Light Transmission - VX-1 vrs VX-2; 40mm vrs 50mm

OK, I'm thinking about a scope upgrade. My current deer guns are an 1187 SP Deer and a Knight Disc. The 1187 has a VX-1 3-9 X 40 while the Knight has a BSA Catseye 3-10 X 44. I use the 1187 more and was thinking of putting the VX-1 on the Knight and then a new scope for the 1187.

I was considering a VX-2 3-9 X 40. I know the VX-2 series has better lense coatings, but don't really know how much of an upgrade that would be. Anybody out there have the VX-1 & VX-2 and done a side by side comparison? Also, I see that Leupold is coming out with VX-1s that will have a 50 mm objective. I'm not the biggest fan of big scopes but was wondering which would transmit light better, a VX-2 with 40mm objective or VX-1 with 50mm objective?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

I'm not opposed to other good brand names (Nikon, Burris, etc) but both of these guns have pretty good recoil and the standard 3" eye relief won't cut if (or will cut it if you're thinking eye brow).

So please don't recommend anything with less than 4 " eye relief or that compromises on magnification or objective size. Thanks.