KAHLES Red Dot Helia RD for Picatinny

The Kahles Helia RD is the Austrian manufacturer’s open reflex sight for driven hunts: 1x, 2 MOA red dot, 26 × 22 mm window and just 42 g. Kahles designed it for the intuitive shot with both eyes open – on driven hunts, when tracking wounded game and wherever target acquisition in a split second counts. This version (manufacturer no. 20018) comes with a Picatinny/Weaver mount.

Why the Helia RD is built for driven hunts

An open reflex sight buys time: your view stays on the game, the dot sits over the target without magnification and both eyes stay open. Kahles uses an anti-reflection coating that suppresses distracting reflections across the whole field of view and keeps the image clear and colour-neutral. The 2 MOA dot covers only about 6 cm at 100 m – small enough for a clean point of aim, bright enough for a fast mount. The generous 26 × 22 mm window makes the dot easy to find even from an awkward position.

Operation: four brightness levels, Easyclick and Automaticlight

Brightness is set manually in four levels. Elevation and windage use a tactile Easyclick: 15 mm per click at 50 m (3 cm at 100 m); the adjustment range is 4.0 m in elevation and 2.5 m in windage (at 100 m). Power comes from a standard CR2032 cell that, according to Kahles, is easy to replace; the supplied cover has a compartment for a spare battery.

Automaticlight is Kahles’ intelligent auto-off: a motion sensor puts the dot into standby after 3 minutes without movement; the slightest movement wakes it in a split second at the last brightness level. After 4 hours without movement the sight switches off completely.

Mounting: Picatinny/Weaver mount included

The Helia RD comes in two versions: model 20018 with a Picatinny/Weaver mount – the version offered here – and model 20019 with an adapter plate for common European red dot mounts. With the Picatinny/Weaver mount the sight sits on any standard rail without intermediate parts.

Technical data (manufacturer)

Helia RD or Helia RD-C?

The Kahles Helia RD-C is the enclosed sibling: the LED sits inside a housing protected from rain, snow and dirt, plus MAX LIGHT (extra-bright dot against backlight), SAFE LIGHT (lock against accidental changes), a Picatinny quick-release mount and flip-up covers – at 125 g with a 20 mm window. The open Helia RD is much lighter at 42 g, has the larger window (26 × 22 mm) and the larger adjustment range. In short: RD when weight and a free field of view matter; RD-C when the sight must stay protected in foul weather and locked against mis-operation when tracking dangerous game.

From the field: test reports

Kahles has published trade-press tests on its website. Caliber (09/2020) weighed the Helia RD at 73 g with mount and found the highest brightness level sufficient to aim quickly at 50 m in bright sunshine; a blinking dot warns of a low battery and the spare battery fits in the signal-coloured cover. DWJ (10/2020) describes a black anodised aluminium housing of 55 × 28 × 32 mm and praises the natural colour rendition. These are the testers’ assessments, not manufacturer commitments.

Scope of delivery

• Kahles Helia RD (model 20018)
• Picatinny/Weaver mount
• Cover with integrated compartment for a spare battery
• CR2032 battery

Frequently asked questions

Which types of hunting is the Helia RD made for?

Kahles positions the Helia RD as a sighting aid for driven hunts – driven hunting, tracking and any situation with short distances and little time, shooting with both eyes open.

How big is the dot at 100 m?

2 MOA is about 5.8 cm at 100 m – around 58 mm according to the Caliber test.

How does Automaticlight work?

A motion sensor puts the dot into standby after 3 minutes at rest and wakes it at the slightest movement; after 4 hours without movement the sight switches off completely (manufacturer data).

Which battery does it use?

A CR2032 cell. According to Kahles it can be replaced with the sight mounted; the cover holds a spare.

Does it fit my rifle?

Version 20018 offered here includes a Picatinny/Weaver mount and fits any standard rail. For European red dot mounts Kahles offers model 20019 with an adapter plate.

How long is the warranty?

Kahles grants a 2-year manufacturer warranty. At Flunatec you buy genuine products with the full manufacturer warranty, dispatch from Austria and a 30-day return policy.

All technical data are manufacturer data (KAHLES product brochure 07/2022, Helia RD press release 09/2020; as of 23 Sept 2026). Test-report figures are marked as such. For parallax-free distance the 2022 brochure states 40 m, the 2020 press release 50 m – we list both.