Triple Vortex Rangefinders: Viper vs Diamondback vs Crossfire ***Updated 2/17/23***

Joined
Nov 16, 2022
Messages
14
Location
ARIZONA
Yeah I was pretty split between the diamond and viper but hearing all this I think the Diamond better suits my needs
 
Joined
Nov 16, 2022
Messages
14
Location
ARIZONA
Now I'm thinking of going with the viper because of its range and I would use it for shooting long range. Do you guys think the viper would be worth it?
 

centershot

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 30, 2022
Messages
226
The glass difference in them is more than just noticeable. The Viper is worth the extra money just for that, not to mention the rangefinder is better also.
 

robby denning

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
15,117
Location
SE Idaho
Hey Roksliders

Howard’s been working slave hours at day job but is working on this final review and will be out hoping in the next few weeks. Thanks!
 

Cjidaho

FNG
Joined
Jan 12, 2019
Messages
11
Location
ID
View attachment 431962View attachment 431963

The Viper® HD 3000
MSRP $599.99

https://vortexoptics.com/viper-hd-3000-rangefinder.html
Range Reflective (yards)............3000 yds
Range Tree (yards).....................2300 yds
Range Deer (yards)....................2000 yds
Accuracy....................................+/- 1 yard @100 yards
Max Angle Reading....................+/- 89 degrees
Magnification..............................7x
Objective Lens Diameter............25 mm
Linear Field of View....................314 feet @ 1,000 yds
Angular Field of View .................6 degrees
Eye Relief...................................15.5 mm
Length........................................4.2 inches
Width ........................................1.7 inches
Weight........................................9.1 oz
Target modes..............................Normal, First, Last, ELR
Two ranging modes....................LOS, HCD


The Diamondback® HD 2000
MSRP $449.99
https://vortexoptics.com/diamondback-2000-rangefinder.html

Range Reflective (yards)...............2000 yds
Range Tree (yards)........................1800 yds
Range Deer (yards).......................1400 yds
Accuracy........................................+/- 1 yard @ 100 yards
Max Angle Reading .......................+/- 60 degrees
Magnification .................................7x
Objective Lens Diameter...............24 mm
Linear Field of View.......................335 feet @ 1000 yards
Angular Field of View.....................6.4 degrees
Length............................................4.1 inches
Width.............................................1.8 inches
Weight ..........................................7.6 oz
Two target modes.........................Normal, Last
Two ranging modes......................LOS, HCD


Crossfire® HD 1400
MSRP $269.99
https://vortexoptics.com/crossfire-hd-1400-laser-rangefinder.html

Range Reflective (yards)...............1400 yds
Range Tree (yards).........................950 yds
Range Deer (yards)........................750 yds
Accuracy........................................+/- 1 yard @ 100 yards
Max Angle Reading.......................+/- 89 degrees
Magnification.................................5x
Objective Lens Diameter...............21 mm
Linear Field of View.......................367 feet @ 1000 yards
Angular Field of View....................7 degrees
Eye Relief......................................16 mm
Length...........................................4.0 inches
Width.............................................1.3 inches
Weight...........................................4.8 oz
Three target modes......................Normal, First, Last
Two ranging modes .....................LOS, HCD

Alright... what do you want to know about these three rangefinders?
My review is underway and I'd like to hear what you actually care about?
What do you want to know?
I like the viper
View attachment 431962View attachment 431963

The Viper® HD 3000
MSRP $599.99

https://vortexoptics.com/viper-hd-3000-rangefinder.html
Range Reflective (yards)............3000 yds
Range Tree (yards).....................2300 yds
Range Deer (yards)....................2000 yds
Accuracy....................................+/- 1 yard @100 yards
Max Angle Reading....................+/- 89 degrees
Magnification..............................7x
Objective Lens Diameter............25 mm
Linear Field of View....................314 feet @ 1,000 yds
Angular Field of View .................6 degrees
Eye Relief...................................15.5 mm
Length........................................4.2 inches
Width ........................................1.7 inches
Weight........................................9.1 oz
Target modes..............................Normal, First, Last, ELR
Two ranging modes....................LOS, HCD


The Diamondback® HD 2000
MSRP $449.99
https://vortexoptics.com/diamondback-2000-rangefinder.html

