Vortex Crossfire VS Diamondback Binoculars – Comparison 2024

Two popular models of the Vortex brand that often come up in discussions are the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback binoculars. But which one is the better choice? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Vortex Crossfire VS Diamondback binoculars to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you.

Which is better: Vortex diamondback or crossfire? Vortex diamondback binos offer better optical performance, light usability, close focus, durability, and portability. However, diamondbacks are slightly more expensive than crossfire. Diamondback is recommended if you have a handsome budget and vice versa.

Before I go into more detail, I would like to tell you that you will know the similarities and differences between these two binocular models, and at the end, you’ll be able to decide which one is better for your specific usage. So let’s get started.

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Comparison Table of Vortex Crossfire & Diamondback Binoculars

I am pretty much convinced that the price of binoculars is the most important factor that controls the buying process of many people. Not to forget, these binoculars fall in the budget category – meaning that these optics target the market portion that cares about the pricing of binoculars.

Vortex Crossfire is cheaper than Diamondback binoculars and is slightly heavier as well. There are a few features that surely make them a very good option to be used for multiple outdoor activities. Similarly, some bands make ordinary choices.

According to my personal experience, crossfire binos are suitable for those who have very tight budgets, but they are not recommended for those who want optical performance. More in-depth explanations will be discussed in upcoming sections.

Quick Rundown of Vortex Diamondback Binoculars

As said earlier Crossfire binoculars are made for the budget-conscious, but Vortex diamondback binoculars meet the needs of those people who love performance and don’t care about their budget.

The excellent glass material used in lenses and the coating present on them enhance their value and you’ll be very surprised to use them in low light conditions. Apart from the visual performance, many other features make Diamondback certainly a better option among outdoor enthusiasts.

Look, individual preferences vary and you should always consider your purposes of buying binoculars. Every optic is made for specific usability. For me, vortex diamondbacks are better: but you should always ask yourself by knowing all the details and then make the final decision.

Similarities between Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback Binoculars

These two models have lots of similarities. Their differences are very small and if you’re new to optics, chances are high that you won’t be able to point out the differences. Without wasting any more time, let’s dive deeper and learn about the similarities between these two binoculars.

1- Lifetime warranty

Binoculars that come with a warranty give you peace of mind. Even if your bought binos get any sort of fault, then you can replace them or get them repaired without spending a penny. The good thing is that both Vortex Diamondback and Crossfire binoculars come with a lifetime warranty.

2- Tripod adaptability

Tripod adaptability is very important for those people who spend most of their time outdoors and use binoculars to view the world. Both of these binoculars can be fit on the tripod stand and used for an extended duration without getting tired.

Another important point is that many people use binoculars of higher magnification to see objects that are very far away like stargazing etc. In such cases, when you fit binoculars in a tripod stand, you won’t get any shakiness in the visuals.

Note: Binoculars that have very high magnification power are very sensitive to small movements of hands and getting visuals through them by holding in hands is near impossible. In such cases, tripod adaptability works wonders.

3- Area of Coverage

Area of coverage means how much area you can see through the barrel of binoculars. In other words, the area of coverage is directly related to the field of view of binoculars. It is a very important metric for hunters who usually spend time finding the bucks.

Both vortex crossfire and diamondback binoculars have almost the same field of view i-e 329 feet and 331 feet respectively. The difference of just 2 feet is not significant.  It means that you will be able to see almost the same area when you use these binoculars. 

4- Usability in Extreme Outdoor Conditions

Both of these two models are made with rubber armor material which is decent for giving them durability. They won’t be affected if you throw them from some height. When you’re out, using binoculars, chances are high that your binoculars may come across different outdoor conditions like dust, rain, or fog.

But these binoculars are purged with nitrogen and argon gas and also secured by o-ring sealing which protects them from rain, fog, moisture, and dust. In terms of providing you with a perfect viewing experience in extreme weather conditions, they are matchless.

5- Handling and Gripping

Handling and gripping are other important factors that influence the comfort, and ease of usability of binoculars. Binoculars that do not offer decent do not deserve your attention because when you use them with wet hands, they will slip out of your hands.

