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Vortex is one the most famous optical manufacturing brands, producing optics since 1986. When it comes to binoculars, the first name that comes to mind is a Vortex. There is no doubt that many brands are producing great binoculars. But people have got a particular association with the Vortex brand. In today’s article, we will discuss Vortex Crossfire VS Diamondback Binoculars.
Both Crossfire and Diamondbacks belong to the same family of the vortex, and they are equally good in almost all aspects. Only experienced users of binoculars can point out the minute differences better between these two binoculars.
Which one is better: Diamondback or Crossfire? Diamondback binoculars are better due to their advanced coating, ideal eye relief, and useability in low-light conditions. These binoculars are more expensive than vortex crossfire. Vortex Crossfire is a suitable option for those who have a limited budget.
In our previous guides, we mentioned that the binoculars produced by Vortex are very hard to review as all of them are better than others. The same goes for Vortex Crossfire vs. Diamondback Binoculars.
We, being experienced campaigners, have used both of these binoculars and know their differences. Apart from our daily life usage, we have tested them and found which are suitable for different purposes.
After making the complete comparison, we will give you our favorite binoculars from both vortex crossfire and Diamondback to choose from. The binoculars that fall in our favorite choice are second to none, and you can pick them without any worry.
Let’s dive deeper to explore more about these Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars.
Explanation of Vortex Crossfire VS Diamondback Binoculars
In order to give you complete knowledge of these two binoculars, we will discuss the similarities and differences between these vortex crossfire and Diamondbacks binoculars, and let you decide which one is suitable for you.
Similarities Between Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback Binoculars
Bore going deep to understand the difference between crossfire and Diamondback; it is mandatory to understand their Similarities.
Tripod adaptability
Both Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars can be used in a tripod to get better stability. Not only the tripod stand, but you can also use these binoculars in the car mount, and you will see a stable view.
Why is tripod adaptability important?
These binoculars with high magnification power are very sensitive to nominal movement. The image looks shaky with even a little movement of hands. So, it becomes essential to use a tripod stand to get a stable image of the targeted object. In hunting, getting a good picture of the buck is very important. So all the hunters who choose high magnification power use a tripod stand.
Usability in extreme outdoor conditions
Binoculars must be capable of handling all extreme conditions. Hunters usually go through different physical conditions. The journey can be challenging, from rain to fog and lands to the mountain.
So choosing a binocular that is water and fog-proof, is very important. Both Vortex Crossfire and Diamondbacks binoculars come with strong o-ring sealings that make it impossible for moisture to go inside them and affect the lenses.
Suppose you’re unlucky, and the moisture succeeds in getting inside your binoculars. The gas purging ( Nitrogen or Argon ) in both binoculars removes the water and keeps the lenses clean for prolonged usage in rain and fog.
Nitrogen is a relatively cheaper gas. Most binoculars use nitrogen gas for purging. The coupling of o-ring sealing and nitrogen purging makes them water and fog-proof.
Area of Coverage
It is also known as the field of view which can be defined as the area that a user can see through binoculars without moving them. Both Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars have almost the same field of view.
Vortex Crossfire 8X42 VS Diamondback 8X42 binoculars
It is important to understand that the field of view is similar for a specific dimension. For example, in 8X42 Vortex Crossfire and Diamondbacks, the field of view will be the same.
Similarly, the FOV will be identical in 10X42 Vortex Crossfire and Vortex Diamondback binos. To make it more simple, 8×42 vortex crossfire binoculars will have more field of view than 10×42 Diamondbacks. But 8×42 vortex crossfire binoculars will have the same FOV as 8×42 Vortex Diamondback binoculars.
If both Crossfire and Diamondbacks have the same configurations, their field of view will also be the same. But if there is a difference in their configuration, their field will also be different.
Built Quality
Both Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars are equally good and have all the ability to bear shocks and falls. During our test, we threw both these from some height of 8 feet, and to our surprise, both binoculars were safe. Even though both got some negligible scratches but that’s OK. Both have very good build quality.
