Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Kahles KXi 3.5-10x50 opinions

I just finished testing this scope and while I working on the write-up I figured I should get a couple of threads going on the impressions of those who have them.

With the Euro being pretty weak, I am guessing that more of these should be out there now.

ILya

I have one of the non illuminated versions. It is one of my favorites, it sets atop a MRC 1999 in 300 win mag in a McMillan stock. It's been there, done that, killed a lot of stuff, near and far. I wish I had another one or two. My other scopes are Leupys and Conquests, no complaints on them, but I like the Kahles a little better.

Thanks for chiming in. I was beginning to wonder if there are any of these out there.

The basic design has been around for a little bit, starting life as Kahles American Hunter a while back. However, they tweaked a few things on it to make it better optically and added illumination.

I like that it is pretty compact despite a largish 50mm objective lens and has just about the widest FOV out there. Also, the illumination is really nicely done which is not very common on 1" scopes.

Bottom line is that I liked the scope enough for it to find a permanent place on my 280Rem.

ILya

When do you think the write up will be done? I look forward to reading it.

It will likely take me another week or two. I'll post a link here once I am done.

ILya

I have an older Kahles 3.5-10x50 American 1 inch tube, its been back to first Swarovksi, and now Kahles about 5 times. The original reticle was too thin, last trip I had them repair it and add a #4, like it better. So why do I keep fixing it? Well because I like the view and I have killed 2 pickup truck beds full of deer and pigs with it. Sentimental I guess. I am sure the KXi is better than the one I have. I am going to try the NF x42 next as I am tired of fixing the usual variables.

Never understood the appeal of a 50mm obj on a 1" tube. When I want a 1" scope it's for lightweight and compact.

Everything is a compromise. A typical reason for a 50mm tube is to accomodate for low light conditions. There is no compelling reason why it can not be done with a 1" tube, like Kahles has.

I do not think anyone looking for the absolute smallest scope will be shopping for a KXi. However, it is easily one of the smaller 50mm obective scopes out there and definitely the smallest 50mm scope with an illuminated reticle that I can think of.

ILya

no words of Wisdom on a 50mm and 1 inch tube, but there is nothing to understand other than I wanted to have one and have shot a lot of animals with it. Do the 50's break more easily? Maybe, but I have used it a lot as well.

IIRC I have broken at least once every single variable scope I have ever owned with one exception, which sucked optically, but maybe they fixed that now (older NXS1-4).

Get out and shoot your guns, burn some powder, break some scopes, more fun to do, than to discuss.

+1. Especially when most any $500 1" tube scope will get you past legal shooting times anyway.

The 50mm scopes do not break any more easily than any others. It sorta comes down to how a scope is built.

I have seen a fair amount of stuff take a dive and I can't easily correlate it to size or weight. The only Kahles that crapped out on me some years ago was a CL 3-9x42 which as fixed, although the distributor at the time (Legacy Sports) did not exactly distinguished itself.

The last scope I had to send in for repair was a tiny Burris Compact 4x20 that was still made in the US. It finally gave up the ghost, but Burris had it back to me in less than two weeks.

Overall, I have definitely seen more broken variable scopes than fixed power scopes, but I have generally seen a lot more variable scopes than fixed power scopes, so that is not surprising.

Oh, and all the new NXS scopes I have seen looked like the glass was improved.

ILya

My Kahles CL 3-10X50 is lighter by a half ounce and fits in the same mounts as a Zeiss 3X9X40 Conquest. Not too many people complain about the Zeiss being too heavy.

I do agree with you on a lot of 50mm scopes though.

Not only the weight but the bulk. I use 1" tubes on small lightweight rifles so not only is weight an issue but size. Don't get me wrong, I've got several 50mm tubes but prefer the Swaro Z6 or Zeiss Diavari with 30mm tubes on larger guns where I feel a 50mm works. Just my opinion and that's what I like.

I've always been impressed with Kahles scopes and own several, in spite of the issues they've had with maintaining a consistent (and in some cases, even competent) US distributor. I have no doubt this scope is fantastic, as their previous AH, KX, and CL 1" tube scopes were all very nice.

That said, 50mm has become my own personal upper limit in objective diameter on a hunting rifle, and I'd prefer no larger than 42/44mm. The scopes I tend to gravitate toward for BG hunting almost always top out at no more than 10X (if a variable), and except for specialized applications like night hunting, I don't personally think scopes in that category really need 50mm+ objectives. I've never seen any low light performance limitation during legal shooting hours with any high quality 42mm scope at the magnifications I'll be using for BG hunting. My personal "rule of thumb" is I don't want the scope's objective bell being wider than my rifle's forend. Some of that is admittedly based on subjective aesthetics for me, but a trim scope also slides in and out of a rifle scabbard more easily without snagging. Moreover, I'd just prefer not to have anything attached to my rifles that project any further in any direction than necessary for good function.

The 50mm objective on this scope wouldn't prevent me from buying it if I liked it otherwise, and it is compact for its mag range and objective size, but I'd still prefer it was a 42mm scope.

Being a fan of mid range compact variables, I realize I don't fall into the "more is better" buyer mentality these days as far as scopes are concerned. I can't blame Kahles for trying to offer what sells or doing what is necessary to meet their design goals.

That is a very cogent argument.

As I said, to each his own. I generally prefer trim and reasonably lightweight scopes, but as you correctly pointed out it all comes down to application.

The KXi hits a lot of buttons really well in my opinion, but for a lot of applications a 50mm objective bell is not necessary.

That having been said, there is clearly a market out there for scopes that are optimized for low light. For example, I am pretty certain that out of a full line-up of Meopta Meostar R1 scopes, the 3-12x56 is by far the best selling model both world wide and in the US.

With Kahles, their newest 30mm scopes are Helia 5 and they are clearly configured differently, since the general purpose Helia 5 is 1.6-8x42 and the low light specialist is 2.4-12x56, both illuminated.

I have not tested Helia 5 yet, but I will soon enough.

With KXi, since it is the only 1" scope they bring to the US at the moment, I am not surprised that it is a 50mm design. That has become more or less the "norm" these days and since the KXi is pretty trim, I expect the to do well with it.

One thing I find interesting is that they do make a 3-9x42 non-illuminated KX for other markets. I wonder if I can somehow convince them to resurrect the 2-7x36 model and import it here...

ILya

Here is the finished article:

http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=1415

ILya

ILya:

A great review, and well done. I can see why you like
the Kahles so much.

I have a KX 3-9x42, and really like it for a very nice,
sharp, and bright view.

Good stuff as usual ILya.

Thank You, Gentlemen.

I plan to go shoot an Axis deer with this rifle next year some time.

Between now and then, I will shoot a lot of ammo through this rifle, so we'll see how the Kahles holds up.

ILya

Thanks for the write up. I will reiterate that I love mine. My favorite scope. It never moves, always stays sighted it. Been to Africa and back and still untouched. With any luck it will put down a nice whitetail this November.