Tasco
Encyclopedia
Tasco is one of the major international distributors of telescope
s. The company's products mainly target telescope buyers that are amateur astronomers
, but has grown to manufacture a large assortment of optical equipment, including terrestrial spotting scope
s, microscopes, binoculars, telescopic sight
s, and other rifle accessories. Tasco products are sold through a variety of specialty outlets, catalogues
, and online vendors.
Tasco, based in Miramar, Florida
, is a subsidiary of Tasco Holdings, Inc. (THII) and was founded in 1954 by George Rosenfield as the Tanross Supply Company, a distributor of fishing tackle
and hardware. The name was later shortened to Tasco as inventory expanded to include binoculars
and eyepieces.
" technology. Magnification
ranges of the telescopes are between 25 and 675 times. Both reflecting telescope
s and refracting telescope
s are available in each category.
and capture still pictures
as seen through the binoculars. The images can then be transferred to a computer through a USB connector and complimenting Tasco software for viewing and printing
s.
protection as well as optional camouflage
. Models have magnifications between 12 and 45 times, and feature panoramic view finding.
headquarters, and maintained a location in the state of Washington, which employed 40.
In June 1998, Tasco Holdings, Inc. purchased Celestron
, another telescope manufacturer which focused on performance
optical equipment and the more serious observer. Celestron was second only to Meade Instruments Corporation
among marketing and sales of telescopes.
Early 2001, Tasco began searching for a buyer as profits sank. Meade Corporation begins negotiations for a merger, but the Federal Trade Commission
blocked the attempt.
By June 2002, Wind Point Partners
, parent company of Bushnell Performance Optics
(BPO) purchases the Tasco trade name
and all intellectual property
of Tasco Worldwide Inc. from Tasco Holdings, Inc.
In July 2007, Wind Point Partners sold Bushnell Performance Optics
along with Tasco property and sales rights to MidOcean Partners
, a private equity
firm based in New York
and London
.
of all its assets. after defaulting on nearly $30 million in loans.
The company had been searching for a buyer for several months, but after much interest by Meade Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission, on this day, sanctioned a temporary restraining order
in federal district court to preempt any attempt by Meade Instruments Corporation, the leading manufacturer of performance telescopes in the United States
, to purchase all, or certain assets, of Tasco Holdings, Inc. including Celestron, a child-company and number two performance telescope provider in the U.S. The FTC argued that an acquisition by Meade of Celestron would negatively impact the performance telescope market by eliminating significant competition
between the two companies and by creating a monopoly
in the market for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, which were currently only being sold in the U.S. by Celestron and Meade.
In response to the FTC’s denial, Meade filed several lawsuits against both Tasco and Celestron concerning a patent
for a “Fully Automated Telescope System With Distributed Intelligence,” also known as “GoTo” technology, charging the two companies with patent infringement
and unfair competition. The complaints were filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Southern Division, but were all subsequently denied.
Later in 2002, Tasco and Celestron, now under the ownership of Bushnell Performance Optics
, fired back with lawsuits also in the District Court of California, alleging Meade Corporation products infringed on a United States patent entitled "Tripod Structure for Telescopes." Both companies sought injunctive relief and compensatory damages in an unspecified amount, and attorneys' fees and costs. In December 2002, the District Court denied both Celestron's and Tasco’s motion
.
, a company generally trusted by amateur astronomers for good-quality instruments, many Tasco telescopes are similar or identical to Celestron telescopes. However, most Tasco telescopes are usually purchased from a department store, a source that most amateurs find unsuitable for purchasing telescopes. Many of its telescopes, especially the 30 - 50mm refractor variety, are sold with extra features such as an included microscope kit, but the telescope itself is often sold on a tabletop mount or is handheld and can be worth as little as $10 USD. Like most department store refractors, the objective lenses often are non-achromatic and the eyepieces are sold in 0.965 inch-size barrels as Huygens (H), regarded as some of the worst by amateur astronomers. Tasco and Bushnell
telescopes are often avoided by amateurs because they are new to the astronomical community, and of their emphasis on magnification, which is regarded as unimportant by most amateur astronomers.
