[Mr. 16 gauge]

Interesting thread....I have a Cabela's "Pine Ridge" scope on my AR15; 2x7 power, matte finish. Not a real expensive scope, by any means, and it seems to do the job. Here in MI, I doubt I'll find a spot where I have to shoot a long ways off.
Now, when I went out west with my 30-06 topped with a Bushnell 3x9, I thought I was all set....that combo has served me well for years here in MI, but I found out that the light gathering properties of that particular scope SUCK for long distance shooting out west! Fortunately, I got my buck, but I had a very difficult time seeing that buck at that range (about 300 yards). I saw that the guides, to a man, had Leupolds on their personal rifles, so I asked to take a peek through one, and the difference was like night and day. During the day, when the sun was out, there wasn't much difference, but you could sure tell the difference when the last few rays of sunshine were all that was available.
Tasco? Hmmm....don't think I would bother, even for a BB gun. Had one on my Nylon 66. Took that combo rabbit hunting and decided to plink at an old can (the rabbits weren't cooperating). After the first shot, everything turned blurry! Couldn't figure out why at first, then I noticed that the front lens was missing!
As for Chinese scopes: As long as I can buy a scope made somewhere else, I will....tried to buy some American made bearings for the trailers last week, and was told that there is no longer any such thing! I can't stand cheap Chinese products, and there's no telling what is put in them or what it's made off....I'll pass when ever possible.