Image stabilization with great features - Kite Optics APC Stabilized 12x42mm Roof Prism Binocular

The Kite APC 12x42 image stabilized binoculars provides a rock steady and very sharp view. I wear glasses and I appreciate the 17mm of eye relief. The binoculars are relatively light in weight and they fit nice in my hands.

The binoculars come with covers for both the ocular lenses and the objective lenses. If you purchase an optional silicone protective binocular jacket available from Kite, they will give you a wider objective lens cover to accommodate the additional silicone cover layer. The jackets come in a variety of colors. While the jackets add a layer of protection, they seem to be more slippery in texture than the standard rubberized layer of the binoculars without the optional jacket.

Other reviewers have noted that image stabilization allows you to see more detail in the area you are viewing and I agree. Furthermore, tracking moving objects gives them an almost film-like quality.

On the APC function, one of my uses for the binoculars will be in an aircraft. I found that looking down does not switch the image stabilization off until the binoculars are completely 90 degrees down - that is a good thing for aviation use.

Note for nighttime astronomy viewing and other use at night: the green light that indicates image stabilization is on may interfere with maintaining night vision. Put your finger over the light or tape on a cover over the light for nighttime use.

I purchased the vortex glasspak sport chest binocular case to use with the binoculars. The glasspak chest case comfortably takes the weight off your shoulders and makes the binoculars available to use at moments notice.

The large version of the vortex glasspak’s lid will just fit over the Kite APC 12x42 binoculars with the binocular’s objective cover removed and stored in the elastic pocket on the exterior of the glasspak case.

The glasspak sport comes with straps to secure the binoculars loosely to the case to ensure they don’t drop. Those straps can also be used with the included neck strap, if you don’t need to use the chest case.