Sure parallax adjustment isn't needed on 9x or even 10x scopes. BUT on most scopes over that and at ranges over 200yd, YES you DO need parallax. The newer "side focus" models are a much better system I agree. And 9x out of 10 while using the scopes I have that have parallax adj. I will simply turn them on the "infinity" position (basically looks like a horizontal figure 8) so that they are esentially ready for most anything at any power at any range. I use quality, high powered binocs so in many cases I don't do much "studying" with my scope. Besides the obvious dangers of doing such, sometimes however I need a closer look with say my 24x Swarovski. You can dang well bet I will dial down the correct range on the objective and really "count ticks"!

As for the 1" vs 30mm answer. Leupold uses 1" glass in the 30mm tube so IMHO they are out of that arguement in the first place. Needing lots of windage might be ok in many competitive environments, but for the average big game hunter he wont touch the windage turret ANYTIME after the initial sight-in. I have yet to see the first scope under say $750 that needed or properly used a 30mm tube. IMHO when you step up into the quality of most high end European (or even the Monarch Gold series of Nikon) and are using high powered optics (again over appx 10x) I believe you DO gain from the 30mm tube. The 30mm tube scopes you see from Bushnell, Tasco, BSA etc... are PURELY marketing hype and strictly for sales gimmicks, they certainly don't have the quality lenses, design or coating to justify nor properly use a 30mm maintube.


RA