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Comparing my Kahles CL and New Monarch |
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chasw
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/03/2007 Location: Seattle USA Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: December/09/2007 at 18:21 |
I have a new barrel for my Contender carbine, 24" tapered stainless in 7-30W. Shoots tiny groups with 120 grain Ballistic Tips, just the ticket for our local Blacktail deer. I wanted a big scope for this little rifle, so I ordered a Nikon New Monarch 2.5-10X50. Very well made in almost every respect, the Monarch has first class adjustments, big bright image, etc. The eye box has more room fore and aft and side to side, than any scope I've ever laid eyes on.
The only problem is resolving power. I cannot make out bullet holes at 100 yds at 10X. NFG! In this respect, my Weaver Grand Slam 6-18X40 is better, no doubt due to its adjustable objective focus. Nevertheless, I expect a fixed focus scope with parallax set at 100 yds to have excellent resolution at that range. The Monarch definitely falls short, IMO. To make amends, I ordered a Kahles 4-12X52 CL model with no 4 reticle, 1" tube. I didn't want to be disappointed again. It arrived, I mounted it on the 7-30W barrel, took it to the range yesterday and can offer the following comparisons between the two products:
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Welcome to The OT and thank you for your review, CW.
What type of reticle does the Monarch in your test have?
Has any one beside you looked through your scope @ 100 yards?
If so, I assume they had the same problem as you?
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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chasw
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/03/2007 Location: Seattle USA Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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CT: To answer your question, the Monarch has the standard Nikoplex reticle. The
comparison's of optical performance are based on my own perception. I haven't asked anyone
else to take a look, side by side at 100 yds.
Personally, I'm wondering if Nikon compromised on the quality of the glass in order to meet a certain price point and afford the improvements in other areas of performance, esp the 4 times zoom. Do the Monarch Gold and Monarch X lines have superior glass finishing compared to the standard Monarch? That's probably a dumb question, but I'm still wondering if the primary difference between resolving power of the New Monarch and the Kahles Helia CL stems from lens quality or simply the fact that the Helia has an adjustable objective focus. Nikon is renowned for the quality of their lenses, so how is it their newest hot product falls so short in that dept? What do others think? - CW |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I have two UCC Monarchs and, unless they have made drastic changes in the glass, there is no comparison. My Kahles is superior in contrast, resolution and brightness. Nice report and welcome to O.T., BTW Edited by tahqua - December/10/2007 at 13:21 |
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medic52
Optics Professional Joined: October/05/2006 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 893 |
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I'm considering the Kahles 4x12 Helia CL from the sample list. Glad to hear your report...
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"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." G.K. Chesterton
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gotcha21
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/25/2007 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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I have the previous generation Monarch's UCC with the 3x erector assembly, and compared to my Kahles Ah, the Kahles is definately better in every way optically. My cousin has one of the newest Monarchs and to both of us we can't tell much of a difference between the older version, except as noted from the above posts- longer eye relief, 4x vs. 3x etc. It seems that the same glass and coatings are used in the new version as well.
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TheDrakeTaker
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/21/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 201 |
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The Kahles is better because of the glass. Far superior to the nikon. After owning a Kahles for awhile, it is hard for me to look through other scopes.
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Robert
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Focus
Optics Master Conquistador!! Joined: June/05/2007 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 1006 |
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+1... I've always said....its a lot easier to climb the optics quality ladder than it is to come back down. Once spoiled you are never satisfied again. Focus |
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If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting...... |
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