Temu/Amazon Bargains

[MG5150]

Hey all,

I’m often tempted by the cheap hunting gear on Temu and Amazon, but I’m always a bit hesitant—because let’s face it, you usually get what you pay for…

For those of you who’ve taken the plunge and bought a few budget items, I’d love to hear your thoughts:

What exceeded your expectations?

What turned out to be a waste of money?

From my first Temu order, here’s what I got:

Sandbag gun rests – surprisingly good for the price.

Gambrel and hoist – feels solid, but I haven’t used it yet.

Target stickers – a bit of a letdown. They’re smaller than standard MOA and tend to peel off plywood targets.

Camo suit - okay for the $30

I’m particularly curious about the range finders and trail cameras. Has anyone found any cheap options that are actually worth it?

Cheers!
Michael

[womble]

Probably not temu .they don’t have much hunting, shooting related.
Amazon probably the best platform for user ratings. But relatively expensive on there and shipping is a rip off
I buy stuff on eBay sometimes. But its usually something I’m looking for so I already know if it’s good.
So usually stuff like oil, patches, cleaning stuff. Call me weird but I just like cleaning guns.
I like to keep busy and of my long list of things that need doing around the place, somehow that often ends up top of the list.

There are other websites that you will likely stumble apon, that will supply you with literally anything gun related. So just be very wary about what you bring into the country. Generally though if you’re buying from somewhere in Australia it’s all good. Or if it was’nt, no one’s checking it. They only check stuff coming in from overseas.

Well, unless it’s inside a container of illegal cigarettes. They don’t check those for some reason. Nothing to see here. No police/government corruption or anything like that of course. I’m not suggesting that.

Bits and pieces, odds and ends, i buy of eBay usually. Like i bought a shooting mat. How good does it have to be. It’s just a mat to keep the dirt of me. I don’t really need the best shooting mat money can buy.
So what do I think of it. I dunno. It’s ok I guess

[bladeracer]

Steel targets and hanger systems have been good value.
IPSC target patches work well.
I bought a few rolls of two-inch and three-inch target stickers, that I rarely use, but when I have they worked fine. I generally stick them to a paper backboard though. MDF sheet, tape A3/A4 paper over it so I can see the misses, then put the stickers on. As usual with spatter targets they don't do well kicking around in a shooting bag or box.
Several belts have been good.
The sub-$20 cowboy hats I like.
Bulk gel pens and marketrs have been very good.
Ammo boxes are good but barely cheaper than MTM's.
I bought some cheap scales which have been impressive for weighing charges.
Molle gear and pouches have been good.
A bunch of different trousers and gloves have been good value.
A couple of 10m tape measures are still going strong.
Rifle clamp for the tripod is doing very well.
Folding shears are excellent.
Four battery boosters with air compressors have been excellent and get used all the time.
Fence strainer is excellent.
A socket set has been excellent and gets used regularly.
A couple pairs of ridiculously cheap boots have turned out to be very good value.
Magazine holders appear to be good but haven't done a lot of use yet.
Bluetooth ear plugs work well but I was hoping they would work as ear plugs as well, which they don't.

A towing strap was absolute garbage, though the hooks are decent.
Can't think of too many items I wasn't happy with for the price I paid.

Edit: I remembered something else that wasn't great. I bought some pistol bags. They're not terrible and they do what they're supposed to, but the stitching started coming apart on one of them on day one. Hasn't gotten and worse and still does the job.

Hey all,

I’m often tempted by the cheap hunting gear on Temu and Amazon, but I’m always a bit hesitant—because let’s face it, you usually get what you pay for…

For those of you who’ve taken the plunge and bought a few budget items, I’d love to hear your thoughts:

What exceeded your expectations?

What turned out to be a waste of money?

From my first Temu order, here’s what I got:

Sandbag gun rests – surprisingly good for the price.

Gambrel and hoist – feels solid, but I haven’t used it yet.

Target stickers – a bit of a letdown. They’re smaller than standard MOA and tend to peel off plywood targets.

Camo suit - okay for the $30

I’m particularly curious about the range finders and trail cameras. Has anyone found any cheap options that are actually worth it?

Cheers!
Michael

[Wapiti]

Stuff Temu. Too much drama.

I have some items in customs right now, and just got a seizure notice. If I don't explain what the items are for they're going to destroy them, and it states that even if I have a reasonable explanation, there's no guarantee they won't destroy them anyway.

I am making some hydraulic systems to pinch 1900 high fence mesh, for straining by a frame on the tractor Loader. Similar to a "quick-fencer" that costs a gazillion bucks if you don't make it yourself.
I needed some chrome molybdenum pipe to make T and H pieces for the hydraulics, to tap for 20mm hydraulic fittings, and I'll tig them together to suit. I searched online and apart from buying very expensive lengths here in Aus, but an ad came up on Temu for these 200mm lengths for $12 each post from China, so I ordered some.
Well Border Force seized them because they think they are rifle barrels. You HAVE to be kidding. No rifling in them, and god-knows what calibre they are imagining they are for. Another example of some no-idea public servants dreaming up rubbish, with no trade skills or idea about people making genuine gear for the farm.
No more Tumu, and now I have to try and convince them what the tubing is for.

Where's the facepalm imogie?

[Die Judicii]

Well, generally speaking I buy quality items/brands 99% of the time, and if I'm struggling a bit to pay for them I do the old fashioned thing,,
I save my pennies until I can afford whatever it may be. Buy once, cry once.

