Kite Optics Image Stabilized Binoculars and Spotting Scope

 

Get the best high quality
image-stabilized binoculars
at moderate cost

See field marks you have been missing on distant birds

• Higher Magnification is great for viewing prairie birds
• Stabilized binoculars remove vibration from stormy weather on land or at sea
• Stabilization removes any hand shake of viewer

Choose between

• 12X42 Binoculars
• 16X42 Binoculars
• 14X50 Binoculars
• 18X50 Binoculars

Save money from higher prices at major outlets!

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 stabilization 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.

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 $1995 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.
ALL SALES FINAL.

For the above reasons, I believe the Kite Optics 16X42 APC Image Stabilized model is the best value binoculars for the following purposes

• Birdwatching
• Tropical Birding Tours
• Whale Watching
• Nature Study
• Sight-seeing from cars, trains or ships
• Watching Sports
• Stargazing

You are also welcome to test the 16X42 binoculars during any of our upcoming birding tours.

(www.birdtours.ca)

Kite Optics 16X42 Image Stabilized Binoculars Features

• Very High Magnification: 16X
  * Twice the magnification of 8X power binoculars
  * Apparent Size of object increases by factor of 4 over 8X power binoculars
  (because both height and width are doubled)
  * Apparent Size of object increases by factor of 2.56 over 10X power binoculars
  (because both height and width are magnified)

• 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
• Temperature Range: -20 C to +55 C
• List Price: CAD $2231.99 plus taxes
• Our Price CAD $1995 (taxes included)
  price equivalent to about $1797 before taxes
• Available Now
  Free Shipping anywhere in Canada or USA
  Scroll Down for order form or
  email birdtours {at] sasktel.net
• Test these binoculars on any Saskatoon Custom Bird Tour
  (www.birdtours.ca)

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 5.06 over 8X power binoculars
  (because both height and width are magnified)
  * Apparent Size of object increases by factor of 3.24 over 10X power binoculars
  (because both height and width are magnified)
• 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 AA 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
• Tripod Thread included
• Good Temperature Range: -20 C to +55 C
• List Price: CAD $3035.99 plus taxes
  price equivalent to CAD $3370 with taxes
• Our Price From CAD $2975 (taxes included)
  price equivalent to about $2680 before taxes
• AA battery version: CAD $2975 (no additional taxes)
  Rechargeable Li-ion battery version: CAD $2995 (no additional taxes)
• Available Now
  Free Shipping available to Canada and USA

Purchase Details for all models

If you reside in USA, CLICK HERE for prices.

ALL SALES FINAL

• 12X42 APC AA Batteries Prepaid Price: CAD $1945 (tax included)
  note: most companies list prices before taxes
  price equivalent to about $1750 before taxes
• 16X42 APC AA Batteries Prepaid Price: CAD $1995 (tax included)
  price equivalent to about $1797 before taxes
• 14X50 APC AA Batteries Prepaid Price: CAD $2875 (tax included)
  price equivalent to about $2590 before taxes
• 14X50 APC Rechargeable Li-ion Prepaid Price: CAD $2995 (tax included)
  price equivalent to about $2680 before taxes
• 18X50 APC AA Batteries Prepaid Price: CAD $2975 (tax included)
  price equivalent to about $2698 before taxes
• 18X50 APC Rechargeable Li-ion Prepaid Price: CAD $2995 (tax included)
  price equivalent to about $2788 before taxes
• Optional 16X42 Silicon Jacket available for $75 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 $80 extra (tax included)
  Shock absorbing property helps reduce collision damage if dropped
  Specify colour: Black or Sage Green
• Optional Kite Shoulder Strap Harness available for $60 extra (tax included)
• Optional Kite Smart Phone Adapter available for $165 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.
• Secure mailing address. If home delivery is not secure due to porch pirates, we recommend you register for flex delivery and send us that mailing address.
  CLICK HERE for Canada Post Flex Delivery information.
• 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.

