Benjamin Cayden Test-Puppy

[USAFANG6799]

To me is still crazy that the biggest Airgun company in the world well established in the PCP field cannot develop their own guns but need to re-brand some Turk gun.

Has to be that they Kral can do it cheaper.
Didn't Diana make the same business decision?

[Motorhead]

To me is still crazy that the biggest Airgun company in the world well established in the PCP field cannot develop their own guns but need to re-brand some Turk gun.

Has to be that they Kral can do it cheaper.
Didn't Diana make the same business decision?

they did indeed with Snow Peak Airgun in China ( SPA )

[TroyHammer]

Looking forward to these reviews.  I really like the look of the Benjamin Cayden.  Hopefully it will eventually come out in .177cal.  I'm also hoping that it has a trigger as nice as the Marauder. 

My educated guess is it won't ... because to date all the KRAL guns have been based on EVANIX copies. Evanix trigger are snag sears hanging on the critical edge of hammer and simply don't or can't be made into a match grade trigger such as the Theoben / M-rod clone triggers.

Hope I'm wrong and these new guns have redesigned triggers in them

New triggers should be similar to the new Kral triggers.  2 stage fully adjustable and break nicely. No longer using the evanix style triggers. Slightly different because the safety is relocated.

[Motorhead]

If indeed the case OUTSTANDING ... being wrong is Good   

[TroyHammer]

If indeed the case OUTSTANDING ... being wrong is Good   

The new kral triggers are excellent.  1lb out of the box and still room to clean and polish. Mine breaks at 12oz cleanly.

[Antwuan Maxx]

If indeed the case OUTSTANDING ... being wrong is Good   

The new kral triggers are excellent.  1lb out of the box and still room to clean and polish. Mine breaks at 12oz cleanly.

You make a really good case for these Kral guns.  I may have to pull the trigger on one sometime in the future.   Likely one of these Benjamin variants backed with Crosman's warranty and support.   Really like the look of the Cayden, but wish it had the same shrouded barrel used on the Kratos.

[Madd Hatter]

Looking forward to these reviews.  I really like the look of the Benjamin Cayden.  Hopefully it will eventually come out in .177cal.  I'm also hoping that it has a trigger as nice as the Marauder. 

My educated guess is it won't ... because to date all the KRAL guns have been based on EVANIX copies. Evanix trigger are snag sears hanging on the critical edge of hammer and simply don't or can't be made into a match grade trigger such as the Theoben / M-rod clone triggers.

Hope I'm wrong and these new guns have redesigned triggers in them

New triggers should be similar to the new Kral triggers.  2 stage fully adjustable and break nicely. No longer using the evanix style triggers. Slightly different because the safety is relocated.

That looks like something out of a mech. horror movie. I'm guessing that that is a quatro trigger? Never seen one so no idea.

[TroyHammer]

That looks like something out of a mech. horror movie. I'm guessing that that is a quatro trigger? Never seen one so no idea.
[/quote]

That's the new Kral Trigger group.  Very well designed and functions at 3 times the cost.

[MileHighAirgunner]

After my warehouse personal left this evening I took a closer look at my new Akela. A lot of firsts for me with this one. This is the first time I’ve ever jumped on a first time newly released airgun.
Over all I would say it is nicer than my Marauder. The Turkish walnut is very nice. It’s heavier than it looks like it would be. This is my first none Crosman/Benjamin built airgun that I’ve ever owned.
This is also my first bullpup. My Marauder will become a bullpup in the near future also with a CraftsmanVit stock I just received. Wasn’t expecting these new BenjaKrals to be released this early with world getting turn upside down this year. The bullpup design is too new to me to really comment on the ergonomics of it. It’s definitely something I’ll need to get accustomed to. I do t for see any issues. I adapt and adjust to my airguns pretty easily.
The safety is a little shorter in length than I’d like. Has a bite of a sharpe edge to it and it’s a little stiff. Not as smooth operating like my Marauder’s. Maybe it’ll loosen up a little with use. This might be my only issue with this rifle so far.
It came with a short piece of Picatinny rail to bolt on for a bipod. It’s plastic which is a little disappointing. Haven’t decided if I’ll use it. The bipeds I have are Harris clone Caldwells and use the sling stud. It came with an assortment of Allen keys and two spare o-rings which I didn’t check yet to see what they where spares for. 
My rifle came with the pressure gauge reading 3K psi. So I’m taking that as a good sign there are no leaks.
I had a tin of CPHP and my rubber mulch trap and couldn’t resist shooting it tonight.  No scope just point blank into the trap. The trigger is pretty nice. Maybe better than a Marauder’s. Breaks cleanly and I didn’t notice any creep. I don’t have a trigger pull gauge but I’d say it’s breaking around 1#. Can’t be much more than that. Looks like you have to pull the rifle out of the stock to make any adjustments but I’m pretty happy with where it is out of the box so don’t think I’ll be messing with it.
I ran a magazine, 10 shots, with the power adjuster set at max. Didn’t have a chrony with me so I have no idea about FPS or  power. It’s quieter than I was expecting. I would say even quieter than my Marauder set at 30fpe. I ran a magazine at minimum power and it’s even quieter. Definitely would consider it to be backyard friendly. After those 20 shots pressure was down to 2500. So the claimed 60 shots per fill might be possible at minimum power. We’ll see.
The side lever isn’t heavy and it is smooth. It’s my first side lever so I don’t have a comparison. I like it and see now why everyone likes them.
Over all I would say that I like this airgun and don’t regret buying it. I do hope Crosman will support these new rifles like they’ve support everything else. Many have expressed their disappointment in Crosman's decision to outsource these and at first I too was disappointed. I don’t know or understand the business reasoning behind it but I’ve decided to embrace it rather then condemn the entire company for it. Crosman may not produce the best stuff and even though I could afford any airgun I’d ever want to own I’ve always been happy enough with what I’ve gotten from Crosman that I’ve never bother to stray away and I’ll remain a loyal faithful customer.