But the good thing is that both of these binoculars come with excellent handling and durability. They have textured surfaces on the body which enhance your gripping on them. Their size is also compact so holding them won’t be an issue. Both of these binoculars are equally good.

Difference Between Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback Binoculars

So, now you are very much well aware of the similarities between these two models. The purpose of giving you basic knowledge was to ensure that you understand the differences between those two models which I am going to discuss in the upcoming section. It is going to be the most important part of this guide as it will decide which one either diamondback or crossfire better for your usage.

1- Visual Quality / Low-Light Performance

If you read the specifications and details that are mentioned by the manufacturer, you will feel that both Diamondback and Crossfire binoculars are the same in terms of low-light performance. But it is not true: although the manufacturer mentions the same lenses and coating details, the optical performance of diamondback binoculars is certainly better than crossfire.

I think the coating which is present on the lenses of diamondback binoculars is better and it offers more transmission of light. Due to more transmission of light from the surface of lenses, no light gets wasted, and your binoculars give brighter and sharper visuals even in low light conditions. For low light usability and visual performance, Diamondback is ahead: I am saying this because I have used both of these optics.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

2- Durability

As said earlier both of these models are made of similar manufacturing materials but there is a difference when it comes to durability comparison. The diamondback uses argon gas as purging whereas crossfire binoculars use nitrogen gas as purging.

So, when you use them in rain or with wet hands, then the moisture affects the lenses of crossfire binoculars because nitrogen gas is not ideal for protecting lenses from moisture. However, if you keep binos in the sunlight for half an hour, then the moisture will go away from the lenses of binoculars.

But diamondback binoculars are purged with argon gas which does not allow moisture to affect the lenses. No moisture will go inside the binoculars. They are also sealed with o-ring sealing so their protection is superior to crossfire binoculars.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

3- Purged Gas: Argon vs. Nitrogen Purging

Modern binoculars are usually purged with different gasses so that they don’t get affected by moisture. So, when moisture goes inside these gas-purged binoculars, the gas immediately removes this moisture and ensures that the lens of your binoculars doesn’t get any fog on them.

Nitrogen and Argon gasses are the two most popular options that manufacturers use. Argon is premium gas, more expensive than nitrogen, and offers better performance than nitrogen gas. It means that if a binocular is nitrogen gas purged, then the moisture can still go inside and affect lenses however chances are low.

But those binoculars that are purged with argon gas don’t allow the moisture to stay inside the body of binoculars and protect the lenses and other interior components more efficiently. 

Diamondback binoculars are purged with argon gas whereas nitrogen gas is used in the crossfire. So, you get more moisture protection in diamondback binoculars.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

4- Eye relief

Eye relief is the distance between the user’s eyes and the eyepiece or ocular lens of binoculars. The more the distance, the more comfortable the user will be. The diamondback binoculars have an eye relief of 17 mm which is considered ideal most of the time. Even if you wear glasses due to weak vision, this eye relief is going to be perfect for you.

On the other hand, crossfire binoculars have an eye relief of 15 mm which is fine but not ideal for those who wear glasses. In case you’ve weak vision and cannot see without glasses, I recommend you to go with diamondback binoculars. However, for normal, crossfire binoculars’ eye relief is also good.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

5- Design and Feel

Well, I have mentioned earlier that both of these binoculars are top-notch in their own ways. Their chassis are made with aluminium material which makes them durable and extremely easy to hold. But when it comes to their design, and overall feel, I consider Diamondback a slightly better option.

If you are a newbie, you might not even notice the difference, however, I myself have used these binoculars. During use and testing, I felt that I was more comfortable with the Diamondback binoculars because they are covered with a rubberized coating which gives a better feeling. 

Winner: Vortex Diamondback binoculars

6- Weight

I must say that these binoculars are not heavy, and you’d be happy carrying them along. However, there is small differences that make the Vortex Diamondback slightly more lightweight. 

Binocular Name	Weight (ounces)
Crossfire	23.32 oz
Diamondback	21.3 oz

Let me say again that this difference of just 2 oz is not going to have a massive impact on their usability. However, I consider it mandatory for me to give you all the differences no matter how small or negligible they are. 

