VortexOptics Diamondback HD 10x50 Binoculars - HD Optical System, Non-slip Grip, Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof, Included GlassPak - Unlimited, Unconditional Warranty

Why did you pick this product vs others?:A bird watching report said the 8x28 were a best quality / value for smaller binoculars. I went from a $30 pair of binoculars to these and the difference is amazing. I got the 8x32 pair because it wasn’t much more and I wanted a little bit more light and since I don’t use them often I figured portability doesn’t matter but they’re still very portable.I don’t use binoculars very often but I have to say I’m blown away by the quality of these versus a cheaper pair. They also come in a decent case. For any eyeglass people, no need to take your glasses off with these there’s no field of view loss looking through a normal pair of glasses.Image quality:Fantastic, no noticeable CA, or distortion. Colors and sharpness are incredibly crisp. This is coming from someone that takes semi professional bird pictures, the optics in these are solid for the price.Value for money:I’m not an expert on what binoculars should cost but, given the excellent objects and I feel expensive frankly mostly metal construction… I feel like this is a solid deal.

Very nice quality binoculars. Not too heavy for bird watching, good clarity even in low light. Big enough for great field of view and comfort yet light enough to carry on a walk. About the max magnification I can use free hand and a nearby fence post, tree trunk or other field rest can steady it up for finer observation. Great to take along to the beach, field or mountains. The focus moves easily but securely. Feels sturdy and comfortable in the hand.

These are so of the best Binoculars I have ever looked through, Great Glass, Great Clarity, Great at long distances,For the money these are better than some of the $1000 Binos i've used. and comes with a lifetime warranty Vortex is in my opinion the best out their.

These feel very high quality and very comfortable in the hand . Lots of ability to custom fine tune to yourself with the perfect stiffness to hold it all there and after that you only need just one very smooth perfectly located dial to transition between distance changes. I can focus clearly and watch insects 6 feet away on the bush outside my window. I think most recommend 7 or 8 X for smaller binoculars but I have no problem holding the 10X32 still enough at huge distances and I enjoy the extended reach. Incredibly clear and well lit. I've had these for almost two years, I use them frequently and I LOVE em!

We can not recommend these enough! Great quality! Even better price. Focus easily, images are clear and the binoculars aren’t too heavy.

VERY good optics. Good contrast. Good field of view. Solid construction. The case it comes with is adequate, but could certainly be better. Any number of after-market cases would be a good replacement.I selected 8 power even though I have very steady hands. Hand-holding 10 power binoculars, especially when hiking, is too unsteady and results in rapid eye fatigue.

A couple of years ago my Zeiss 8x20 pocket mini of 40 years of use took a swim which ruined the coatings. I began to use my backup pair of Nikon Sportstar III 8x25 DCF (now marketed as Trailblazer 8x25 ATB)-$87. Well I figured that it was time to purchase a new set of glass but I wasn’t going to spend a small fortune on the German name brands. After I saw the evaluation of the best binoculars under $400, the top brand was the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 which surprisingly was under $200, I thought this would be easy. Well, not so fast. My first requirement for a binocular is that it fit in my shirt pocket. With birding,it’s a game of seconds and mental concentration. One must go through a mental checklist very quickly. I don’t backpack any longer but enjoy much birding in a very large managed area and use my gravel bike to get to the distant pools. A Columbia shirt has two large breast pockets which were large enough for the Vortex. OK, but two things about the 8 x 28 bothered me. One, I needed a higher power and the eye relief at 18mm kept the binos too far from my brow. I like to have the edge of the eye cup touch the brow which helps to steady the shake factor.I next tried the Occer 15x30. For $37 this little rascal has pretty good glass. Problem is it’s not 25x30, it’s 8x25 and I wanted a set that will give me more detail on shorebirds. It’s a cheap build and I really don’t know if any of the specs are accurate. Still, it has pretty good glass and I think it shows that the Chinese mass production of optical glass has advanced quite a bit. Another bono in the gift pile.Next I tried out the Pentax UP 8-26x21 ($84) The specs looked good but OMG the optics were junk! The 8x had maybe 20% focus in the center and the 16x had none of the field in focus. Where was Quality Control? So back they go on the return truck.All this time I kept looking at my 2003 Nikons to get a baseline to compare the others to. It’s not a bad little bump with good clear optics and a wide FOV.So I bet you’re saying “what about the Vortex Diamondback 10x28”? Yep, I got it and after my efforts at learning about the competition , I’m so glad I did. The optics are excellent. I figure every person has their own subjective opinion on optics, but the Diamondback is not only very clear, but the colors are so vivid and the picture takes on a 3D effect. The eye relief is 16mm which is fine (I don’t wear glasses). The eye cups lock in two positions and feel very solid with no jiggle. Some have complained that there isn’t a lock for the diopter, but it doesn’t need one. The wheel is very tight with no way to accidentally move it. The aluminum frame is very solid and covered with rubber. The barrels are sealed and purged with Argon for waterproofing. This bono does not have a cheap feel to it, and best of all it’s only $144 on Amazon with free shipping! And it comes with the Vortex lifetime unconditionall warranty if it ever does have an accident! It’s been on two outings and so far I love it. Oh, and yes, it does fit in my shirt pocket.

I bought these as I was a captain on a long USGA hole and needed eyes in several places across 500 yards. Focus wheel is smooth and user friendly, 8x32 is perfect for golf (and probably most sporting events and outdoor uses). Very sharp and fast focus, excellent product.