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Karl Kaps 2.5-10 x 56

Karl Kaps 2.5-10 x 56

For over 50 years, Karl Kaps GmbH has promised optics designed by ‘hunters for hunters’.

Founded in 1946 in Asslar, Germany, they have by birthplace been destined for judgement alongside other familiar premium brands of European optical manufacture that provides some of the finest glass for hunting.

Streamline Design

The 56mm objective lens starts off on the right track for low light ability with a 30mm one piece aluminium tube traversing a spherical saddle in the centre of the scope. The top and side turrets sit beneath screw caps to control elevation and windage, both calibrated in 1cm clicks at 100 metres with a total adjustment of 140 clicks/1.4 metres at 100 metres. As well as the tube seen here, it is also available with a rail mounting, should you want one. The front and rear housings give ample space on the 370mm overall length for mounting and 90mm of eye relief. Fast focus adjustment for eyesight diopter compensation is featured at the back and the reticle remained in very bold sharp focus throughout testing!

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The unusual feature of this scope is a +/- illumination knob to the left of the saddle. As well as ON/OFF, it incrementally increases and decreases the brightness of the central dot in the no.5 reticle. Similar to a German 7 with thick arms at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, there is a brief gap towards the centre dot that gives both excellent daytime precision and when illuminated, sharp focus with no harsh glare from excessive size or `flare`.

My range box carries a variety of targets for initial set-up and zeroing of scopes and these can sometimes tell a tale themselves. Resolution of the glass on the Kaps was excellent; I had no problem centering the reticle on a 1-inch orange spot at 100 metres which at x10 magnification ticks the first box for image quality.

Good Performance

Being in the first focal plane (FFP), this reticule reduces and increases as magnification is adjusted but with no loss of zero or clarity. Colour definition was very true and I spent some time watching rabbits in the base of a dark hedge line from my position in a bright field. I was very pleased with the view offered in this testing scenario with good contrast.

In the lowest light the illumination and reticle shape ran along the lines of my personal preference, just enough to present the dot but no more. I did find the zoom and fastfocus eyepiece quite stiff but the clicks on the elevation and windage were solidly weighted.

On a downside, I didn’t like the illumination control – it worked as needed, but I found it slow and didn’t indicate ON/ OFF externally without peering inside the tube myself, often having to place a hand over the objective to check against a darkened background. A simple dial with brightness settings interrupted by OFF positions would be better! There is a six hour auto-off to keep your battery alive though, just in case.

  • Karl Kaps 2.5-10 x 56 - image {image:count}

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  • Karl Kaps 2.5-10 x 56 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Karl Kaps 2.5-10 x 56 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Model: Karl Kaps 2.5-10x56 BA, Reticle 5
  • Tube Diameter: 30mm
  • Length: 370mm
  • Weight: 620 grams
  • Illuminated: Yes
  • Fixed Parallax: Fixed at 100 metres
  • 14.4-5.6mm: Exit pupil
  • Field of View: 4.2-12.4m at 100 metres
  • Eye Relief: 90mm
  • Click value: 1cm at 100 metres
  • Adjustment range: 140 clicks (1.4 metres at 100 metres)
  • Warranty: Two years lull with 25
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