Rifle Scopes Kahles K18i 1-8x24i 3GR Riflescope

[exoto1225]

I have not seen posts discussing this new Kahles scope, which I find exciting about.
It seems K18i fixed the weakness of k16i: the knob of illumination finally has "click" that can select level of brightness, also a "unique MAX LIGHT function" is mentioned on EO's website, not sure what this is.
any news or thoughts on this scope?

 

[Sincerd]

Looks sweet. I always preferred it over vortex 1-6x

 

[exoto1225]

ok, so not a lot of people are interested in K18i . My friend said he looked through one and it has pretty serious CA as all Kahles lines of products.

 

[koshkin]

Seemed like a very nice scope if SFP 1-8x is what you are looking for.

Ilya

 

[Ponyboy96]

I think the SFP is what’s hurting it imo. 1-8 is great, but 1-10 is more

 

[Chasing3]

I think the K16i was fine and the best of all the 1-6’s scopes.

 

[CSTactical]

I'm sure the K18i will be an excellent LPVO, I'd like to see one in person

 

[Nick_S]

why is the illumination know on the k16 its weakness?

 

[Glassaholic]

Kahles seems to be a day late and a dollar short with their new releases the past couple of years. Don't get me wrong, I think they are making fantastic scopes, the problem is the competition is also one upping them of late. When they introduced the new K525i and K318i, ZCO also introduced the ZC527 and ZC420 which are arguably better optically and FOV (for about the same price when they were first introduced). Now Kahles introduces the K18i but Nightforce already has a couple successful 1-8's and Vortex announces the Gen III 1-10. Kahles is capable of making amazing scopes but their innovation seems to be a step behind the competition.

That being said, the K18i sounds like it will be a very compelling SFP LPVO option. I believe ILya is going to try and review some of the latest LPVO options that have been introduced later this year. I am really looking forward to that.

 

[Burdy]

@exoto1225 As a K16i owner and LPVO fanatic, I ran over to Kahles at SHOT show to check this one out. There are no "clicks" on the illumination adjustment until you hit the "Max" setting. They are now numbered but it is still a rheostat design. The "Max" light button, was just that. This was, at least without one to compare side by side, NX8 level bright, and I have owned a couple of those as well. The wonderful K16i 1x eyebox seemed to be improved, which is quite impressive, and the 3GR reticle I felt was larger and more visible than that in the K16i, a notion I confirmed once I found a K6i on the floor to compare side by side. As I have said many times before, through 2019 I believe the K16i to be the best LPVO on the market, but the Vortex, from what I have seen is going to give it a run for its money.

The only thing I wish the K18i had was the "fin" throw lever from the K16i, instead of that huge one they put on the K18i and I wish the 3GR had it's mils numbered. For those that prefer FFP, the Kahles will not even be looked at. For those that want the most red-dot like 1x experience, I have yet to see any LPVO that is better although I have not spent any time with the S&B's. My K16i has gone easily to 800y on full IPSC on a 13.7" 5.56 and I ring 50% torso's at 500y with ease, not sure what else you need from a LPVO.

Not sure if my AAdland caps from my K16i will fit on the K18i but if they do, I will likely make the switch. If not, I still think the K16i hits a spot no one else has found...yet.

 

[Glassaholic]

@exoto1225 As a K16i owner and LPVO fanatic, I ran over to Kahles at SHOT show to check this one out. There are no "clicks" on the illumination adjustment until you hit the "Max" setting. They are now numbered but it is still a rheostat design. The "Max" light button, was just that. This was, at least without one to compare side by side, NX8 level bright, and I have owned a couple of those as well. The wonderful K16i 1x eyebox seemed to be improved, which is quite impressive, and the 3GR reticle I felt was larger and more visible than that in the K16i, a notion I confirmed once I found a K6i on the floor to compare side by side. As I have said many times before, through 2019 I believe the K16i to be the best LPVO on the market, but the Vortex, from what I have seen is going to give it a run for its money.

The only thing I wish the K18i had was the "fin" throw lever from the K16i, instead of that huge one they put on the K18i and I wish the 3GR had it's mils numbered. For those that prefer FFP, the Kahles will not even be looked at. For those that want the most red-dot like 1x experience, I have yet to see any LPVO that is better although I have not spent any time with the S&B's. My K16i has gone easily to 800y on full IPSC on a 13.7" 5.56 and I ring 50% torso's at 500y with ease, not sure what else you need from a LPVO.

Not sure if my AAdland caps from my K16i will fit on the K18i but if they do, I will likely make the switch. If not, I still think the K16i hits a spot no one else has found...yet.
View attachment 7238325

Nice rig Burdy, but curious, isn't the K16i a true 1x and if so why do you also have an RDS on it in the picture?

