Vortex Diamondback 12×50 Review: Pros, Cons & Performance

While talking about the best binoculars in the town, how can one forget about the versatile and multi-functional binoculars options introduced by Vortex? Many of us have heard “Go big or go home,” and Vortex optics have taken that too much seriously with their Diamondback 12X50 binoculars.

Today we will have a Vortex diamondback 12X50 review to know about every nook and corner of these binoculars that can upgrade your binoculars game. But before we dive into the details of this particular unit, let us have a glance over the company, Vortex optics that make these enormous and magnificent binoculars.

Vortex is not a new name in the world of optical devices as they have been in this business for more than a decade now. They have introduced diversified optical gadgets like riflescopes, rangefinders, and monoculars. But their binoculars are the ones that have won them a prominent name among the giants that were already in this business worldwide. Every new product they introduce in the market raises the bar of durability, sturdiness, and high optical quality a bit more than its predecessors. Okay! Okay! Now I won’t keep you waiting and would go straight towards the Vortex diamondback 12X50 review.

Key Takeaways

  • Vortex Diamondback 12×50 impresses with its exceptional optical clarity.
  • Experience the world in detail with the 12x magnification of Vortex Diamondback.
  • Built for durability, this binocular is designed to withstand challenging outdoor conditions.
  • From wildlife observation to stargazing, the Vortex Diamondback 12×50 excels across various scenarios.

Vortex Diamondback 12X50 Review Parameters

I can start and end this review just by saying that this unit is made by Vortex. So what are you waiting for? Grab it because it’s the best option for any outdoor pursuit, whether hiking, biking, hunting, whale watching, birdwatching, or nature sightseeing. But don’t worry! I am not going to end it just like that.

As I have promised, I will tell you about every specification or shortcoming of this model and provide you with an unbiased Vortex diamondback 12X50 review. So we are going to have a detailed analysis of this pair of binoculars based on four parameters:

  • Performance (Magnification, Objective lens, FOV, Optical coatings, Prism type, Close focus, Eye relief, and adjustable eyepieces)
  • Size and Weight
  • Durability (Weather-resistance, design)
  • Price

So let’s have a detailed view of these features and specifications.

Magnification

Magnification tells us about the degree to which a particular image is enlarged compared to the normal one. According to specialists, it is best to opt for a model that can provide between 7X to 10X magnification. One thing to keep in mind is that in the case of magnification, the rule of “the more, the better” won’t be right. Because if you settle for binoculars with high magnification, it will decrease your field of view. So let’s start the Vortex diamondback 12X50 review by firstly talking about the magnification this unit provides.

The 12X written in the unit’s name implies that it can enlarge the view 12 times compared to the normal one, and that’s something incredibly amazing. But with the magnification larger than 10X, sometimes comes with the problem of shakiness, and to lessen this problem, Vortex optics have made this unit tripod adaptable, so you can mount it on a tripod if you want to enjoy the stunning views for an extended period of time.

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Vortex Diamondback 12x50 Review

Objective Lens

The objective lens diameter determines light gathering capability. The larger the objective lens is, the more light it will transmit. That results in a brighter, clearer, and sharper imaging with true-to-life colors. The size of the objective lens impacts the size and weight of the binoculars a lot. So while talking about the Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars, they come equipped with a hefty objective lens of 50 mm that makes it astoundingly efficient. Thus, the viewing quality is splendid with lots of brightness and more precise imaging.

Vortex Diamondback 12X50 Review

Field of View

The field of view is the whole width of the view you can see with your pair of binoculars without moving your head. A wide field of view (FOV) is recommended so that you won’t miss even the tiny detail of the whole action. Most specialists agree that a good pair of binoculars should have a field of view of at least 315 feet at 1,000 yards (105m at 1,000 meters / 6.0°).

Vortex diamondback 12×50 review points out that a wide field of view is something this pair of binoculars lack. They provide a field of view of 271 feet at 1000 yards (Angular field of view of 5.2°), which could result in missing some crucial moments of the action taking place at a distance.

Optical Coatings

The binoculars lens coatings mostly add to the amount of light transmitted through the lens. Hence increases the brightness, saturation, and contrast of images with better color reproduction and color fidelity, where contrast means the difference in luminance between adjacent bright and murky areas.

