[svandamme]

well i agree that most folks with a huge scope don't need one , let alone have what it takes to use it.

But optically, there is an advantage to a big lens , it brings in more light
that's not marketing.

And for huge magnifications, you need more light because you lose more light as the image passes through more lenses and mirrors to achieve the magnification.

If you start off with 30mm, you'll have a hard time getting it to magnify up to 20 power and still have enough light left at the eye to use that scope on anything but a bright and sunny day.

If you start off with 50mm, you'll have 66% more light for the same magnification.
That's not marketing, that's the way optics work.


So to say "lower tube is best" without even checking what the application is for the scope, is just downright incomplete advice, to say the least.

It was asked what he wants to do with it, it was never answered
Purpos, unknown
distance he wants to shoot it with , unknown.

If it's for 100 yards target shooting, he could easy do with an even smaller scope then that Nikon.. I agree

But if he wants to hunt, then the 3-9x40 is a better choice then a 4x24 scope, that would indeed sit lower then the 3-9x40 with the bigger lens does..4x24 is not "best" if you need bigger magnification.