Does anyone know this brand? "NcSTAR"

[youngmedic]

I was looking through the website of a tactial store, and I ran across a brand I had never seen before, "NcSTAR". The brand sells optics, and at some pretty crazy prices, like $20 for a red-dot reflex sight. Has anyone here heard of them, or better yet used some of them? I am almost ready to throw down some cash just to see what exactly the product is like. Any ideas?

[Fromk]

They're one of the discount optic manufacturers. They tend to load them with features that look good on a box (like red AND green illumination!!!) but it's a case of you get what you pay for. The glass isn't top notch and the eye relief isn't that great compared to the more expensive stuff.

I would consider them for a .22 or any other lower caliber or maybe a fun gun. I wouldn't recommend one for anything where holding zero or surviving any abuse is really important. Overall they're not great but not horrible. There's worse discount glass.

That being said, don't get one with an integrated quick detach mount. Those are really bad.

[youngmedic]

Thanks for the heads up.

[youngmedic]

I'm still thinking of getting a cheap-o reflex sight from them untill I can afford something better. Do you know how well they stand up to recoil? I am running a 6.8 so I have a little more than the 5.56

[spleify]

I'm still thinking of getting a cheap-o reflex sight from them untill I can afford something better. Do you know how well they stand up to recoil? I am running a 6.8 so I have a little more than the 5.56

I had one of those on one of my AR's and it ran really well for a few hundred rounds, then th glass popped out of it. I contacted NCStar and they said they have a life time warranty on ALL there optics. Sent it in and they sent me a brand new one.

There a descent optic and definitely for the money. I say go for it. You can never go wrong with a life time warranty.

[leatherneck448]

I would call it a good optic to put on a plinker gun, like a .22, or really any gun that you dont have to trust your life on.

Definitely not something I would trust my life (or my home) with.

[Fromk]

Maybe someone will have another opinion but I might check out a Barska for a reflex/red dot. They're not expensive and they seem to be a little better quality. I honestly don't know for sure but that name came to mind. Checking for warranties and customer service would probably the best feature for something like that.

[spleify]

Depending on where you are, I have one of the NCstar reflex optics and you can check it out.

Please also refer to these threads

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33477

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34009

Thanks

[rondog]

Cheap Chinese optics for cheap bastages like me. The more expensive stuff is definitely a lot better, but the prices make me choke. Aimpoint's prices send me into convulsions. They do have a huge selection of products though, and I wasn't aware of the warranty thing. I reckon it depends on what you want to use it for. I consider their stuff OK for paper punching and can busting, but wouldn't use it for serious stuff.

[UberTong]

I couldn't justify an Eotech at this point in my life, being my first AR etc...my buddy just ordered the NcStar 4x sniper p4 scope and its amazing, super accurate and really nice quality. I'm ordering that and a red dot to have as well.

[rondog]

NcStar is kinda like the Hi-Point of optics. Cheap, works, good warranty, but there's others that are orders of magnitude better.

[AirbornePathogen]

Another option for ya- A couple of my buddies have these Primary Arms optics on their rifles, and love em. It's basically a clone of the Aimpoint CompM3. These are pretty inexpensive- under a hundred bucks, shipped- but to hear them tell it, they're just about as good as an Aimpoint. I'd probably be running one if I hadn't gotten a screaming deal on a CompM2...

http://www.primaryarms.com/product.sc?productId=18&categoryId=419

[UberTong]

I just picked up my very first optic for my AR, NcStar 4x illuminated scope. I got it for $40, who knows how it will shoot but I will post some feedback after this weekend at BlueCore. Here are some pics of it, it feels nice and looks great through the lens...but again I'm not basing that off of much experience with optics.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc518/UberTong/2011-06-16_19-33-12_790.jpg

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc518/UberTong/2011-06-16_19-32-47_632.jpg

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc518/UberTong/2011-06-16_18-12-08_436.jpg

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc518/UberTong/2011-06-16_18-12-00_299.jpg