In 2025, my wife and I joined a tropical birding tour. The leader and all participants frequently requested to borrow our Kite Optics 16X42 binoculars to see key field marks that they could not see with their own binoculars.

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,

Get the Best Hand Held Image Stabilized Spotting Scope

Why is Image Stabilization Important in Spotting Scopes?

Any spotting scope without image stabilization cannot be hand held. The high magnification of spotting scopes would make the image too jittery because it would magnify any tiny tremor in your hands. Such spotting scopes require the use of a heavy sturdy tripod to prevent vibrations. Other spotting scopes can also not be used on a very windy day, because the scope shakes too much even when mounted on such a tripod.

With image stabilization, the Kite Optics APC 60 model image stabilized spotting scope can be used hand held throughout its zoom magnification range of 17 power through 35 power. Its stabilization corrects for up to 2° of vibration and produces a stable image. This allows it to be used even on windy days by owners who have tremors in their hands.

What is the Best Portable Spotting Scope?

The Kite Optics APC 60 Image Stabilized Spotting Scope is a great choice if you plan to carry your scope by bicycle or on long hikes or on plane trips. It can easily be packed into your carry-on luggage. It can also be easily transported in the field when packed in its carry case which can be attached to a strap that you can carry over your shoulder.

How to Operate a Kite Optics APC 60 Stabilized Spotting Scope?

The Kite Optics APC 60 Stabilized Spotting Scope may be held as shown in the above image.

One hand can turn the zoom eyepiece changing the magnification power from 17X wide angle to 35X peak magnification. The other hand can turn the focusing ring.

Alternatively, it may be held with one hand by using the included “Relax View carbon handle”  (shown below) while the other hand adjusts the zoom and focus.

If preferred, it may also be attached to any tripod.

CLICK HERE for review of scope by Badgerland Birding.

The Kite Optics APC 60 image stabilized spotting scope should also work well when attached to a car window mount.

Can the Kite Optics APC 60 spotting scope be used for digiscoping?

Yes. This Kite Optics APC 60 spotting scope works very well for digiscoping. Its image stabilization will correct for any camera shake caused by wind or an unsturdy tripod.

Kite Optics APC 60 Image Stabilized Spotting Scope Features

• Very High Magnification: 17X – 35X
  *At 17 power, the low end of the magnification increases the field of view making it easier to find the bird.
  By rotating the zoom eyepiece to the high end at 35 power, you roughly double the magnification of the bird.
  Whereas many other spotting scopes have a higher magnification limit on their zoom eyepieces, such extreme high powers are rarely used due to “heat haze” caused by atmospheric turbulence.
• Image Stabilization: 2°
  * Corrects for up to 2° of vibration
  * Allows for steady image when used in rocking boats or moving vehicles
  * Steady Image even if hands are shaking under windy conditions
• Power Option : Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (included)
  USB-C connection for charging
• Battery Life: 36 hours
• Optical Glass Quality: ED
  corrects for any optical aberration
• Objective Lens Diameter: 58 mm
• Length: 287 mm (11.3 inches)
• Height: 89 mm (3.5 inches)
• Width: 69 mm (2.7 inches)
• Weight:  1350 g
  Small size and weight allows easy packing for airplane flights
• Nitrogen Gas Filled
  Reduces internal fogging when temperature changes
• Field of View: 2.3° at high magnification to 3.5° at low magnification
• Close Focus Distance: 4.2 m
• Waterproof IPX7
  Permits use under very humid conditions
• ED Lenses
  * Reduces any chromatic aberration
• Good Temperature Range: -20 C to +55 C
• List APC 60 Spotting Scope Price: CAD $3799.00 plus taxes
• Our APC 60 Spotting Scope Price  CAD $3495 (taxes included)
  price equivalent to about $3150 before taxes
• Optional Kite Smartphone Adapter: CAD $160
  allows scope to be used easily for digiscoping
• Available Now
  Free Shipping available to Canada and USA
  Scroll Down for order form or
  email birdtours {at] sasktel.net
  

Binoculars / Spotting Scope Order Form