Brian Tung wrote:

Under dark skies, it might be different; a 5x24 finder has
a wider field of view [than a 6x30 finder], so you might actually be able
to see more of what you need to in order to identify your target.

Unfortunately -- and amazingly -- that bit about the wider FOV isn't
true.
In the Dec '05 S&T Test Report, Gary Seronik estimated the true FOV
of the 5x24 finderscopes he saw as 4.5 degrees. The 6x finderscopes
on the reviewed scopes, by contrast, have TFOVs ranging from 6 to 8
degrees. So not only do you get less aperture and drastically
reduced optical quality (a singlet objective instead of an achromat),
you also get a dramatically reduced field of view. And all to save
a few dollars.

- Tony Flanders