fishybobtrout,
I didn't read through this thread so it may have already been stated. I have a few scopes. I have purchased four Swarovski z5 5-25X52 and a couple Bushnell 4200 4-16X40 and others. None of the others will stay with these two for low light. I have not been able to see the z5 as any better than the 4200 in low light until I turn the magnification ring above 16X in the z5.
I have compared lots of scopes side by side on my deer antlers 131 yards away in the woods. The idea of exit pupil is a good internet conversation topic, but in the real world it does not pan out.
If you can afford a Nightforce, there is no comparison between them and everything else I have looked through in a side by side comparison. That goes for low light or good day light. But I have never looked through a S&B; except a 1-6X at the range. For me it was next to useless. I like a scope to be a 4-16X at least.
