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Kahles ZF 84

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    Posted: January/13/2010 at 16:52
KB:  A word of explanation:  I started this post under riflescopes, but moved it to reviews when I added review info earlier today.  In the move, part of the post was lost.  It's in the "ether" somewhere, but I can't find it...

KB: Now all I need is a PSG-1...

RC: Don't we all!

Edited by Kickboxer - January/14/2010 at 20:30
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2010 at 07:39
I don't know.  Many people WANT one, but I NEED one...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2010 at 17:54
German #1 reticle:
(this, BTW, is just a picture of a German #1 reticle, not the Kahles)


6x42.  I really like the way it adjusts.  Glass is superior.  Right now, I am considering going ahead and getting the rings and mounting it on my 30-06 BAR.  Not sure I have progressed in my patience training enough to wait until I get the .308.  I can find a .30-06 round ballistically similar enough to the .308 to make it workable.  
I have long heard that the ZF is the top of Kahles quality.  I believe it.  In a quick and dirty test in lowlight, the ZF (and it REALLY pains me to say this, REALLY) has a CLEAR edge over the Zeiss Victory Diavari at 6x.  I intend to evaluate it further, but under current cloud conditions (about 70% cover) and about 1 hour past sundown, I could be on target and shoot about 5-7 seconds faster with the Kahles than with the Zeiss.  Not a function of reticles, just a function of light transmission.  
As I said, it was Q&D and the Zeiss deserves a more scientific comparison.  However, I REALLY want to try this scope out on a rifle, now.  

Patience is learned, not granted...
Patience is learned, not granted...











Edited by Kickboxer - January/15/2010 at 08:04
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2010 at 22:03
The clouds have cleared, no moon, lots of stars.  Once again, advantage in very low light goes to the Kahles.  Not by much, but noticeably.  In this instance, it is more the reticles, at least sighting along the tree line.  Because the German #1 is so much thicker, I can pick it up in a very dark background.  I can see the reticle in the Diavari,  but the center point of the crosshair is lost... IOW,  I could still take a shot with the Kahles, I could not with the Diavari.  Sighting along the horizon, if a target were to present itself, either scope would be adequate to shoot.  
When I get a chance, I will compare the two using an optical resolution target...  

It's been a while since I used a German #1 and had forgotten some of the intricacies of that particular reticle.  I'll bet the Germans in WWII would have loved to have had one of these scopes, rather than the ones they had to deal with... and we would not have liked it at all.  The Kahles ZF 84 is contradiction in that it takes some of the very best glass and welds it with one of the worst (for overall long range accuracy) reticles.  The #1 is not what I would deem a "precision" reticle, but a "workman's" reticle  No doubt, one can be quite accurate with it, but precision will suffer after about 500 yards.  As I said, workman's reticle... it will certainly allow fast acquisition and, with familiarity, good 1st round hits.  The ZF 84 is calibrated and bullet drop compensated for 800meters, which fits nicely with the 7.62x51.  The zeroing "system" on the Kahles ZF 84 is similar to the old original German ZF 4, with some improvements, of course.  
Fast "on target" even in very low light which is certainly aided by the outstanding glass in this scope.  It is a shame that Kahles has suffered from poor marketing/sales in the US.  
Once I decide what I'm going to put this scope on, and whether I will give it a brief stint on the 30-06 BAR, I will post a Range Report.  As I explore the scope's characteristics and make static comparisons against other scopes, I will add to this review.  


Edited by Kickboxer - January/15/2010 at 08:08
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brodeur272 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/15/2010 at 10:36
I'm glad I had my #1 reticle changed to a #4.  But I'd like to find one of these to look at.  The only ones I've seen posted have been over in Israel.  I think there would be issues with shipping...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/15/2010 at 13:50
I read somewhere that the ones claiming to be from Israel were not really Kahles...  I got mine off the sample list...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/27/2010 at 18:14
Well, if I had known my 26mm rings were "custom" I would have ordered them a long time ago.  Ordered Monday, got a message today they were "custom".  2-6 weeks.  That REALLY SUCKS.  There is a conspiracy, I think promulgated by my wife, to "teach" me patience... IT ISN'T WORKING>>>
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2010 at 16:18
Daniel... translated means "God has judged".  I know I am truly blessed.  After just receiving a message on Wednesday that my rings were "custom" and would not arrive for MUCH longer (see above), I got them today...  HOW COOL IS THAT????

ZF84 is mounted on the BAR 30-06 and ready to be "tested".  I know, the BDC is calibrated for .308, but close enough for what I want to do right now.  

I have got to be the luckiest guy on earth...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2010 at 16:21
Congrats, get some pics up. lol

Edited by SVT_Tactical - January/29/2010 at 16:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SD Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2010 at 16:32
Those surprises are the best surprises.  One step closer to the PSG?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2010 at 17:06
THAT may be "luck too far"...  $10-12 grand for a rifle is probably not going to happen this year.  I have to wait until my daughter graduates from private high school before I can afford that kind of outlay.  

I don't really like the look of the ZF 84 on the BAR.  The Leatherwood M1000 looks much better on that rifle.  Not sure I will post a picture.  It is mounted because I just have to shoot something with it before I get an FNH FNAR, AR-10 or some similar rifle.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/01/2010 at 18:32
I fired the first shots with the Kahles mounted on the BAR.  It is REALLY tough to zero that scope not using a bench rest.  I was trying to do it alone using a 42" shooting stick... zero is not exactly the word I would use for my final result.  However, grouping were excellent.  I'm about a 1/2 in left and an inch high off a true zero right now, using 180gr Winchester Supreme Silver Tip.  I never boresighted and my longest shot from center was 4.5 inches left.  I really have to thank Chris and SWFA for continuing to send me these pre-boresighted scopes.  I just can't figure out how they are doing that.  Trying to zero that sucker on a shooting stick is beyond me, though.  I actually made my last adjustment using the seat of a lawn chair for stability.  All my stuff was put up and I was too lazy to drag it out.  Fun shooting though.  I really LIKE that scope...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/17/2015 at 10:23
Where would a Kahles Helia L rate in comparison to the scope you are talking about here?  A  26 mm tube...
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