The best low light scope I have used was a nightforce 5.5-22x56 with lighted NP-R2 reticle. It gathered a lot of light and the lighted reticle was awsome for night hunting. I used it for predator calling here in the winter. With snow cover you can see almost as well as day with this scope out to practicle ranges. The next best I have used is the Burris Euro black diamond 3-12x50 that I have on my 338 WM. My buddy has a 1.5-5x50 swarski that he swears by for low light conditions. THe lighted reticles are definately a bonus and 30mm does seem to gather more light and have a wider feild of veiw than the 1" scopes. The springfield lighted reticle scopes are supposed to be really nice too.