Kahles Helia S 10x42 vs Zeis Conquest 10x42 (1 Viewer)

[Hatim]

Zeis Conquest 10x42 vs Kahles Helia S 10x42

Since there are almost no binocular shops more around here in Norway, I ordered two bins, Zeis Conquest 10x42 and Kahles Helia S 10x42 with in mind to keep one and send the other back.
Kahles is the budget Swarovski line and the Kahles Helia S (Euro 1149,-) you can compare with the Swarovski SLC.
At most points I liked the Kahles better. Focusing was easier, smoother. Ergonomics were better, easier to hold it steady. The view is bigger and more depth.
Most important for me was the Kahles was easier on the eye relief. With the Conquest I keep fiddling to find the right position for my eyes, but kept having these dark spots around the edges.
The Zeis shines in its colours thought. Sharp and very natural colours. The colours on the Kahles were a little bit warmer/creamer or technically, it filtered out some blue.
The Conquest had a little bit of purple fringing ,while the Kahles had a tiny, just a tiny bit of green fringing on the left side of things.
So although I liked the colours on the Conquest better, I decided to keep the Kahles. It is just easier to handle, very pleasant to look through, great big view, easy to focus. And although the Zeis was great in it’s colour, it disappointed me a bit on the focus and fringing, but most of all the sensitive eye relief.

So I will be happily keeping the Kahles Helia S 10x42

 

[Samolot]

Nice comparison. I never handled the Helia, but if its an SLC clone, then yes I have. Eyecups are way better. Zeiss makes longer eyecups for the Conquest HD line to obviate the issue you mentioned with eye relief. They send them to owners free of charge. I am not sure why they won't just include it in the packaging. I have them on my 8x42's and its a different binocular - very easy and comfortable to look through.

Congrats on the Kahles!

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

The KAHLES is the SLC but now with a different name. It is, as far as I know even made by Swarovski in Absam.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[Troubador]

Eyecups are way better. Zeiss makes longer eyecups for the Conquest HD line to obviate the issue you mentioned with eye relief. They send them to owners free of charge. I am not sure why they won't just include it in the packaging.

I have no inside information on this but two things occur to me. First is that people have a huge variety of face shapes with eyes that can be sunken or seeming to pop out of their sockets. Second is that if customers have to ask Zeiss for the longer eyecups it enables Zeiss to gather statistics on what proportion of the binoculars-buying market have this problem and this could aid future eyecup design.

Lee

 

[safaridreaming]

The KAHLES is the SLC but now with a different name. It is, as far as I know even made by Swarovski in Absam.
Gijs van Ginkel

I’ve been considering the 10x42 as i missed purchasing those in the SLC branding but I’m struggling to get past the colour of the Kahles and that orange strip!!

 

[tenex]

Second is that if customers have to ask Zeiss for the longer eyecups it enables Zeiss to gather statistics on what proportion of the binoculars-buying market have this problem and this could aid future eyecup design.

Or not, if it strikes them as too few. The difference is only a couple of millimeters, so why not just provide it? Perhaps they worry that most people would then need to use them one click in, and that's too hard to figure out? (And not just Zeiss of course.)

I’ve been considering the 10x42 as i missed purchasing those in the SLC branding but I’m struggling to get past the colour of the Kahles and that orange strip!!

The Kahles sadly also has no case. You could consider pre-owned, especially with Swarovski's wonderful service to restore them as needed.

 

[Troubador]

Or not, if it strikes them as too few. The difference is only a couple of millimeters, so why not just provide it? Perhaps they worry that most people would then need to use them one click in, and that's too hard to figure out? (And not just Zeiss of course.)

Yes! And it could mean that spectacle wearers might not be able to see the full field of view.

Lee

 

[tenex]

Yes! And it could mean that spectacle wearers might not be able to see the full field of view.

I don't see why... presumably the cups would still retract fully.

 

[Ratal]

I’ve been considering the 10x42 as i missed purchasing those in the SLC branding but I’m struggling to get past the colour of the Kahles and that orange strip!!

Get some camouflage / green tape and wrap them up. The 10x42 Kahles is excellent bang for buck bino, and the lads and ladies on the estates I frequent, they swear by them.

 

[lilcrazy2]

I see that Kahles has a Helia (open bridge) and the Helia S. If the Helia S is the equivalent of the Swaro SLC, then what is the open bridge Helia the equivalent of?

 

[Nethero]

I see that Kahles has a Helia (open bridge) and the Helia S. If the Helia S is the equivalent of the Swaro SLC, then what is the open bridge Helia the equivalent of?

It is the Leupold BX-5 in another coat.

Also, from Pinac AKA Canip “Belgian Kite Ibis and the German DDoptics EDX”.

Kahles Helia 8×42 – Binoculars Today

 

[Ted Y.]

The view is bigger and more depth.

Please explain "more depth".

The Conquest had a little bit of purple fringing ,while the Kahles had a tiny, just a tiny bit of green fringing on the left side of things

In what conditions is this happening?

Also, how about the warranty of Kahles Helia S 10x42?

 

[Troubador]

I don't see why... presumably the cups would still retract fully.

I think that would require quite a complex eyecup with 3 components 'telescoping' in and out of each other, which would make it harder to provide several reliable height settings and also require more expensive moulds to produce.

 

[Richard D]

Also, how about the warranty of Kahles Helia S 10x42?

10 years in the EU and UK at least - basically it's the same as Swarovski's warranty.