Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60 Spotting Scope - Any feedback

[Leozinho]

Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60mm spotting scope is out now but I haven't been able to find any good reviews.

Does anyone have any experience with it? I have a lead on a good deal for one but I have a few questions.

Is it worth the premium over the discontinued but still available Vortex Nomad? Would you pay $150 more for the Diamondback?

How much difference does an 80mm objective lens make? That extra 20mm adds almost a $100 to the price. Do most find it worth it?

This will be used as much for watching wildlife as it will be used on the range.

Thanks. I registered a long time ago but haven't been active on this forum for a while.

 

[dk-1]

No experience with the vortex, but I did A LOT of research on mid range priced spotters and just ordered a Celestron Regal M2 65mm with ED glass. The bird watching crowd gave its predecessor great reviews, and the updated version (M2) has some improvements over the first gen. From my research, this scope with a baader Hyperion 13 mm eyepiece makes it about 30x with a 68* field of view. One bird watcher said it hung with a Ziess diascope and Nikon field scope when it had the baader eyepiece. For $500 for the scope and $150 for the eyepiece, this may be a great spotter. The supplied zoom eyepiece is supposed to be pretty decent as well. My intended uses for this scope include hunting the high country and range use. I should have it next week, so when I get some time behind it I will do a thorough review.

 

[Leozinho]

Thanks for the reply. That's a little more than I want to invest.

I just ordered a Nomad at a good price. I figured the Diamondback was better but not twice as good as the Nomad. If I upgrade I'll skip the Diamondback and look at the Viper line (and others in that price range.)

I discoverEd the Konus 80 right after I placed my order. Looks like it might be a good budget choice. Maybe better than the Nomad. I always second guess my purchases. Haha.

 

[shooter1054]

I have a Nomad. I got it in December and just used it on a prairie dog shoot. I am very happy with it. I use it at my home range out to 1K. You can't see the hair on a gnats sack with it, but I can see everything I need to with it. Don't sweat your purchase. You made a good call. If it goes whopperjawed on you, Vortex has the no BS warranty. Send it in and get it fixed/new one.

 

[dk-1]

Thanks for the reply. That's a little more than I want to invest.

I just ordered a Nomad at a good price. I figured the Diamondback was better but not twice as good as the Nomad. If I upgrade I'll skip the Diamondback and look at the Viper line (and others in that price range.)

I discoverEd the Konus 80 right after I placed my order. Looks like it might be a good budget choice. Maybe better than the Nomad. I always second guess my purchases. Haha.

That's why I have learend to do the research BEFORE making the purchase!!!