How scopes work
 

Hey,

I really have no clue what the numbers on scopes mean. For example there is a 3-9x40mm. What does the 3, the 9 and the 40 stand for?

RAK

3X to 9X the magnification, and 40 is the big end of the scope that allows light in..just because its a 40mm, doent mean it lets more light in than a 36mm...all depends on quality

What about a 3-9x12? If the quality is a good scope does this scope still let enough light in? What is the difference between the 3-9x40 and the 3-9x1? Just light amount or the magnification?

the last number is the size of the end of the scope...at dusk, the bigger (ideally) the intake of light the better you can see through your scope...sometimes the manufacturer will add the "width" of view...meaning you can see lets say 20 yards wide in your scope as to 10 yards wide..just depends..look at the specs, it will give you the info,

3x9 means the magnification like he said. That means you can adjust it from 3x magnification all the way up to 9x magnification or anywhere inbetween. So a 4-16x40 would be the same only 4x to 16x in the magnification department. The 40 part or 50 or 32 or whatever it says is like he said in mm the diameter of the big end of the scope. I don't think you can have a 3x9x1. You might have a 1x32 or something though which would mean it's a fixed 1x magnification. Or a 4x32 which would be fixed on 4x magnification and you can't adjust it.

removed by RD

101?:party0005:

Ok I see now. Well thanks for the replies. :happy0001: