Vortex Binocular Review for Hunters | Diamondback vs Viper vs Kaibab vs Razor

A deep dive and comparison between the Vortex 12x50 Diamondback, 10x42 Diamondback, 10x42 Viper, 18x56 Kaibab, and the 18x56 Razor binoculars.

[@chrisgreenhagen1717]

Thanks for the good and humble review. It’s relevant to hear from someone who has actually used the equipment being reviewed. Thanks and good luck this fall.

[@striven82]

Good video. I caught the binocular buying compulsion a few years ago after using an absolute turd of a set for too many years. I have a bunch of vortex and a few other brands. Vortex because of the cost:performance ratio, warranty, and they are (almost) a local business. I also have some Steiner, Pentax, Leopold, Tract, Athlon, and Kowa. I hunt in the Midwest and watch birds. My advice would be the cliche....buy the best you can afford. Do not drop below the Diamondback level. Keep your exit pupil above 4...5+ is better. In the woods, field of view is almost as important as center clarity. I have a pair of DB 10X42 that are so clear and sharp that I could almost sell everything else and be just fine. They perform way above their price point. The vortex UHD are fantastic in 8x. You can almost see the future, but they are a little sensitive to eye position. DB 8X32 offer a great field of view, but they don't resolve an image that great. Vipers are really nice if you have the $$. I really really like the Kowa BDII XD 6.5X32 for in the woods. Massive FOV, nice sharp center.

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

I love bird watching as well, I agree though that field of view is super important and often not discussed. Buying binos is addicting for sure.

[@TheXone7]

Thank you for great review. I purchased 8x42 Viper HD V200. For birdwatching and wildlife photography I've read that 8x42 is better than 10x42. Thanks again!

[@pewpew703]

Great job man, how many people take the time to review a product line up like you did. Love that "rule of three" great stuff.

[@Ramiel77]

Thanks for this video. Is hard to find a place to compare all of these, in story. Plus you mentioned things I wouldn't even think about. Saves me a lot of time when shopping. Thanks dude!

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

Absolutely ! Glad to help

[@HL99DMD]

Nice collection of Vortex binoculars!! 🎯

[@clarencemaximum8553]

Just ordered the 18x56 razor uhd, and I received the diamond back 10x42 as a gift. I have the crossfire 10x42 also. Hunting elk and mule deer above tree line this year.

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

You are gonna love those razors on a tripod, super elite glass. Let me know what you think once you get em

[@danielravenstar4051]

Knowing how technology advances, I was seeing what improvements are currently available I have the kaibab 15 x 56, My kiababs fit my face perfectly. If i were to upgrade, I should look at the swarovski btx systems The other binos I have are the kilo3000 10 x 42 rangefinders, By sig, I am very happy with those.

[@semakavf]

Good review, interesting to watch. You talked about some things I didn't know. Fans of optics will appreciate. Thank you, I support, a good choice of viper hd 10x42.

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

Thank you! Yeah the vipers are a great middle ground piece of glass.

[@tuanho87]

Bro, you’re awesome! I’m sure you can be a sales manager for vortex, I would buy!

[@seancord4571]

Great video. This was very informative and helped with deciding on a model. Thank you.

[@bm1894]

What a great and useful comparition! Now I know to take viper and razor over others vortex!

[@patricj951]

I would like a binocular within the 15-18x56-60 configuration. Unfortunately these suffer from short eye relief compared lower powered models. Just a tip: show the eyepiece lens with eyecup in the bottom level. This is one of the most important parts of a binocular.

[@bryceoleski5680]

I was just about to pull the trigger on the Kaibabs, glad I watched your video first. Great reviews.

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

I think they are super bulky… not my first choice.

[@AA-mk4pu]

@@paintedarrowoutdoorsthey’re for tri-pods genius

[@mil-std-minimalism]

I was thinking about getting a diamondback 10x32. After your advice I might get a viper 10x42 instead. Thanks for the explanation, very informative.

[@smartna]

Great video! Super informative

[@mattk5020]

Are the 10.42 Nikon Prostaff 10X42 good for stargazing and how do they compare to the vortex 12X50

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

The Nikons are a very nice starting pair, I have a really nice pair I could sell you if you are interested. Very lightly used. The 12x50 has much more zoom and a smaller field of view. Different purposes for both size.

[@mattk5020]

@@paintedarrowoutdoors Do you think image quality is better on the Vortex Viper as I want to do some bird watching and stargazing?

[@Humble452]

great review brother, I just bought the Razor UHD 18x56 and Viper 12x50, excited to start using them, do you find 12x50 are ok to use hand held? also I like how you seamlessly take off each binocular on and off from your tripod, can you share what kind of adapter and tripod you are using on this video please? Thank you for all your hard work on this video I subscribed! keep them coming brother!

