Mark III (NCStar) Scopes

[DasFriek]

Im just gonna mention this as some may not know.
But you can buy much higher quality optics for not much more money threw Nikon. Granted its no ACOG or Military style scope, Its quality and accuracy are hard to beat for the money.
I paid $180 for 3-9x40 Buckmasters and the Prostaff's are in the low $100's range.

I understand looks and symmetry and style/theme people want for their gun. I just want to point out for similar too a tad more money you can have very good quality optics.

Just to show im not an elitist ive owned 2 basic $30 Tasco red dots both which worked perfectly for what i needed.

 

[Brett248Vista]

I actually think Tasco has a pretty proven track record and have for many decades. They were the original "cheap, good scope". This whole thread kind of scares me because I want to go with the MarkIII but if it's going to come with a crooked reticule I'm not sure it's worth my time.. And it's not exactly cheap I am looking at the MarkIII 3-9x42 with the MDAB RDS on top and it's a good $200.00

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I actually think Tasco has a pretty proven track record and have for many decades. They were the original "cheap, good scope". This whole thread kind of scares me because I want to go with the MarkIII but if it's going to come with a crooked reticule I'm not sure it's worth my time.. And it's not exactly cheap I am looking at the MarkIII 3-9x42 with the MDAB RDS on top and it's a good $200.00

I've got two Tasco PPD2 and have terrorized them for over a decade with many tens of thousands rounds of 45ACP, 9mm and .223. They cost around a $hundred+ back then and still work perfectly. As far as being able to handle typical civilian range abuse, the old PPD2 takes a second seat to no other red dot optic as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Jswiney9]

I actually think Tasco has a pretty proven track record and have for many decades. They were the original "cheap, good scope". This whole thread kind of scares me because I want to go with the MarkIII but if it's going to come with a crooked reticule I'm not sure it's worth my time.. And it's not exactly cheap I am looking at the MarkIII 3-9x42 with the MDAB RDS on top and it's a good $200.00

169.00 shipped at RRages this is the first time ive heard of people having problems out of them. ive been looking into them for a while, even asked some members on here about em. kind of scares me too

 

[CoopScoop]

Amazon has the Mark III 4 x 32 for $61. Maybe not quite as nice as the 3-9 x 42 version, but the price is good. I haven't seen any of them for less than $73.

Here is the link: Amazon.com: NcStar Mark III Tactical 4x32 illuminated Rifle Scope With Quick Detach Scope Mount For AR15 Mini-14: Sports & Outdoors

 

[Brett248Vista]

Guys my price I listed was high but that was a 'round figure" I am looking at the model with the MDAB Red Dot on the back/top of the scope.

 

[919]

Anyone know of other scopes in this price range and zoom ranges from 1.0/1.25 - 3x or 4x?

Primary Arms 1-4X 24 Illuminated Scope
$120 (poormans burris)

Primary Arms 1-4X 24 Illuminated Scope

Most of the reviews I have seen on the Primary arms are good. Like I said I went with a 2-7 Vortex and have been very happy but it might not meet your needs.

 

[Jswiney9]

Guys my price I listed was high but that was a 'round figure" I am looking at the model with the MDAB Red Dot on the back/top of the scope.

NC Star Mark lll Tactical Mil Dot Scope 3-9x42 Illuminated Reticle With Mini Red Dot Sight 

 

[Brett248Vista]

Jswiney,

Thanks for the link! I spent a lot of time on Rrages and didn't see that one! ordering it tonight

 

[~tc~]

Anything that says Vortex on it is WAAAAY out of my price range

 

[919]

Anything that says Vortex on it is WAAAAY out of my price range

~tc~ Check out the Vortex Crossfire line. Mine was $115.
Vortex Crossfire 2-7x32 Riflescope V-Plex Reticle CRF-02-PLEX FREE S&H CRF-02-PLEX. Vortex Riflescopes.

They also have a 1.5-4 for $99 but I liked the looks of the Primary Arms better.
Vortex Crossfire 1.5-4x32 Riflescope V-PLEX Reticle CRF-09-PLEX FREE S&H CRF-09-PLEX. Vortex Riflescopes.

 

[Jswiney9]

Jswiney,

Thanks for the link! I spent a lot of time on Rrages and didn't see that one! ordering it tonight

hehe np, ive been looking at that one and the blue illuminated for a while, let me know how that one does if you dont mind! ive heard of problems with the laser on the other one i wanted.

 

[Brett248Vista]

hehe np, ive been looking at that one and the blue illuminated for a while, let me know how that one does if you dont mind! ive heard of problems with the laser on the other one i wanted.

Ordered from RRages I went with the 3-9x42 mildot with the RDS on top.

I may put my FAKEOG up for sale on the forums (classifieds) for some other 15-22 owner to make use of. It's a great zero magnification red dot, it's performed great through 400 rounds so far.

I will let you know what I think of this scope when it gets here, and of course there will be the obligatory photos! I just hope I get a "good one".

 

[Old No7]

Comments for "~tc~"

1. Which reticle did you get (I'm thinking MIL-DOT)
2. Do you have any issues with the illumination being TOO bright (ie - you can't see the target)?
3. Did you look at other brands/models?

Here's my replies for ~tc~...

#1 -- I got the P4 Sniper, which has "hash marks" instead of mil dots. But I liked it.

