New Kite spotting scope: SP 85 HD and KSP 80 HD (2) (1 Viewer)

[mbb]

Kite Optics appears to have released 2 new scopes this year. Strangely enough, it seems to have remained unnoticed here and I only noticed it 'by accident' on their website:

The SP 85 HD with a 30-60x zoom eyepiece

https://kiteoptics.com/product/outdoor/spotting-scopes/sp-85-hd-30-60x/

It seems to replace the former SP 82 ED, which had a (narrow fov) 20-60x as well as a wide angle 25-50x and was compatible with Swarovski eyepieces. I don't know if this newer one is too. It seems to be priced lower than the previous model, which is quite unusual these days, I'd say. Its specs say it is quite heavy though (2130g).

Their flagship KSP 80 HD (2) with a 25-50x eyepiece

https://kiteoptics.com/product/other/telescopes/ksp-80-hd/

It seems to replace the previous model of the same name, with at least some new exterior housing. I'm not sure if anything else changed (optics?).

Has anyone here had the chance to try them out yet?

 

[John Cantelo]

... and a third - see Kite APC 60 17-35x WA stabilised spotting scope

 

[mbb]

Well, thát is interesting!

 

[Rotherbirder]

The 85mm looks to all intents & purposes like the Zeiss Gavia while the 80mm has shades of the Nikon Monarch 82. Kamakura clones or similar? Not doubting they'll probably be pretty good instruments.

RB

 

[henry link]

Actually it's the Kite KSP 80 HD that is part of a family of close sibling scopes made by Kamakura that includes the Gavia, the current Votex Razor, the discontinued Brunton ICON, a Maven scope and one or two others I've forgotten. I've tested the Brunton and Gavia, both of which have some serious flaws. The Monarch 82 is a design unique to Nikon and did far better in my tests than either the Gavia or the ICON.

 

[sahiell]

So, it's been a while. Has anyone actually bought one? There seems to be no reviews online for those scopes. I am interested in the sp85, as it's in my budget range, but without any reviews comparing it to something more known like vortex scopes I can't justifie buing it blindly, and I have no stores to check it out for myself, so anything I decide to buy has to be purely based on reviews/comparisons. If someone bought this scope, please let us know your experience. Is it worth it's price? How good are the optics compared to competition?

 

[Lazarus Taxon]

Yes - I have one. Do you have any specific questions?

The telescope works perfectly for me when birdwatching. I was fed up with having to carry a telescope and especially the tripod all the time. After all, I also walk around with a 600mm lens for photos and my sound equipment. This telescope is a game changer for me. With a little more than 1kg in weight, the difference in weight with my old setup (Harpia Zeiss) is enormous.

The step back in image quality of the Zeiss is of course visible, but I get too many advantages in return. Zooming is smooth because your hand often holds the middle part of the telescope. The only stiff part of the scope is switching the image stabilization on and off, but I actually never do that while I'm looking through it. Always for that.

The scope comes with handy accessories and I now usually carry the scope on my belt. Something I had never done before with any of my equipment, but it works perfectly. The extra strap at the bottom keeps the carrier bag against the leg so that it doesn't swing or bump. The moment I see something with my binoculars that I can't place, I grab my right hip and I unravel the mystery of the unknown bird faster (than when I put my tripod down from my shoulder or from a backpack).

During migration counting it gives me the space to be more mobile at the post. Ideal because I always get pain in my lower back during migration counting. Now I don't have a fixed place where I have to stand at my telescope.

When others are driving I can look outside while driving at large groups of geese and swans, for example. The vibration of the image is ideal even then. On a boat it is heavenly, although my brain really had to get used to it.

The quality of the product seems very good but that always has to prove itself over the years. But with a 30-year guarantee I don't worry too much about that. Moreover, almost all parts are individually replaceable which makes repair simple.

I work for Dutch Birdlife and this is the solution I have been waiting for years for both my work and private adventures. Since the 20x60T from Zeiss I have been waiting for a worthy replacement. That moment is now!