Kite APC 60 17-35x WA stabilised spotting scope (1 Viewer)

[Grando]

It'd be interesting to use on a pelagic...

 

[DRodrigues]

BTX eye pieces with Harpia zoom should keep costs down.

A binoviewer with 58mm aperture probably wouldn't produce bright images! Also would be strange to hold... A true binoversion seems better.
Not sure if the Harpia zoom system is economic to produce.

 

[DRodrigues]

...

But I'm not a younger birder. And my phone (XCover 6 Pro) has got a removable battery.

Plus I don't think the average mobile will last as long as a scope. It would have been easy enough to make the battery removable. It would even have been easy enough to use a standard size battery, just like Canon did in all their IS binoculars. Kite didn't. So my choice is not to get one.

Hermann

I'm not younger also...
I should had written that "most" smart phones don't have removable battery... Another detail to look in a future purchase but I don't spend so much money on mobile phone as you...
I also prefer standard size batteries, just saying that younger birds probably don't have that requirement.
For me a, with these mags, I would prefer a binoversion... My current binocular is a Canon18x50 IS...

 

[etudiant]

A binoviewer with 58mm aperture probably wouldn't produce bright images! Also would be strange to hold... A true binoversion seems better.
Not sure if the Harpia zoom system is economic to produce.

Agree that 58mm aperture would yield a dim binoviewer scope.
However, would it not be relatively inexpensive to adapt a stabilized big camera zoom lens with a binoviewer?

 

[DRodrigues]

...
However, would it not be relatively inexpensive to adapt a stabilized big camera zoom lens with a binoviewer?

I have been there but the results weren't the best...
However, just remembered that with the use of the LBV might be easier.
Nikon could easily do it but I wonder what are their thoughts about spotting scopes with binoviewers since still didn't produce any...

PS: - more than 30 years ago, my first scope was a Nikon ED60 20-45x, presently I'm using a Swaro STX115 (30-70x and 50-120x), and developed a way of using a binoviewer with it - 56-129x, using the X115 zoom, but with more 5.8% of TFOV of the X115+extender at 50x and AFOV similar to the X115 at 70x!!!

 

[etudiant]

I have been there but the results weren't the best...
However, just remembered that with the use of the LBV might be easier.
Nikon could easily do it but I wonder what are their thoughts about spotting scopes with binoviewers since still didn't produce any...

PS: - more than 30 years ago, my first scope was a Nikon ED60 20-45x, presently I'm using a Swaro STX115 (30-70x and 50-120x), and developed a way of using a binoviewer with it - 56-129x, using the X115 zoom, but with more 5.8% of TFOV of the X115+extender at 50x and AFOV similar to the X115 at 70x!!!

Fascinating work, getting an effective binoviewer setup.
Am not surprised Nikon is AWOL in this space, they have reduced their sport optics presence in recent years.
For now, that leaves the community dependent for optical innovation on the work of skilled amateurs such as yourself.
Hopefully the new Kite stabilized scope is a harbinger of a wider trend to innovation from below in the sport optics market.

 

[kwikstaart]

I have tried the Kite yesterday for about 30 minutes on a sunny morning. I found it incredible!! Very good glass, excellent stability, good FOV. You can really hold it in your hand and scan like with binoculars but even steadier with a 17-35 zoom which is enough in 99% of the time for me.Focusing is smooth, the zoom is smooth, just incredible. I liked it best holding the mini tripod with one hand and focusing with the other. With the long durability of the battery my only (small) concern is: just 2 years of warranty for the electronical parts and... what do I sell?? In teams of viewing quality, light weight and usability a no brainer!!

 

[kwikstaart]

Yesterday I was thinking about further improvements of this Kite and there are a few. Of course there will be the race for sharper views, bigger FOv etc but due to the portability I don't think they will grow much bigger. But... quit a few improvements are possible in handling the scope and ergonomy: a standard holding handle (look at some handles to hold of megaphones) or how we held a videorecorder with the holding strap on the side, or autofocus build in etc etc

 

[Hermann]

With the long durability of the battery my only (small) concern is: just 2 years of warranty for the electronical parts and... what do I sell?? In teams of viewing quality, light weight and usability a no brainer!!

What about changing the battery? As far as I know the battery can only be changed at a service point. And that is IMO unacceptable.

