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About Kite Optics
A family owned and run business, the Kite Optics brand began life in 1984, but as a family they have been involved in distributing optical equipment from 1949.
Located in Belgium, the founding family member was passionate about nature and a keen birder and decided to create his own brand of optics that would better reflect his own ideas.
As well as binoculars, Kite Optics produce monoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, tripod mounts, digiscoping accessories and adapters, magnifiers, Skua cases for scopes and other optical accessories.
Kite Optics have a substantial range of binoculars and monoculars designed mostly for outdoor use in a wide range of price points.
Kite Image Stabilized Binoculars
Over the last few years, Kite Optics has also invested a lot of time and money into the technology of Image Stabilization and as such they now have one of, if not the best IS systems availabe and are rapidly becoming market leaders in this exciting field for binoculars
Standard Binoculars
As for standard optics only binoculars, the Kite lineup includes mid range compacts in both roof and porro prism designs, a selection of full sized porro prism binoculars for general use and bird watching as well as one specifically designed for marine use. However, their main focus is most certainly on high-quality mid and full sized roof prism binoculars, where they have an impressive selection in both standard shaped bodies as well as top and open hinge designs:
The Kite Optics range of Binoculars:
Offered in 14x50 and the very powerful 18x50 configurations, the second generation APC binoculars from Kite Optics have elevated the standards of image stabilization and optical performance to unprecedented heights, and you can now comfortably use a long-range, high-power binocular without the need of a tripod.
Image Stabilization
Powered by Kite's latest KT 3.0 processor, updated software and with the revolutionary KDGS-2 at its core, the Kite APC stabilized binoculars are now in my opinion leaders in the IS niche. Their latest APC binoculars completely remove the small image movements you normally see when hand holding your binoculars allowing you to clearly observe details that you would otherwise struggle to see.
Optical Quality
In the past, to keep the costs down, most makers of IS binoculars would often sacrifice on optical quality, and thus whilst you got a more stable view, the image quality would lag behind standard binoculars in the same price range. With the Kite APC 50 Image-Stabilized Binoculars, this is gladly no longer the case.
Featuring ED lenses and treated with Kite's own MHR Advance+ anti-reflection coatings, they are not only able to deliver a very impressive 86% light transmission, but levels of chromatic aberration are very low despite the higher magnifications, meaning you get the best of all worlds: a fully stable, clear and bright image that is sharp and true to life
Full Review: Kite APC 14x50 Image-Stabilized Binoculars
Technical Review: New KITE APC 50 Binoculars: Next-Level Image Stabilization
Build Quality
KITE APC 50 binoculars also have a IPX 7 waterproof rating, whilst many other IS binoculars are simply weather protected and not fully waterproof.
They also have an exceptional battery life of up to 38 hours of continuous use. This combined with the APC mode, allows operation of the instrument for an entire season on a single charge! Meaning the Kite APC IS binoculars are not only robust enough for use in rain-drenched jungles or misty mountain peaks without concern, but they also enable you to undertake multiple extended trips without the need to worry about recharging the device.
Main Specs & Features:
Winner of the awards for Best Long-Range Image Stabilized Binoculars 2022 with the very powerful 16x42 version, the Kite APC 42mm binoculars are also available in a less extreme 12x42 configuration, that offers less detail, but has wider views and a better low light performance.
Image Stabilization
Driven a small selection of brands, including Kite Optics, the technology of image stabilization has progressed a lot over the past few years and as you can see in my review of the Kite APC 16x42 binoculars I was blown away by just how much more stable the image was compared to instruments from just four or five years ago.
16x42 Configuration
This interesting combination of combining a powerful 16x magnification with standard 42mm lenses does have its drawbacks, which I discuss extensively in my review, which I encourage you to read it if you're interested. However, for observing virtually anything at long distances, especially wildlife and birds, whether you're on the coast, by a lake, on hilly terrain, or in open fields, and you'd prefer not to deal with the inconvenience of carrying a tripod, these Kite APC IS binoculars are certainly worth consideration.
12x42 Configuration
Far less extreme than the 16x42 version, but still more powerful than your typical 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars. The Kite APC 12x42 APC image stabilized binoculars offer wider views and a better low light performance than the 16x42 option. For slightly closer ranges and for use in forests or at sunset/sun rise when light is not optimal, these may be a better option - remember bigger is not always better, it just depends on your specific needs and requirements.
Stepping up from the already excellent Lynx HD series (see below), the Lynx HD+ series has now superseded them to become the flagship series from Kite Optics.
Like the "standard" Lynx HD, Kite Lynx HD+ binoculars, are produced in 10x30 and 8x30 configurations, but they have now also expanded it to included the more traditional 8x42 and 10x42 configurations as well as a larger 10x50 model.
