Do optics manufacturers have different magnification levels? Ie 3x isn't the same?

jonyork

jonyork

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At my LGS and comparing a Vortex diamondback rimfire 2-7x35 and a leupold VX-freedom 2-7x33 rimfire.

Both "same" magnification ranges, however FOV definitely different.

Vortex has a wider FOV at low, and narrower at high FOV compared to the leupold.

Leupold has higher eye relief.

Anyways, that got me thinking. If the FOV isn't the same, and significantly so, doesn't that mean that the magnification level isn't the same? As in 3x vortex /= 3x leupold.

The only real way to compare image quality/brightness in a scope would be to have the same FOV in both when doing so correct?
 
The objective lenses are a different size, the lenses on the inside are probably not the exact same shape, they're probably spaced differently as well.. I think you're comparing apples to oranges. I would bet you'd get slightly different results even comparing two scopes that are the same make and model.
 
Yeah, I know the optical recipe is a bit different for sure.

I guess I was wondering what does 3x mean?

I do photography on the side and I find not using focal length in mm, it just seem that with different FoV they aren’t really being honest in 3x. Seems to me that if your FoV isn’t the same how can you actually compare image quality from the scopes?
 
I suspect so. But there are other factors at play too, like eye relief. When you look in a 6x bino it looks a lot closer than a 6x scope
 
3x magnification means that whatever you are looking at through the scope appears 3x closer than with the naked eye. There are a lot of variables that go into image quality and FoV, just focusing on something under magnification won't guarantee that.
 
Leupold usually lists in specs actual mag range which for a 3-9 might be 3.2-8.8 and they are always less than rated range. Eye relief will be a factor also but the Trijicon 3-9x40 seems every bit an equal to the Leupold 3.5-10 on top end and bit more on the low end so felt like a generous 3-9 vs leupolds more optimistic rating.
 
Just to complicate things, some scopes don’t actually change magnification throughout their range.
For example an NX8 4-32 scope. Between 4x to 6x the magnification doesn’t change. What happens is the image “tunnels” when you go from 6x to 4x. It’s pretty dumb really, they should have just made it from 6x to 32x seeing as 4x is useless.

Also objective lens size seems to play a role. My buddy has a 8-32x56 NXS and I have a 4-32x50 NX8. The target absolutely appears larger in his scope.
 
There's frequently some creative 'rounding' done by scope makers - for example many (most) 1-whatever power LPVO's are not a true 1x, which you'll either see straight away and it will bug the crap out of you, or you won't notice at all depending on your individual eye. Scopes are pretty much always a trade off of features, if they're dead bang on for magnification, they have a tighter field of view or smaller eye box and if the magnification is a little off, they have a better eye box or FOV. Unless you go with the big boys and spend a small fortune.
 
I've asked many scope manufacturers about this specifically and none are really forthcoming. I just asked Leupold about this for the 3.5-10x40mm and the response was that 3.5-10x is the *actual* magnification range - if it was a true 3x erector assembly it should be 3.5-10.5, but it isn't. When I spoke to Nightforce, same story. Specifically the SHV 3-10 I bought, I asked if it was rounded up or down in any way and the support rep said no, 3-10 is the true magnification range.
 
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