Diamondback 2016 and HD
Hello all,
I'm looking for input from people who have handled these two binoculars. I'm looking at 8x42's. I live near a store that carries the Diamondbacks but not the Vanguards. Both of them can be had for under $200, and the Vanguard is even cheaper with the current rebate in the US.
The Vortex was nice when I looked through it. I liked the field of view and the close focus. It wasn't as nice as the Nikon Monarch 5's that I looked through, but I'm looking for something I can carry every day at work in the truck.
How do the Vanguard Endeavor ED's compare? Reviews point out problems with chromatic aberration, but I think that might be in comparison with higher priced models. Are the Diamondbacks (which don't have ED glass) any better?
Sadly I don’t have any experience of the Vanguard Endeavor ED (there are several lines of them, I recall, which increase dramatically in price and allegedly quality - the originals, and the ED II and ED IV. I guess you are looking at the originals, with the silver open bridge).
I have two pairs of Diamondback 8x42 in the family and like them both - and it’s not the pair of models that might have been often found together before, but the 2016 version and the just-introduced HD version, which you might not be aware of. The HD looks and feels identical to the 2016 version (a good thing in my book) aside from the badge and has the same close focus and wide field of view etc., but has updated glass types (presumably not quite ED unless Vortex simply never uses the term ED), different lens coatings which are more oil, water and scratch resistant, and they definitely have phase-correction coated prisms (stated on the packaging). The original, 2012-ish completely different-looking Diamondbacks had phase-corrected prisms and always stated it in any publicity, but I always noticed that Vortex’s own specs and promo videos never mentioned this feature for the 2016 range, and it wasn’t mentioned on the box either, which makes me suspect it wasn’t used. They upgraded the reflective surfaces of the prisms to dielectric on the 2016 models so perhaps the cost of that was the reason, but the HD ones also have this so they now have both of these desirable prism features.
I find the HDs have a subtle improvement with a reduction in CA. They’re about 10% more expensive where I am. Instead of the hard, black moulded zippered case of the 2016, they come with a beige, elastic-clipped flap pouch. I prefer this as the moulded case has no padding, is too large for the 8x42 pair and has no storage pockets - the new case is a snugger fit, is padded and has elasticated external mesh pockets. Both types come with a padded strap for the binoculars; the 2016 type have a simpler strap for the case which can be fitted or not, as required; the HDs include a binocular harness which can also be cunningly operated with the case.
Anyway, thought it was wise to be aware of this new choice in case the differences are significant to you. The 2016 variant, being the outgoing model, should offer a bit of extra opportunity to negotiate a discount, hopefully.