[tmckay2]

ive used ncstar before. when it comes to lower magnification optics and red dots theyre useable. higher magnification gets a little more difficult with ncstar. you can still use them but they will limit you at longer distances. then again, you often pay $100 or less. once i switched to a vortex viper it was like a revelation just due to clarity. but i still will say the ncstar performed just fine for a beginner shooter like me on a very stock rig. people will knock them all over the place saying how terrible they are but its a pride thing people need to get over. they are what they are. i would say, however, if looking at red dots to go with the primary arms one. i have one and they are excellent. but if you want to save $80 and get an ncstar i see nothing wrong with that.

i think ncstar's best role is as an optic to use for 6 months to a year while you save up for better ones. for example, i bought an ncstar scope and used it for almost a year until i saved the $350 for a viper. also, by that time youll be a better shooter anyway and a better scope will actually matter.

[TwoSevenEcho]

I've also been intrigued lately on some of the much less inexpensive optics I've been seeing at Dick's and Big 5. Of course I'd like to get an Eotech but not in the budget right now. After seeing and hearing your guys opinions here I will definitely look into purchasing one of these NCStar sights. Thanks!

[Fromk]

Looking good there UberTong!

[rondog]

Oh yeah, I have an NcStar scope on my AR that I bought from Byte, works great! Don't ask me what the power specs on it are though, I don't know offhand and ain't home to look at it. But the holes always appear where the crosshairs are.

[trout_champ]

I was totally against this NCStar scopes until last night.

We had a doe at work that was trying to give birth and she had three legs sticking out her back end. She had them sticking out for several hours according to one of the guys. So we called out the DOW to tranquilizer her and remove the fawns. Long story short, he had a NCStar scope on his tranquilizer dart gun.

Randy

[Byte Stryke]

NC Stars are a base quality scope. You aren't getting anything fancy and it is made in China by 4 year olds.

For a basic range gun, or P-dog popper it will work just fine. I never had a problem with them not holding Zero.
If you are at a national match competition making shots at 1,000 yards, well you obviously need something a bit higher on the food chain.


for what they are, they are good.

[UberTong]

Looking good there UberTong!

Thanks buddy [Beer]

[TwoSevenEcho]

Where did you buy your scope at UberTong!? I'm gonna go pick one up this weekend. Thanks!!

[modarmory]

Agree +1 Cheap Chinese - get what you pay for
Cheap Chinese optics for cheap bastages like me. The more expensive stuff is definitely a lot better, but the prices make me choke. Aimpoint's prices send me into convulsions. They do have a huge selection of products though, and I wasn't aware of the warranty thing. I reckon it depends on what you want to use it for. I consider their stuff OK for paper punching and can busting, but wouldn't use it for serious stuff.

[tactuppernut]

Didn't read through all threads, but here's what I know about NcStar. Tasco's old manufacturing facility in China was purchased by Chinese company, forming NcStar. NcStar manufactures virtually every military optic found in east Asian countries. The majority of models sold abroad are only shock rated for airguns, and are very popular with paintballers. Before purchasing a model that interests you, research it on NcStar's website and check specifications for shock rating. Essentially, if it does not specifically state pneumatic use, it's ok.
I installed their 6x42 compact tactical quick release Weaver clamped, mil-dot illuminated reticle w/bullet drop comp.(calibrated for SS109 5.56, 100-500yrds.) onto a customized 10/22. Overall, the results are very good for the $$ spent, and I'm using the drop comp. at 50,75,100,130yrd. intervals and can now utilize rifle accurately on P-doggies out to 100yrds. Scope isn't perfect out of box, as q.r. mechanism needs a little work. I will paste my Amazon review below.
http://www.amazon.com/review/RIAJJDQQQWLTJ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B001C3757A&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

[UberTong]

Where did you buy your scope at UberTong!? I'm gonna go pick one up this weekend. Thanks!!


Sorry twoseven, I just saw this thread pop back up. I got my NcStar from a guy on the forum here. It's been great so far but I am about to pick up an Eotech if you are interested in the ncstar I have.

[rondog]

Don't expect much from them in low light conditions.

[UberTong]

I'm sure you're right rondog, I just don't ever shoot in lowlight conditions.