Vortex Optics Diamondback 10x42 Roof Prism Binocular

They have the best warranty I have ever seen. I had bought a set 3 year ago. This year when I pulled them out for deer hunting they where broken in half at the hinge. Must have been steeped on last fall I guessing.I though oh well I better buy a new set. Got the new ones and started reading the warranty card. Doesn’t matter why or how the optics where broken they will replace if they can’t be repaired.

A Great Value!

I purchased this unit on a black Friday sale, but also received another pair as a XMAS gift and had to take one back. While this 2015 version is not the latest "HD" version, I have a hard time seeing the difference in HD's? I also own a HD higher power version that cost twice as much. For the money, this Binocular can't be beat. We watched the close Jupiter convergence with Saturn last week and decided to see how the binoculars compared and also compared to spoting scope and Telescope. Of course the telescope and high power spoting scope won out, but surprisingly this unit compared similarly to light gathering of the HD unit costing twice as much and 50 power. I have also compared both at 750 yards and while the higher power binocular was a bit better in pulling in ... MoreI purchased this unit on a black Friday sale, but also received another pair as a XMAS gift and had to take one back. While this 2015 version is not the latest "HD" version, I have a hard time seeing the difference in HD's? I also own a HD higher power version that cost twice as much. For the money, this Binocular can't be beat. We watched the close Jupiter convergence with Saturn last week and decided to see how the binoculars compared and also compared to spoting scope and Telescope. Of course the telescope and high power spoting scope won out, but surprisingly this unit compared similarly to light gathering of the HD unit costing twice as much and 50 power. I have also compared both at 750 yards and while the higher power binocular was a bit better in pulling in the image (as expected), it wasn't worth twice the cost. While not an HD version, this binocular is perfect for hunting; it is relatively lightweight and doesn't disappoint - a great value.

Excellent tool. Greatly increased my Bird ID ability. Sharp, clear, and bright.

Top notch and completely changed my birding experience for the better in every possible way. I previously used a pair of prostaffs which were the best binoculars I had ever used at the time. I was hesitant to spend the money, as the on paper specs seemed like a minimal improvement over what I owned. I was also unfamiliar with the brand, and was leaning more towards Nikon for an upgrade. In the end, added accessories and lifetime warranty tipped the scale. I made the purchase and eagerly went outside for my first look.Compared to my prostaffs, the image sharpness, brightness, and clarity were so vastly superior, that I will never look through my prostaffs, or any other entry level binocular, again. My ability to identify birds has been exponentially increased, and ... MoreTop notch and completely changed my birding experience for the better in every possible way. I previously used a pair of prostaffs which were the best binoculars I had ever used at the time. I was hesitant to spend the money, as the on paper specs seemed like a minimal improvement over what I owned. I was also unfamiliar with the brand, and was leaning more towards Nikon for an upgrade. In the end, added accessories and lifetime warranty tipped the scale. I made the purchase and eagerly went outside for my first look.Compared to my prostaffs, the image sharpness, brightness, and clarity were so vastly superior, that I will never look through my prostaffs, or any other entry level binocular, again. My ability to identify birds has been exponentially increased, and I have ever been happier with a purchase.

Fantastic optics

Everything about these binoculars is great in my opinion and the sale price couldn't be beat. These are easy to use, easy to adjust and the clarity is awesome. I'm extremely happy with this purchase. Comes with a case with strap, a nice strap for the binoculars and lens covers. Don't hesitate to purchase

For $100 less than the diamondback HDs

Well grandpa bought me a pair of simmons 10x50s when I was a younger teenager. A buddy of mine wanted to take me to get my first deer and I got them out. They were double visioned and fish-eyed something was wrong with them so I decided I needed to look for another pair. I used a pair of my grandfather's 8x30s on the hunt my friend took me on. My friend had a pair of vortex crossfire hd's 10x42s. He let me look through them on the hunt and I liked the clarity. This pair of vortex diamondback classics were offered on Black Friday this year for $100 off the price of vortex diamondback HDs. I chose to look more into Diamondbacks over the crossfires because the Diamondbacks are a little brighter. I looked at binoculars for a couple of hours comparing the diamondback ... MoreWell grandpa bought me a pair of simmons 10x50s when I was a younger teenager. A buddy of mine wanted to take me to get my first deer and I got them out. They were double visioned and fish-eyed something was wrong with them so I decided I needed to look for another pair. I used a pair of my grandfather's 8x30s on the hunt my friend took me on. My friend had a pair of vortex crossfire hd's 10x42s. He let me look through them on the hunt and I liked the clarity. This pair of vortex diamondback classics were offered on Black Friday this year for $100 off the price of vortex diamondback HDs. I chose to look more into Diamondbacks over the crossfires because the Diamondbacks are a little brighter. I looked at binoculars for a couple of hours comparing the diamondback classics with the diamondback HDs. The classics were offered for $100 off on Black Friday. I decided the difference in them was not $100 difference. Maybe more like a $10 difference if the normal person could even tell. These vortex diamondback classics don't come with the chest harness, but is offered separately for $29.99. My dad has a pair of Leopold acadias 10x42, I was able to look through his when I visited him on Thanksgiving. They were excellent clarity, but I felt eye strain after looking through them. These vortex Diamondbacks were a lot easier on my eyes. Even the diamondback hd's were easier on my eyes, as I compared them with a pair of Leupold in the store. I thought about taking these vortex diamondback classics back for the diamondback HDs, but I decided I didn't see $100 improvement. If you have a pair of these vortex diamondback classics, you still have a great pair of binoculars. I told my dad that I thought about taking him back for the HDs and he said that he thought I got a good pair already. We should have come with the chest harness pack as well. They don't when they come with a clamshell zipper case which I guess is okay if you're a chick.