One item I did buy that was cheap (5 years ago) was a range finder from Aldi, and I'm sure plenty members here will vouch for them.
It is still working today, and was a bargain.
I have since bought high end stuff that has range finders included,, but the Aldi one still works as I said which is a testament to them.

[Oldbloke]

As far as expensive items go, I'm with diej. Had 2 not so cheap Bushnell scopes both failed after a few years. All leupolds now. Would never touch one from temu or ebay.

Aldi range finder was great, but 3 tanned blokes with a knife liked it, so, its in a tanned persons camp now and i have a leupold.

Temu.
Large cammo scarf, now a small cammo poncho, great value.
Sand bags, good enough, great value.
Small steal rolling plinking target, still to use but seems great value.
Red dots for targets, cheap as chips, great.
SS pulley, fantastic.
Wife buy clothes on temu, pretty happy.

Plenty more.

Hardly look on ebay now, mostly not cheap at all.

But, does the ching army now know I have firearms???

[MG5150]

Aldi range finder was great, but 3 tanned blokes with a knife liked it, so, its in a tanned persons camp now and i have a leupold.

You got held up while camping/hunting?

[womble]

By tanned people

[Oldbloke]

By tanned people

Yep

[Fester]

Well back before they went bad after covid when the cheap crap was not really cheap enough, I bought an Ebay range finder.
It worked fine and good for my first few years but only went to about 400 realistically.
Bought a longer-range one that was too bulky and failed within 2 years.
Should have just bought the Leupold RX1300 at the start as it was cheap on sale for about $300.
Compact, ranges to about 800 and has all the tech features.

I got some targets as they are much much cheaper and I don't even peel the stickers off, just use my Ebay stapler.

I gambled on a carbon-wrapped small high-pressure bottle to get a few PCP sluggy fills. It is fine for quality and they test well over the working pressure of 300 bar. Got the filling fittings from China too, as they are exy and hard to find here.
Got the shoebox compressor from the Vevor Aus shop as you get an easy swap job if it fails in warranty and they are a higher build quality than the half price copies, mine has went fine for a few years now.

Was shopping for a mini-lathe and the prices went up as well as no more negotiating.
A J&J one was near $600 and just not worth it for a chink build.
An ebay seller refused to even drop 10% and then Ebay jumped in with a good over 30% off so I got it and got the courier to put it in the garage. $300ish and it turned out whoever built it knew what he was doing, matched the parts for fit and adjusted gibs and stuff well. It's a Vevor also, but they can be hit or miss with some bad reviews.
Mine has been fine for some years now.

Had camo pants for about a decade now, Polish army, I think. Feel like cotton and not heavy rugged stuff but never ripped on me so it's tough material and a great loose fit, full of pockets. Aussie Disposals and my pair was new, most were not.
Still use them for Summer and the 511s for winter, tough as nails for the lantana. Aussie Workwear

I am always going to real shops in Aus first, while they are still around.

[Die Judicii]

Well back before they went bad after covid when the cheap crap was not really cheap enough, I bought an Ebay range finder.
It worked fine and good for my first few years but only went to about 400 realistically.

And you shoot to kill at 400 or over ???

[Oldbloke]

Yeh, my thought too. Why do you need a range finder for those distances? Some are like almost 1k.

[Bugman]

Bought some Sendrill 304 SS Hex socket head cup point screws. They work ok. No problem. Would I use Temu again. Probably not.
It was more of a curiosity for me. ie the price, delivery etc. Just wanted to try Temu, I guess.

[Peter988]

I’m going to buy some cheap scales. Fingers crossed.

[bladeracer]

I’m going to buy some cheap scales. Fingers crossed.

I don't recall why now, but Rose needed a portable scale for something she was doing so I bought a few different ones to test out (I think she was testing poo samples from the cattle under the microscope). This one I found very good - https://www.temu.com/au/1pc-digital--0-001g-precision-carat-weighing-tool-with-battery-powered-operation-36v-operating-voltage-no-battery-included-jewelry-weighing-tool-elegant-metallic--stainless-steel-components-battery-powered-tools-g-601099942087708.html

I tested it with some powder charges and it impressed me so I've been using it for a while now. I actually paid $33.32 for it from a different seller six months ago and I like it. Runs off AAA batteries. I have two sets of calibration weights, from 100gm (1543gn) down to .010gm (.154gn), and it has remained calibrated at all levels with no issues. It's possible I happened to buy the best one they manufactured and all their others were rubbish, but give it a try I reckon.

The other types I bought may be better than this one, but I haven't spent as much time with those yet so I can't say.

[Peter988]

I’m going to buy some cheap scales. Fingers crossed.

I don't recall why now, but Rose needed a portable scale for something she was doing so I bought a few different ones to test out (I think she was testing poo samples from the cattle under the microscope). This one I found very good - https://www.temu.com/au/1pc-digital--0-001g-precision-carat-weighing-tool-with-battery-powered-operation-36v-operating-voltage-no-battery-included-jewelry-weighing-tool-elegant-metallic--stainless-steel-components-battery-powered-tools-g-601099942087708.html

I tested it with some powder charges and it impressed me so I've been using it for a while now. I actually paid $33.32 for it from a different seller six months ago and I like it. Runs off AAA batteries. I have two sets of calibration weights, from 100gm (1543gn) down to .010gm (.154gn), and it has remained calibrated at all levels with no issues. It's possible I happened to buy the best one they manufactured and all their others were rubbish, but give it a try I reckon.

The other types I bought may be better than this one, but I haven't spent as much time with those yet so I can't say.

Thanks. I might as well try that one. It’s all a bit of a lucky dip with Temu.