Winner: Vortex diamondback as they are slightly more lightweight

7- Close Focus

The closer focus of binoculars is a very important factor if you’re someone who enjoys observing things up close, such as butterflies, insects, or flowers where small details matter.

The Diamondback has a close focus of 5 feet, while the Crossfire’s close focus is 7.5 feet. This means that the Diamondback can focus on objects as close as 5 feet away, while the Crossfire needs to be at least 7.5 feet away to achieve sharp focus.

While 2.5 feet may not seem like a significant difference, it can make a big impact when it comes to observing small details. So, if you are going to buy binoculars for viewing small creatures or flowers etc., then vortex diamondback binoculars are a better option due to their better close focus of 5 feet.

Note:  If you’re using your binoculars for activities such as hunting or long-distance viewing, the Crossfire’s slightly longer close focus may not be as big of a concern for you.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

8- Portability

When it comes to portability between the Vortex Diamondback and Crossfire binoculars, there are a few factors that you should consider. 

• The Crossfire is slightly heavier than the Diamondback, weighing in at 23.32 oz versus the Diamondback’s 21.3 oz. 
• The Crossfire is slightly larger than the Diamondback, measuring 6.0 x 5.1 inches compared to the Diamondback’s 5.7 x 5.1 inches.

Based on these differences, I can easily conclude that the Vortex Diamondback is the more portable option of the two. Its lightweight design and compact size make it easy to carry for extended durations, such as during hikes or nature walks. In fact, the Diamondback is so portable that it can even fit in your pocket, making it a convenient choice for those who use binoculars for an extended duration.

I know that the difference in weight and size is very small but it surely impacts the portability to a large extent. So, in terms of portability, Vortex diamondbacks are a better option to go with.

Winner: Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.

9- Price or Affordability

At the start of this guide, I mentioned that the price of binoculars is one of the most important factors that control the buying decisions of many outdoor enthusiasts. As told earlier, Vortex diamondback binoculars offer more value, premium features, and a better viewing experience, but Vortex crossfire binoculars are a cheaper option.

If you keep the price out of the scene, then Vortex Diamondback is certainly a better option and Vortex Crossfire is not near Diamondback. But the prices of diamondbacks are on the higher side which makes them not a very good option for budget-conscious people. However, if the budget is not your concern, going with Diamondback is a wise call for sure.

Winner: Vortex Crossfire Binoculars.

Key Takeaways of Vortex Crossfire vs. Diamondback Binoculars

Look, there is no doubt that both of these two binoculars are excellent and there is a major price difference. Both products belong to Vortex brands and their quality is outstanding. There are certain differences between them that we have discussed in the upper sections.

End of the day, the major difference comes down to the pricing. Vortex crossfires have limited features but their prices are also low. So, if you have a tight budget, then I highly recommend you to go with Vortex Crossfire binoculars as they will fit your purpose perfectly.

On the other hand, if you are not worried about the budget, and want a product with ultimate performance, then Vortex diamondback binoculars are made for you. Compromising on a budget will buy you the product that can let you down when you enjoy your outdoor activities. 

Which One Should You Choose, Vortex Diamondback or Vortex Crossfire Binoculars?

Well, I would say it depends. It depends on your budget and purpose. If you have tight money, then I would never suggest you buy Vortex Diamondback binos as they are slightly more expensive which might break your budget.

But, if you are an experienced outdoor enthusiast and want to buy binoculars that offer ideal optical performance and features, then I would suggest you choose Vortex Diamondback as they offer better performance.

End of the day, the final decision is going to be yours. Ask yourself and now why are you going to buy binoculars? If performance is the priority, go with Diamondback. However, if you have tight money or you are a newbie, then I suggest you choose Crossfire as they are an inexpensive option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The final decision is going to be yours: but for me, Vortex Diamondback binoculars are a better option. I suggest you increase your budget as the price difference between Diamondback and Crossfire binoculars is just a few dollars. I have given you all the information that you need to know before going to buy one. I hope that my efforts will be useful to you.