Great Binos - Get Them On Sale

I bought these on sale last year for $249 (Reg. $319). Vortex products seem to be going on sale more often these days, which is good.A note on the HD. I looked into getting the Diamondback HD ($359). I read a detailed review (on a birding website) comparing the HD and the Classic, and the reviewer said there is a clear difference. HOWEVER, he conducted the comparison using a tripod, and on a slab of slate. Seriously? So if you can manage to keep these perfectly still (and are a veteran bino user), you may see a difference. But once you leave the store, your brain will forget how the other ones performed. And in the field, holding them with your hands, any movement generated will in all likelihood eliminate any advantage of the HD. Not with the extra money, in my ... MoreI bought these on sale last year for $249 (Reg. $319). Vortex products seem to be going on sale more often these days, which is good.A note on the HD. I looked into getting the Diamondback HD ($359). I read a detailed review (on a birding website) comparing the HD and the Classic, and the reviewer said there is a clear difference. HOWEVER, he conducted the comparison using a tripod, and on a slab of slate. Seriously? So if you can manage to keep these perfectly still (and are a veteran bino user), you may see a difference. But once you leave the store, your brain will forget how the other ones performed. And in the field, holding them with your hands, any movement generated will in all likelihood eliminate any advantage of the HD. Not with the extra money, in my opinion.I hunt in southern Ontario, mainly farms and occasionally local forests. I don’t need to see as far as someone hunting wide expanses out west. So for me these are excellent. Crystal clear and good quality. I’ll have them for many years.These are sometimes sold together as a package, along with the Vortex GlassPak bino case. That bino harness gets mediocre reviews. I paired my binos with the Badlands Bino-X harness, which is a great harness that goes on sale here at least once a year. That was a good decision.Finally, you can’t beat the Vortex unlimited lifetime warranty. If I drop these off of a deer stand and they crack, I can send them back and they’ll be repaired or replaced, no questions asked, for life. That kind of respect for customers alone makes me want to support this company.

Plastic junk

I have had an awful experience with cabelas and these binos. First, I purchased the binoculars online to ship to my house with gift cards and went to the store to pick up a couple of things I needed that day - I used the same gift card. Turns out when you do that, they cancel the original online order, but don't put the cash back on your gift cards. I eventually handed over additional money to purchase the binos and when I got them, I went to mount them to my tripod to test it out and the plastic adapter wouldn't come out. So I tried to use pliers to unscrew the cap, and the plastic cap came off. It turns out the screw mechanism is also plastic, so these are basically not useable for my set up now as I can't get the plastic completely out.The quality of the glass ... MoreI have had an awful experience with cabelas and these binos. First, I purchased the binoculars online to ship to my house with gift cards and went to the store to pick up a couple of things I needed that day - I used the same gift card. Turns out when you do that, they cancel the original online order, but don't put the cash back on your gift cards. I eventually handed over additional money to purchase the binos and when I got them, I went to mount them to my tripod to test it out and the plastic adapter wouldn't come out. So I tried to use pliers to unscrew the cap, and the plastic cap came off. It turns out the screw mechanism is also plastic, so these are basically not useable for my set up now as I can't get the plastic completely out.The quality of the glass seems good, but the general build doesn't live up to my old pair of 50$ bushnells (which have a metal adapter piece). Not impressed with either company.

Real quality at a comfortable price

These are the best low to mid priced binoculars I have found. You can occasionally find them on sale for about $150, which is a real bargain. I find them easy to use, and good in low light situations. Eye relief is good with my glasses. They focus easily and hold their focus. I like them so much I have two pair! One is at home and another at my hunting cabin. Bought my first pair about six years ago, and added the second on sale recently.

These won't let you down

I've never had any complaints about my Diamondbacks and these binoculars come with me everywhere I travel. A major reason I primarily buy Vortex optics is because of their lifetime warranty that literally covers anything that happens. The glass is crystal clear which is great when considering how affordable these are. I like the color and the feel of these binoculars, even in the rain.

Your last pair you'll ever need!

I love my Vortex binoculars! High quality, easy to use, and has very sharp imaging when adjusted for my eyes. Comes with a nice storage case & eye piece protectors. I'd buy them again if ever needing another pair. You can't go wrong with these! SK