'm not a tactical shooter by any means but if I have to use it, I want to be able to reach out and pluck a target.

Anyone have this scope or know the company?

[Ibmikey]

It is Chinese, should work for awhile but you should expect Chinese optics that often will give lackluster clarity and red dots that are globs or double image. From experience I found buying quality one time suited me better than buying Chinese several times and regulating the disappointments to the closet.

[Fkimble]

A buddy bought one of those a fews years back. You could get it focused to the target was clear or you could get it focused so the crosshair was clear. You could not get it where both were clear at the same time. He took it back and they swapped it for another one. It was the same way. I put NCSTAR in the same class as Promags. Something I won't ever waste my money on. Your mileage may vary, just my opinion.

[NOLASHOOTER]

I have heard nothing but that they are either hit or miss. I would not spend that amount knowing that you have a 50/50 chance of it working.

[kozmic]

My son has a similar Ncstar scope on his SR22 rifle (about 18 months so far). Knock on wood, it has worked very well for him. It sited in quickly and has proven to be reliable. The optics are better than expected for the price as is the durability. It works good in cold weather. The lighted reticle works fine and is fun to use. Maybe we got a keeper out of the lot but I'm happy with it. For 60 bucks it's a no brainer.

They make a ton of products and one of our LGS sells the heck out of their stuff. He swears by them. I'm sure he gets some duds but he always has racks of everything they make. He also sells high end optics.
Ncstar for him is a price point line.

[shawn mccarver]

Don't waste your money on NcStar anything. Nasty Chinese made, American labor depriving, junk. I understand that some pretty good optics are made elsewhere than the US, but China is not one of those places. If you are not going to buy American, then at least buy "Non-Chinese."

[cbvanb]

I bought one about 3 years ago and still have it. I was pleasantly surprised, as it was accurate, decent in the quality department ( considering what it cost), and the drop compensation was repeatable as well. I found with a 200 meter zero that the 300 meter setting was right on, and the 500 meter setting had me hitting at 400. It always came back to zero. YMMV.

[Arik]

Buy once, cry once

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

[rileyjr16]

So it's kinda like a bite in the buttox.

So what are some other good 3 or 4 power fixed scopes that won't break my military budget?

[LbulletM]

I've had a great experience with the 3-9x NCstar that I have. Had a tight budget buying mine in college (thankfully I got one before everything hit or I wouldn't have one), so the NCstar worked for me. I can hit 10/10 out at 300 yards. I never expected the quick disconnect to be any good on a cheap scope, but it never fails to return to zero. Maybe I just got lucky with mine.

[Vinney47]

Here is what I've noticed:

If it's a cheap china part, it's treated like that- roughly. If it breaks, it's bad mouthed and trashed. since it's treated roughly, chances of failure are increased.

If you buy a pricey part, you take care of it. If it does break, you don't bad mouth it, you contact the manufacturer and praise their customer service.

That's not to say some parts aren't made better than others. Only that at least half of products reputation - for good and bad - is in the attitude of the purchaser directly correlated to how much they paid. If you didn't pay much, it's "Well you get what you pay for, what did I expect". If you paid a lot it's "The company took care of me, I'm so impressed with their product that I paid a lot for but still broke".

Optics fail. at any price level. Pay what you can afford, and then pat yourself on the back for your wise spending.

[rileyjr16]

Originally Posted by Vinney47

Here is what I've noticed:

If it's a cheap china part, it's treated like that- roughly. If it breaks, it's bad mouthed and trashed. since it's treated roughly, chances of failure are increased.

If you buy a pricey part, you take care of it. If it does break, you don't bad mouth it, you contact the manufacturer and praise their customer service.

That's not to say some parts aren't made better than others. Only that at least half of products reputation - for good and bad - is in the attitude of the purchaser directly correlated to how much they paid. If you didn't pay much, it's "Well you get what you pay for, what did I expect". If you paid a lot it's "The company took care of me, I'm so impressed with their product that I paid a lot for but still broke".

Optics fail. at any price level. Pay what you can afford, and then pat yourself on the back for your wise spending.

Precisely. So if I do pull the trigger on the ncstar, it's not going to be thrown around and treated like its expendable. I'm pretty easy on my equipment. If it does fail in the (God forbid) heat of the moment, I'll unhook it and spit lead through iron sights. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not expecting any optic to last me 2+ years even if it doesn't get used a lot.

Right now it's a race between a Bushnell that looks like a ACOG or the NcStar

[arizona98tj]

I would opt for a Bushnell years before I would ever consider anything with a NcStar label on it.

Like it or not, NcStar is pretty much at the bottom of the food chain.

[mkk41]

For $70 , what do ya have to loose. It might not hold up to the rigors of combat very long , but it will suffice to get ya shooting and last long enough till ya find something ya like better.

As for cheap Chinese **** , well most of the stuff branded with more well respected names is made in China. From Bushnell , to Burris to this Sig Sauer. Probably by the same companies.
Sig Sauer Tactical Cpi Ar-15 Prismatic Sight, Black - 1312974, Red Dot Scope at Sportsman's Guide

[BillyJack2012]

You seem to be looking for something that looks like an ACOG. If that's the case, then you are limited. If you are going to go with a Chinese built optic, get one from an American company that is all over quality control and stands by their products. Primary Arms fits the bill. If not, spend a bit more and get a Nikon.