 

[Burdy]

Nice rig Burdy, but curious, isn't the K16i a true 1x and if so why do you also have an RDS on it in the picture?

Great question. Yes it is a true 1x and probably one of the best 1x views on the market. If you notice, my mount is extraordinarily low, at 1.125" high because I put priority into the longer 500-600y stages of Run&Gun events. I want a really good cheek weld while I am attempting those shots, usually exhausted, unsupported and shaking and having the scope low helps me greatly there. However, because of that, the LPVO is a bit low for quick, close up hosing, so I go to the DPP which, because my scope mount is so low, sits at a very comfortable, heads up 2.5" high. It's worked well for me so far. It could be said since I want to run a setup like this, that perhaps a FFP LPVO with less emphasis on 1x and more on 6, 8 or 10x would be a better option, and I can not necessarily argue with that. Weight is a factor when carrying 20+lbs for 10k so the 16.9 ounces of the K16i still wins out for me at this point, but like they say, the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.

 

[koshkin]

Great question. Yes it is a true 1x and probably one of the best 1x views on the market. If you notice, my mount is extraordinarily low, at 1.125" high because I put priority into the longer 500-600y stages of Run&Gun events. I want a really good cheek weld while I am attempting those shots, usually exhausted, unsupported and shaking and having the scope low helps me greatly there. However, because of that, the LPVO is a bit low for quick, close up hosing, so I go to the DPP which, because my scope mount is so low, sits at a very comfortable, heads up 2.5" high. It's worked well for me so far. It could be said since I want to run a setup like this, that perhaps a FFP LPVO with less emphasis on 1x and more on 6, 8 or 10x would be a better option, and I can not necessarily argue with that. Weight is a factor when carrying 20+lbs for 10k so the 16.9 ounces of the K16i still wins out for me at this point, but like they say, the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.

That's an interesting setup. I do a similar thing with conventional scopes like SWFA UL mounted somewhat low in split rings, but I use an offset RDS. I'll try to piggyback it.

ILya

 

[YammyMonkey]

Personally, I'm willing to give up some top end for lighter weight, better glass, and higher overall quality.

I run an RMR on a 45° mount as my primary close range sight & keep the K16i at max power on my work gun. If I need to transition, it happens quickly. Much more so than reaching up & twisting the mag fin.

 

[Burdy]

That's an interesting setup. I do a similar thing with conventional scopes like SWFA UL mounted somewhat low in split rings, but I use an offset RDS. I'll try to piggyback it.

ILya

I much prefer it piggybacked as it's usable support side and also sometimes sees over barriers that are otherwise blocking your LPVO for shots that may only have a muzzle slot. Having an option of positioning my head simply high or low has seemed to solve a multitude of puzzles for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[koshkin]

I much prefer it piggybacked as it's usable support side and also sometimes sees over barriers that are otherwise blocking your LPVO for shots that may only have a muzzle slot. Having an option of positioning my head simply high or low has seemed to solve a multitude of puzzles for me. Your mileage may vary.

I tried a piggybacked sight on my Elcan, but that gets it too high. It works, but not optimal. With a lower mounted scope, it might work better.

Maybe I should just try a cheek riser with the Elcan.

Ilya

 

[leeb10]

Great question. Yes it is a true 1x and probably one of the best 1x views on the market. If you notice, my mount is extraordinarily low, at 1.125" high because I put priority into the longer 500-600y stages of Run&Gun events. I want a really good cheek weld while I am attempting those shots, usually exhausted, unsupported and shaking and having the scope low helps me greatly there. However, because of that, the LPVO is a bit low for quick, close up hosing, so I go to the DPP which, because my scope mount is so low, sits at a very comfortable, heads up 2.5" high. It's worked well for me so far. It could be said since I want to run a setup like this, that perhaps a FFP LPVO with less emphasis on 1x and more on 6, 8 or 10x would be a better option, and I can not necessarily argue with that. Weight is a factor when carrying 20+lbs for 10k so the 16.9 ounces of the K16i still wins out for me at this point, but like they say, the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.

That is exactly the setup that I’m thinking of moving to next: a lower mounted, high mag. optic and a 12 o clock red dot on top. I’ve tried a 1.93 1-8 (Minox ZP8) but found the weight distribution for such a high mounted variable to cause the rifle to want to “roll”. Also battery life for illumination on even the best lpvo pale in comparison to an rds. I really like the idea of these dual mag setup. I just wish the market offered more quality fixed 6-10x power options with good eye boxes to further improve upon weight and cost.