By Tony Pizzata
Recently we’ve had the opportunity to test a pair of 10 x 50 Diamondback binoculars, an excellent offering from the Vortex range and have been impressed with it’s quality in many areas. First up, the expectation I had from the 10 x 50’s was it would probably prove at least a little bulky and unwieldy due to the 50mm objective lens, but despite it’s extra length, the weight at 878 grams was very well distributed and holding them was surprisingly ergonomic due the diamond-checkered rubber armour contoured grips.
With regard to the optics, they seemed to tick all the boxes also, with full multi-bandwidth, multi coatings on all air to lens surfaces. Phase corrected BaK-4 prisms, waterproof, fog proof construction and a close focus distance of just three meters are all good, but the field of view at over 283 feet/86.25 meters at 1000 yards is most impressive. The 5mm exit pupil optimises the amount of light transmission to the pupil, offering a 20% increase in diameter over a 10 x 42mm glass.
When used outdoors, I was also impressed with the lack of colour fringing of any sort, with very good centre to edge clarity and excellent resolution. Next, we tested them by peering into shadowed areas during daylight and were rewarded with surprisingly bright and well resolved images. Although made in China, I’m told these binoculars have undergone the strictest quality control. Add to this an “Unlimited, Unconditional Lifetime Warranty” on this and other Vortex products and you can rest assure you are buying quality and durability at a very attractive price.
Vortex Optics are distributed in Australia by Extravision Australia. Website www.extravision.com.au
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