Hermann

 

[Harry Stottle]

I have tried the Kite yesterday for about 30 minutes on a sunny morning. I found it incredible!! Very good glass, excellent stability, good FOV. You can really hold it in your hand and scan like with binoculars but even steadier with a 17-35 zoom which is enough in 99% of the time for me.Focusing is smooth, the zoom is smooth, just incredible. I liked it best holding the mini tripod with one hand and focusing with the other. With the long durability of the battery my only (small) concern is: just 2 years of warranty for the electronical parts and... what do I sell?? In teams of viewing quality, light weight and usability a no brainer!!

Find out how much it costs to change the battery before buying.

 

[Ignatius]

Find out how much it costs to change the battery before buying.

This is exactly why I avoid buying electronics with built-in or proprietary batteries. One is wholly dependent on the goodwill of the manufacturer, whereas with standard batteries (rechargeable or otherwise) one is not at their mercy.

 

[etudiant]

What about changing the battery? As far as I know the battery can only be changed at a service point. And that is IMO unacceptable.

Hermann

Rechargeable batteries are pretty reliably long lasting, so I'm comfortable with the idea of it being a built in. It allows for a more compact package.
The extended stabilization run time eliminates the main reason for having the batteries be field replaceable.
Imho, it is fear mongering to suggest that Kite would charge a ripoff fee to replace the battery, they are not stupid and have been a reputable supplier.

 

[kwikstaart]

Although I understand the concerns about the build in rechargeble battery and although I would have liked replaceble ones better I also thought: when was the last time I heard or read about complaints about build ins in any kind of device.... I can not remember.
It should be possible to fully recharge it 500-1000 times. Multiply that by 30 hours per charge and it should last a (my) life (I hope I will get that old). Of course it depends on how often you use it but stil.. The 5 year warranty for the electronic parts is also satisfying for me. I will get mine soon 😀

 

[Hermann]

Rechargeable batteries are pretty reliably long lasting, so I'm comfortable with the idea of it being a built in. It allows for a more compact package.

I'm not. I see and hear too many stories about the in-built batteries in smartphones or tablets dying a premature death or losing capacity.

The extended stabilization run time eliminates the main reason for having the batteries be field replaceable.

The main reason is that I'd want to be able to replace the battery (that should be a standard type like an 18650, or better still, AA batteries) myself if it dies or loses capacity. I don't like to rely on the manufacturer to offer any replacements and actually do the work.

Imho, it is fear mongering to suggest that Kite would charge a ripoff fee to replace the battery, they are not stupid and have been a reputable supplier.

Please note that I didn't talk about "ripoff fees" at all. Nor did I say anything about them being stupid.

Hermann

 

[etudiant]

I'm not. I see and hear too many stories about the in-built batteries in smartphones or tablets dying a premature death or losing capacity.

The main reason is that I'd want to be able to replace the battery (that should be a standard type like an 18650, or better still, AA batteries) myself if it dies or loses capacity. I don't like to rely on the manufacturer to offer any replacements and actually do the work.

Please note that I didn't talk about "ripoff fees" at all. Nor did I say anything about them being stupid.

Hermann

Fair enough.
You categorically reject the inconvenience of needing to involve the manufacturer again at some unpredictable future occasion.
I just hope to live long enough to actually need a battery change.

Separately, the APC60 scope works very well in the field.
It provides massively better viewing hand held than what I used to get while using an ED50 on a monopod or hand held.
The field of view is better and the image is not only stable, but also brighter, no surprise as it is a 60mm scope vs the 50mm ED50.
It is comfortable to hand hold for at least some minutes, so I've not yet wanted to use the supplied Finn stick.
Downsides are that it is much bigger and heavier than the ED50, about double the weight (the gap shrinks when including the monopod and its head).
The APC60 appears designed to be carried in the supplied case, which includes straps for various carry options.
For me it seems easier to just use a comfortable shoulder strap, the scope is waterproof and appears reasonably robust.

 

[kwikstaart]

I have tried the scope again today. Although it is still very nice to my eye and hand the sharpness drop from about 25x magnification was a little too much. I also had more small troubles finding the target compared to my binoculars and (angled) scope and with my binoculars I sometimes struggled. Then I tried the Kite APC 18x50 and I liked it better for my needs (travelling light with enough reach). I will post my review in the binoculars section after playing for a while.
Still I am sure that the path Kite has taken is the future and the scope is an excellent solution to many needs!!
Oh, and I choose the Li-ion option 😀

 

[4 The Birds1]

I have tried the scope again today. Although it is still very nice to my eye and hand the sharpness drop from about 25x magnification was a little too much.

Hi kwikstaart, could you explain what you mean with that?