Vortex Crossfire Compact Spotting Scope

Joined
Oct 24, 2022
Messages
30
I’m looking for some opinions on Vortex’s Crossfire Compact spotting scope with the 50mm objective. I’ve used crossfire binos and a scope before and have upgraded out of both. I typically think that vortex’s quality stuff starts in the viper line, but that their Diamondback series are fine for people just dipping a toe into hunting on a budget.

Obviously for $200 I wouldn’t be expecting the world. But I see limited information and am just curious if anyone has spent the cash and tried it in a serious hunting environment I’d be interested to find out its performance in low light and at distance, and if you have any experience you could share comparing it to other scopes or glass you use. I hunt northern and central ID and would like a compact spotter mainly for digiscoping to share with my kids, make animal viewing easier for them if they’re out with me or filming a kill shot for review.
 

Alpine4x4

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 24, 2022
Messages
152
Location
Washington
I got the 15-45x model as an xmas gift and had my dad return it. Clarity was OK, but the CA was atrocious and the picture was grey and dim. The CA was distractingly bad. I can't imagine the mini is much better.
 

Athens

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 29, 2023
Messages
105
I’d go with the viper or the razor over the diamondback. I got a pair of diamondback binos. The clarity is ok, but nothing like my monarch7s. I’ve also compared the diamondback to viper to razor and I was able to notice the difference between each step up.

I wasnt looking at the big razors. That small 11-33 razor. But the diamondback and viper were both 60mm
 

Alpine4x4

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 24, 2022
Messages
152
Location
Washington
I’d go with the viper or the razor over the diamondback. I got a pair of diamondback binos. The clarity is ok, but nothing like my monarch7s. I’ve also compared the diamondback to viper to razor and I was able to notice the difference between each step up.

I wasnt looking at the big razors. That small 11-33 razor. But the diamondback and viper were both 60mm
Either the mini razor or the 15-45 Athlon Ares. Thats what I went with and it outcompetes all the Vortex scopes imo.
 
OP
O
Joined
Oct 24, 2022
Messages
30
I’ve heard quite a bit of negative feedback on the Diamondback spotting scopes, so I’m not considering those at all. I’ve heard limited feedback or reviews on the crossfire compact, hence the post. The Vortex guys (obviously biased) said that the crossfire mini spotter was sexing speed goats at 3 miles, which is impressive if true, but again, still looking for unbiased opinions. I’d like a compact/light spotter because if it’s heavy and not used every trip, then it becomes easy to justify leaving in the truck. I like the new viper minis, which look like rebranded gen 1 mini razors. Or finding a used mini razor gen 1.

I have heard great things about that Aeres spotter, so thanks for the continued recommendation!
 
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