Handling
Both vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars come with strong rubber armor material, which gives a firm grip on these binoculars. At the time of the adventure, the grip on binoculars is very important. Apart from the grip, the rubber armor material makes these binoculars more robust and shockproof.
Lifetime warranty
As mentioned earlier, the Vortex brand is well established and gives its customers a clear option of a money-back guarantee. Brands that believe in their products and quality don’t hesitate in offering a warranty because they know that their product will be perfect for satisfying the needs of their customers.
Both Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars belong to the same brand named Vortex and offer a warranty to their customers.
Difference between Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars
Here is the most important part of this guide. The differences between these binoculars will set one on the top and another on the second position. With each difference elaboration, we will name the winner so that you will get a better understanding of their comparison.
Close focus
It is defined as the distance between the nearest object that can be zoomed or focused. If a binocular has less close focus, it will focus more on the target to get every minute detail.
The close focus of diamondback binoculars is 5 feet, whereas the close focus of vortex crossfire binoculars is almost 7.5 feet.
Clearly, the Diamondbacks are far ahead and give more clarity and focus on the target than the vortex crossfire binoculars.
Coating
Both Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars have multi-coated lenses. The coating is also present in the glasses of these binoculars. Due to the cost, the maximum light gets transmitted, giving a brighter and sharper image to the user.
But still, there is a small difference in their coating. The Vortex Diamondback binoculars have Fully multi-coated lenses and glasses with anti-reflective coatings, dielectric coating, and Armortek coating.
These kinds of coating increase the light transmission to 99.9%, making the image more vibrant than the image given by the vortex crossfire binoculars. So, the Diamondback binoculars have a little edge over crossfire binoculars
Low light Usability
As mentioned earlier, the coating of lenses in diamondback binoculars is more advanced and gives much better light transmission as compared to the coating present in Vortex Crossfire binoculars.
The premium coating of diamondback binoculars enhances the transmission of light, giving a brighter and sharper image even in low light conditions like cloudy weather.
Usability in low light conditions is important if you’re looking to buy a pair of binoculars for hunting, where you will need your optics ready to work in all conditions.
Eye relief
It is the distance between the eyepiece and the naked eye. Eye relief varies from 10 mm to 20 mm in different binoculars. It is important for those who wear glasses.
The eye relief of vortex crossfire binoculars is 15 mm, whereas the eye relief of diamondback binoculars is about 17 mm. Eye relief of more than 15 mm is considered optimal.
So the Diamondback binoculars have better eye relief. These binoculars are the go-to choice for those who wear glasses due to weak eyesight.
Weight and size
Vortex diamondback binoculars have the upper hand and are lightweight as compared to Vortex Crossfire binoculars. Less weight of Diamondback makes them a good choice for outdoor activities like hunting. These binoculars are easy to carry. They have a weight of 21.3 oz.
In contrast, Vortex crossfire binoculars are a bit bulkier and have an overall weight of 23.32 oz. These binoculars are hard to carry in the hunting field.
In the case of size, the Diamondbacks are compact and have the dimensions of 5.7 x 5.1
They have a size of 5.7 inches in height and 5.1 inches in width, which is less than the overall size of a crossfire, having the dimensions of 6.0 x 5.1
Argon gas
Usually, nitrogen gas is used for purging as it does a pretty good job of keeping the lens clean from outside moisture. But Argon gas is more expensive and performs much better than nitrogen gas in purging.
Due to the higher price of organ gas, the manufacturers use nitrogen gas in the purging. But Diamondback binoculars come with argon gas purging, which enhances the water and fog-proof and makes these binoculars more strong.
We are not saying that nitrogen gas purging is not good. But Argon gas used in purging is even better. So the Diamondback binoculars have a slight edge over the crossfire in the case of gas used in purging.
Versatility in the availability of different magnification power
The Diamondback binoculars come in different magnification powers ranging from 8x to 15x. In contrast, the Vortex crossfire binoculars come in lessee magnification powers ranging from 8x to 12x
So the crossfire binoculars are restricted up to 12x magnification Where, and the vortex crossfire binoculars offer more options in magnification powers. No matter if you need binoculars of 8x for hunting or 15x for birding, vortex diamondback has all your needs fixed.
