YOu'll never tell the difference. The gun writers hyped up the larger objective(the stupid 50MM craze that won't work in a 1 inch tube anyway....) and pushed the bit more magnification. Something new sells more.

I've got a 3x9 and its great. I've got a 4.5x14 or something like that, got it as a tip. There is not much if any difference and given the chance I'm gonna sell that bigger scope. Normally I'd sell it and buy another 1-2 3x9 models but I have a bigger project in mind and need target turrets etc...... But normally the 3x9 is all you'll ever need.

Jeff