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Kahles Helia 3-9x42

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South Pender View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2019 at 21:22
Originally posted by mike650 mike650 wrote:

What reticle are you looking at for both scopes??

Well the used Kahles has the duplex reticle, which would be fine.  With the Swarovski Z3, I'd probably opt for the 4A.


Edited by South Pender - July/19/2019 at 23:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2019 at 23:25
My Kahles 4a reticle pops, brings your eye right to the center. I haven’t seen the Kahles plex but seen the z3 with 4a, I’d lean in that direction but that’s just me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2019 at 08:43
Originally posted by South Pender South Pender wrote:

That's interesting, Ted.  Aside from these differences in turret design, how would you rate the Kahles Helia scopes vs. the Swarovski Z3s in terms of optical quality?  Specifically, how would the Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 compare optically to the Kahles 3-9x42 under discussion?

Optically, you’d be splitting hairs. Some eyes will prefer one over the other and vice-versa. I don’t recall thinking one was clearly superior over the other, and would have to do some very critical, controlled side by side comparisons to declare a “winner.” I’m just not all that interested in doing that because both are so good optically that optics were never a consideration for purchasing scopes from each series for me. Besides just enjoying variety and wanting scopes from each series, the specific combinations of size, weight, price, and reticle choice were the determining factors for what scope I selected for what rifle. I never gave a second thought to optics because I always knew both series would be plenty impressive. 

In your specific case, unless the asking price on the Kahles is really low, I would choose the Swaro Z3 3-9x36 in 4a reticle based mainly on reticle. I don’t care for the Kahles plex reticle. It’s too thin for my tastes and is a little hard to see in early dawn/late dusk against certain backgrounds. You can aim just as precisely with the 4a yet it’s much bolder and more visible in low light. I also tend to prefer lighter, more compact scopes on hardcore hunting rifles, and that little Swaro Z3 3-9x36 is my favorite of their 1” tubed scopes for that reason. For the same reason, my favorite 1” tube Kahles is the 2-7x36 CL.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2019 at 09:58
Thanks, Ted and Mike.  That really helps.  I think I'll go with the Z3 and the 4a reticle for this hunting rig.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2019 at 11:14
I'm a fan of the Z3 in3-9x36

I bought 2 infact. Though for me I would like the slightly bigger objective of the Kahles but as others have said, difficult to go wrong with either...
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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