#2 -- I can see why you say that, but for what I use it for, I've not had an issue. At the brightest setting, you will see some colored glare or flare on the inside body of the scope, so I just use the lowest setting.

#3 -- Looked at the Bushnell T-Dot red-dot sight, but that was HEAVY and had no magnification. I really wanted a small, compact, "tactical looking" scope with a sniper-type reticle, and this one works for me.

Old No7

 

[~tc~]

Thanks.

I've actually found several 1x-4x scopes out there - search for "shotgun scope". Kinda makes sense - they often need as wide an angle of view as possible.

Unfortunately, they all seem to have small reticles and look like they belong on a musket, not an "AR" ... some I'm sure have better optics than the NC Star, but between all the features and the aesthetics, I'm getting more and more drawn to the NC Star ...

 

[Brett248Vista]

~tc~

That's what my issue was. I wanted something that was dare I say ACOG-like, in form factor but wasn't priced out at $1200.00

I don't consider $169 to be "cheap" I think $20.00 is "cheap" so I'm hoping it's at least up to par for something in that price range.

 

[~tc~]

It was funny, I went to the gun show with a friend of mine (who happens to be former LE weapons instructor, Glock armorer, all that stuff) and saw some used ACOGs.

I asked the vendor to see one, and my buddy kinda raised an eyebrow and said "check the price".

I replied back, "I want to know what a real one is like so I will know what I'm missing when I buy a knockoff". He laughed.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is about the ACOG other than it doesn't take batteries. Optics didn't seem to be much better than a lot of the other scopes I've looked through.

 

[Temporaryscars]

I just bought an NCStar. Hopefully it's a good one!

 

[~tc~]

FYI - screamin' deals on NC Star, best prices by far I have seen

NCSTAR MARK III M-DT 1.25-4X32 QUICK RELEASE STM125432G - eBay (item 200438995799 end time Mar-14-10 16:52:53 PDT)

 

[BELT_FED]

Hey Brett does it look like this....

 

[~tc~]

Are you holding it crooked, or is that how far off your reticle was?!?!?!

 

[Brett248Vista]

Hey Brett does it look like this....

It's not the rubber coated version and it hasn't got here yet. Hopefully before the end of the week. Will post photos

 

[BELT_FED]

Are you holding it crooked, or is that how far off your reticle was?!?!?!

no i just cant hold the camara and rifle together

 

[Brett248Vista]

Well the package from RRages arrived today and I have to say I held my breath as I opened it whilst chanting in my head "Please let it not be a dud, please let the reticule be level" and I guess my prayers were heard. I have to say I am VERY PLEASED with this scope out of the box.. Initial impression is that it's well built and has lots of heft to it. The optics are "pretty clear" but I can pick on anything, and there is some chromatic aberration at full 9 power but nothing more than I get from the lens on my $600 dollar digital camera....

The Mil Dot cross hairs are level and the DDAB red dot is daylight visible (I was worried it would be dim) it looks great, it feels great, I can't wait to get my barrel back and go to the range!

 

[Zunkted]

I finally got my 3-9x42 back from ncstar like 2 days ago, they sent back a new one to me. When I called Ncstar to see about sending it back to get a replacement, one of their customer support persons told me to leave a note in the box when I ship it to them saying to make sure the cross hairs where level and not canted, so I did and I also asked them to locktite all of the screws before sending it back to me. So I go it back and looked down the scope, and guess what they where still canted, and they did not locktite the screws. So instead of sending it back to them again I just unscrewed the 2 screws on the bottom and sanded down the rail underneath the scope on the right side, and I also sanded down the right side of the quick release mount, then I put blue locktite on all the screws and put it back together, then mounted it to the 15-22 and now their straight.

 

[Jswiney9]

Well the package from RRages arrived today and I have to say I held my breath as I opened it whilst chanting in my head "Please let it not be a dud, please let the reticule be level" and I guess my prayers were heard. I have to say I am VERY PLEASED with this scope out of the box.. Initial impression is that it's well built and has lots of heft to it. The optics are "pretty clear" but I can pick on anything, and there is some chromatic aberration at full 9 power but nothing more than I get from the lens on my $600 dollar digital camera....

The Mil Dot cross hairs are level and the DDAB red dot is daylight visible (I was worried it would be dim) it looks great, it feels great, I can't wait to get my barrel back and go to the range!

remember, i need a range report before i go ahead with my order! sounds good so far though iw as a little worried. glad i could help you out with the link

 

[Temporaryscars]

How can you tell if it's level?

 

[Brett248Vista]

Without being scientific? "Eyeball it" the cross hairs look parallel to the flat top of the upper receiver. If it was canted a degree or even two, I couldn't tell and wouldn't care. If it was canted 10 degrees or more, I'd care!


Jswiney9,

Yeah thanks again! It's sad I was all through RRages site even the optics section and blew right past it! And that was a heck of a deal compared to the other online sites which still have reasonable prices.

I won't be able to do a range report for a week or so...

 

[Temporaryscars]

I looked through it and I can't see the flat top, it's not within the scope's view.

 

[Brett248Vista]

Scars,

Not looking through it, turn the cross hair illum on, and stand back and eyeball the hairs and the flat top behind the scope. I really don't know of a precise method to check this. If you have a low power scope you may be able to use the front iron sight, focus in on it and see if the hairs are parallel with the top of the iron sight.