Kite Optics: stabilized binoculars from Belgium

1992: Founded by Georges De Putter
Belgium: Family business based in Jabbeke
KDGS: Gimbal stabilization since 2019

The story of the brand

A family business born near Bruges

Georges De Putter grew up in a family of opticians. As a boy, he took a keen interest in the binoculars and scopes of his father's shop. His professional customers wanted durable instruments backed by reliable service. In 1992, he founded Kite Optics to meet that need.

The brand first supplied nature reserves and institutions across Europe. It later reached the public through specialist stores. In 2019, after about ten years of research, it introduced KDGS. This system stabilizes the image in roof prism binoculars. Its second generation, KDGS-2, followed in 2024.

The company is still family-run: Sebastien and Nicolas De Putter lead it today from Jabbeke. The APC series has moved out to sea with the Navataq Marine, dressed in a grey silicone cover. Tuna anglers use it to spot feeding birds offshore.

Key dates

1992 Georges De Putter founds Kite Optics in Belgium
2019 Launch of KDGS, stabilization for roof prism binoculars
2024 Arrival of KDGS-2, the second generation of stabilization

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who founded Kite Optics?

Georges De Putter founded Kite Optics in 1992. He comes from a family of opticians and took an early interest in observation instruments.

The company has remained family-run: his sons Sebastien and Nicolas lead it today. Its head office is in Jabbeke, near Bruges, in Belgium.

How does the stabilization of Kite Optics APC binoculars work?

APC binoculars rely on KDGS, short for Kite Dynamic Gimbal System, introduced in 2019. The prism block sits in a gimbal mount. Accelerometers track movement at all times and the KT software adjusts the position of the prisms.

This active control makes it possible to stabilize roof prism binoculars, a compact format that gyroscope systems handled poorly. The second generation, KDGS-2, dates from 2024.

Why are Kite Optics binoculars used at sea?

Kite Optics stabilized binoculars keep a steady image despite the movement of the boat, the waves and the wind. Their IPX7 waterproofing and nitrogen filling suit the demands of the marine environment.

Kite Optics adapted the APC series into the Navataq Marine, with a grey silicone cover and two AA batteries. Tuna anglers use it to spot feeding birds offshore.

Kite Optics, stabilized binoculars from Belgium

Kite Optics is a Belgian family firm. Its head office is in Jabbeke, near Bruges. Georges De Putter set up the brand in 1992. His sons Sebastien and Nicolas run it today. The brand makes binoculars, spotting scopes and other optics for watching wildlife. From the start, it has worked for nature, hunting, the outdoors and photo work.

Since 2019, much of its work has gone into the stabilized binoculars of the APC series. Sailors and sea anglers use them to scan the sea from a boat. Out at sea, they help spot feeding birds from far off. The Navataq Marine series uses the same base for work at sea.

A craft built around a steady image

Older steady view binoculars used gyros. That idea fits poorly with the roof prism found in most of today's binoculars. So Kite Optics took a new route. In its APC models, the prism block floats in a gimbal mount. Small sensors track each move. Then the software keeps the prisms in the right place at all times.

KDGS, short for Kite Dynamic Gimbal System: the gimbal mount launched in 2019.
KDGS-2: the second version of this mount, shown in 2024.
KT 2.0 and KT 3.0: the chips and software that run the system.
APC mode: the device goes to sleep as soon as you stop looking.
IPX7 waterproof build with nitrogen fill, safe down to one meter.

The brand works on the parts and the software as one. Each new version starts from what the last one did well.

100% secure payments

48H express shipping

Shock-resistant packaging

An expert & passionate team

Kite Optics: stabilized binoculars and protective covers

A family business born near Bruges

Key dates

Products

APC Stabilized Binoculars 12x42

Binoculars APC Stabilized 14x50 ED LI-ION

Navataq Marine Binoculars

KITE SILICONE JACKET APC 50 – SAGE GREEN

Everything about the brand

Who founded Kite Optics?

How does the stabilization of Kite Optics APC binoculars work?

Why are Kite Optics binoculars used at sea?