Pricing of these two binos may play a critical role for many people. All of us don’t have similar financial power to spend on binoculars. The Vortex crossfire binoculars are much cheaper as compared to Vortex Diamondback binoculars.
You can’t get all those features of diamondbacks at a low price. But those features can’t make your deal spoiled. If you are on a tight budget, we recommend you buy crossfire binoculars as they do all the basic work without any tribulation. Don’t put an extra burden on your pocket by buying Diamondback Binoculars.
But if you have a handsome budget and want to stand out among your mates on your next trip, consider buying Vortex diamondback binoculars as they offer all the features and perform best in all outdoor conditions.
Who is the winner between Vortex Crossfire VS Diamondback Binoculars?
Well, all the pros and cons of these two binoculars have been discussed. Having said that, these binoculars are equally good, and choosing one as a winner is really a challenging task to do.
Before giving this review of Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback Binoculars, we tested both of them and got the best details to be able to give your unbiased review. According to our analysis and research, Vortex Diamondback binoculars are the best and hence are the winner of this competition.
What is the difference between the Vortex Crossfire and the Vortex Diamondback binoculars?
The Vortex Diamondback binoculars have better eye relief and focus decent, and lightweight, and they are suitable for usage in low light conditions. Moreover, these binoculars are more expensive than vortex crossfire binoculars.
Is the Vortex Diamondback better than the Crossfire?
Yes! Diamondbacks are better due to their advanced coating and Useability in low-light conditions. However, Crossfire is not too far away from Diamondbacks.
Is Vortex Crossfire 8X42 better than 10X42?
It totally depends on the purpose and usage of binoculars. If you’re going to do hunting with your binoculars, Vortex Crossfire 8X42 should be your choice. If you need a more magnified image of a targeted object during birding, Vortex Crossfire 10X42 should be your go-to choice.
Vortex Crossfire 10X42 VS 12X42 – Which one is better?
With 12X42 binoculars, you will get more magnification power, but the image will be unstable. These binoculars will be sensitive to slight movements. You will have to use a tripod stand to get a stable picture. But with Vortex Crossfire 10X42 binoculars, you will have good magnification with a stable image. So 10X42 is better than Vortex Crossfire 12X42 binoculars.
Vortex diamondback 8X42 VS Vortex Crossfire fire 8X42 binoculars – which is suitable?
Both have the same dimensions and work equally well. The difference is in the price range. If you have a reasonable budget, choose Vortex Diamondback 10X42 binoculars. If you have a tight budget, look to buy Vortex Crossfire 8X42 binoculars.
Are Vortex Crossfire binoculars any good?
These binoculars are a decent option for those who have limited resources. Without any doubt, these are good value-to-money binoculars that can perform well in any outdoor activity.
Conclusion
Both vortex crossfire and Diamondback binoculars are good in all aspects. Those who have a small budget can buy Vortex Crossfire. These affordable binoculars perform as satisfactorily as the expensive Diamondbacks binoculars do. But the extra features like top-notch lens coating, better eye relief, and ideal focus make Diamondback binoculars more attractive.
It’s just about personal preference. If you’re one of those individuals who love to be unique and spend more on their gear, Diamondback binoculars are your go-to option.
But if you want just a normal hunting experience on a limited budget, vortex crossfire binoculars are suitable for you. No one can tell you which one is the best choice for you. It’s all about your personal needs and budget.
Note: No matter if you use Diamondback or Vortex crossfire, you will be able to do all your outdoor activities. The more features in diamondback binoculars don’t mean that crossfire is a bad optics choice. Both are equally good, and their differences are very small – even a newbie can’t figure them out.
I am Richard from Michigan, and who has a craze for hunting. I have been around optics especially binoculars since 2001 and have gotten decent experience while using them to hunt. I have made this website to share my experience with those who are new in the field. My guides & reviews will help my readers to get in-depth information about binoculars. Let’s hunt for binoculars NOW!