[Hangtown-Shooter]

 Thanks for the report Justin! Glad to hear you are pleased with your purchase so far.

I try not to think about it, but (fail)... I’m anxiously awaiting my Cayden to arrive which should hopefully be Thursday.
 

[Nomadic Pirate]

To me is still crazy that the biggest Airgun company in the world well established in the PCP field cannot develop their own guns but need to re-brand some Turk gun.

Has to be that they Kral can do it cheaper.
Didn't Diana make the same business decision?

Yeah but Diana is really a springer company, they tried to make a PCP but didn't really take off, so indeed was the right business decision for them to re-brand SPA.

Crosman on the other hand has a lot of experience with PCP and in my opinion has a good platform in hose that could be developed further with smaller calibers and rifles ,.....the Bulldog

[TroyHammer]

To me is still crazy that the biggest Airgun company in the world well established in the PCP field cannot develop their own guns but need to re-brand some Turk gun.

Has to be that they Kral can do it cheaper.
Didn't Diana make the same business decision?

Yeah but Diana is really a springer company, they tried to make a PCP but didn't really take off, so indeed was the right business decision for them to re-brand SPA.

Crosman on the other hand has a lot of experience with PCP and in my opinion has a good platform in hose that could be developed further with smaller calibers and rifles ,.....the Bulldog

Being almost an exact clone of the rainstorm but better trigger I thought you'd be the most excited.... lol

[Nomadic Pirate]

To me is still crazy that the biggest Airgun company in the world well established in the PCP field cannot develop their own guns but need to re-brand some Turk gun.

Has to be that they Kral can do it cheaper.
Didn't Diana make the same business decision?

Yeah but Diana is really a springer company, they tried to make a PCP but didn't really take off, so indeed was the right business decision for them to re-brand SPA.

Crosman on the other hand has a lot of experience with PCP and in my opinion has a good platform in hose that could be developed further with smaller calibers and rifles ,.....the Bulldog

Being almost an exact clone of the rainstorm but better trigger I thought you'd be the most excited.... lol

Couldn't care less LOL like I never even looked at Kral

[TroyHammer]

Imagine Evanix performance with crosman parts and support. That's my thoughts. That's why I've been a huge fan since the beginning.

[Nomadic Pirate]

Imagine Evanix performance with crosman parts and support. That's my thoughts. That's why I've been a huge fan since the beginning.

Been shooting Evanix for over a decade and never really needed any parts, ...I got Will Piatt to make me a kit with spare valve and such and still haven't used it

Other parts like extra tubes and such where available at Pyramyd and from now on AirGunPro shop will be stocking spare parts for Evanix

Also the trigger is perfect for me, the last gun that Will tuned he actually made the trigger to light and I had to re adjust it a bit heavier.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Great initial report on your Akela Justin.
Thanks for taking the time!

[FuzzyGrub]

I think Troy will quickly become our “Krosman” expert. 

While it would be great that crosman develop their own product, given one new pcp a year, it would have taken too long for features others already have.  Bottle guns, side lever, bull pup, etc.  Unlike many rebranders, I think the combo of great parts and repair support will bring value to them. 

[Gear_Junkie]

Given that these are essentially Krals - I wonder if there are already HUMA regs that will fit?  I'm also hoping that the end of the Cayden barrel is threaded.  I'm looking forward to reading more user reports of these new rigs.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Given that these are essentially Krals - I wonder if there are already HUMA regs that will fit?  I'm also hoping that the end of the Cayden barrel is threaded.  I'm looking forward to reading more user reports of these new rigs.

I recall reading somewhere that the muzzle break is removable. Now if it’s threaded on or held with a grub screw remains to be seen!  We should know for sure soon.

[CraigH]

    Unlike many rebranders, I think the combo of great parts and repair support will bring value to them.

Very much agree - this could be a very important factor for prospective buyers.    But my Marauder is less than a year old - It and a large number of other ag's would be jealous, so it may be a while, and I am inclined towards a Daystate Huntsman.