What does 10 power mean in optics

[johnhhernan]

Does someone know the answer to this stupid yet simple question.

What does 10 power mean in magnification. Does it mean (literally) my view will appear to be 10 times closer. So if I'm looking at something at 1,000 it will appear as if i'm looking at 100yds. with the naked eye here's a different example if I'm looking at 600 yards does it appear to be 60 yards with the naked eye?

Now lets move it to 20 power if i'm looking at 1,000 yards will it appear to look 50 yards with the naked eye.

I'm sure this question has been asked before on LRH and if it has will someone please direct me to some sort of thread, I can't find one.

 

[FEENIX]

How to Choose a Scope

http://www.rifle-scope-guide.com/scope-magnification-or-power/

 

[varmintH8R]

Does someone know the answer to this stupid yet simple question.

What does 10 power mean in magnification. Does it mean (literally) my view will appear to be 10 times closer. So if I'm looking at something at 1,000 it will appear as if i'm looking at 100yds. with the naked eye here's a different example if I'm looking at 600 yards does it appear to be 60 yards with the naked eye?

Now lets move it to 20 power if i'm looking at 1,000 yards will it appear to look 50 yards with the naked eye.

I'm

You've got it, at least as far as apparent size is concerned. Keep in mind that the quality of the optics will dictate how much "bandwidth" is lost in exchange for the magnification: ie brightness, clarity, crispness, color transmission, etc etc. That is where at 10x one-thousand yards does not equal naked eye at 100yds.