Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scope Review

There really is nothing like being out in nature. Nature is not only beautiful, but it can provide a kind of escape and relaxing environment that you just won’t get anywhere else.

That being said, if you want to make the most of your time in nature, you will want to capture its true beauty and everything that it has to offer. It is always best to be able to see more and farther than what you can with the naked eye. One of the best ways to do this is by taking advantage of a spotting scope.

The only problem with spotting scopes is that there are tons of these products currently available on the market. These products not only come attached with different price tags, but they come with tons of different features.

If you thought this made shopping tough them people found it even tougher when the industry lingo came into play. Luckily, we have taken the time to break down one of today’s most versatile and reliable scopes for you, the Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope.

A Presentation Of The Product

Vortex is a name that most marksmen are probably already familiar with. The come has been creating scope and gun accessories for a long time now. Over those years, they have created several specific lineups of scopes and other products that have revolutionized the industry. And, the Diamondback family is certainly no different.

This specific vortex spotting scope was born into the bloodline of the Diamondback family and delivers reliable as well as outstanding performance time and time again. It has features that make it the obvious choice when it comes to diverse environmental conditions.

Vortex really got their start back in 1986 in Middleton, Wisconsin when Dan and Margie Hamilton opened a little small outdoor retail store. While the store was quaint and small, it wasn’t long before it took off. The company grew and in 2002 it became what it is today.

The company currently employs over 200 people and is American driven, although they do have dealers located in Canada as well as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Over the years, the company has grown and introduced a lot of diverse products on the market, but it really is their friendliness and personalized service that drives them.

These are just two of the things that the company is built on and what has kept them in business all these years later. They always pledge to put their three P’s first and this is something that they have done over the years.

By the way, the three P’s are People, Products, and Promises. In fact, Vortex is the only company to offer what is known as an unlimited lifetime warranty. This is a one-of-a-kind warranty that comes with unlimited and unconditional terms. It doesn’t matter what goes wrong with the scope, the company will replace it. You could drop it in the ocean or throw it off the side of a cliff, and the company would repair or replace it. It is hard to find this kind of devotion today.

Who Is The Product For?

This specific spotting scope along with the Diamondback series was made with high-end quality materials. Despite this they are still considered an entry-level scope, therefore anyone looking for more advanced features might want to go on down the road.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the scope isn’t versatile or doesn’t include things that make it stand in a class of its own because this isn’t the case at all. Whether you are hiking, bird watching, or just spending time in nature, you are sure to find the right features that you need with this impressive and sleek scope.

If you are familiar with the Diamondback binoculars then you know that this series was designed with affordability in mind.

Well, the vortex spotting scopes different and neither is this specific model. This is probably one of the main reasons that people consider this scope a beginner’s scope despite all the available features. This is also one of the main reasons that this scope is ideal for a money-conscious hunter or a practical target shooter.

Simply put, this scope works great anyone that wants to have a clear, crisp view of sights from afar. Whether it is bird watching or star gazing, you cannot go wrong with this powerful little tool. It will change the way that you view your outdoor activities.

What’s Included?

If you are like most people, you are probably immediately concerned with what is included in the initial purchase. The one thing that you need to know is that this specific model pretty much comes with everything needed to get started, including a carrying case.

Although the product does include everything you need to get started, it doesn’t include every accessory that would make the product better. One of the things that it does not include is a tripod. The scope does come with a mount that allows it to easily and quickly be attached to most traditional tripods, but the tripod is not included.

Another notable thing with this product is that it does come fully equipped with rubber armor. This armor not only enhances the overall look and beauty of the product, but it adds an extra layer of protection. It also enhances the grip, which ensures that you will always have control of your scope when handling it in the field.

Combine this with the carrying case and objective lens cover and you’ll be able to protect your scope when it isn’t in use. This model is also nitrogen purged right from the factory, which protects the internal components and helps prevent moisture.

Overview Of Features

Although most people found this one a beginner’s model, it certainly is not lacking in terms of features. The first notable feature that has to be mentioned is the XR fully multi-coated lenses with a built-in sunshade. This not only gives the user excellent light transmission, but it will provide you with a crystal clear image in a variety of situations and environmental conditions. You also learned above that the scope can be mounted to a tripod.

