ED glass on Vortex Diamondback? (1 Viewer)

[MarkBC]

I’ve seen a few posts saying the Diamondback contains ED glass, including this description on BH Photo: “Image quality is enhanced through the use of anti-reflection fully multicoated high-density (HD) extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements in the lens”. But I can’t find any reference to ED glass in the Diamondback specifications or anywhere else in the Vortex website.
Vortex proprietary HD glass does not mean ED glass. It may contain ED glass, but HD refers to High Density, not extra low dispersion.
Anyone have a link to ED glass in the Vortex website or Vortex documentation confirming ED glass on the Diamondback I would really appreciate seeing it.

 

[4John]

I’ve seen a few posts saying the Diamondback contains ED glass, including this description on BH Photo: “Image quality is enhanced through the use of anti-reflection fully multicoated high-density (HD) extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements in the lens”. But I can’t find any reference to ED glass in the Diamondback specifications or anywhere else in the Vortex website.
Vortex proprietary HD glass does not mean ED glass. It may contain ED glass, but HD refers to High Density, not extra low dispersion.
Anyone have a link to ED glass in the Vortex website or Vortex documentation confirming ED glass on the Diamondback I would really appreciate seeing it.

MarkBC,

I can't answer your question, but I suggest you email Vortex in the USA and ask them. I found them very helpful indeed with another question.

 

[henry link]

I just checked out a friend's 85mm Diamondback scope. I think it's extremely unlikely that any form of "ED" glass is used in the objective lens. The scope performs exactly like what I would expect from a simple fast achromat of about f/5.5-5.6, which is to say it has a huge amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration. I doubt that it even qualifies to be called a proper achromat.

It still might be acceptable to someone at 20-30x since, in this particular sample at least, other defects like spherical aberration, astigmatism and coma were reasonably well corrected in a quick 60x star test. However, If you're looking for something well corrected for CA this is not it,

 

[Montereyman]

I’ve seen a few posts saying the Diamondback contains ED glass, including this description on BH Photo: “Image quality is enhanced through the use of anti-reflection fully multicoated high-density (HD) extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements in the lens”. But I can’t find any reference to ED glass in the Diamondback specifications or anywhere else in the Vortex website.
Vortex proprietary HD glass does not mean ED glass. It may contain ED glass, but HD refers to High Density, not extra low dispersion.
Anyone have a link to ED glass in the Vortex website or Vortex documentation confirming ED glass on the Diamondback I would really appreciate seeing it.

Every Vortex Diamondback binocular I have purchased was terrible and I ended up returning them to BH Photo. One needs to go with the Viper class at a bare minimum. BH Photo sells the Vortex Viper 8x42 with the email price of $399 and no point in going lower. I have noticed that at 10x and 12x any shortcomings of the optics is magnified along with the image.

 

[KeesJ]

Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 | Ontdek hem hier.

Vind bij ons alles over de Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42. Al meer dan 15 jaar dé verrekijker specialist. Fysieke winkel te Beilen - A28. Goede service, met lage prijzen

www.verrekijkershop.nl

This is a link to a site in the Netherlands. It says it's not ED.
Open "produkt details".

 

[Ignatius]

I once had a Vortex Diamondback scope, a 16-48x65 angled, and it was rather awful. Put me off scopes for a while. I'd hate to imagine what the Crossfires are like . @Montereyman's advice might be sound if you plan to stay with the brand.

 

[MarkBC]

Sorry for taking so long to get back to my own post.
I got an email from Vortex that clears this up:
“Good day Mark.
I have been able to confirm with Vortex Optics USA that none of our optics contain ED glass. The Diamondback Spotter is equipped with HD Glass.
In the binocular world, HD (High Definition) and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) are related but distinct terms, often used to describe the optical quality and technology of the lenses.
If you would like additional information or details on the above, please reach out to VORTEX USA at 1-800-4-VORTEX.
Thanks Mark. We are here for any questions or service.
All the best.
Darryl.”

 

[Ignatius]

HD glass is not a thing but marketing mumbo-jumbo. ED glass is indeed extra low dispersion glass deployed in optical elements to reduce CA, ie. those colored fringes you might see around objects in some situations. You can test for CA by looking at powerlines against a blue sky on a sunny day. Or at this time of year bare trees.
So the man gave you half truths and marketing shite. I stick by my estimation of Vortex products no matter what fabulous warranty they have.

 

[Peregrine Took]

I once had a Vortex Diamondback scope, a 16-48x65 angled, and it was rather awful.

I'm with Ignatius (and Montereyman) and suggest you avoid the Diamondback! I also had one and it was the worst scope I've ever looked through - so much false colour it was barely useable. It went back for a refund the day it arrived.

As for the Viper, it is pin sharp, but with a very narrow field of view. I'd go for a Razor, (which actually has quite a wide FOV), if it's in budget, or look at other brands.

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