Scopes 30mm vs 1"

How much brighter is a 30mm than 1″ tube? I have had both..but nothing I could compare apples to apples with.

If you had at 50mm objectives on two scopes… one had 30mm tube and another had 1″.. would the 30mm let alot more light in?

Debating between the

Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15 X 50 (1″ tube)

and the

Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm (30mm tube)

Any help would be appreciated

From what I understand, the only way to get more light through the scope is to increase the size of the tube, not the bell. I want to believe that this has merit because suddenly, everyone is making lots of 30mm options. In low light conditions is where the difference should be evident. Personally, I would choose the Leupold because I’d feel like I knew what I was getting. I have a few and they’ve been GREAT!

I’ll try to get you the inner component specs when I can. I’m currently up in the mountains and won’t be back for a month.

talked with Leupold rep and only way to gather more light is with bigger tube. Think of it as a funnel no matter how big the funnel is the water flowing through all depends on the tube size, works the same with light. The only reason they make the larger objectives is because people like or want them.

I’d think a 30MM tube scope will allow in a little more light and thus be brighter. That said I’m not sure the average hunted will be able to notice a difference by increasing the tube by 4.6MM – Then again it may be enough to buy you a extra minute of extra hunting time, and that Minute might be the one the buck of your dreams walks by.

I have looked at a number of scopes that come in both 30 and 1 inch (25.4 MM) side by side. I cannot honestly say that I can see a discernible difference between them.

IMO resolution test cards on a long distance range comparing the scopes side-by-side would be required to have any chance at seeing if there is any actual objective difference. In other words, there may be a difference, but it’s very, very small.

One problem that is often overlooked with low light situations and hunting rifle scopes is we tend to focus on the scope having the ability to see the GAME. But that’s the easy part.

The hard part is having enough light to see the black CROSSHAIRS on the game well enough to place a shot in low light. This is the part that really matters. Trying to see your crosshairs against a dark-colored deer, in the dark woods, or at sundown can be problematic enough. Then think about trying to see those same black crosshairs against a brown moose. Or a black cape buffalo.

IMO, if low light performance is really what you want, nothing is going to best an illuminated reticle. If you look at what hunters use in places where low light shots are the rule, not the exception, vastly more of them have illuminated reticle scopes.

Grouse

The clearest, brightest hunting scope that I ever looked through at the end of legal shooting time was a Leupold LPS (set at 9X of 10X max). 30mm tube and 42mm objective. That equates to a 4.67mm exit pupil. But, we are talking very superior HD lens coatings on that scope. I believe that Leupold replaced the LPS models with what are now the V6 series.