There is a mounting shoe located at the bottom of the scope as well. This show comes fully equipped with a rotating tripod collar, which gives you the ability to rotate the eyepiece for the most pleasing and efficient viewing possible.

That aside, the scope also features what is known as a twist and lock collar. This collar gives users the ability to move the scope to various positions quickly and easily. Not only is this adjustable, but there is also an adjustable eyecup included.

The cup can be twisted up or down so that you can maximize comfort during use. It should also be noted that the eyepiece features a powerful zoom wheel. This gives you the ability to quickly and easily focus the scope when finding your prey.

You also learned earlier that this scope was nitrogen purged, which protects it from humidity and fog. Another thing that needs to be added to this is the sealed O-ring. Along with the nitrogen purge design, the sealed O-ring will ensure completely weatherproofing capabilities.

While it is not recommended, you could submerge this scope in a pool of water and never worry about damaging the integrity. The O-rings will also prevent dust and other debris from getting to the internal components of the scope.

In addition to all of this, the scope also comes with an unlimited lifetime warranty. While a lot of scopes today do come with warranties, it will be hard to find one that comes with the kind of warranty offered by the Vortex Company. This is something that cannot be overlooked considering that you will probably mostly be using the scope outdoors. And, just about anything can happen out there.

The only two areas where the scope is lacking is in the eye relief and low lighting department. While the scope is more than capable of providing clear, crisp views, it might have a harder time doing so with low lighting conditions. In addition to this, the eye relief isn’t bad, but it is the adjustment that is lacking. You just can’t customize for your viewing pleasure.

Tutorial/How To Use/ How To Install/ How To Get The Most Out Of It

While this scope is pretty much self-explanatory, if you want to get started outright, you will want to invest in a tripod. Get yourself a tripod, remove the mounting shoe, and attach the adjustable collar. You’ll want to start by looking through the upper eyepiece. It will be the smaller one of the two that comes right off the 45-degree angle design.

When looking through the eyepiece, you might have to make some adjustments on the single focus knob. This knob is located just right at the end of the eyepiece and can easily be adjusted with one hand or even a finger. You’ll want to twist it to either the left or the right until your target comes into sight as clear as you want it.

If the sun is glaring, most people would highly recommend taking advantage of the 80 mm sunshade. This one is located on the opposite end of the scope. It will be a bigger eyepiece. In order to engage the sunshade all you have to do is pull out on the eyepiece. You will notice that it retracts out.

When fully extended, you will have engaged the sunshade protection. Also, remember that the eyepiece can be adjusted for comfort as well. One of the best ways to get the most from your new scope is by actually filming what you are looking at. All you have to do is mount your cellphone with a camera to the eyepiece that you are looking through and hit the record button.

Alternatives

While there is no denying that the 20-60×80 angled scope is an excellent scope, it is lacking in some areas. Not only this but maybe you are just looking for something a little different. Whatever the situation is, you will have a variety of options available to you, but it is the Crossfire II that should be mentioned first.

The Crossfire II is a bit of a larger and heavier scope, which makes it less transfer-friendly, but when it comes to eye relief and lower clarity of vision, you simply cannot beat it. That being said, the Crossfire weighs in at somewhere around 17.2 ounces, while the Diamondback only weighs 14.6 ounces.

There is also a considerable difference in the length. This Crossfire II measures in at right around 13.1 long, whereas the Diamondback only measures 12 inches. Besides this, both scopes provide excellent lens quality with abrasion-resistant lenses, but it is the Crossfire that takes the cake in this area.

The Crossfire provides you with better eye-relief and features an adjustable objective lens. This makes up for the lower clarity of vision while also eliminating parallax errors and giving you more control over light.

As far as the field of view goes, the Crossfire has a sharper focus eyepiece that will give you a more accurate depiction of your target, whether it is a larger objective or a smaller one.

Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scope Review Conclusion

As you can see, there really are tons of things that need to be considered when shopping for a scope. And, this particular Diamondback model has most of them covered. It is an excellent all-around scope that will provide any bird watcher, stargazer, target shooter, or hunting the clarity and field of view that they need in any number of environmental conditions. You combine this with its durable, sleek, and portable design and it should be easy to see why the vortex spotting scope diamondback is so sought after. And, this is not to even mention the affordability.