You don't expect an optic to last more than 2 years? If you buy quality, you will.

[rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by rileyjr16

Found this scope on cheaperthandirt.com for $70. Wondering if anyone has one has heard of the company. It's a 4x32 scope and its got the look of the ACOG without the price. I'm not a tactical shooter by any means but if I have to use it, I want to be able to reach out and pluck a target.

Anyone have this scope or know the company?

JUNK. Just........ junk. Good for a 22, but nothing more. It's even debatable for 22 use.

[rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by rileyjr16

So it's kinda like a bite in the buttox.

So what are some other good 3 or 4 power fixed scopes that won't break my military budget?

Find a Nikon, Simmons, or Weaver, maybe a Leupold.

I have a fixed 6x Weaver on my 308BM; I hunt hogs with it. (It gets treated pretty roughly sometimes...... other times it gets beat up!)

There are quite a few options, and you should look around a bit.
It's far better to save a few bucks more and get a good scope. Literally, for another $75, you can have a VERY GOOD optic. Yes, good optics start at a really reasonable $150ish. Check gun shows and pawn shops. I found my Weaver 6x for $80. I know them to be good, I run a 3x9x38 on my 30-06, and a 4x12 on my 243. I have other optics, and I do like the Nikons a lot. We have a fixed 6x Simmons on our 30-30 deer rifle. it's been spot on now for 15 years. I was impressed, as it was not an expensive optic, but it holds up to real hunting work.

Good luck with the search! Also, put up a post in the guns and accessories for sale section. You will find folks who can part with a pretty good optic for a great price.

[mkk41]

Find a Nikon , Simmons or Weaver under $300 that ain't made in China!

[rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by mkk41

Find a Nikon , Simmons or Weaver under $300 that ain't made in China!

I think the Weavers started using glass that is not cut in Japan. As to manufacture/ assembly; not really sure who makes what where these days.
But what I am certain of, is even with Chi-com companies, the finished product is highly dependent on the customers' quality control desires. Basically, China can make you a perfect Mercedes Benz. In fact, it might be even a touch better here and there. It all depends on what the customer stipulates. Just look at cell phones as an example. There is a lot of straight up electronic garbage out there. But cell phones are pretty darned tough and work very well. All made in China. The difference is the materials used, and the assembly/ manufacturing process.
I have beaten my gear up pretty good, and I am happy with the Nikon and Weaver scopes. The 6x is newer than my other Weavers. It's tied to an almost 10lb rifle. I took a digger chasing hogs in mid March, and the rifle took it right on the chin. And still shot straight afterwards. I was impressed; I figured the scope was going to be completely broken, let alone bent or out of zero.

Can't justify an ACOG. I'll drop money on a full tilt FLIR first. But that is quite a few nickels from now; still working on a property to deal with.

[spad124]

I don't have an ACOG style optic, but I do have an NCstar 4x that came on a SKS I bought. I mounted it to my Marlin 995 22lr for a while but it had poor (short) eye relief. Ultimately I replaced it with a Nikon Rimfire 4x. Otherwise it was ok, not great , but ok.

I like Nikons because of my photo hobby, but frankly in searching around I found that the new Redfields are very nice scopes. The 3x9 mid price range Redfield I looked at out performed comparably priced Nikons. I now have a Redfield on a 22lr target rifle. Might be an option. The Redfields have glass that is ground in Asia, but they are assembled in the US.

[Vinney47]

Originally Posted by rileyjr16

Precisely. So if I do pull the trigger on the ncstar, it's not going to be thrown around and treated like its expendable. I'm pretty easy on my equipment. If it does fail in the (God forbid) heat of the moment, I'll unhook it and spit lead through iron sights. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not expecting any optic to last me 2+ years even if it doesn't get used a lot.

Right now it's a race between a Bushnell that looks like a ACOG or the NcStar

Right. What I encourage is to be realistic. Are you going in to active combat? Even combat training? If it's just for the range and target shooting out in the woods/desert, than that $70 scope is going to treat you just fine. Spend the money you saved on ammo and be ever more proficient.

[rileyjr16]

Originally Posted by Vinney47

Right. What I encourage is to be realistic. Are you going in to active combat? Even combat training? If it's just for the range and target shooting out in the woods/desert, than that $70 scope is going to treat you just fine. Spend the money you saved on ammo and be ever more proficient.

God forbid it sees actual combat. But yes it would be for range shooting/woods shooting. If it does come down to some form of combat whether it be combat training or just shooting I would want in to stand up to just the shooting task. If it fails while in some form of a combat situation, I still have iron sights for back up.

I like the look of the ACOG not too short but not too long. I also like the sunshade look. That's the only reason I'm looking for an acog style scope, looks.

[ken158]

Buy cheap - get cheap. Never will you buy a cheap optic and get something of quality.

