Kite APC Stabi 16×42 ED (AAA)

Specifications:

Objective diameter (acc. to spec. and measured): 42  mm
Magnification (acc. to spec.): 16 x
Magnification (measured): 17.1 x
Exit pupil (acc. to spec.) :  2.62 mm
Exit pupil (measured) :  2.45 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec.): 15.5 mm
Eye relief (measured): 18 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 15 mm
IPD (acc. to spec.):  56 – 72 mm
IPD (measured):  55-73 mm
RFOV (acc. to spec. and measured):  4.15  degrees = 73 m
AFOV (acc. to spec.): 66.5 degrees
AFOV (measured, rounded): 59 degrees
Minimum focus distance (acc. to spec.): 2.9 m
Minimum focus distance (measured):  3.3 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: < anti-clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from minimum focus to infinity (measured): 520 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 3 dpt
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): > 7 dpt
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight ( acc. to spec.): 849 g
Weight (measured, with eyepiece and objective cover and strap): 977 g
Made in: Japan

Remarks:

It appears that in recent years, growing competition by Chinese companies even in the up-market segment of the binoculars market may have caused some of the leading European producers to reconsider their options. While Swarovski seems to continue to be a strong leader bringing out attractive innovations in regular intervals, Leica apparently now focuses mainly on its camera business and its cooperation with a Chinese smartphone company, and Zeiss seems to have thrown in the towel altogether and is separating from its consumer optics branch. Feeling some gloominess in these and other developments in the market, one can only wonder how Belgian company Kite Optics appears to be thriving, launching model after model of improved binoculars with production to a large degree outsourced to a Japanese manufacturer. Many Kite binoculars carry now a market leading 30 year warranty. Over the last few years, Kite has complemented its portfolio with a number of stabilized binoculars named “APC” (Angle Power Control); early models had a few snags but were quickly updated, and more recent models feature not only improved optics, but also a clearly improved stabilization technology. It will be interesting to see how Kite competes with the Chinese competition, which in the last few years has been bringing out amazingly good binoculars and very recently has started to also come out with stabilized binoculars. – The 16×42 presented here is part of the 2^nd generation APC 42 series which now features “ED” glass and a new body with much improved ergonomics. In many ways, the 16×42 is comparable to the similar size Techno-Stabi model of Fujinon (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/fujinon-techno-stabi-16×40/), which we consider one of the best stabilized binoculars recently on the market, due to its good optics and stabilization. The Kite matches the optical quality of the Fujinon, but features an even better stabilization. Despite the fact that Kite’s specifications appear a bit “optimistic” in several disciplines (e.g. close focus, AFOV, weight; but exception: eye relief), the new APC is testimony to Kite’s ambition to be a serious contender in the stabi market.

Ratings:

Review:

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