Meade Corporation began negotiations for a merger, but the Federal Trade Commission blocked the attempt.īy June 2002, Wind Point Partners, then the parent company of Bushnell Performance Optics purchased the Tasco brand and all the company's intellectual property. Įarly in 2001, Tasco began searching for a buyer as profits sank. Celestron was second only to Meade Instruments Corporation in sales of telescopes. In June 1998, Tasco purchased Celestron, another telescope manufacturer which focused on performance optical equipment and the more serious observer.

At that time, Tasco employed 160 people at its Florida headquarters, and maintained a location in the state of Washington, which employed another 40. In March 1996, Rosenfield sold the business. Tasco was founded by George Rosenfield in 1954. Models have magnifications between 12 and 45 times, and feature panoramic view finding. These scopes are designed for rugged outdoor use and feature rubber armor protection as well as optional camouflage. They also import non-magnifying red dot sights. Tasco imports telescopic sights for rifles, and handguns featuring magnifications of 1 to 40 power. Tasco provides software for viewing and printing photographs taken on its devices. Users can transfer images to a computer via a USB cable. They also offer Snapshot series binoculars, which include an ability to record video and capture still pictures as seen through the binoculars. Tasco imports binoculars with magnifications ranging between seven and ten power.

Tasco's telescopes tend to be referred to as 'department store telescopes' and low-cost instruments targeted at impulse buyers. It is one of several companies advertising their products based on claims of high magnification, far beyond any attainable usable magnification. Tasco's astronomical telescopes have an entry-level reputation. Department store 50 mm Tasco Specialty Refractor on modified mount (lower left) and a 114mm Sky-Watcher reflector.

Target opera glasses