[Lost Lake]

Originally Posted by mkk41

Find a Nikon , Simmons or Weaver under $300 that ain't made in China!

Good advice!

That's what I have done for quite a few of my scopes!

Tasco made some very excellent scopes, which vaulted them to become one of the largest scope manufacturers. Of course now they also produce some cheap scopes, but if you look around at gun shows, Craigslist or local ads, finding a Tasco with the Made in Japan engraving is like finding a pot of gold!!!

I picked up a Japan-Tasco 6x18x40 for FREE one time! It has been on a target .22 of mine for about 12 years. My friend bought an old Leopold for $10 at a garage sale.

Redfield was a great scope, as were some of the old Weavers. Bushnell made a quality optic too. I bought an old hazy Bushnell for a few bucks, sent it to Bushnell saying the view was blurry and they sent me a brand new scope.

My point is you can buy quality optics for little money if you research a bit and look for second-hand scopes.

Then again with the advances in glass glazing, glue, seals and metals, even a cheap new scope is a heck of a lot better than most older scopes.

.

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

Honestly, I don't care what you, just don't buy it from CTD!!!

[ChattanoogaPhil]

About three or four years ago, SWFA (they sell a lot of optics) did a scope rating based on several criteria, weighting glass the most, and came up with this scope pecking order... from top best to bottom worst.

Leica ER, Swarovski Z6, Zeiss Victory

Kahles C - CL & CSX, Premier Reticle, Schmidt & Bender

Kahles KX, U.S. Optics, Swarovski PH & American Lightweight

Bushnell Elite 6500, Leupold VX-7, Nightforce NXS, IOR Valdada, Vortex Razor

Bushnell Elite 4200, Leupold VX-3, Nikon Monarch & Monarch X, Zeiss Conquest

Leupold Mark 4 VX III & VX-L, Meopta, Nikon Monarch Gold & Titanium, Sightron SIII & S2 Big Sky, Vortex Viper

Burris Black Diamond Signature Select XTR & Euro Diamond, Pentax Lightseeker, Trijicon Accupoint, Weaver Grand Slam

Bushnell Elite 3200, Leupold VX-II, Millet Tactical/Buck Gold, Nikko Stirling, Nikon Buckmaster, Sightron SI & SII, Vortex Crossfire & Diamondback, Super Sniper Fixed

Burris Fullfield II & Timberline, Leupold Rifleman & VX-I, Leatherwood, Mueller, Nikon ProStaff, Simmons

Barska, Sightmark, Swift, Truglo

BSA, Tasco, Yukon

ATN, Leapers, NcStar

[TheMaineEvent]

I had a cheap Barska scope that worked rather well, until it stopped holding zero a couple weeks ago. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting much when I bought it so the fact it crapped out doesn't surprise me.

I bought a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff BDC on sale for $150 and am very happy with it. I also use a Primary Arms on my M&PT and love that scope as well.

Personally, I'd recommend spending as much as you can afford. Nothing is more frustrating than having a scope you either have to constantly zero or worry if today's the day it will **** out. Spend the money and be done with it.

[rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by Vinney47

Right. What I encourage is to be realistic. Are you going in to active combat? Even combat training? If it's just for the range and target shooting out in the woods/desert, than that $70 scope is going to treat you just fine. Spend the money you saved on ammo and be ever more proficient.

You see, the reality is just the opposite.
I have had my hands on more AR's and AR products than I can remember. The really good stuff, I remember. The really BAD stuff??? I NEVER FORGET that. And the NcStar scopes are the really bad stuff.
1. Does not hold zero. Forget about dropping or bouncing off a tree when hunting, or dropping off the bench at the range. I mean, start shooting, and watch the zero shift and keep on shifting.
2. Not even close to fog-proof. Take it out on a crisp morning. Start shooting. Just the heat of you crowding in on the scope and a little rifle heat will fog the lens. And, to shoot in the rain, or colder weather..... it's over.
3. Lousy optic correction. Once, twice it will come in and hold a clear focus. Then, you try to use the zoom, and it's over. It comes back to minimum, and you have lost focus. You will forever be tinkering with getting the diopter set for eternity.
4. lousy magnification. Is that thing REALLY a 4x, or really a 3x9? Put the optic to the test side by side with a quality optic and see just how far off it is.

Any one of these is reason enough to not bother with these optics. We would be given them to put onto rifles all the time; dealers would tell us how they are so much better than before, etc.etc.etc. and so I would run them for a bit. Always an issue. Or 3.

Riley; if you are on a budget, and want a company who does good quality control on a low cost optic of pretty good quality, look at Primary Arms. They give .mil a discount. They are US veterans. The optics are M.I.C. but the quality control and parts used are pretty good. Better still- They HONOR their warranty if something goes wrong.

That's all I have for you; the other choice is to talk to your armorer and see what he can dig up for you from the parts bin. That's what we always used to do........
"Chuck, I need a new scope. Mine is hammered ****."
'Dude, I got nothing for you.'
"C'mon man......"
'It will be from parts, and I ain't guaranteeing it.'
"You're the best man!!"

My time was pre-Eotech, pre- Trijicon.