I have a $30 Tasco as well as a Leupold VX-I. I've had two VX-I's but sold one. Anyway, I can't tell a difference optically between the two. A few friends looked into them side by side and all thought the Tasco looked clearer. On top of that, my Leupold has been in for repair twice, and the Tasco still works great. They are about the same age.

That being said, I'm not saying that Tasco scopes are great or even good, but I've had a better experience with them than a Leupold, so I don't think it's fair to act like the op is an idiot when he may very well have had a better experience with a Tasco.

BTW the VX-I I had tracked no where close to how it should. It was like he said a guessing game trying to sight it in. I hate those friction adjustments, but at least the more expensive models do away with them.