1" vs 30mm

Mike from Texas · 02-08-2005, 08:54 PM

What are the advantages of a 30mm tube over a 1" tube on a scope?

bigbulls · 02-08-2005, 09:17 PM

The 30mm tube has larger internal lenses to transfer more light to the eye. This is very popular over in some European countries where it originated. They can legally hunt big game at night and actually need the extra light transmission.

Unless you are planning onhunting at night save the extra money and just get a 1" tube.

jdreddish · 02-08-2005, 10:03 PM

larger tube also means more clicks for elevation adjustments. (windage too but who on earth needs that many unless you shoot on a Hurricane)

stubblejumper · 02-08-2005, 10:09 PM

Many 30mm scopes(leupold for one) actually have 1" internal lenses so they don't transmitt any more light.Actually the 30mm scopes are made to offer more adjustment range and a stronger tube.

ELKINMTCWB · 02-08-2005, 10:18 PM

The 30 mm is very good in the dark fir woods. It is little more costly but so is a 50 mm lens.I think it is better all depends on what you will do with it. I have one on my 223 for yote hunting in low light[all night].I can see a difrants but not good enough to put on my 300 mark 5.

bigbulls · 02-08-2005, 10:47 PM

Acually we are both right Stubblejumper.

The 30mm scope was originally made by and for European hunters that needed the extra light gathering capeabilites of larger internal lenses so they can see at night better. The true European made scopes are still made this way. Khales, Swarovski, Zeiss, and many others.

Many American scope manufacturers have "Americanized" the 30mm tube since we don't hunt at night. Many do use the standard 1" internal lenses and simple beef up the thickness of the main tube for strength and adjustment. Mostly on "tactical" and "target" style scopes. Some of the companies do make "European" style scopes with the 30mm tubes that do have larger internal lenses for light transmission.

Solitary Man · 02-10-2005, 01:10 PM

30mm tubes offer more windage and elevation range, but not always depending on how the scope is designed. The potential is there, though. It also is more structually rigid than a 1" tube.

Light transmission is a wash. A properly designed 1'' scope can transmit virtually the same amount of light as a 30mm scope if all else is equal, meaning the same objective lens diameter, same glass, same coatings, etc... The really bright European scopes are generally the ones with big 56mm objectives and more expensive glass. All lenses are not equal. More effort and better materials go into the really good lenses so they (the lenses) can correct all the aberrations (chromatic, spherical, coma, etc...) that effect image quality. The more expensive lenses that are used in the higher priced scopes (which most European scopes are) do a better job at it than those used in medium and lower prices scopes.

02-10-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

30mm tubes offer more windage and elevation range, but not always depending on how the scope is designed. The potential is there, though. It also is more structually rigid than a 1" tube.

Thats what I don't understand from Burris. Why is thier scopes so limited in adjustments. Probably because of the that goofylock. They have some clear lenses. Their scopes are not the most compact for sure with thier limited eye relief.

Solitary Man · 02-10-2005, 02:25 PM

I think I owned a Burris back in the 70's. Haven't owned one since and don't really know anything about them. If they have limited adjustment range it's simply because they're designed that way. Sorry I can't offer more.

bigbulls · 02-10-2005, 05:57 PM

Call or email Zeiss oe Swarovski and as them why their scopes are made with 30mm tubes instead of one inch tubes. See what answer they give you.