Should I trade my ZCO527 for Khales 540i

[Jrgasser]

I have a ZCO527 on my ATXC and recently purchased a Khales 328i for another set up and really enjoyed the LSW and felt the eyebox is better.

I haven’t had a chance to look through the 540 yet and found some forums saying the IQ on the 328 was better than the 540.

Has anyone compared the 328 and 540 or the 540 to the ZCO527? Considering trading/selling the ZCO and grabbing a 540.

 

[inertia]

I have both. Don't do it. The image is breathtaking but the mechanical problems with the dlr elevation turrets are just starting to come to light. I have had 2 540s that don't track right. I would bet a lot of others have the problem and just haven't tested for it. Everytime I look through it I wish I could keep them but I won't ever trust Kahles again.

 

[OREGUN]

No

 

[Jrgasser]

I have both. Don't do it. The image is breathtaking but the mechanical problems with the dlr elevation turrets are just starting to come to light. I have had 2 540s that don't track right. I would bet a lot of others have the problem and just haven't tested for it. Everytime I look through it I wish I could keep them but I won't ever trust Kahles again.

I actually just found out about this today. I haven’t seen any negative reviews/discussions about them until I talked to a dealer. Does the 328 not have the same issues? Part of me wants to chance it because I like the 328 so much lol did Kahles get yours fixed up?

 

[ocabj]

I have both. Don't do it. The image is breathtaking but the mechanical problems with the dlr elevation turrets are just starting to come to light. I have had 2 540s that don't track right. I would bet a lot of others have the problem and just haven't tested for it. Everytime I look through it I wish I could keep them but I won't ever trust Kahles again.

That's really unfortunate. The K525i (non-DLR) was renowned for tracking.

 

[Soulezoo]

I have the 525i and the 540i (non-dlr).
The 540 has better optical quality than the 525. I don't know if it's ZCO level though. The FOV is really a big deal. For me that more than makes up any difference in the quality. Only your eyes can decide. I can say I can use a little higher magnification in mirage than with the 525i.
I've not had any tracking issues at all with mine. It's mounted on AXSR in .300 PRC.

 

[Jrgasser]

The 540 has better optical quality than the 525. I don't know if it's ZCO level though. The FOV is really a big deal.

So my 328i is very comparable to my ZCO 527 optical quality. I would actually say the colors are better and more saturated. There was a little more contrast in the ZCO on dark surfaces but it was negligible. The FOV is what got me wanting to get rid of my ZCO and get the 540. The eyebox on the 328 was also better than the ZCO once I got the proper eye relief set up. I’m definitely thinking about changing it since I’ve seen/heard mixed reviews on issues and not having issues.

 

[JaoeyP]

I've got a K540i on order and have been using a ZC0 527 on my match rifle for the last 3 seasons. I'm infatuated with the image quality of the K540i (you can find threads where I've pushed that narrative hard enough I've been accused of being a Kahles shill and/or Kahles ball gargler). I'm going to keep my ZCO as a backup at least for a while. The K540i is a new product and design that may have some flaws come to light after a larger quantity starts to see serious match use and unfortunately they have to be sent overseas for service. Not telling you to keep or sell the ZCO, but it's never a bad idea to have a solid backup optic.

 

[Bkultra]

I've been accused of being a Kahles shill and/or Kahles ball gargler).

Interested in any side work? $20 bucks is $20 bucks.

 

[JaoeyP]

Interested in any side work? $20 bucks is $20 bucks.

Only if you work for Swaro/Kahles!

 

[wooferocau]

NO !!!!
Every K540i that my dealer has sold has come back with mechanical issues !!!

 

[inertia]

I actually just found out about this today. I haven’t seen any negative reviews/discussions about them until I talked to a dealer. Does the 328 not have the same issues? Part of me wants to chance it because I like the 328 so much lol did Kahles get yours fixed up?

As I said, I bet some of the people who think this scope is "great" haven't conducted a detailed tracking test, and some probably have a perfect scope. However, I bet we'll hear more about this as higher-tier shooters try these and objectively test them. It's not severe, but a $4,500 scope should track perfectly. I have had two that are at least 2% off, which is a sneaky problem until you identify it. I couldn't figure out why my scores dropped, and I was missing targets that I had been hitting before. I chased it for months until I ran tracking tests and found the problem. Switched back to ZCO and right back on the podium. I want to be clear, I love the image, I want to shoot these scopes, but hitting targets is more critical than FOV, and a couple % tracking problem will really mess with you if you don't catch it right away. I can't say anything about the 328 because I don't have one, and assuming is just like the guys who jump in and say their 525 is perfect as evidence that the 540 must be...

 

[JaoeyP]

I can't say anything about the 328 because I don't have one, and assuming is just like the guys who jump in and say their 525 is perfect as evidence that the 540 must be...

SUPER frustrating when people reference a very different model when some is asking about a SPECIFIC model. I liken it to "hey guys, any experience with reliability of the Ford 6.4L diesel?" and responded to with "my 7.3L has been GREAT!"

 

[Jrgasser]

I can't say anything about the 328 because I don't have one, and assuming is just like the guys who jump in and say their 525 is perfect as evidence that the 540 must be...

lol yeah I’ve seen that. You have me worried about my 328 because I’m assuming the internal design is very similar. I ended up ordering some tracking test targets to test it out just incase. Better to be safe than sorry.