The higher the contrast is, the sharper and brilliant the imaging is perceived to be. While talking about the Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars, they come with a fully multi-coated lens that puts them in the line of high-end optics.  A fully multi-coated lens has several coatings with different refractive indices. In addition to adding towards the brightness of the view, the multi-coating also makes the lens anti-reflective. 

That results in minimizing the amount of reflected light to its lowest and, at the same time, considerably increasing the optical performance along with ensuring impressive low light performance. Last but not least, the fully multi-coated lens of this unit also guarantees the absence of any color aberration or purple fringing. Thus, it can give you stunning views from dusk till dawn.

Prism Type

Prism serves to invert the otherwise upside-down images so that you can see the view as it is. The binoculars come equipped with either a Porro prism or a Roof prism. A Roof prism is lighter in weight, smaller in size, with more optical precision, and a bit more expensive than the bulky Porro prism.

After extensive research for Vortex diamondback 12X50 review, we know that this unit comes equipped with a phase-corrected BaK-4 (Barium Crown glass) Roof prism that ensures better light transmission and edge-to-edge sharpness. Moreover, the prism comes with a dielectric coating that augments its clarity, brightness, and accurate color reproduction.

Close Focus

Close focus is the closest distance that a pair of binoculars can focus on proficiently. Thus, the shorter the close focus will be, the more you can focus on the details that otherwise can’t be seen with the naked eye. Thus the Vortex diamondback 10X50 review casts light on the fact that this unit has a close focus of 7 feet, and that’s some excellent stats; they even make them a good choice for observing birds, butterflies, or other insects.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the optimum distance between your eyes and the eyepiece of the binoculars. More precisely, it is the distance from the eyepiece lens’s outer surface to the point where the exit pupil is formed. Thus if your eyes are within this distance, then you would be able to grasp the bigger picture with all the details.

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Most specialists agree that in binoculars, the ideal eye relief for the eyeglass wearers is approximately 17 to 20 mm, with the minimum bar set at 16 mm to ensure that they can have the full view without any restriction. Here Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars fell short as they offer an eye relief of 14 mm that’s not sufficient for eyeglass wearers and could result in putting a strain on their eyes.

Adjustable Eyecups

Eyecups play an essential part in the deterrence of stray light to enter the eyepiece and prevent image distortion. Vortex diamondback 12X50 review shows that the unit offers multi-position adjustable eyecups that guarantee a comfortable view with or without glasses, as they can be twisted up or down to suit your requirement.

Thus, if you are an eyeglass wearer, you can fold in the eyecups to reduce the eye and eyepiece’s distance to get an excellent quality image. On the other hand, if you do not wear glasses, you can leave these eyecups as it is.

Size and Weight

Who wants to carry those extra pesky pounds with oneself when you are out on a trip? Who wants to hang a rather heavy gadget around his neck when off on camping? No one, Right? Because in this time of the hustle and bustle, everyone wants an easy to carry lightweight option that can quickly become a part of their backpack on their next hiking or camping trip. While talking about  Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars, they are full-size binoculars that weigh about 28.7 oz. Thus they are a light-weight yet extremely powerful option.

Weather Resistance

What’s the point of buying a pair of binoculars that can’t even survive a few falls? So durability is a feature we will keep in view in the Vortex diamondback 12X50 review. Imagine you are out nature sightseeing, and suddenly a drizzle follows? Would you want that to ruin your amazing viewing experience? No way, None of us would let that happen. So if you want a weather-resistant option, see no farther than these best 12X50 binoculars. They are O-ring sealed, ensuring the protection of internal assembly from the dust, oil, and scratches. The original diamondbacks came with nitrogen purging, but the new HD models come with Argon purging, making them waterproof and preventing internal fogging at a wide array of temperatures.  

Design

Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars come with a rugged rubber armoring and ergonomic design that adds to the product’s durability. Along with rubber armoring, the short hinge design ensures a firm grip so that you don’t have to worry about the product slipping off your hands.

Moreover, the rubber armor adds an extra layer of protection that makes the unit shock-resistant and ensures that it can survive a few falls and impacts and would prove to be a companion of yours in the long run.  So the next time you want to go to the woods for watching wildlife or scouting animals, Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars will surely come in handy.

