NorthDorset
Well-Known Member
I have been scope shopping on line over this last week. What has really taken me back are the number of Fakes/ Copies/ clone/ counterfeit /Moody scopes that are for sale.
I became initially aware that Bushnell were being copied widely after I found a great spec scope on the bay for a very good price new. When I went looking on Bushnells site I found that wasnt't not a spec that they do in Europe or the States. Its a give away sign if they are being sold new with mounts! Also some of the Fakes have an E etched after the spec. This one in particular was from a business trader who only sells scopes. I contacted him and he said that he was going to contact his distributor in Hong Kong and ask about authenticity but that I shouldnt buy it until he came back to me. Guess what, he hasn't yet.
Ive noticed at the budget end of the market that there are a lot of Tasco scopes that have probably never seen a Tasco factory.
There are a couple of German sounding brands that are clearly Chinese.
Not sure about some marked Nikko as opposed to NikkoStirling.
There are also a lot of fake Leupolds on the market.
Dont be fooled by authentic looking packaging either! Fake scope in a fake box!
Hope this warning helps folks not spend a heap of hard earned on something not that good and with no warranty.
I became initially aware that Bushnell were being copied widely after I found a great spec scope on the bay for a very good price new. When I went looking on Bushnells site I found that wasnt't not a spec that they do in Europe or the States. Its a give away sign if they are being sold new with mounts! Also some of the Fakes have an E etched after the spec. This one in particular was from a business trader who only sells scopes. I contacted him and he said that he was going to contact his distributor in Hong Kong and ask about authenticity but that I shouldnt buy it until he came back to me. Guess what, he hasn't yet.
Ive noticed at the budget end of the market that there are a lot of Tasco scopes that have probably never seen a Tasco factory.
There are a couple of German sounding brands that are clearly Chinese.
Not sure about some marked Nikko as opposed to NikkoStirling.
There are also a lot of fake Leupolds on the market.
Dont be fooled by authentic looking packaging either! Fake scope in a fake box!
Hope this warning helps folks not spend a heap of hard earned on something not that good and with no warranty.
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