Whats the difference between 1-4x and 1-6x

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kolkim

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Other than the magnification..

I'm assuming things like FOV and price because if they were the same then there would be no reason not to get a 1-6x everytime, or even a 1-8x or more.

I did alot of googling but ended up finding people arguing between 2 particular sights, not the magnifications themselves. Therefore if the scope was made by the same company and class of scope, what would be the main differences?
 
from what I have read the higher the long range magnification the harder it is to make the 1X a true 1X and not something like 1.1 or 1.25. that's where the expense comes from. I have a 1-4X and the 1X is really clear and exact with both eyes open. I'd love the 1-6X but out of my price range.
 
kolkim said:
Other than the magnification..

I'm assuming things like FOV and price because if they were the same then there would be no reason not to get a 1-6x everytime, or even a 1-8x or more.

I did alot of googling but ended up finding people arguing between 2 particular sights, not the magnifications themselves. Therefore if the scope was made by the same company and class of scope, what would be the main differences?
Click to expand...

Money. Scopes with a magnification factor of 4 cost less than those with 5, 6 or 8 times zoom. The higher zoom models are new fancy tech and thus command more money. Beware that in a scope with the same lens dimensions, the top end magnification will result in a dimmer image under low light. Look at the 1-4x Leupold which results in a 5.5mm exit pupil which is as much as the eye can make use of. The 1.5-5x Leupold shares the same scope tube and lenses (thought the 1.5-5x has better lens coatings which aid in light transmission)gives up 1.1mm of exit pupil at the top end and will be a dimmer image under low light. If you were to shoehorn 8x zoom into the same platform and the 1-4x and 1.5-5x Leupolds it would result in a sewer pipe-esque exit pupil of 2.75mm. You can see this difference plainly at last light. Now since the 1-8x scopes generally have 33-40mm objective lenses they mitigate the light transmission effects however the result is a longer, wider and heavier scope. Some people might not care, and I would be one of them if I was scoping an elk rifle I wouldn't hesitate to slap a 1-8x40mm scope on my rifle, but to top my 416 Rigby for slipping through the jesse for cape buffalo or the alders for brownies I'd much rather have the lower profile scope even if I sacrifice some top end magnification which I really would have no use for. Or if I just had to scope a guide gun, what in hell would I want an 8x top end?

So, like tires, scopes all have different uses and niches. Pick one for the application you intend it for and you'll never go wrong.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Money. Scopes with a magnification factor of 4 cost less than those with 5, 6 or 8 times zoom. The higher zoom models are new fancy tech and thus command more money. Beware that in a scope with the same lens dimensions, the top end magnification will result in a dimmer image under low light. Look at the 1-4x Leupold which results in a 5.5mm exit pupil which is as much as the eye can make use of. The 1.5-5x Leupold shares the same scope tube and lenses (thought the 1.5-5x has better lens coatings which aid in light transmission)gives up 1.1mm of exit pupil at the top end and will be a dimmer image under low light. If you were to shoehorn 8x zoom into the same platform and the 1-4x and 1.5-5x Leupolds it would result in a sewer pipe-esque exit pupil of 2.75mm. You can see this difference plainly at last light. Now since the 1-8x scopes generally have 33-40mm objective lenses they mitigate the light transmission effects however the result is a longer, wider and heavier scope. Some people might not care, and I would be one of them if I was scoping an elk rifle I wouldn't hesitate to slap a 1-8x40mm scope on my rifle, but to top my 416 Rigby for slipping through the jesse for cape buffalo or the alders for brownies I'd much rather have the lower profile scope even if I sacrifice some top end magnification which I really would have no use for. Or if I just had to scope a guide gun, what in hell would I want an 8x top end?

So, like tires, scopes all have different uses and niches. Pick one for the application you intend it for and you'll never go wrong.
Click to expand...

You explained it perfectly, I didn't know why the mm mattered before but now I see it means it allows more light to shine in. Thanks.
 
The size of the exit pupil count for light transmission but also for the eye position. A smaller pupil will require more time to position your eye at the perfect distance and alignment to the scope.

But this effect only occurs at the higher magnification. You could have a 1-6x24mm, use 6x for daytime slow-shooting and reduce to 4x at dusk. So it's not a disadvantage to have 1-6x24 instead of 1-4x24, it's just an additional option comprising restrictions.

Well as mentionned the disadvantages are in size, weight and price.
 
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