Vortex Diamondback 10×42 Binoculars: A Viewing Pleasure

Vortex Diamond Binocular Review Summary

The Diamondback binocular by Vortex symbolizes the performance to price ratio in the optics niche. 

The Diamond back is an amazingly efficient and high-performing set of binoculars with enhanced, dielectric fully multi-coated lenses. It shows a beautiful picture and has an impressively good low-light performance. Low light performance is extra important when glassing game and birds.

This set of binoculars has an ultra-wide, best-in-class field of view. So, you can effortlessly cover ground and pinpoint your target with ease.

It is both functionally and aesthetically pleasing. It has a thoughtful short-hinge design and a sleek look. Not only does it grab your attention, but it has plenty of room for your hands which makes it a lot easier to hold.​

The Vortex Diamondback Binoculars is one of the best in it's price category.

What does 10x42 mean?

As you consider buying a pair of binoculars, your first move is to take steps to understand how binoculars are sized – so, when you read 10 x 42, what information are you being given?

The number 10, in this case, means that the object you are looking that – perhaps that red-tailed hawk – is ten times larger than seen with your naked (or eye-glassed eye).

Now, how about the number 42? This is a little trickier to explain. Binoculars have two lenses; one is further away from your eye than the other is; it is called the objective lens. (The objective lens is not the lens that you look through, it is the lens closest to the object, hence the name - objective lens.)

The number 42 would mean that the second lens is 42 millimeters in diameter. Now, what does the size of the objective lens tell you?

A larger objective lens lets more light into the binoculars. Generally speaking, this means that you can see a clearer image, though it depends on what you are trying to see.

The 10x42 size is one of the most popular among those who are seriously into watching wildlife, whether as a predator or an observer.

What about 10x50 and 8x42 Vortex Diamondback Binoculars?

These are also great choices. a 10x50 will have the same magnification as the Diamondback 10x42 but will allow more light and a better image. But, it will be bigger, heavier, and harder to carry around and hold to your face.

The Vortex 8x42 will have less magnification, but it will have a brighter image than the Diamondback 10x42. That's because the same mm objective lens over a smaller magnification means more light for each level of magnification.

So, just like a 10x50 has more light than a 10x42, an 8x42 has better light and image than a 10x42.

So, it's really down to your preference. The 10x50 is heavier but has a better image. The 8x42 Vortex Diamondback has a better image, but less magnification.

We've linked to both options above. It ultimately comes down to your preference and what you're using it for.

If you're still not sure, check out our ultimate binoculars buyers guide.

Benefits of Vortex Diamondback Binoculars

We've already given a brief rundown of the diamondback and it's overall place vs its competition. Let's dive into the specifics now.

Waterproof

Until you’ve been out on a ocean-side cliff watching fluffy baby eagles as they lay sleeping in a nest – and the rains come, you cannot fully appreciate how important it is for your binoculars to be sturdily waterproofed.

Who wants to pack in it when you are reveling such a visual treat?

Not a hiker. Not a photographer. And not a binocular-wearer.

Fluff aside, these are 100% waterproof and fog proof. So you're in good shape regardless if it's misting or just hot and humid.

Fog proof

What is the science behind Vortex’s fog proofing feature?

Oxygen is purged from the barrels of the binoculars and then replaced with argon gas.

Internal fogging of binoculars used to happen when temperatures dropped abruptly; argon gas does not fog up like oxygen in said circumstances because any water vapor doesn't get below it's condensation point inside the binoculars. 

(Oxygen, we love to breathe you in, but we don’t want you fogging up the innards of our binoculars.)

Vortex Diamondback Review

Hi,

I'm very pleased with my Vortex New 2016 8x42 binoculars. Compared to the Bushnell Naturview 8x42 binoculars that I've been using for the last 3 years the Vortex are much better. They are brighter, clearer, lighter, focus better, handle better and have the incredible Vortex Warrantee.

I got to experience Vortex support a few months ago when I dropped my Vortex Razor Spotting Scope on a sharp rock shattering the optical eye piece. When I called Vortex I made it clear that it was my fault, but they told me "no matter the cause we take care of you". I paid the cost of shipping the scope to Vortex. They replaced the eye piece tested the performance of the new eye piece with the rest of the scope to ensure the combination passed like new performance. Vortex then shipped the repaired scope back to me with no charge.

That experience had a lot to do with the reason I chose Vortex when I purchased my new binoculars.

First impressions:
They're smaller than I expected, if you have large hands you will find it difficult to find comfortable hand placement, but, they're compact, which is good.

The case they're sent with is too large, something about optics and bouncing/flopping randomly just doesn't seem compatible to me, I'll need to find a better case.

Construction appears to be very solid, but the main focus knob has a slightly less than appropriate amount of resistance. The lens covers that come along with it appear to work well, but also seem prone to failure, just my impression.

They provide a very clear, very rich image, but, my pair also seems to have an extremely mild distortion towards the very edges of your field of view, and, they're somewhat sensitive to adjust and focus.

The 8x42s provide a larger exit pupil, which translates into superior low light image rendering, to that extent these perform as expected, which is well.

Definately worth the money, very aesthetically pleasing, comes with a lifetime warranty so you can't go too wrong.

Upon receipt, I attempted to focus the binoculars in accordance with the instructions, but the binoculars could not be focused. Having received another pair of 10x42 Diamondbacks earlier, they focused just fine and are a Great pair of binocs. Not these 10x50 Diamondbacks.

Vortex Diamondback Reviews From Around the Web

That Vortex Diamondback binoculars bring nifty features and stability is indisputable. Let’s delve a little deeper and see what online reviewers have to say about this product. Do they rant or do they rave?

opticplanet.com shows 9 reviews of these binoculars on their Website, with an average rating of 4.9 out 5. Hunters of deer and elk and birdwatchers alike extol the virtues of durability, toughness and clarity of images.

Over at opticsreviewer.com, we found a solid review with kudos given to the roof design of pyramid shape, the comfortable neck strap, the rubber that is easy to clutch when rain falls.

A review from backcountrychronicles.com also sings the praises of these binoculars, tipping its electronic hat to their visibility, portability and especially to the warranty that comes along with them at the time of purchase. (We all like to know that a manufacturer stands behind its products.)

To close out our round of up salient reviews we turn to Amazon.com Overall, 83% of customers rate it at a full 5 stars and only 7% rate it at 3-stars or below.

The answer is clear, this is an amazing pair of binoculars.