Theres been QC issues specific to the Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 and Midas TAC 5-25x56 34mm. I personally skipped over the ETR and got a Cronus BTR instead fir just a little extra cash for Japan made instead of Chinese. I think it's insane to buy an Ares ETR especially for the price even for $900 on sale it's still Chinese. I really think the absolute max anyone should pay for any Chinese made scope is $500 or maybe $600 MAXIMUM since the scope probably cost only $100 or less to manufacture in China.
I try to avoid made in China whenever possible or not spend more than $500.
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You're pretty accurate on the $100 cost of manufacturing based on people in the industry who told me that $125 is the cost to build and get them into the US.