KITE OPTICS 12x42 APC Stabilized Binoculars

BH #KI12X42APCSB • MFR #K283827
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KITE OPTICS 12x42 APC Stabilized Binoculars
Key Features
  • 2° Image Correction
  • Auto-Activates When Lifted for Use
  • 90-Minute Auto Shutoff
KITE 12x42 APC Stabilized Binoculars redefine your experience in nature observation. Just as light and just as bright as conventional 42mm roof prism binoculars, but stable—even in strong wind or if you are still out of breath from that long walk. The 2° correction angle allows viewing without image vibration, so you can see things that are invisible with even the best standard binoculars.
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KITE OPTICS APC 12x42 Overview

KITE 12x42 APC Stabilized Binoculars redefine your experience in nature observation. Just as light and just as bright as conventional 42mm roof prism binoculars, but stable—even in strong wind or if you are still out of breath from that long walk. The 2° correction angle allows viewing without image vibration, so you can see things that are invisible with even the best standard binoculars.

Spare Batteries Onboard
The optic runs up to 60 hours on two AA batteries, and has a second battery box onboard for use when the first set is depleted.
Angle Power Control & Auto Shutoff
The KITE APC (angle power control) system puts the stabilizing electronics in sleep mode when the instrument is in rest position (hanging from the neck), and automatically activates the unit when you start observing again. This results in a huge increase in battery life and usage comfort. Regardless of its position, after 90 minutes the instrument will automatically switch off for energy saving.
2° Correction
The stabilization capacity of the APC 42 goes beyond the suppression of image vibrations caused by wind or hand trembling, allowing stable viewing from driving vehicles, boats, aircraft, and other unstable platforms.
Waterproof & Fogproof
The APC 42 is IPX7-rated waterproof, able to withstand showers or immersion to 3.3' for 30 minutes. The system is nitrogen gas filled to prevent internal fogging.
UPC: 053661030091

KITE OPTICS APC 12x42 Specs

Key Specs
Prism Type
Roof
Magnification
12x
Objective Lens Diameter
42 mm
Angle of View
3.9° (Actual)
Field of View
201.8' @ 1000 yd / 67 m @ 1000 m
Exit Pupil Diameter
3.5 mm
Prism Type
Roof
Performance
Magnification
12x
Objective Lens Diameter
42 mm
Angle of View
3.9° (Actual)
Field of View
201.8' @ 1000 yd / 67 m @ 1000 m
Minimum Focus Distance
13.1' / 4 m
Exit Pupil Diameter
3.5 mm
Eye Relief
17 mm
Interpupillary Adjustment
54 to 74 mm / 2.1 to 2.9"
Diopter Adjustment
-3 to +3
Focus Type
Center
Features
Fogproof
Yes: Nitrogen Filled
Environmental Resistance
Water-Resistant (IPX7)
General
Battery
2x AA (Approx. 60 Hours)
Dimensions
7.2 x 5 x 5" / 184 x 128 x 128 mm
Weight
25.4 oz / 720 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.585 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.25 x 7.25 x 4"

KITE OPTICS APC 12x42 Reviews

Great for distance birding, tough for anything else

By Brian
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2025-08-01

I'm really impressed with the quality of these optics, and the image stabilization is excellent--a game changer. Battery life is good. One improvement could be initializing the stabilization using a sensor when you bring the binoculars up to your eyes. As is, if you have the stabilization turned on and you lay them flat, the IS keeps working, draining battery life. If pointed at the ground, the IS turns off, which is great. The biggest challenge with these from a birding perspective is the shallow depth of field and the difficulty getting on birds that are both close to the observer and or moving in the sky in the near field. For distance scanning like sea watching and hawk watching these are incredible--it's like having a hand held spotting scope. I haven't, however, been able to get used to them at all for birding in the woods, or the more general kinds of birding that I do. All that said, I love that a company is working hard on IS binoculars. It seems like a wide open area for a step-level improvement in what you can do with optics for birding. Kite Optics, I'd recommend trying 8 or 10 power as the next step for birders, and working on the depth of field issue.

Great addition- new way of glassing

By Michael
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-02-28

I thought I would try these for glassing on the move. They exceeded expectations. The batteries last a long time and I love the automatic turn off feature when they are facing down. They do take a few seconds to restart and wobble, but they work great after that.

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