Vortex Diamondback HD 8×42 Binoculars – Waterproof, Shockproof

This is the PERFECT size for birding. We bought stronger optics for a trip to Costa Rica and found we could not focus close enough with them. Our guide loaned us hers like these and they were perfect! We bought our own as soon as we could. Solid construction and well designed.

I bought these for bird-watching and find the optics impressive. They are well made but a bit heavy and bulky, especially for my wife with whom I share them.

Nice product for the price – good quality, clear view – and there isn’t an issue with the focus knob as others have indicated so they have definitely fixed that issue with this version of the binoculars.

Impressed by crispness of images. The housing is solid, which–hopefully–translate to good longevity. Previous pair of binoculars was Pentax 8.5×21 Papilio II. I much prefer the Vortex binoculars for the image quality, but they are a bit heavier.

I purchased these as a second pair for a backup to my Hawke Frontier ED X binoculars to keep handy in my vehicle. What I did not expect was that they would rival the Hawke binoculars in almost every way.

To start, the Frontier ED X is an extremely high quality binocular that sells for just under $500, and they themselves are built and perform like much more expensive binoculars – and have a lifetime warranty. I got them after a long review of articles and videos on many different choices and they are the top choice of many for birding and general use.

I had reviewed Vortex binocular choices earlier and was impressed with the company. This is what drove me to try them out for my backup set.

When I got the Vortex Diamondback HD in 8×42 I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality, ergonomics, and performance for less than half the price of the Hawkes.

I would easily be happy using the Diamondbacks and not feel any huge compromise. The image quality is just a hair less detailed than the Hawkes, and just a very minor difference in chromatic aberration, and the field of view is 426ft at 1,000 yards on the Hawkes and just under 400 for the Vortex. But honestly the difference in practical use is relatively minor. The Diamondbacks are that good.

Other differences are the magnesium body of the Hawkes vs the aluminum body of the Diamondback, the Hawkes have ED glass which the Diamondbacks do not (accounts for the difference in image quality) and the eye pieces on the ocular end are metal and unscrew easy for replacement if needed on the Hawkes. And more use of metal vs plastic in general.

However to be honest if you don’t care about all of that the image quality on the Diamondbacks is bright and sharp – and they feel/handle really well. Focus is smooth, and in terms of comfort / ergonomics I might give the edge to the Diamondbacks. The more open hinge design on the Diamondbacks makes them easy to handle with one hand and the thumb indentations on the barrels are a nice touch.

Consider that the Diamondbacks are argon filled fog/water proof, shock resistant, and have a quality roof prism with fully multi-coated lenses, adjustable eye relief in three positions, and a very good field of view – and you have a great pair of binoculars for around $200 (I paid $219 on Amazon). For that price…you are getting outstanding value. Hear me when I say this…these do not feel “cheap” in any way. And the image is great. Three position eye pieces – providing enough eye relief for eyeglass wearers, no problem. The diopter is not lockable but honestly it is a very firm adjustment – so it’s not going to be easily bumped out of adjustment accidentally.

The included neck strap is a good one, padded and comfortable. The lens covers both ocular and objective lens are good. The case that comes with it is a chest mount case that may appeal more to hunters; but I would never use. But it’s decent quality for the price and fine for storing your binoculars when they are not in use. But I didn’t buy these for the case.

If you want a really good set of binoculars for birding or general use – these are a great choice if you don’t want to spend much more than around $200. I don’t know what else out there can deliver
this kind of experience at this price and with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Yes they are made in China – I am sure this is part of the reason they can be sold at this price. But the quality is excellent – and the company stands behind the product for life.

Update 9/3/22 I just bought my fourth pair of Vortex Binoculars. This time, a second pair of 8×32 DiamondBack HD. I know, I know I praised their binoculars below. But these 8x32s are as close to perfect as you can get for bird watching when you are in shrubbery and tree habitats. I have never had binoculars that cost a thoudsand dollars or even hundreds, but I cannot figure any way they could improve on these Vortex for this purpose.

We have been bird watchers for decades and used primarily 10×42 binoculars in the mid-price range. I know I am a slow learner because I just this year decided to move from 10x to 8x, which apparently every birdwatcher knows is the better choice. To make up for my lapse, I have bought seven new binoculars in the last year. All have again been mid tier. I have purchased binoculars from Carson, Nikon and Vortex. The only differences is that they vary from 8X25 to 8X42.

Over the years, all binoculars have improved dramatically and in the mid-tier have settled on a set characteristics. All the ones I bought this year have more or less the same specs.: BAK4 prism, water and fog proof, gas purged, fully multi coated lenses, spin-up eyepieces and center wheel focus. In addition, they all have more less comparable specs in other more esoteric categories like eye-relief, field of view and two or three other popular specs. Not surprisingly then, this means that when you are looking through all of these binoculars, they are excellent. What this means, if you handed me any one of these binoculars set up for me and focused at the right distance, I would not have a preferred choice.

The big differences turn out to be almost always, mechanical. Some of the spin up eye pieces are loose and you have to mess with them. You almost always have to move the binoculars on the center hinge to make sure your eyes are lined up with the lenses and if the hinge is not really tight, you have to keep messing with that issue. You always have to spin the center wheel to focus and some have the problem of that process varies throughout the range. When you are bird watching, speed is almost more important than any other facet. Having to change a setting while you are out is always a major fail.

The standout choice among the binoculars we bought this year are the Vortex. The model we got was the DiamondBack HD. We have them in 8X 25, 32, 42.

The center hinge resists being jostled, and thus you never have to mess with that. There are two spin-up stops on the eyepieces and they lock at each setting. The focus wheel is smooth to turn throughout its range and, for us at least, has just the right tension.

When I started my search to replace our old binoculars, it never entered my mind that the mechanical workings would have so much impact on what I thought made a good binocular.

After several email exchanges with tech support at Vortex, I recognized the person I dealt with was truly tech support and not someone just answering email. Several of the technical specifications were reviewed with me as well as experiments suggested with the binoculars relative to eye-relief. The thoroughness of the guidance was unbelievable.

My highest recommendation is any Vortex DiamondBack HD binocular you want to buy.

Ottimo binocolo polivalente per escursionismo/birdwatching impressione generale di buona qualità e solidità. Dimensioni compatte, molto luminoso e immagine nitida e brillante senza distorsioni! Abbastanza leggero anche se non una piuma.