Long scope vs short with same specs. Need help!

[Doubleagent]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a scope for my sniper rifle so I've done lots of research and still a tiny bit confused.
Does a long scope with the same magnification and other specs as a short scope have the same clarity? Any input and experience on the subject would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[SuperHog]

Clarity is from a quality scope. Buy cheap, you will get a cheap scope.

As for specs, a 30mm tube will pass more light than a 1" tube. Also the front objective, 40mm to 50mm will be favor a brighter view.

Do forget adjustable objective (AO), which I don't know if airsoft can really benefit from for parallax compensation.

I run RS hunting scopes. Lots a good quality ones out there at reasonable prices.

[Doubleagent]

OK, say there are both for $200, even the same brand with the same specification, which one is going to be brighter when you compare long vs short scopes? I'm looking at two that I think I want to get and they are both 4x30 but one is long and the other short.

[redneck12]

Post the two scopes so we can better know what your talking about and help better

[SuperHog]

Originally Posted by Doubleagent

OK, say there are both for $200, even the same brand with the same specification, which one is going to be brighter when you compare long vs short scopes? I'm looking at two that I think I want to get and they are both 4x30 but one is long and the other short.

For airsoft, your limit for a bb snipe is within 250ft. 3x+ is all you need.

A fixed zoom will limit you field of view in searching for targets.

[Doubleagent]

So on your request these are the two scopes that I like:

http://www.vectoroptics.com/Vector-O...e-Product.html

This is the other one:

http://www.vectoroptics.com/Vector-O...e-Product.html

My friend have the 1-4X24 IR from the same brand Vector Optics and it is very clear even at nights that's why I like their scopes. His own is designed to use both eyes open which is not a feature found on most scopes.

[Chromey]

How are they for shipping to Canada.

As far as scopes Go, I look for a scope that is good for 200'.
So that opens the door for a lot of options.

Buying Real steel scopes for airsoft does not make any sense too me, They cost too much, And are WAY over kill for our capable range.

So the goal is too find a cheap scope that still works.
Trijicon knock offs tend too work good for me.
BSA Scopes and red dots have held up very well.
Swiss arms are alright by me too.

I own 7 different scopes ranging from red dots too 1-9X40 scopes.
I've owned at least 16 now, And I've stuck with the ones that work for me.

Just my 2cents

[Drake]

The specs aren't exactly the same...

The have the same magnication levels.

Both have a 40mm front lens but the short scope has a smaller rear lens (the real estate you're actually looking at).

The exit pupil is about the same for both; this tells you how "bright" the sight picture will be: human pupil dilation varies between an average 5 and 7mm maximum which means than anything viewed through a scope with an exit pupil inferior to that diameter will appear dimmer than with the naked eye. The exit pupil of the scope is calculated as (Front Lens Diameter [in mm] / Magnification Factor ), therefor 40mm / 9 (9x, when at maximum magnification) == 4.44mm. Exit pupil is important in low light conditions (dusk/dawn/night or when looking at shaded areas). A larger exit pupil can slightly brighten what you're looking at through the scope [in low light conditions] compared to viewing with the naked eye.

The eye relief is also longer on the long scope. The eye relief is how close/far you need to place your eye to the scope to see through it properly. This can be a consideration if its too short, specially if you're wearing bulky goggles (e.g., most binoculars, by virtue of how they're used, have extremely short eye relief and they're all but unusable with goggles on).

Last but not least is the field of view. Now this website/company has done something extremely shitty for comparison purposes, listing one FoV in feet @ 100 yds, and the other in Degrees @ 100 yds. So we need to do some converting to get specs we can compare: the calculated MoA (minute of an angle) is 1.047 inches @ 100 yards; there are 60 minutes to a degree, therefor 1.047 * 60 = 62.82 inches, or 5.235 feet per degree @ 100 yards. If we take the long scope's specs of 2.4-6.6° @ 100 yds, we can calculate (by multiplying degrees by 5.235 ft) 12.564 - 34.551, or realistically 12.5 = 34.5 ' (compared to 11.5-34.9' on the short scope). That means the short scope "zooms" into a narrower image at maximum magnification, by ~1 ft @ 100 yds (in practice, for airsoft ranges, they're pretty close to each other -- nobody's taking 800 yard shots).

Probably the biggest difference between the two scopes is the short one has an illuminated reticle.

[Kos-Mos]

Out of the two you posted, there is a VERY clear difference.

Short has a 2.4-3.1" eye relief.
Long has a 3.1-3.7" eye relief.

That means that the short scope needs to be closer to your eye.

Exit lense is also smaller on the short scope. Means you have to be more in-line to see through, but also that parallax will be easier to achieve (if you have less margin to place your eye, chances are it's going to be at the same spot).

Also, the tube is 30mm on one and 1" on the other (25.4mm). Bigger = more light.
In that case, I don't think it would make a difference, except for what rings you need to mount it.

Both however seem to be cheap china optics...

I would rather go with a "cheap" hunting scope, like a Bushnell Dusk and Dawn. Quality of the lenses makes the most difference, and a 40$ scope can't rival with a 100$ one.

*Annnd Drake beat me to it...

[Doubleagent]

Thanks a lot for your insight and expertise. After reading what you guys said, unfortunately I'm still not sure if a long scope would work better for low light and shaded condition over a short scope. I have spent days studying the difference since I don't have the money to do the trial and error method and I'm still looking around at different brands and make.

[Jayne Finch]

What rifle do you plan on mounting this optic to?

[Doubleagent]

I'm planning to mount it on a Classic Army SL8-1.