Vortex Diamondback opinions?

D_Eightch

WKR
Joined
Sep 10, 2016
Messages
474
Location
North Dakota
Looking to get some decent binos. I like the VIP warranty idea and reading reviews people seem to like these. Obviously wanting a crisp image.

My thoughts are on the 10x42. Most of my use would be hunting in North Dakota and I also want them for next year's elk hunt. Thinking 10x42 should be sufficient for glassing. I don't own a spotting scope at the moment and not sure if I absolutely need one or not yet...who has experience with them and do you think I would be better off spending a bit more money or are these a good bang for your buck piece of gear?
 
Two of my brother in laws have these Binos. I've tried them out and I think they're really good for the money. I think they're under priced. They don't spend a whole lot of time hunting and scouting so they're the perfect set for them.


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You're within spitting distance of really good binos at retail.

Leica trinovids, meopta meostars and used Swarovski.

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I've had a pair for a couple years and love them. Great price. Work well in low light. Really clear. You wouldn't regret getting them.
 
You're within spitting distance of really good binos at retail.

Leica trinovids, meopta meostars and used Swarovski.

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You better have some arch on that spit to make it go that far.


Dbacks are a good pair for the money. Vortex warranty is good but their QC really lacks, expect to use that warranty.
I would also look at Nikon Prostaff 7S and Nikon Monarch 3. Prostaff are a little cheap than diamond backs but are really close in comparison. The Monarch 3 are about $20 more but are better than the diamondbacks, in my opinion. The only difference between Nikon and Vortex warranty is that Nikon won't cover misuse of their product. They will fix anything that you can break while using the product for its intended use.
 
Before they were called Diamondbacks they were called sidewinders. I took them on a caribou hunt in 2007, loved them!

For the money they can not be beat.
 
Cabelas is selling the Talon HD 10x42 for about $279 right now. They are a definite step up if you can get along with the open bridge design. Might spend a few bucks more and go that route. I have an 8x42 Talon HD and it has been really good. My son uses them most of the time now.

I have a couple of friends using the Diamondbacks and they like them.

FH
 
I have used diamondbacks in the past and I will say that jumping up to viper HDs was a big difference to me. But I think the diamondback is great if your looking to spend $150 or so. I seen STP has the new model diamondbacks in an 8x for $150 and with a discount code you could pick them up for even less. I was temped to grab a pair to have as a second pair mostly for my kids/wife.
 
Thanks for all the input. I did end up getting the 10x42 Diamondbacks yesterday. I may upgrade in the future, but they should fit my needs just fine for now.
 
Good choice for the money the diamondbacks are one of the better buy's in bino's. I compared them with all the 4-500 dollar ones at cabalas and there was not enough difference to warrant the money. I finally went to leica's trinivid's which were a huge jump over all the 4-500 dollar one's and use my diamondbacks as backup one's.
 
I picked up a pair of 8x42's and ended up selling my Zeiss Classics. Stupid good for the money.
 
I've been using a pair of Diamondback 10x42 for about 10 months for all sorts of scouting and hunting trips, used them a lot. I never found myself wishing for a better picture, but then again I havent been spoiled with using higher end binos. For the price they are great and unless you're used to using something for 10x the price I think you'd be pretty happy with them.

The only thing I was kind of annoyed by was the screw in piece at the hinge... possible where a tripod mount would attach? Anyway, it kept unscrewing and I eventually just left it off.
 
My Diamondbacks are great! I've used them side by side with buddies Vipers and couldn't notice a difference myself.

I definitely recommend a tripod mount. Game changer!
 
I've been using a pair of Diamondback 10x42 for about 10 months for all sorts of scouting and hunting trips, used them a lot. I never found myself wishing for a better picture, but then again I havent been spoiled with using higher end binos. For the price they are great and unless you're used to using something for 10x the price I think you'd be pretty happy with them.

The only thing I was kind of annoyed by was the screw in piece at the hinge... possible where a tripod mount would attach? Anyway, it kept unscrewing and I eventually just left it off.

Yes that is for a tripod mount. Most are universal in size so you don't need a specific adapter to fit a pair of binos. I would also suggest trying your binos on a tripod. Really saves your eyes and arms on long sits behind glass. Its amazing the amount of detail you can pull from a super steady pair of binos.
 
That's the first thing I noticed. I stopped by a field and even resting my arm on my door I'm too damn shaky. Next up is a tripod for sure.

I really like them so far though. Tested them next to my cheapo 10x42 and it's a joke.
 
I have he last gen diamondback 10x42 and they are OK. My wife just picked up the newest gen version and the build quality is night and day. The feel of the focus knob and overall build quality feels better than my Viper 10x42. Glass seems to be improved over the last gen but even if not then they are still dang well built binos with decent glass.

IMO the Bushnell HD optics (cant remember the series name) are better and in the same price range but the diamondbacks are quite nice

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