Last Updated: April 8, 2020
From compact travelers to full-size beasts that push the limits of optical performance, Vortex has a binocular (or two) that will compliment and complete your optics obsession.
Birding, safaris, hunting, sightseeing, and surveilling like you're a special ops agent requires the expertise of a brand that knows optics and the demands of its users. And, part of fulfilling the demands of its buyers is providing price points that offer the best value in every buy.
With a range of binoculars to choose from, there's more than a few in our Vortex reviews that will catch your attention and keep you within budget at the same time - it's a Vortex guarantee.
Best Vortex Binoculars
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vanquish 10x26 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON |
 | Crossfire 8x42 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON |
 | Diamondback 12x50 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON |
 | Vulture HD 15x56 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON |
 | Razor HD 10x42 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON |
Vortex Binocular Reviews
1. Vanquish 10X26 Review
- 10x magnification and 26mm objective lenses, the Vanquish is one of Vortex Optics' smallest, lightest and most compact binoculars.
It's a compact and high-performing binocular that's as legit as any other Vortex binocular available. Don't underestimate its quality by its small appearance and low price.
- Price
- FMC optics
- Weatherproof
- Porro prism
- Adjustable eyecups
- Possible vignetting
Many binoculars under $100 end up being no better than a kid's pair from a toy store. However, nothing about the Vanquish is toy-store quality. It has FMC (fully multi-coated) optics which is above standard quality for the price range.
However, between the glass and small exit pupil, there may be some vignetting when glassing. For recreational use in all outdoor activities, it didn't pose any problems for those after an easy-to-use, lightweight, and affordable binocular.
It's completely fog and waterproof, and it's fully rubber-armored making this tiny binocular ready for extreme outdoor use. Its adjustable eyecups can be twisted up and down to provide 16 mm of eye relief on the long end.
The reverse Porro prism design may not fit every person's aesthetic preferences. It does serve its purpose as it has an inherent advantage as a bino system that provides a rich depth of field and wide field of view. So, don't be disparaging. Compact, low price, and legit glass is the new aesthetic preference.
2. Crossfire 8X42 Review
- 8x magnification and 42mm objective lenses, this Crossfire is a quality, performance driven binocular perfect for your next hunt. Fully multi-coated lenseses promote...
Seeking performance without compromising your budget? The Crossfire binocular is the perfect solution between landing an affordable price and contemporary binocular features in one buy.
- Price
- FMC optics
- Roof prism
- Wide field of view
- Weatherproof
- Heavy
The Crossfire line is designed as an entry-level series in a roof prism system. It has a good foundation of sticking to the basics and keeping things simple - at its best in some opinions. The 8x42 binocular is the smallest of the Crossfires and has the lowest price tag. What does that buy you?
FMC optics is standard for a price above 100 bucks, and so is the expectation that a bino is O-ring sealed for waterproofness and nitrogen-purged for fog-proof protection - all of which the Crossfire has.
For a roof prism binocular and especially being an 8x42 model, it's on the hefty end of the scale weighing 23.5 ounces which is comparable to a standard 10x42 today. However, the wide 393 feet FOV is worth the extra mass.
You'll also get a one-piece eyepiece cover, tethered objective caps, neck strap, and a soft carry case for your bino. Not bad of a buy, right?
3. Diamondback 12X50 Review
- 12x magnification and 50mm objective lenses, these Diamondback binoculars are the workhorse of Vortex lineup; known for impressive optical quality and durability.
It would come as no surprise to find out the Diamondback breed of optics are the bread and butter series for Vortex. Across the board, the Diamondback is an extremely popular binocular. It's why it's a Choice product, always within the top 10 lists, and has high rankings and ratings with the masses.
- Price
- Dielectric coating
- 12x50
- Tripod mountable
- Lightweight
- IPD range
The 12x50 is the largest of the Diamondback lot, and yet, it's still lightweight at 28.7 oz for its full-size design. Though the binocular is far from a feature-packed and high-end optic, it can still hold its own out in real-life use and abuse, you know, being waterproof, fog-proof, and armor-protected and all.