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
s. The company's products mainly target telescope buyers that are amateur astronomers
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, but has grown to manufacture a large assortment of optical equipment, including terrestrial spotting scope
Spotting scope
A spotting scope is a small portable telescope with added optics to present an erect image, optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects...
s, microscopes, binoculars, telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
s, and other rifle accessories. Tasco products are sold through a variety of specialty outlets, catalogues
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
, and online vendors.
Tasco, based in Miramar, Florida
Miramar, Florida
Miramar is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city was named after the Miramar district of Havana, Cuba. As of the 2010 census, the population was 122,041...
, is a subsidiary of Tasco Holdings, Inc. (THII) and was founded in 1954 by George Rosenfield as the Tanross Supply Company, a distributor of fishing tackle
Fishing tackle
Fishing tackle, is a general term that refers to the equipment used by fishermen when fishing. Almost any equipment or gear used for fishing can be called fishing tackle. Some examples are hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, baits, lures, spears, nets, gaffs, traps, waders and tackle...
and hardware. The name was later shortened to Tasco as inventory expanded to include binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
and eyepieces.
Products
Tasco manufactures both a variety of optical equipment including terrestrial telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, telescopic sights, and accessories for each.Telescopes
Three categories of telescopes are available from Tasco - Novice, Luminova, and Spacestation – with several models in each family. The Novice family features the most economical telescopes using manual focus and view finding, while the high end Spacestation utilizes fully automated sky-mapping, "GoToGoTo (telescopes)
In amateur astronomy, "GoTo" refers to a type of telescope mount and related software which can automatically point a telescope to astronomical objects that the user selects...
" technology. Magnification
Magnification
Magnification is the process of enlarging something only in appearance, not in physical size. This enlargement is quantified by a calculated number also called "magnification"...
ranges of the telescopes are between 25 and 675 times. Both reflecting telescope
Reflecting telescope
A reflecting telescope is an optical telescope which uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century as an alternative to the refracting telescope which, at that time, was a design that suffered from...
s and refracting telescope
Refracting telescope
A refracting or refractor telescope is a type of optical telescope that uses a lens as its objective to form an image . The refracting telescope design was originally used in spy glasses and astronomical telescopes but is also used for long focus camera lenses...
s are available in each category.
Binoculars
Tasco makes binoculars with magnifications range between 7 and 10 times on a variety of models. They also offer Snapshot series binoculars, which include an ability to record videoVideo
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
and capture still pictures
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
as seen through the binoculars. The images can then be transferred to a computer through a USB connector and complimenting Tasco software for viewing and printing
Gun sights
Tasco makes telescopic sights for long rifles, rimfire rifles and handguns featuring magnifications of 1 to 40 times. They also make non-magnifying red dot sightRed dot sight
A red dot sight is a common classification for a type of non-magnifying reflector sight for firearms that gives the user an aimpoint in the form of an illuminated red dot...
s.
Terrestrial Scopes
Tasco offers several models of spotting scopes. These scopes are designed for rugged outdoor use and feature rubber armourArmour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
protection as well as optional camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
. Models have magnifications between 12 and 45 times, and feature panoramic view finding.
Company history
Tasco was originally founded and owned by George Rosenfield in 1954. In March 1996 Rosenfield sold the business. At that time, Tasco employed 160 people in its FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
headquarters, and maintained a location in the state of Washington, which employed 40.
In June 1998, Tasco Holdings, Inc. purchased Celestron
Celestron
Celestron is a company that manufactures and imports telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, and accessories for their products.-Origins and History:...
, another telescope manufacturer which focused on performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
optical equipment and the more serious observer. Celestron was second only to Meade Instruments Corporation
Meade
Meade Instruments Corporation is a multinational company headquartered in Irvine, California, that manufactures, imports, and distributes telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, CCD cameras and telescope accessories for the consumer market. It is the world's largest manufacturer of...
among marketing and sales of telescopes.
Early 2001, Tasco began searching for a buyer as profits sank. Meade Corporation begins negotiations for a merger, but the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
blocked the attempt.
By June 2002, Wind Point Partners
Wind Point Partners
Wind Point Partners is a private equity firm focused on growth capital investments in middle-market companies across a range of industries.The firm, which is based in Chicago, Illinois and Southfield, Michigan, was founded in 1984...
