- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
We definitely need a sticky with a collection of the dumbest threads ever! That one was funny though.
Why is it so hard to properly describe a scope?
- Thread starter jonathonh
- Start date
We definitely need a sticky with a collection of the dumbest threads ever! That one was funny though.
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
if its that funny dig up a link for me 
Actually, I'm pretty sure that one would correctly write it as
- 3x-9x 40 Or 3x-9x 40mm And when reading it one replaces the 'x' with the word "power" in much the same way that "I.E." is pronounced "That is"
So one would say "Three power to nine power, fourty millimetre".
In this way a fixed 10x scope with a 50mm objective would be written "10x 40" and read as "ten power, fourty millimetre".
It should also be mentioned that in decades past, it was not unheard of to give the objective diameter in inches. I had Lyman target scope that was (I believe) 30x 1.6"
(thirty power, one point six inches)
- 3x-9x 40 Or 3x-9x 40mm And when reading it one replaces the 'x' with the word "power" in much the same way that "I.E." is pronounced "That is"
So one would say "Three power to nine power, fourty millimetre".
In this way a fixed 10x scope with a 50mm objective would be written "10x 40" and read as "ten power, fourty millimetre".
It should also be mentioned that in decades past, it was not unheard of to give the objective diameter in inches. I had Lyman target scope that was (I believe) 30x 1.6"
(thirty power, one point six inches)
That is how one would/does describe a fixed 10 power... That is how manufacturers describe them as well. And the "x" is not a symbol for the word power... What power is one describing when they say that? Does the scope hold super powers? Is it the power of it's shark killing laser? Horse power? The "x" actually refers to the scopes capability of multiplying or timzing the range of vision of the natural eye. Much like when one uses multiplication in math... 3x3=9 does not mean 3 "power" 3 equals nine hahaha
There, their, they're, it isn't that bad, irregardless 
- Location
- Regina, SK
What about 3-9-40 that's annoying too. 
...So, using your example a '10x' scope is called "Ten power" but it's stupid to call a 3x-9x scope "Three power to nine power".
And I understand that the 'x' really stands for "Ratio of anglular magnification" (sometimes also called "diameters of magnification") but with the exception of a lectures on microscopy, I've never actually heard anyone refer to "power" as "Angular magnification" when speaking. In the same way that when reading aloud a text and coming across "I.E." one says "that is" even though it really stands for "id est", no one, with the possible exception of the most pompous and pedantic would ever actually say "id est" when reading in English.
As for "timzing" (sic) you'll need to define the word before I can agree or disagree. Neither Webster's nor Oxford were any help to me.
Dare I ask where you have gained all your superior knowledge? Or are you just a Wikipedia cruiser? hahaha I'm betting on the latter! You can refer to it (angular magnification) with whatever words you want, it is just my personal opinion that using the word "power" is somewhat idiotic, and vague when it is very simple just to shorten angular magnification to just magnification, and makes a hell of a lot more sense... But what do I know? I've never attended "a lectures on microscopy"
Sorry it will take more for me to willingly bow down to your "intelligence" hahahahaha
I'll tell you a good one, this hasn't happened on a forum, it's a guy I know who told me this a few years ago, besides that, he was so sure about being right, he could have put his life to it:
When he zeroed his scope before hunting, he carefully measured the distance to target being exactly 300 feet, then put his scope to 3x, made sure he was hitting middle of bullseye, when that was done, he went hunting, being sure that if he'd turn his power ring to a different number, the bullet would be bullseye to that number in 100's feet.
i.e.: he cranked the ring to 9x, it would be bullseye at 900 feet, 7x: bullseye at 700 feet, etc.
When he told me that, I stood there fixing him for a few seconds, waiting to see him bursts in laugh, but he didn't. He then started to re-explain to me how it was working, I cut him off "are you frickkin serious??"
He said "What?"
Honestly, I stood there looking at him, not knowing where to begin...or if it would matter anyhow...
