Kahles x4 vs Leupold x6 vs Bushnell x10

[Woodbeef]

Ok now I'm a bit confused here. I take it as I go up in magnification I should be able to see an object better,correct? I have a 30 or so year old Kahles Helia Super 4/S2 with a 36mm objective, A fairly new Leupold x6 looks to be a 40 or 42mm(unsure of model,it's a friend's),and a year old Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40. The Leupold does not give me 50% better vision on the object,nor does the Bushnell give me 150% better either. I can see a bit better with the x6 and x10 but not all that much. Is the Kahles just that better of glass?

 

[tokguy]

I've got a 50+ year old Kahles & while optics wise I'm a Luddite...that scope is amazing for it's age

 

[stubblejumper]

Lenses and coatings can improve resolution greatly, and can make up for some difference in magnification.

 

[TheTooner]

And greater magnification makes poor image resolution seem worse.

 

[jjohnwm]

+1 Making an object appear "bigger", i.e. closer, is what magnification does.

Seeing it "better", clearer, sharper, or whatever you want to call it, is another thing altogether.

 

[BCP]

What the last 2 posters said. I believe the real test of a scope is in low light conditions. Most modern scopes function well in broad daylight, but the difference becomes clear on the darker days, dusk, and dawn. When testing scopes, I try to find a distant dark corner to peer at.

 

[yvescgun]

I own a 4x Kahles helia 50 years old and I'm telling you. It is very very clear and hard to beat. I need another one or a 2 x 7 36mm from the same period. if somebody have one for sell, text me.