QIVIKA’s 300g smart scope attaches to your phone to give a 24x optical view equivalent to a 3,000mm lens, with on-device AI that can identify over 10,000 bird species.

Getting close to birds and wildlife usually means a big, heavy and expensive telephoto lens. Berlin and New York-based QIVIKA thinks your smartphone can do a lot of that work instead, and its new QIVIKA smart scope is now live on Kickstarter after its debut at IFA 2026 in Berlin.

The scope is roughly the size of a drinks can and weighs around 300g. It uses a folded periscope optical path with ED glass, a BAK4 prism and multi-coated optics to deliver 24x optical magnification, which QIVIKA says is equivalent to a focal length of up to 3,000mm. It can be used handheld or mounted on a tripod, and it works with both iOS and Android phones, which act as the display and processing hub.

AI for birders and stargazers

The smart part comes from the companion app. It can identify more than 10,000 bird species, and the processing runs locally on the device, so you don’t need a signal when you’re out on the marshes or up on the moors. You can build a personal observation log and life list and record sightings on a Bird Discovery Map.

QIVIKA is also pitching the scope at night-sky observers. There are Solar, Explore and Deep Sky shooting modes, a Smart Sky Guide with constellation overlays and directional arrows, and a Moon Hunter mode for collecting lunar phases and crater detail.

We’ve not tested the QIVIKA yet, so we can’t say how the image quality from a 24x optic behind a phone camera stacks up against a dedicated long lens or a traditional digiscoping setup. At this price, though, it’s an interesting option for birders who want identification and record-keeping in one pocketable package. As with any crowdfunded product, it’s worth keeping in mind that delivery dates and final specifications can change.

QIVIKA smart scope specifications

QIVIKA smart scope price and availability

The QIVIKA smart scope is available to back now on Kickstarter, with early bird pledges starting at under $260 / £200. Deliveries to backers are expected by the end of December 2026. Retail pricing has yet to be confirmed. Find out more on the QIVIKA website.