If you saw any additional brightness from a 30mm tube scope over a 1" one, given the same magnification and objective (40,50, or 56) it's almost a certainty it wasn't from the 30mm tube per se.
Exactly. Tube size is irrelevant. Me, I'll take a scope with a 40-42mm objective lens and high quality coatings over some Walmart special sporting a 50+ mm scope anyday of the week.
