Need opinions of a 3-12x scope at 12x vs a 4-16x scope turned down to 12x.

[nced]

I'm considering an Optisan Mamba Lite and was wondering if the Optisan Mamba Lite 4-16x44SF SCB set at 12X would be better than the Optisan Mamba Lite 3-12x44SF SCB set at 12x?

For years my favorite HFT scope was the 4-16 Elite 4200 AO set at 12x, however Bushnell discontinued that model and they couldn't repair the one I sent in with "loose guts". That particular scope was better at rangefinding than the 4-12 Vortex diamondback I currently own and I'm thinking that the length of the scope itself may have something to do with the way it "snaps in and out" of focus. Actually, while the optics of the Diamondback are a bit better, I have to admit that I can rangefind better with my "heavy as a brick" $80 4-16 Adventure Class Center Point set at 12x, and it measures about 14 1/2" long. My Diamondback is only about 13" long with the short roughly 1/2" shade attached, however the Optisan Mamba Lite 3-12x44SF SCB is listed as 13 5/8" long and the Optisan Mamba Lite 4-16x44SF SCB is listed as a bit over 15" long.

Actually, if the optics are comparable it seems that the Optisan Mamba Lite 4-16x44SF SCB might be a good replacement for the 4-16 Elite 4200 AO that I used for years! The only "issue" with the Mamba for ME is the side focus, however I could probably adapt!

[Motorhead]

Also shoot an OPTISAN Viper in 4x16 ... choose that over 4x12 for a couple reasons ...

1st being not out at the end of mag range where some scopes may have clarity issues, backed down some from 16x to 12x makes sure image is crisp & sharp.
2nd being 12x is not always exactly 12x on many scopes ... so by having a tad more Mag it is far easier to trust and make up dope sheets / bracketing charts.
At 100 feet at 12x a RULER when viewed will scale at 1 dot per inch.
Fine tune Magnification to achieve this calibrates scope very precisely for all ranging based on 12x values 

Scott

[nced]

Also shoot an OPTISAN Viper in 4x16 ... choose that over 4x12 for a couple reasons ...

1st being not out at the end of mag range where some scopes may have clarity issues, backed down some from 16x to 12x makes sure image is crisp & sharp.
2nd being 12x is not always exactly 12x on many scopes ... so by having a tad more Mag it is far easier to trust and make up dope sheets / bracketing charts.
At 100 feet at 12x a RULER when viewed will scale at 1 dot per inch.
Fine tune Magnification to achieve this calibrates scope very precisely for all ranging based on 12x values 

Scott

Thanks......I suspected that a 16x max scope turned down to 12x would be crisper than a 12x scope set at max and it does seem that my suspicions were correct.