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42mm vs 50mm in low light

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hossdaniels View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hossdaniels Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 42mm vs 50mm in low light
    Posted: January/01/2009 at 13:10
I've been looking for a scope that is good in low light. 
The extra objective size seems like a cheap way to improve low light performance.
Does that extra 8-10mm really make a noticable difference?
 
All I've ever had was 40mm, and was curious if it really helps in low light, or is it a gimmic?
 
I'm talking in $4-500 quality glass, VXIII, SIIB, Monarch, 4200.  I realize it my mount a little higher, but I dont "think" that would make enough of a difference to matter(maybe 1/4" difference right?).
 
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trigger29 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/2009 at 13:23
The bigger objective will only make a difference at higher powers. At 10x a 50 mm will give you a 5mm exit pupil. The 42 mm will give you a 4.2 mm. you would get the same 5 mm exit pupil from the 42mm by dialing down to 8.4x. I can't really say how much difference it will make for you, it will depend on how big your pupils dialate. I can't see anything in the dark, with any amount of help, so some of this stuff doesn't help me much. Just throwing out what I know.

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Cracker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cracker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2009 at 09:23

Couple weeks ago I compared two Zeiss Victory scopes.

One was 2.5-10x42, second was 2.5-10x50.

I was able to see exactly same line on the doctor eye chart for both scopes in very low light  ( was almost impossible to see) at magnification x10.

Basically 42mm and 50 mm doesn't make difference even on high power magnifications. I would say in that case it was even easier to recognize letters with 42 mm scope, because of reticle 0 ( it has just a plain dot in the middle).
 
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