re: 56mm scope, anyone use one?

the objective size itself doesnt have an inherent effect on low light performance. without getting super technical, it basically allows for higher magnifications to give you more light. like barf said, your exit pupil is calculated with Obj Size / Magnification. Assume that your eye is dilated to the maximum 7mm, and assume that you hunt in area where the optimal magnification is 6x.

40mm objective / 6 power = 6.67mm exit pupil

50mm objective / 6 power = 8.33mm exit pupil 1.33mm greater than the maximum 7mm that your eye can take. you're getting the maximum light available, but at the cost of higher price, greater weight, and higher distance from the bore

56mm objective / 6 power = 9.33mm exit pupil 2.33mm greater than the maximum 7mm that your eye can take. again, you're getting the maximum light available, but at the cost of even higher price, even greater weight and even higher distance from the bore than the 50mm



So does having the extra .33mm of light offset the added cost, weight, and higher distance? that's up to you to decide. ill be happy to sell you one


Lets do it again and assume you're regularly making long shots at 9x magnification.

40mm objective / 9 power = 4.44mm exit pupil

50mm objective / 9 power = 5.56mm exit pupil

56mm objective / 9 power = 6.22mm exit pupil


So in this case, the 56mm objective is optimal if you're regularly shooting at 9x magnification.




Factor in all the different things about your "normal" hunts (i.e. take your normal magnifications and calculate different exit pupils) and make an optimal choice. If you're regularly hunting at 9x-12x, then, yes, the 56mm is probably worth it. if you're like most Louisiana hunters and stick to 4x, then it's total overkill.

Bottom line is that the vast majority of your low light performance comes from the quality of the lenses, the quality of the lens coatings, and the spectrum of light that the coatings are optimized for. Thats a conversation for another day though.

TLDR:

Bigger objective = wider exit pupil at increased magnification
Bigger tube = increased rigidity, wider range of adjustments

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Carson123987

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Great info thanks! I knew the bigger objective was better for light but didnt know how that is calculated. So anything above 7 is more or less a waste since your eye is taking in its max.

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That's a 140% increase from 40 to 56 mm, quite substantial really.

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40%

still, that is a substantial step up from the 40mm. that being said, though, how many shots are you taking at 9x? Most people in LA arent coming close to 9x, so it's overkill. you have to determine what your normal magnifications are and make the optimal choice for your situation.

Thats part of my problem...I dont have a normal situation. I dont get to go much and im trying to change that. Mostly what I have done in the past its all overkill being that its usually been 100 or so yards. But I have joined a range that has out to 300 so id like to get proficient in that range and find some more hunting to do.

Swaro z6i or meostar r2 or something else Carson?

I sa you mention that one and checked it out...to much more than im wanting to shell out at this point I am leaning to the z6i I think...2-12-50 or 3-18-50...but that could change again lol

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40%

still, that is a substantial step up from the 40mm. that being said, though, how many shots are you taking at 9x?

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Ha yeah poor wording.

I use 9x all the time even on shots under 100 yards, why not? My standard procedure if I'm in the stand is to put the scope on 3-4x and then when I see something I increase to 9x if its not running. I'd bet the "average" hunter keeps their scope at max power most of the time.

6mm is also a 12% in scope size which most likely translates to even more when looking through the scope. I'm not sure that can be underappreciated. Makes target acquisition easier.

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So anything above 7 is more or less a waste since your eye is taking in its max.

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It has been a while since I got it of ophthalmology school but I think it is actually 6mm that a healthy pupil dilates to in low light.

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It has been a while since I got it of ophthalmology school but I think it is actually 6mm that a healthy pupil dilates to in low light.

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I usually take a good bit of molly if I'm making an afternoon hunt. It doubles pupil dilation so I can see longer through my scope.

Id be lying if I said I didnt think something along those lines earlier