Well, since you have both scopes then I have to defer to your judgement between the two. I can tell you that my 1.75-6x32 heavy duplex isn't even in the same country compared to my PH 2.5-10x56 with the #4 reticle when it comes to low light. The middle of the reticle isn't the part that matters, it's the big heavy posts on the sides that allow you to bracket the animal that matter. When the light gets really low you're not going to see the intersection point of the crosshairs against a dark animal, no matter how thick the middle is.