Main highlights include a modern single top hinge body design with a water and fogproof (Nitrogen filled) chassis. The optics are fully multi-coated using Kite's own MHR Advance + coatings and the exterior lenses surfaces contain scratch resistant as well as water-dirt repelling coatings.
Kite also incorporates very high quality Schmidt/Pechan roof prisms that have been phase corrected to help ensure a high definition image is maintained after the light passes through the prisms.
Available Configurations:
Price Range & Where to Buy:
Depending on the model and where you buy, these very high end instruments are available from around $500 / £450 / €450:
Kite Lynx HD BinocularsKite's 30mm mid-sized Lynx HD binoculars are designed to be the ideal, easy to carry/transport, high end, great all rounder.
Currently there are two models in this series, one with an 8x magnification and the other with 10x, they are both nice and compact as well as light and the top hinge design makes them comfortable and secure to hold.
Main highlights include the extremely wide view, especially on the 8x model that is 151 meters wide at 1000 meters (453ft @1000 yards), which means it easily makes it onto my very select list of wide angle binoculars.
The HD optical system includes fully multi-coated optics and the outer surface of the lenses also come with Kite's Perma Vision coating that improves their resistance to scratching and repels water and dirt.
All Lynx HD bins come with the excellent Kite Optics 30 year warranty.
Models:
Main Specifications:
Lynx HD 8x30 |
Lynx HD 10x30 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 453 | 360 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 151 | 120 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 15 | 15 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 4.3 / 1.3 | 4.4 / 1.35 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 16.3 / 461 | 16.4 / 465 |
Prices & Where to Buy
Kite Ibis ED BinocularsThe high end Kite Ibis ED binoculars all feature BaK-4 roof prisms with an open bridge body design. They are available in two different sizes with either 42mm or large 50mm objectives and variety in magnifications from 7x right up to 12x.
All models are full multi-coated and use extra low dispersion (ED) glass elements in their lenses to reduce the amount of chromatic aberration, which results in a clearer picture without noticeable color fringing.
The roof prisms have been phase corrected and have the very best and very highly reflective dielectric coatings that ensure maximum image quality and light transmission.
All Ibis ED's come with the Kite Optics 30 year warranty.
Models:
Main Specifications:
8x42 |
10x42 | 7x42 | 8.5x50 | 10x50 | 12x50 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 378 | 242 | 384 | 306 | 306 | 273 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 126 | 114 | 128 | 102 | 102 | 91 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 17 | 17 | 19.5 | 17.5 | 19 | 16.4 |
| Close Focus (m) | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Weight (g) | 745 | 760 | 725 | 868 | 887 | 902 |
Prices & Where to Buy
 Buy & Compare Prices for Kite Binoculars |
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Below are a few featured and fully reviewed Kite Binoculars: View >> All Kite Binoculars that I have reviewed.
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With 2 degrees of correction, these 16x42 Kite APC Image Stabilised Binoculars offer a lightweight and compact alternative to a high-powered binocular and tripod combination making them extremely useful in a wide variety of uses.
Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars |
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Improved Image-stabilisation, higher quality optics and several other unique features have in my opinion eliminated most of the downsides of using an Image-stabilized binocular and thus make these Kite APC binoculars a truly viable option as an everyday, general-use binocular.
Price: (6/6) Expensive Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Small mid-sized bins or large compacts? You decide, but these high quality Kite Optics binoculars are ideal for anyone who wants to save space, but does not want to sacrifice too much on optical performance. They are a very well made and produce a great quality image with a very wide field of view and very near close focus. Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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These high-end 10x50 binoculars from kite Optics are only slightly larger and heavier than most 10x42 binoculars, yet at the same time they offer the user a superior quality and very wide view with an image brightness and low light performance that match many high-quality 8x42 binoculars. other highlights include Aluminium Twist-up Eye-cups, Phase Corrected Schmidt/Pechan Roof Prisms and lens with Scratch Resistant & Water-dirt Repelling Coatings. Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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These premium grade 8x42 binoculars are made in Japan using all the top end components and coatings you expect including ED Glass Lens Elements, Fully Multi-Coated Optics, Phase Corrected Bak-4 Roof Prisms with Dielectric Coatings on the reflective prism surface. This results in a superb quality of view at a cost that is less than you'd expect and so should bring a smile to even the most discerning users. Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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View >> All Kite Binoculars reviewed on The Best Binoculars & Reviews website.
Telephone. 0032 50 69 23 19
E-mail: [email protected]
Address:
Vlamingveld
89 8490 Jabbeke
Belgium
Price & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
