Kahles Helia S 8x42
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 18.5 mm
Useable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 15.5 mm
IPD: 56 – 74 mm
RFOV: 7.8 degrees = 136 m
AFOV: 61 degrees
Minimum focus distance (measured): 3.0 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Range of diopter adjustment: +/- 4 dpt
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position: 5 dpt*
Prism system: Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyecaps, objective covers and strap): 879 g
Made in: Austria (?)
*irrespective of position of dpt adjustment
Below some personal reflections on Kahles in general and Helia S in particular.:
As far as I am aware, Kahles, founded in 1898, has never been a big name in binoculars. But as mentioned here before, it has been, and still is, a big name in riflescopes: A number of inventions made over the years bear Kahles’ name, and Kahles competes at a high level with the other big names in the industry.
But if you are not familiar with the hunting trade, chances are you may not have heard the name “Kahles”, a subsidiary enterprise of Swarovski for many years now. I myself became aware of it only in 2013, when I realized that a large Swiss trading company imported binoculars under the Kahles brand into Switzerland, and I ordered two models, first an 8x42 and later an 8x32.
They looked quite “old-fashioned”, certainly different from the other binoculars I had at the time. Judging from the brochures that accompanied the binoculars, I assumed they were made in Austria - an error that Jan and John Roberts Jan pointed out in posts # 28 and 30 above (the imprints on the box were in fact “Kahles Austria”, not “made in Austria”, so I should have known better). Their production was apparently outsourced to someone (Kamakura?) in Japan.
I found the Kahles 8x42 and 8x32 to be solid, well-built binos with modest fields of view and an average image quality; nothing much to write home about. For what they are, they were certainly overpriced in my view. It is my assumption that Kahles just wanted to have some binoculars in their program so that they could supply customers of their riflescopes if they asked for binos; these were clearly below the optical quality of e.g. Swarovski’s instruments (but in terms of price, they were comparable).
Then, in 2016, the Kahles Helia was introduced. A much more modern look, a fashionable open bridge design, and optically quite a step ahead (still not Swarovski quality) – only, these Helia binos were nothing specific “Kahles” anymore. The exactly same instruments with partially different external features are being sold under the names of Kite (Belgium) and DDoptics (Germany); it is a well-known fact that they are all produced in Japan. How successful Kahles is with these Helia models I have no idea, those from Kite and DDoptics have been on the market for a number of years and seem to be selling okay.
In 2021, another chapter starts with the introduction of the Helia “S”. It appears that the Austrian company Kahles for the first time sells binoculars made (fully or partially?) in Austria. Whether Swarovski produces these for Kahles, as John Roberts suspects, or what other arrangements there are, I don’t know. What I do know is that the Helia “S” is a rebranded, externally only slightly modified SLC. The mechanics and optics of the 8x42 look EXACTLY like in the SLC to me, objective lenses, coatings, eyepieces are identical. In the field, the – wonderfully bright and crisp – image is the same as in the SLC.
I don’t know what Swarovski’s strategy with the “SLC turned Helia S” is. With its price, the Helia S competes even above the level of the like of Conquest HD, Trinovid HD, Trinovid 8x40 ("Retrovid"), GPO Passion, etc. Why would customers not familiar with the Kahles brand choose the brown-armoured Helia S (most people probably will not know that this I a rebranded SLC) and not something better known ?
Those who do know, however, and who are looking for an “SLC type” binocular – high central sharpness, large sweet spot, not flat-field with a very acceptable off-axis sharpness, bright image, low CA, very little glare (!) – may find the Helia S a very good choice.
I personally don’t like the orange striped armour, both its color and its haptics; the neckstrap looks trendy but is unpractical in my view.
The Helia S comes with eyecaps and (tightly fitting) objective covers, but neither a bag nor a case are included, so you have to look for your own way to carry and store.
But ignore everything I just criticized and look THROUGH the Helia S – those who liked the SLC will almost certainly like the Helia S.
fwiw Canip