We field-tested its 10x50 sibling and reviewed the 10X42, and the Diamondback remains one of our favorite models to date. The 12x50 has just that much more magnification with large 50 mm apertures to let in as much light as possible. With dielectric coatings, you can see what users mean when they brag about having Vortex's clear and bright glass.
However, the 60-75 mm IPD range is on the larger end of things than some users would like out of the 12x50. Allowing for a slightly narrower IPD may attract more buyers.
The Diamondback isn't a binocular with ED glass, hype marketing, or excessive bells and whistles, and yet, it's still a hit seller. Why? It's a solid, well-constructed, and clear binocular at a realistic price point.
4. Vulture HD 15X56 Review
- 15x magnification and 56mm objective lenses, the Vulture HD uses high density extra-low dispersion glass and XR fully multi-coated lenses, you get super bright images...
Out in the open plains? Need eyesight as keen as a vulture? The Vulture 15x56 aren't your compact, small-time binos. These are to be taken seriously, not hanging around your neck, but mounted like a pro.
- HD lens elements
- High-quality coatings
- ArmorTek coating
- Argon gas
- 15x56
- Heavy
It's a given - more glass equals more weight, boo hoo. Yes, the Vulture weighs 43.6 oz, about 2.5 pounds, so it's not a hang-around-your-neck or pocket-sized kind of bino. To use this optic to its max potential, mount it - 'nuff said. The extra poundage is justified with the huge 56 mm objective lenses made to allow maximum light to filter in when low light conditions at the critical hunting times would normally set you back.
Even though the exit pupil is average at 3.7 mm, the optical quality put into the binocular helps to provide a crisp, sharp, and clear FOV. With HD lens elements, dielectric, and phase correction coatings, you'll have true color fidelity, resolution, and contrast to distinguish the details you need while out on a wildlife tour or in the hunt.
An ArmorTek coating protects the lenses from external abuse, and argon gas is an upgrade from nitrogen to protect the internal fidelity of your glass and image.
Sometimes a spotting scope is too cumbersome to haul around, and the 15x56 platform is an outdoorsman's answer to more seeing power with binocular power.
5. Razor HD 10X42 Review
- 10x magnification and 42mm objectives lenses, the Razor HD features hand selected prisms and premium high density glass, delivering unparalled resolution and color,...
The Razor HD is the top-of-the-line breed of optics from Vortex. Even so, it's difficult to imagine spending a grand on a binocular, but believe it or not, dedicated sportsmen do. The market is there for it, and here's what a $1000 binocular looks like.
- High-quality HD optics
- Open hinge design
- Magnesium chassis
- Lightweight
- Wide IPD range
- No locking eyecups
Applying extreme scrutiny to a near-perfect optic sometimes means being petty, and we did that when we dinged the Razor binocular for not having locking eyecups at this price point. But, it lacks nothing else when it comes to being defined as a premium binocular.
Lumping all the optical features it has under an umbrella term of "high-quality HD optics" is an unfair representation. This binocular has everything from APO lenses, HD glass elements, phase correction, plasma tech, and dielectric coatings - top-notch in what any optics manufacturer can offer.
An open hinge design makes it easy to grip and use while shedding weight to keep it down to 24.8 oz. The low weight design is also thanks to the tough but light magnesium chassis. The very wide 55-75 mm IPD range will be sure to attract users with varying measurement requirements to get the perfect image without compromising comfort.
We can rave about the Razor HD all day long, but the proof is in the pudding - get out there and try it yourself!
Other Vortex Binocular Reviews:
- Raptor 8.5x32
- Diamondback HD 8x32
- Diamondback 10x42
- Viper HD 10x42
- Fury HD 10x42 Laser Rangefinder Binoculars
More Vortex Optics Reviews:
- Vortex Optics Reviews: Rangefinders & Monoculars
- Vortex Scope Reviews: Our Top 5 Best Vortex Rifle Scopes
- Vortex Red Dot Review: Our Pick of Their 5 Best Sights
- Vortex Spotting Scope Review: Our Pick of Their 5 Best Spotters
Source of Images: VortexOptics.com
