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Are you looking for better binoculars?
Get the best high quality image-stabilized binoculars at moderate cost
See field marks you have been missing on distant birds
Choose between 16X42 or 18X50 Binoculars
Contact Us
Phone our landline 1 then 306 then 652 then 5975
Email: birdtours [at] sasktel.net
Why is Image Stabilization Important in Binoculars?
Unless mounted on a tripod, conventional binoculars are useless at very high magnification. They magnify any small tremor or vibration in the optics when holding binoculars by hand. The resulting unsteady motion of the image makes such high power binoculars uncomfortable to use.
Image stabilized binoculars adjust the orientation of the prisms in the binoculars in real time to correct for any motion or vibration when hand held. The early model of image stabilization used in Canon binoculars permitted only 1° of correction. The newer advanced model of image stabilzation used in Kite Optics binoculars permits 2° of correction.
Which is the best Image Stabilized Binoculars?
In my opinion, the Kite Optics APC 16×42 Image Stabilized binoculars has many advantages over the competing Canon 18X50 IS binoculars including significantly lighter weight (783 g versus 1228 g), better close focus distance (4 m versus 6 m), much better stabilization (2° versus 1°), better winter operating temperature range plus longer battery life due to its automatic battery shutoff whenever binoculars hang down from your neck. I also suspect it to be superior and much cheaper than their next version of Kite Optics 18×50 binoculars coming out in January.
Because I wanted a lower price than available locally, I contacted the Canadian distributor for Kite Optics binoculars. They offered me a better deal. I can offer our customers a price of CAD $1795 tax included if paid in advance of ordering.
Furthermore, if requested, I will offer purchasers a special 10% discount off any future Saskatoon Custom Bird Tour lasting 1 day or less provided it is booked at the time of ordering your binoculars. This special offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
If you are interested, email your contact phone number to birdtours@sasktel.net
I will phone you back to discuss details about this offer. I plan to place an order soon.
For the above reasons, I believe the Kite Optics 16X42 APC Image Stabilized model is the best value binoculars for the following purposes
- Birdwatching
- Whale Watching
- Nature Study
- Sight-seeing from cars, trains or ships
- Watching Sports
- Stargazing
You are also welcome to briefly test these binoculars during any of our upcoming birding tours.
Kite Optics 16X42 Image Stabilized Binoculars Features
- Very High Magnification: 16X
* Twice the magnification of 8 power binoculars
* Apparent Size of object increases by factor of 4
(because both height and width are doubled)
- Image Stabilization: 2°
* Corrects for up to 2° of vibration
* Allows for use in rocking boats or moving vehicles
* Steady Image even if hands are shaking under windy conditions
CLICK HERE for a short video explanation - Angular Power Control (APC)
Automatic Power Shutoff when not actively observing: extends battery life - Power: 2 AA alkaline batteries
Not included - Battery Storage
Space for 2 extra AA batteries - Battery Life: 120 hours
Including 2 extra batteries
Much better than competing brands - Light weight: 783 g
with 2 batteries - Nitrogen Gas Filled
Reduces internal fogging when temperature changes - Field of View: 3.9°
- Close Focus Distance: 4.0 m
- Waterproof IPX7
Permits use under very humid conditions - Good Temperature Range: -20 C to +55 C
- List Price: CAD $2151.99 plus taxes
- Our Price CAD $1795 (taxes included)
price equivalent to about $1617 before taxes - Available Now
Kite Optics 18X50 Binoculars Features
- Very High Magnification: 18X
* Magnification increases by factor of 2.25 over 8 power binoculars
* Apparent Size of object increases by factor of 4
(because both height and width are doubled) - Image Stabilization: 2°
* Corrects for up to 2° of vibration
* Allows for use in rocking boats or moving vehicles
* Steady Image even if hands are shaking under windy conditions
CLICK HERE for a short video explanation. - Angular Power Control (APC)
Automatic Power Shutoff when not actively observing: extends battery life - Power Option A: 2 AA alkaline batteries (not included)
- Power Option B: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (included)
- Battery Storage
Space for 2 extra AA batteries In AA model - Battery Life: 76 hours
Including 2 extra batteries
Much better than competing brands - Weight: 1020 g
without batteries - Nitrogen Gas Filled
Reduces internal fogging when temperature changes - Field of View: 3.7°
- Close Focus Distance: 5.5 m
- Waterproof IPX7
Permits use under very humid conditions - ED Lenses
* Reduces any chromatic aberration - Good Temperature Range: -20 C to +55 C
- List Price: From CAD $2924.99 plus taxes
- Our Price From CAD $2675 (taxes included)
price equivalent to about $2409 before taxes - Available in November
Purchase Details
If you reside in USA, CLICK HERE for prices.
- 12X42 APC AA Prepaid Price: CAD $1750 (tax included)
note: most companies list prices before taxes
price equivalent to about $1577 before taxes - 16X42 APC AA Prepaid Price: CAD $1795 (tax included)
price equivalent to about $1617 before taxes - 14X50 APC AA Prepaid Price: CAD $2625 (tax included)
price equivalent to about $2365 before taxes - 14X50 APC Li-ion Prepaid Price: CAD $2700 (tax included)
price equivalent to about $2432 before taxes - 18X50 APC AA Prepaid Price: CAD $2675 (tax included)
price equivalent to about $2409 before taxes - 18X50 APC Li-ion Prepaid Price: CAD $2750 (tax included)
price equivalent to about $2477 before taxes - Optional 16X42 Silicon Jacket available for $65 extra (tax included)
Shock absorbing property helps reduce collision damage if dropped
Specify colour: Black, Marine Blue, Orange, Sage Green - Optional 18X50 Silicon Jacket available for $75 extra (tax included)
Shock absorbing property helps reduce collision damage if dropped
Specify colour: Black or Sage Green - Optional Kite Shoulder Harness available for $50 extra (tax included)
- Optional Kite Smart Phone Adapter available for $150 extra (tax included)
- Pick up in Saskatoon or free shipping anywhere in Canada or USA
- Bonus: 10% Discount on future Saskatoon Custom 1 day bird tours
- Ordering information: Send your name, mailing address and contact phone number to birdtours@sasktel.net or complete the form below.
- Returns Policy: All Sales Final. No Refunds. No Returns. No Exchanges.
Contact us in case of damage in shipping.
Our Opinion
For the past 3 decades, our bird tour leader Stan Shadick has been using high quality Swarovski brand 10X42 binoculars. Although I paid much less, their current tax included price at a Saskatoon big box store is over $4000!
Earlier this summer, I learned about the Kite Optics 16X42 Image Stabilized binoculars, which appeared to be much superior. On an August birding tour, my two clients each had a pair of these image-stabilized binoculars. I was impressed to discover that their binoculars could pick out fine ID details on the bills of a distant flock of gulls on the far side of the river when my current 10X42 binoculars failed.
If you are interested in upgrading your binoculars to a high quality image-stabilized pair, CLICK HERE for a link to an independent review. A Canadian mini-review is available HERE.
Kite Binocular Harness
The Kite binocular harness is a comfort carrying-system for binoculars. It places the instrument’s weight on your back instead of your neck.
The binoculars remain close to the body; this avoids undesired swinging of the instrument and allows you to move freely.
The binoculars can be detached from the suspenders fast and easily with snap locks. After detachment, the small ends that remain fixed to the binoculars can be joined together with the same snap locks. This creates a carrying handle for your instrument.
This harness is suitable for almost every type of binoculars or camera,
Binoculars Order Form
