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Question about a Kahles |
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Posted: January/24/2015 at 18:33 |
Hey all, first time poster here. I'm looking to see if anyone has any experience with the Kahles KXi 3.5-10x50 rifle scope. The rifle it's going on is one made by Uselton Arms in Tennesee, in the 7.82 (.308) warbird caliber. Just looking for some info on the scope and any others that would compare to it. I'm looking to stay in the $1200-1700cdn range. All I have experience with other the years has been bushnell so I'm kind of in the dark to the others. I will however say that I'm not a big Zeiss or Leaupold fan. Nothing against them just never did hop on the band wagon. But any advice that anybody had to give will surely be heard! Thanks all
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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I've had a 3-10X50 HELIA CL multi-zero for several yrs and it is a great scope. The KXi is an updated HELIA and looking at the company description the coatings may be even better. If you are steppin up from Bushnell You will be amazed. As to you thoughts about Zeiss or Leaupold, to each his own. But keep in mind that Ziess (imo) is what everybody else competes with or tries to compare to. And I say that because, your lookin at Kahles is a really good choice. I've had Ziess, IOR, US Optics and Kahles and all do really well in low light. Ziess will always be my go to but I have no concern that my Kahles would let me down, it is a very clear, quality low light scope. But I do recommend that you get a duplex reticle because you will lose sight of the cross hair in low light if you go with fine non-illuminated. Good luck! and Welcome to the OT. |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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To be honest I had a bad experience with a Zeiss a couple years ago. Got another scope through warranty and sold it. So, from one bad experience I can't ever trash talk it. I can't remember the model but it was a lower end one. I don't really remember what happened but it was just completely fogged. Like something was wrong inside. Anyway, low light is a big thing for me because I tend to see the most animals when the Suns going down. I'll look into the plex reticle but this one also has the illuminated dot in the middle. So no matter what I'll always be able to see the dot if I turn the light on. But I definitely don't want to lose sight of my reticle. The scope on my sako is a elite 6500 and the reticles are what they call "DOA." They have a couple different turret lines for different ranges and I was squeezing off the trigger on a nice bull elk just as it was getting dark, but for some reason I used the second cross hair instead of the first one and shot over him at 100 yards. So that kind of put a bad taste in my mouth lol not the scopes fault but if I did that once there's a chance I'll do it again so trying to stay away from reticle "clutter" with this scope. Your input is awesome tho! I'm very close to pulling the trigger on this scope
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Sorry I just noticed that you said if I go with non illuminated, but I'm making sure to get the illuminated this time. And thanks for the welcome!
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Glad to help. Your experience with the Ziess was probably in the Conquest. Worst thing Ziess ever did. I can appreciate that they wanted to offer a "more affordable" scope but, they clearly thru quality out the window to accomplish it. Your budget allows you to consider some quality scopes but I don't offer any suggestions beyond the Kahles because that would just cloud the water and cause you un-necessary head-ache. Besides you didn't mention target turrets and that is mostly what you would gain by looking beyond Kahles. The older scopes like the one I have, have actually appreciated in value. How many scopes have ever done that. I can't say it is the best but, it is a darn good scope!!
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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To begin with i was thinking a z5 Swarovski with the ballistic turret and then I was gonna get a range Finder and have the scope zero'd at 300 yards. But then I got to thinking with my style of hunting, how often do I get to sit and range find something and have the time to switch my scope and everything. The odd time in October I might have time to do that for an elk but very seldom. So I figured instead of getting into the turrets and back into the reticle that messed me up, that I would keep it fairly simple. And I think your right, it was the conquest. The way I seen it was that it was reasonabley price but still wasn't dirt cheap. They needed to put more effort and quality into it. That is really one of the worst things, is there's so many scopes and a lot of them do the same thing, so it's hard to know what's the "best", but I'm certain there's not one brand that's better than all the rest. Where I am there's just swaro and Schmidt and bender for the higher quality rigs. If I get this kahles it will be through a dealer in Alberta. I feel like choosing a rifle maker to build my rifle was a lot easier than picking a scope haha
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Best I can tell, the KXi 3.5-10x50 is the finest 1" tube hunting scope on the market.
Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of excellent scopes out there in a variety of budgets and sizes, but if I were looking for a hunting scope in that general size range, that Kahles would be the one I look at first. ILya
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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It has definitely jumped out at me. The only thing that I kind of have a problem with is I would like more magnification than 10. My bushnell is 2.5 to 16 and I really like the magnification. So as of right now that is probably the only thing making me consider looking at other scopes
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saltydog235
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/07/2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
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Your Bushnell's clarity is about 1/3 of that Kahles, clarity over making a blob bigger.
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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I suppose your right. I'm going to call around today and see if I can find one. Only thing that scares me is that nobody around me sells them so like I said I'll have to order it from Alberta if I want it so I won't be able to look through one until it's paid for and at my door. Kind of have to go by everybodies word on this one
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R H Clark
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/26/2011 Location: NW Alabama Status: Offline Points: 200 |
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I love Kahles scopes. I own 4 of them but not the one being discussed. I have only played with a few of the Bushnell Elite scopes but I seriously the Kahles is 3 times as clear. The Elites don't exactly offer a "blob" image. I still much prefer the Kahles.
With a purchase of this expense, you need to ask the retailer about unmounted returns. Most will completely refund an unmounted scope, or charge a small restocking fee. I have no idea of the Canadian policy. Just ask first.
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saltydog235
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/07/2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
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Tongue in cheek reference. I own a Bushnell 4200, while it is a pretty decent hunting scope, it's not very good optically when compared to higher end glass. It'll get the job done no doubt but it is limited when things get dark or ranges get extended.
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R H Clark
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/26/2011 Location: NW Alabama Status: Offline Points: 200 |
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Tongue in cheek reference. I own a Bushnell 4200, while it is a pretty decent hunting scope, it's not very good optically when compared to higher end glass. It'll get the job done no doubt but it is limited when things get dark or ranges get extended.
I'm not arguing that the Elite is as good. I do agree with the above statement. I just don't think it's so bad that it's 1/3 as good as the Kahles. I do realize that was a bit of an exaggeration. I just think when we exaggerate, we create unfair expectations to anyone laying down $1400 bucks. I can only see very small increases with my eyes when I get above the $700 or so mark. Personally when going over that amount, I will be buying for features other than just a better grade of glass.
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Stanley91
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/24/2015 Location: Manitoba Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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I definitely can't trash talk my bushnell. It's done me well. I chose the wrong cross hairs for my type of hunting and it kind of screwed me once but that was also my fault as well for not making sure I was using the proper reticle. I just don't like having the same scope on different guns so I'm not going to get another one. My dad swears by his 4200 though, he looks through my uncles Schmidt and actually prefers the bushnell. Anyway, does anybody know anything about Leicas? I noticed a place nearby carries them so I've kind of been looking into them a bit today
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