Kahles Scopes...who has them?

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A acquaintance of mine is trying to sell a Kahles scope....and of course he thinks that I should buy it from him. He's telling me that it's ultra-high end...same ballpark as a Zeiss or Swarovski.

I did a bit of research on Wholesale's website (even if I hate their customer service, I do find that they stock a lot of products so I can comparison shop), and they are indeed retailing for the same kind of prices as a Zeiss.

My question is...who's used them?

I'm assuming that a high-end Austrian-made scope is going to have amazing optics, great mechanical components, and will make me spit in the general direction of lesser optical devices. But what about durability? Warranty service? Things like that.
 
Some Kahles scopes were used as sniper scopes. I have seen the 6x ones floating around occasionally. They look like they are ww2 vintage stuff but the optics are very clear (at least the two I looked through). I think that unless your friend is giving you a really good price (read Approx 50% off) save your pennies and buy the exact model scope you are looking for. Once you decide to invest in a high end scope you should really just get what you want.
 
Kahles is (was?) made by Swarovski; Hensoldt is made by Zeiss...
Kahles turns up as a military scope frequently... as does Hensoldt....

I doubt if there is a lot of difference between all 4 ...but when buying used get a good deal like Glock4ever says. The S&B is in the same league and also worth looking at..used or new depending on the cost...
 
Camera Land one of cgn's sponcers lists Kahles scope. See the banner at top of page.
 
Kahles scopes are probably the most under-appreciated make out there. The optics are superb, even (or perhaps especially :)) in the ones made years ago.

I have never had one fail.

They cost two ro three times what we usually purchase, but are cheaper in the long run.

Ted
 
Kahles is a cheaper version of Swarovski.
They almost identical, difference is in coating.
Swarovski has Swarotop coating and better coil spring system.
IMO, Kahles is one of the best, rugged and good hunting scope
for all conditions, for price of 25% less then Swarovski.
 
My thought exactly. Where did he get that information?

Kahles is affiliated with Swaro, but hardly a cheaper version.

The optics in every one of mine are/were better than any of my Leupolds and just as good as the Swaro PH I had.

Ted
 
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I've got a Kahles Helia L 8X56, Optics are excellent, shooting at dusk is no problem, it's almost like night vision it's that bright. I rank it right up there with Swarovski anyday.
 
Kahles Scopes

I have one of the Kahles ZFM 6 X 42 scopes on my SSG-69 PII and I really like it. This is the second SSG-69 I have owned and they both had Kahles scopes. My first gun came from Jeff Cooper, it was the earlier green model and I made the mistake of trading it for a number of guns.
Took quite some time to find a replacement, and even longer to find the Kahles ZFM 6 X 42 scope.
I don't think it is inferior to the Swarovski, just another line of optics, owned by Swarovski.
 
Some should make their homework first!

Taken from another page:

KAHLES invented the riflescope as we know it today. In fact, they produced their first riflescope in 1898. But that�s only the beginning of a story steep in ongoing history of innovation and quality standards that has been pushing this industry to new levels for over 100 years. Some of the KAHLES benchmarks in history, innovation and quality standards have been:

� The world�s oldest riflescope manufacturer (1898)
� First riflescope with adjustable ballistic drop
compensation (patent 1904)
� First waterproof riflescope using O-Rings (1960)
� First multi-coated riflescope in series production(1972)
� Industry leading features including compactness, edge
resolution and wide field-of-view
� Digital illuminating glass etched reticles
� Adjustable Multiple Zero ballistic turrets
Each generation of the KAHLES family made their contribution to the KAHLES Company, the best in it�s time. This commitment to absolute quality and the constant search for inventive, yet at the same time user friendly solutions, has made KAHLES a leading optical manufacturer for more than a century. Today this dedication represents the company�s commitment to reliability, outstanding image quality and clean ergonomic design. KAHLES products are the best of their time and continue to set standards that others strive for.
 
albayo said:
I have one of the Kahles ZFM 6 X 42 scopes on my SSG-69 PII and I really like it. This is the second SSG-69 I have owned and they both had Kahles scopes. My first gun came from Jeff Cooper, it was the earlier green model and I made the mistake of trading it for a number of guns.
Took quite some time to find a replacement, and even longer to find the Kahles ZFM 6 X 42 scope.
I don't think it is inferior to the Swarovski, just another line of optics, owned by Swarovski.
Click to expand...

Wish I could find some surplus ZF95 scopes (6 or 10x) for a good price. Alas, it is not to be.
 
Slightly off topic ..but the US military (Army and/or Marines ?) are switching from Unertl to S&B variables...
 
Well, here's what the khales 3 -9 has done for me, Nuff said.
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I picked up an old Helia-Super fixed 4X (made in 1966) and the glass is very clear for it's age. I think I need to have a variable one now too!
 
I have a Khales ZF 69 6X42. It has a one piece 26 mm steel tube, and has a ballistic cam consistent with the 168 gr .308. The turrets are the external tactical style. The optics are very clear, I would say as good as the optics on my much newer Schmidt and Bender PMII when the latter is set at 6X. The reticle is a heavy plex with a medium cross hair in the center. The adjustments remain crisp, and the scope has seen much use. If I have a complaint, the scope is old school, so the image moves as you make adjustments, but I understand this is not the case with Khales newer products.

Edited to add . . .

I also have a pair of newer Khales 8X32 binoculars. These are as good as anything I've seen.
 
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