Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 10x28 Binoculars, Black, Model:DB-211

Excellent binos. Rapid and efficient delivery too.

A couple of years ago my Zeiss 8x20 pocket mini of 40 years of use took a swim which ruined the coatings. I began to use my backup pair of Nikon Sportstar III 8x25 DCF (now marketed as Trailblazer 8x25 ATB)-$87. Well I figured that it was time to purchase a new set of glass but I wasn’t going to spend a small fortune on the German name brands. After I saw the evaluation of the best binoculars under $400, the top brand was the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 which surprisingly was under $200, I thought this would be easy. Well, not so fast. My first requirement for a binocular is that it fit in my shirt pocket. With birding,it’s a game of seconds and mental concentration. One must go through a mental checklist very quickly. I don’t backpack any longer but enjoy much birding in a very large managed area and use my gravel bike to get to the distant pools. A Columbia shirt has two large breast pockets which were large enough for the Vortex. OK, but two things about the 8 x 28 bothered me. One, I needed a higher power and the eye relief at 18mm kept the binos too far from my brow. I like to have the edge of the eye cup touch the brow which helps to steady the shake factor. I next tried the Occer 15x30. For $37 this little rascal has pretty good glass. Problem is it’s not 25x30, it’s 8x25 and I wanted a set that will give me more detail on shorebirds. It’s a cheap build and I really don’t know if any of the specs are accurate. Still, it has pretty good glass and I think it shows that the Chinese mass production of optical glass has advanced quite a bit. Another bono in the gift pile. Next I tried out the Pentax UP 8-26x21 ($84) The specs looked good but OMG the optics were junk! The 8x had maybe 20% focus in the center and the 16x had none of the field in focus. Where was Quality Control? So back they go on the return truck. All this time I kept looking at my 2003 Nikons to get a baseline to compare the others to. It’s not a bad little bump with good clear optics and a wide FOV. So I bet you’re saying “what about the Vortex Diamondback 10x28”? Yep, I got it and after my efforts at learning about the competition , I’m so glad I did. The optics are excellent. I figure every person has their own subjective opinion on optics, but the Diamondback is not only very clear, but the colors are so vivid and the picture takes on a 3D effect. The eye relief is 16mm which is fine (I don’t wear glasses). The eye cups lock in two positions and feel very solid with no jiggle. Some have complained that there isn’t a lock for the diopter, but it doesn’t need one. The wheel is very tight with no way to accidentally move it. The aluminum frame is very solid and covered with rubber. The barrels are sealed and purged with Argon for waterproofing. This bono does not have a cheap feel to it, and best of all it’s only $144 on Amazon with free shipping! And it comes with the Vortex lifetime unconditionall warranty if it ever does have an accident! It’s been on two outings and so far I love it. Oh, and yes, it does fit in my shirt pocket.

This binocular has all the attributes of a good binocular. Well made and sleek in design with very good optics. I wish it has longer eye relief.

كان مكتوب في عرض السلعة انها أمريكية ويصلني منتج صيني

Amazing Binos. Quality of lenses is amazing. Very highly recommended.