, parent company of Bushnell Performance Optics
Bushnell Corporation
Bushnell Corporation, also known as Bushnell and Bushnell Outdoor Products, is an American company specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, night vision equipment, GPS devices, laser rangefinders, riflescopes, holographic weapon sights, game...
(BPO) purchases the Tasco trade name
Trade name
A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes, although its registered, legal name, used for contracts and other formal situations, may be another....
and all intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
of Tasco Worldwide Inc. from Tasco Holdings, Inc.
In July 2007, Wind Point Partners sold Bushnell Performance Optics
Bushnell Corporation
Bushnell Corporation, also known as Bushnell and Bushnell Outdoor Products, is an American company specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, night vision equipment, GPS devices, laser rangefinders, riflescopes, holographic weapon sights, game...
along with Tasco property and sales rights to MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners is a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and growth capital investments in middle-market companies...
, a private equity
Private equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
firm based in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Bankruptcy
On May 29, 2002, Tasco Worldwide initiated liquidationLiquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
of all its assets. after defaulting on nearly $30 million in loans.
The company had been searching for a buyer for several months, but after much interest by Meade Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission, on this day, sanctioned a temporary restraining order
Restraining order
A restraining order or order of protection is a form of legal injunction that requires a party to do, or to refrain from doing, certain acts. A party that refuses to comply with an order faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
in federal district court to preempt any attempt by Meade Instruments Corporation, the leading manufacturer of performance telescopes in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to purchase all, or certain assets, of Tasco Holdings, Inc. including Celestron, a child-company and number two performance telescope provider in the U.S. The FTC argued that an acquisition by Meade of Celestron would negatively impact the performance telescope market by eliminating significant competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
between the two companies and by creating a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
in the market for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, which were currently only being sold in the U.S. by Celestron and Meade.
In response to the FTC’s denial, Meade filed several lawsuits against both Tasco and Celestron concerning a patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
for a “Fully Automated Telescope System With Distributed Intelligence,” also known as “GoTo” technology, charging the two companies with patent infringement
Infringement
Infringement, when used alone, has several possible meanings in the English language.In a legal context, an infringement refers to the violation of a law or a right. This includes intellectual property infringements such as:*Copyright infringement...
and unfair competition. The complaints were filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Southern Division, but were all subsequently denied.
Later in 2002, Tasco and Celestron, now under the ownership of Bushnell Performance Optics
Bushnell Corporation
Bushnell Corporation, also known as Bushnell and Bushnell Outdoor Products, is an American company specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, night vision equipment, GPS devices, laser rangefinders, riflescopes, holographic weapon sights, game...
, fired back with lawsuits also in the District Court of California, alleging Meade Corporation products infringed on a United States patent entitled "Tripod Structure for Telescopes." Both companies sought injunctive relief and compensatory damages in an unspecified amount, and attorneys' fees and costs. In December 2002, the District Court denied both Celestron's and Tasco’s motion
.
Criticism
Among amateur astronomers, Tasco telescopes have a variable reputation. As Tasco has relations with CelestronCelestron
Celestron is a company that manufactures and imports telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, and accessories for their products.-Origins and History:...
, a company generally trusted by amateur astronomers for good-quality instruments, many Tasco telescopes are similar or identical to Celestron telescopes. However, most Tasco telescopes are usually purchased from a department store, a source that most amateurs find unsuitable for purchasing telescopes. Many of its telescopes, especially the 30 - 50mm refractor variety, are sold with extra features such as an included microscope kit, but the telescope itself is often sold on a tabletop mount or is handheld and can be worth as little as $10 USD. Like most department store refractors, the objective lenses often are non-achromatic and the eyepieces are sold in 0.965 inch-size barrels as Huygens (H), regarded as some of the worst by amateur astronomers. Tasco and Bushnell
Bushnell Corporation
Bushnell Corporation, also known as Bushnell and Bushnell Outdoor Products, is an American company specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, night vision equipment, GPS devices, laser rangefinders, riflescopes, holographic weapon sights, game...
telescopes are often avoided by amateurs because they are new to the astronomical community, and of their emphasis on magnification, which is regarded as unimportant by most amateur astronomers.
External links
- Tasco Official Website.
- Tasco Holdings International, Inc. Official Website.