Like any Tasco I've ever seen, the magnification of the instrument is clearly visible on the front as part of it's department store decor. The box was neatly packed, commercially packed in fact to fit on a store shelf. So it comes, that I recently received as a gift, a Tasco 46-114375Galaxsee reflector.

So, what point of this story? The company which was known as “Trashco” is long gone, and new telescopes bearing that name deserve to be given a chance to stand on their own merits. Celestron broke away from Tasco only months after the merger, and on the verge of bankruptcy the trade name was bought by Bushnell. However, Tasco was in serious financial straights and merging with Celestron didn't solve them, but only make them worse. The reverse turned out to happen, and a generation of Tasco telescopes emerged of amazing quality, including Tasco's own versions of Celestron's famed Nexstar telescopes. They thought that Tasco would begin to cheapen Celestron's telescope line. A great many astronomers were so distraught by this that they hesitated to continue buying Celestron. Some time in the last few years, Tasco bought Celestron. Tasco telescopes started getting shoddier and shoddier through the late 70's and through the mid to late 90's, to the point that the company had no respectable reputation.

Tasco was clearly once a respected name, but what happened? Department stores, and profits that's what. It is now my guide scope, and it is also my best telescope for moon and solar observing. Of course, I took it home, and gave it a complete overhaul. The tube was all metal, and the focus mount was not only all metal, but featured a focal extension tube. The primary lense was scratched slightly but otherwise of impressive quality. Though the old Alt-Azimuth tripod was little more than broken parts, the optical tube itself was a treasure. I found this hard to believe, until I one day had the good fortune to encounter an old Tasco 60mm refractor at a thrift store. They will tell of all metal focus mounts, good quality Japanese optics, and reasonably sturdy tripods. Old astronomy buffs from years back remember a time when the name “Tasco” carried a certain respect. While I can understand this and even find it justified from so many bad experiences had by so many with this trade name, I think it is time we gave a new, critical and unbiased view at the newest telescopes to bear the name. Some smirk when it is mentioned and mutter “trashco” under their breath.

We all know the colorful reputation that the name “Tasco” carries.

Tasco telescope 45t