vortex diamondback bino

[Violent Hippie]

I have never owned binos over the $100 price range. I do own some nice Leupold rifle scopes and am aware of the clarity they provide. I am looking into a new set of binos to use for glassing game in the high mtns when elk hunting next year in a new area and wanted opinions on the diamondbacks. 10 or 8 x specifically. I have used the Vortex binos (viper or razor I think) in the $600 range that my hunting partner has but was just wondering how the diamondbacks are since they are WAY less expensive. I have gotten buy fine with real cheapo binos in the past but havnt had to glass a whole lot in the areas I routinely hunt which are real wooded but will be glassing ALOT more next year. Thanks

 

[good2eat]

I have a pair of 8.5 x 50, for the price they are a hell of a set of binoculars. I was able to get them for $149. They are no Swaros or even Vortex razors, make no mistake, but as inexpensive sets go they're pretty damn good.

 

[Greg Beck]

I really like my 8x42 Diamondbacks. Having said that I've never owned expensive optics. But for the money they can't be beat!!

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

My wife has a pair of the 10x42 diamondbacks. In that class they are on par with more expensive binos. They are great for hiking and getting a better look at something you see with the naked eye while on the move. If you are going to be sitting on a point glassing more than a couple hundred yards, looking for bedded game, these are NOT the binos for you. Save your money and get a hd scope or hd binos to put on a quality tripod. If you read my review in the previous post you'll see why quality matters. You will simply miss animals that guys with quality glass WILL see.

 

[Violent Hippie]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Alot of options out there for sure.

 

[huntMT]

I have a set of Diamondback 10x42 and love them. I went with the 10xs because I do some open country hunting as well as hunting wooded areas. I wish I went with the 8xs for hunting the wooded areas and stuck with my spotting scope for the open country but that's just me. Either way you go you'll be happy with the diamondbacks. They are heavy compared to other options but they have good clarity and a can't beat warranty. If you can swing a $1000 for a pair of Swaroskis do it, but most of us can't so Vortex are a good option. You should't have any buyers remorse.

 

[ElkNut1]

SRR, your buddy most likely had the Vipers HD as they would be closest around that 600.00 range & much less. Did you like his after looking through them? If so you may want to consider them as I'm sure they're a huge step up from your present unit.

As to your thoughts on the D/Backs 10X42, yes they will do the job as well without breaking the bank. They are not as nice as the Viper HD & will not keep up with them in low light glassing, they'll be aprox 10 minutes or so behind them in light gathering ability. But after that & before last light they will see nearly anything out there you care to glass without basically zero eye strain. I used this several years back for 2 seasons to see how'd they do, no real issues at all, for 200.00 optics they are surprisingly good.

If you are using glass 30-60 days a year then consider nothing less than the Viper HD, if for a couple weeks a year then the D/Backs will certainly do the job. Decision, decisions! (grin)

ElkNut1

 

[AdamW]

I just bought a pair of 10x42s and have been very pleased with them. If that price range is about what you are wanting to spend I think they would be hard to beat.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I confirmed the binos I used that my buddy had were in deed Viper HD's. Yeah. I liked them alot and may just spring for a pair of those. I dont hunt 30-60 days a year . More like around 14-21 days of actual hunting time but do spend about 120 days or so in the field minimum year round hiking , scouting etc. and am finding myself using my binos more and more . Opens up a whole other world out there. I am really enjoying it and can see the benefits better glass affords. Either way I will have a major improvement over my current setup. Thanks again guys.

 

[Mckinnon]

I have the vipers, my brother has the diamondbacks, and my dad went in between the two with some Talon's. For the price I would go with the Talon's. They are very similar to my vipers. Whatever you do go through Elknut for purchasing!