Range Reflective (yards)...............2000 yds
Range Tree (yards)........................1800 yds
Range Deer (yards).......................1400 yds
Accuracy........................................+/- 1 yard @ 100 yards
Max Angle Reading .......................+/- 60 degrees
Magnification .................................7x
Objective Lens Diameter...............24 mm
Linear Field of View.......................335 feet @ 1000 yards
Angular Field of View.....................6.4 degrees
Length............................................4.1 inches
Width.............................................1.8 inches
Weight ..........................................7.6 oz
Two target modes.........................Normal, Last
Two ranging modes......................LOS, HCD


Crossfire® HD 1400
MSRP $269.99
https://vortexoptics.com/crossfire-hd-1400-laser-rangefinder.html

Range Reflective (yards)...............1400 yds
Range Tree (yards).........................950 yds
Range Deer (yards)........................750 yds
Accuracy........................................+/- 1 yard @ 100 yards
Max Angle Reading.......................+/- 89 degrees
Magnification.................................5x
Objective Lens Diameter...............21 mm
Linear Field of View.......................367 feet @ 1000 yards
Angular Field of View....................7 degrees
Eye Relief......................................16 mm
Length...........................................4.0 inches
Width.............................................1.3 inches
Weight...........................................4.8 oz
Three target modes......................Normal, First, Last
Two ranging modes .....................LOS, HCD

Alright... what do you want to know about these three rangefinders?
My review is underway and I'd like to hear what you actually care about?
What do you want to know?
I like the viper
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
So is it safe to say that the Diamondback is literally "the middle road" between these 3 models? Better than the Crossfire but not quite as good as the viper? i'd be interested in what it does better than the crossfire since they're in similar price range (BP has the DB for $299 for ex.).
Yes, literally middle of the road IMO.

All three have the same ranging speed.

The Viper and the Diamondback both have a very similar reticle.
They both have a 7x magnification.
The Crossfire is 5x and has a t-style Cross reticle.

If Range Mode matters for what you're doing, the Crossfire 1200 actually has an extra mode comparred to the Diamondback 2000.
3000 has Normal, Last, First, and ELR
2000 has Normal, Last
1200 has Normal, Last, First
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
have you come across any issues in light fog, snow or rain with the viper? I purchased a viper in September for a couple rifle hunts and was very disappointed in its ranging ability in VERY light fog and drizzle. I tried all of the different modes to range a target at 300 yards and consistently it spit out 12.5-20 yards.
Did I get a bad unit or are they that poor in those conditions?
My old nikon was able to range in the same conditions
I'm curious if you ever got more info on this?
It makes sense that as the sensitivity/precision of these rangefinders increases, fog could become an increasing problem. I assumed that the different modes would address that problem.
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
I apologize for the disappearing act. I didn't intend to go radio silent on you all. Life happens.
I've sent off the review for editing. Let me know what you think when it posts!
 

WBrim

WKR
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
365
I’m curious how these line up with the old Ranger models. I use the 1800 Ranger, and would just like to know if it sits similar to crossfire, or closer to DB? Or is the new line just completely different?
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
I have an old ranger too. I think it’s the Ranger 1000? I mentioned in the review.
The biggest difference is the speed! Holding them side by side makes the old ranger look stupid.
If you use your ranger in your yard and then go to a store and use a newer model, you probably won’t see the difference, but if you shoot then side by side, it’s shocking


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

WBrim

WKR
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
365
I have an old ranger too. I think it’s the Ranger 1000? I mentioned in the review.
The biggest difference is the speed! Holding them side by side makes the old ranger look stupid.
If you use your ranger in your yard and then go to a store and use a newer model, you probably won’t see the difference, but if you shoot then side by side, it’s shocking


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the specific feedback! It’s cool to get info from solid reviews, actually putting them thru the steps in the field.
 

Krem

FNG
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Messages
73
Thanks for the reviews, I have been on the fence about replacing my ranger 1000. I struggle with ranging through tall grass or the odd twig while bow hunting on the ground. Wondering if it would be easier to find a hole with the new more precise range finders?
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
I would say yes. If you “fence test” it and know your exact aiming point, you could do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
All three models have a mix of Normal, First, Last, ranging modes for ranging through grass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
Howard Mee

Howard Mee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
736
Location
Montana
Haha!!! Uh… maybe not good for clay pigeons


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
1,837
Location
Casper, Wyoming
Out of curiosity has anyone gotten a crossfire? I am between that and the Diamondback. Sportsmans also has a ranger 1800 on sale for just a little more. I am leaning towards the crossfire.
 
Top