In the world of optics, Vortex is a household name known for its high-quality products and pretty amazing warranty. Their rifle scopes and red dots are top-notch, and hunters and shooters alike have trusted them for years.
But their optics offerings don’t stop there.
Vortex Optics has several options for binoculars as well. So, how do you know which ones to choose?
Today, we will compare and contrast two of Vortex’s more popular binocular lines: the Crossfire and the Diamondback. We will specifically look at each 10x42 option and then discuss what other offerings are available in these lines as well.
The first difference is that the Diamondback’s MSRP is $100 more than the Crossfire’s on these particular binoculars. Why does the Diamondback cost more? Is that increased price point worth it?
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be able to make a more informed decision about which binoculars are best for you.
But first let's examine the similarities:
Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback Similarities
Let’s cover a few similarities first. Both binoculars have a 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens. They both have a 15mm eye relief with twisting eye cups, so you can make them more comfortable whether you wear glasses or not.
Both pairs are also tripod-ready with a quick adapter and come with the Vortex Glasspak binocular case. The Crossfire and Diamondback also have what Vortex calls Rubber Armor, which is designed for increased grip and external protection from dropping or hitting them against something.
Finally, all Vortex products have what they call their Very Important Promise (VIP) Warranty, which is one of the best in the business. Vortex will repair or replace your optic if it is damaged or quits working for any reason. Whether the cause is a manufacturer’s defect or something you did, they still honor it. The best part is that the warranty is fully transferable, and you don’t have to keep your receipt.
Now that you know how they are the same, I’m sure you’re wondering why the Diamondback line costs more. Next, let’s talk about how the Crossfire and Diamondback are different.
Vortex Crossfire
SIZE
The Crossfire binoculars are slightly larger than the Diamondback, at 6” tall x 5.2” wide, and slightly heavier, at 23 ounces.
FOCUS and FIELD OF VIEW
The Crossfire’s field of view (FOV) is slightly decreased compared to the Diamondback. The angular FOV is 6.2 degrees, and the linear FOV is 325’ at 1000 yards. The close focus is six feet, which is farther than the Diamondback.
LENSES
The Vortex Crossfire has fully multi-coated HD lenses for image quality and clarity. Plus, the binos are nitrogen purged to minimize any fogging inside the optic - behind the lenses - that could happen with temperature changes.
PROS
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Cost less than Diamondback for a good entry-level price point on quality binos
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Nitrogen purged for fog proofing
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Compact and lightweight
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Non-slip grip and Rubber Armor help with durability
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Vortex VIP Warranty
CONS
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Decreased FOV compared to Diamondback
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Farther close-focus range
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Slightly larger and heavier
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Nitrogen purging is not as resilient as the argon used in the Diamondback
Vortex Diamondback
As we dig into the details, you’ll see some upgrades that contribute to the Diamondback line’s higher price point.
SIZE
The Diamondback binoculars are slightly smaller than the Crossfire at 5.7” long and 5.1” wide. They are also slightly lighter at 21.3 ounces.
Those numbers may not seem like a big deal, but those slight variations could make a difference if you need to carry your binos for extended periods, fit them in a smaller bino harness, or prefer more compact gear.
FOCUS and FIELD OF VIEW
The Diamondback’s FOV is slightly increased compared to the Crossfire line. The angular FOV is 6.3 degrees, and the linear FOV is 330’ at 1000 yards. The close focus is five feet, closer than the Crossfire, making the picture clearer at shorter distances.
LENSES
One of the main differences between the two optics lines is found in the lenses. The Vortex Diamondback has fully multi-coated HD lenses like the Crossfire, with the addition of a dielectric prism coating. This coating gives the Diamondbacks brighter, clearer, and more color-correct images. Compared to the Crossfire, the lenses also have an ArmorTek coating for enhanced scratch resistance, and the roof prism has a coating as well that is meant to improve resolution and contrast.
These added features to the lenses create higher-end clarity when viewing, contributing to higher costs. I compared these binos side-by-side and found image quality to be better with the Diamondback, but I don’t know if the difference is that significant in a clear, daylight setting. The biggest difference may be in low-light conditions.
The other primary factor in the Diamondback series’s higher cost is that they are purged with argon instead of nitrogen. Some say that argon is better because, with this gas, the binos can withstand wider changes in temperature as well as more extreme temperature ranges. Argon is supposed to make them more waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof than those purged with nitrogen.
PROS
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Argon purged for enhanced fogproofing, waterproofing, and shockproofing
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More compact and lightweight than the Crossfire
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Non-slip grip and Rubber Armor help with durability.
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Increased FOV compared to Crossfire
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Closer close-focus range
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Vortex VIP Warranty
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More configuration options than the Crossfire
CONS
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Higher cost than the Crossfire
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Improved image quality may not be significant enough to warrant higher cost
There you have the primary similarities and differences between the Vortex Crossfire line of binoculars and the Vortex Diamondback.
As with most purchases, your best choice depends on what you want and what is most important to you. If you’re looking for an excellent entry-level pair of binoculars that will work great in most conditions, either will be an excellent choice. But if you want slightly more compact, weather-resistant binoculars with an enhanced FOV and/or greater image clarity and quality, you may want to go with the Diamondback.