Price

Honestly speaking, every one of us wants a pair of binoculars that provide an excellent viewing experience without emptying our pocket, and Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars do that for us. They defy the price vs. performance ratio in the world of optics.

They lie in the price range of $200-$300 that makes them a reasonably priced option. Their exquisite quality is comparable with expensive and posh brands without breaking your bank, along with providing outstanding imaging that suits every outdoor expedition of yours.

Accessories

Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars is an all-in-one package for you as these robust, sturdy, and splendid binoculars come along with accessories so that you don’t have to spend separately on buying these.  They come with objective lens covers and a Rainguard eyepiece cover for the safety of your lens.

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Moreover, they also have a deluxe custom-molded carrying case that makes the unit a whole lot portable and a comfortable padded neck strap that ensures that you can carry the unit for an extended time without worrying about neck strain.

Summary of Vortex Diamondback 12X50 Review

Thus, to summarize the Vortex diamondback 12X50 review, we present the perks and the shortcomings they are bringing to the table.

Pros

  • A large objective lens of 50 mm
  • A dielectric fully multi-coated lens
  • Fantastic low-light performance
  • Incredible resolution
  • Adjustable eyecups and IPD
  • Central focus knob
  • Waterproof/ Fog proof
  • Short hinge design for a better grasp
  • Rubber armoring
  • Non-slip grip
  • Ergonomic design
  • Durable
  • Tripod adaptable

Cons

  • The field of view is not wide enough

Conclusion

At last, the rollercoaster ride has come to an end, and we have keenly viewed each nook and cranny of the unit under consideration. So we conclude the Vortex diamondback 12X50 review with a statement that having little hiccups here and there, Vortex diamondback 12X50 binoculars still have all the significant features needed by an excellent multi-purpose pair of binoculars. They fulfill the requirements and meet the expectations of all and sundry.

So, the next time you go out bird watching or your favorite sporting event, want to gaze at the stars in that blissful summer night, or enjoy the beautiful and serene sunrise, want to go hunting, or just enjoy that beautiful scenery of nature Vortex diamondback 12 X 50 binoculars would surely come in handy.

FAQs

Q. Are 12 X 50 Binoculars Good?

Ans: When it comes to 12 X 50 binoculars, due to their high magnification and hefty objective lens, they are ideal for long-distance viewing, stargazing, and long-distance shooting. It is worth mentioning that due to high magnification, the images can become shaky even with the slight movement of the hand, therefore it is better to mount 12 X 50 binoculars on a tripod. Moreover, as they are quite large in their size, so if you are planning to use them for an extended period of time, using them with a tripod is recommended to save yourself from fatigue.

Q. What is The Importance Of Prisms in Binoculars?

Ans: Prisms serve to invert the otherwise upside-down images so that you can see the view as it is.  They come into pairs that work together to correct the otherwise upside-down image’s orientation. Each of the barrels or tubes or the pair of binoculars has two prisms in it. Both of the prisms of a pair rotate the image at a 900 angle with an 1800 rotation in total, thus, making the once upturned images upright.

Q. What are Different Types Of Binoculars?

Ans: The two main types of binoculars are Roof prism binoculars and Porro prism binoculars.

Q. What is The Difference Between Roof Prism and Pro Prism Binoculars?

Ans: It seems like you’ve provided information about the differences between roof prism and porro prism binoculars. Roof prism binoculars typically have a straight and more compact design, while porro prism binoculars have a triangular assembly. The manufacturing process for roof prism binoculars is often more complex, making them smaller in size and relatively more expensive. In terms of image quality, there is generally only a slight difference between the two types.

Q. What is the difference between Diamondback and Diamondback HD?

Ans: The Diamondback and Diamondback HD are variations of a popular series of binoculars. The main difference lies in their build and features. The Diamondback HD typically offers higher-quality optics, enhanced durability, and improved coatings, providing a superior viewing experience compared to the standard Diamondback model.

Q. What is the Vortex Diamondback Equivalent?

Ans: The Vortex Diamondback binoculars are equivalent to mid-range optics from other reputable brands, offering a balance of quality and affordability. They are often considered comparable to models like the Nikon Monarch and Celestron Nature DX in terms of performance and features.

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