[@jamesmooney5348]

Good job on the video- thanks.

[@albertaoridge]

Very good video! Helped me a lot

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

Glad to hear it!

[@PAC_84]

Just picked up the new Vortex Diamondback 10x42 HD binos for $149.99,, what a steal

[@luisefrenburciaga211]

Where!?

[@PAC_84]

@@luisefrenburciaga211 at the Ace hardware store here in southern Utah

[@jonesperkins1382]

Growing up in a big city, how many times I have been robbed, or my vehicle broken into. It makes it very hard to spend good money on things with the idea that it will last me forever my last pair of binoculars it was stolen I spent $300 on

[@PAC_84]

Get out of the big cities,,,they are hell holes

[@270wsm140gr]

Have you tried contacting vortex with a police report? I read on a hunting forum of a couple guys who said they had samething happened and they contacted vortex with a report and they got a replacement

[@paulbrimlow3957]

Great Review! Thank you!

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

Thank you!

[@archstanton9703]

Do these have fluorite glass and is that important? How do thes compare to the Maven B5? They look pretty similar. Thanks for the information!

[@bobbyjones7750]

The Diamondbacks 12x50 and Viper is it worth it to get the viper or not much of a difference low light/clarity for the price jump?

[@garrettknox5266]

I'm trying to decide between a 10x42 or a 10x50. I don't hunt so alot of what they will be used for will be checking targets at the range 100 yards or less. That said behind my house where my backyard ends is a hunting club. A few square miles of SC woods full of wildlife and I'm in it when there isnt a hunting season going on. Would I ever need the 10x50?

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

I’d check some out at a local shop but I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Very similar at 100 yards

[@garrettknox5266]

@@paintedarrowoutdoors I was thinking I would use them more in the field if they werent really big. The 10x42 looks more portable bangin thru the woods on a 4wheeler.

[@tnjoutdoors]

Do you have a lightweight tripod recommendation for my 15x56's for western game spotting?

[@Gustavo-rg9td]

Hello!! Please! Vortex Viper 10x42 or steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10x42?

[@jeffsoutdoorsadventures8842]

I’m looking for a pair for hunting. My range is from close to about 300 yards. I am really liking the Vortex but what one do you Recommend?

[@paintedarrowoutdoors]

10x42 for sure. Diamondbacks are a great budget option. Vipers are slightly nicer glass. I have both.

[@jeffsoutdoorsadventures8842]

@@paintedarrowoutdoors thank you

[@celsoalvaradorodriguez5717]

What kind of tripod adapter you have on the razors 18x56 ? Thank you

[@natehicks5863]

Rapid release by optic research. I did another video where I talk all about bino ACCESSORIES

[@michaelwhittaker6500]

I’ll take your Kaibabs if you don’t want them!

[@marke.8334]

If you are on a budget get the Leupold bx2 alpine Hd puts diamond backs to shame

[@marke.8334]

I owned the Leupold bx4s just as good as the razors. I just purchased the bx5 for a great price hoping they're on the UHD level

[@victormendoza590]

Sell me your kaibabs.. i want some primarily for tripod use

[@Motorpig251]

Audio way to weak.

[@arnelcomia2060]

Thanks viper hd for me

[@hamedizzy5137]

Swarovski is the same and they pay for shipping both ways!!!!

[@gsnicholas8522]

I’ll take those kaibab’s off your hands since you don’t like them.

[@havana335]

Wish you didn't have to teach about binoculars and tell us more about the binos themselves. We know about binos, teach a class if you are going to explain numbers and other basic stuff about binoculars

[@MickyMouseLimited]

Vortex looks like is just ordering binoculars from different manufactures and rebranded them. This is why they all fit differently. Look at Nikon between Monarch 5 and 7 the only difference is basically the optics. On the out side they feel the same because they are produced by Nikon and not a rebranded product. It just feels like with Vortex you need to pay premium price only because of the warranty. It is like paying for to lower end models but having only one at hand. It is a bit like Apple extended warranty you pay 40 % more on top of the price in case you brake the computer .

[@narutobroken]

Or they are changing them up so they are distinctive in a product line. I think it’s more of a marketing thing. Sort of like how Apple has the MacBook Air which is visually different than the MacBook Pro

[@Mi205W]

I have Viper 8x42 HD, great bino for birdwatching and stargazing 🙂

[@suzgabverdugo933]

Thad reason I took the kihbabs back was the eye cups didn’t sit well on my nose