The Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback are two popular scopes favored by both professional and regular gunners. However, picking the better product among the two categories has never been easy.
So, are you looking for a high-quality scope and have narrowed your decisions to these two products? If the answer is yes, then you have come to the right place.
This post will compare the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback in detail based on personal experience and many other reviews. Keep scrolling down, and I will tell you everything about them!
What is Vortex Crossfire?
As of my last update in September 2021, the Vortex Crossfire is a series of optical products manufactured by Vortex Optics.
The Crossfire series is known for offering a range of binoculars, riflescopes, red dot sights, spotting scopes, and other optical devices that are designed for various outdoor and shooting activities.
What is Diamondback?
As of my last update in September 2021, the Diamondback is another series of optical products manufactured by Vortex Optics.
Like the Crossfire series, the Diamondback series includes a wide range of optics, such as binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, and other related products.
The Diamondback series is known for offering good optical performance and durable construction at a relatively affordable price point.
A Quick Rundown Of The Vortex Crossfire And Diamondback
| Feature | Vortex Crossfire | Vortex Diamondback |
|---|---|---|
| Optics Quality | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Prism Type | Roof Prism | Roof Prism |
| Construction | Rubber Armor | Rubber Armor |
| Waterproof/Fogproof | Yes | Yes |
| Field of View | Varies with model | Varies with model |
| Close Focus Distance | Varies with model | Varies with model |
| Eye Relief | Varies with model | Varies with model |
| Available Models | Binoculars, Scopes, etc. | Binoculars, Scopes, etc. |
| Price Range | Lower mid-range | Mid-range |
Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback are both very popular in the scope world.
Overall, they have a pretty similar look and design but come at significantly different price ranges.
Before moving on to the in-depth details, let’s first walk through a short summary of their core pros and cons.
Vortex Crossfire
Regarding the design, both the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback feature a single tube made of high-quality premium. However, the Vortex Crossfire possesses a slightly bulkier appearance and heavier weight.
Meanwhile, the Diamondback comes with a compact design and lighter weight, giving users more comfort when holding. The Vortex Crossfire has rugged armor made of rubber surrounding the scope.
As a result, the Vortex Crossfire brings great protection for its body against scratches and drops, increasing overall durability. In addition, the purging made of nitrogen also makes this scope less susceptible to harsh weather conditions.
The long and bulky design of the Vortex Crossfire also comes with certain setbacks. It results in a longer distance of focus and a more limited view than on the Diamondback scope.
Another winning point of the Vortex Crossfire lies in its much more affordable price range. On average, a Vortex Crossfire scope is around $50-$100 cheaper than the Diamondback series.
Diamondback
Regarding the performance, it’s hard to deny that the Diamondback is the superior option. It gives clearer and brighter images with a wider viewing angle, which optimizes users’ experience in the usage process.
This improvement may be attributed to the more optimal optical system on the Diamondback compared to its counterpart. The more compact design and lightweight is also an advantage if you hold the scope for a long period.
The Diamondback is also the winner in durability, thanks to its premium Argon purging. This material can effectively resist even the most extreme weather conditions, scratches, and outer damage.
However, all these improvements don’t mean that the Vortex Crossfire is a low-quality scope. Though the specs are very good, the Diamondback doesn’t exceed its counterpart significantly in quality.
The worth noticing setback of this category lies in its significantly higher price range. Paying an extra $50-$100 for these small improvements is worth considering for regular users.
The Differences Between Vortex Crossfire Vs Diamondback
It’s not solely the vision that makes up a scope’s quality. The scope’s design, weight, and durability are critical factors affecting a user’s buying decision. And that’s what I will discuss in this comparison.
Performance
Performance is the first factor to look at when choosing a scope because it directly affects your shooting accuracy and experience. If a scope is highly durable and beautiful but isn’t accurate, then it won’t be a great choice.
The close focus on the Diamondback stands at five feet. Meanwhile, the figure for the Vortex Crossfire is six feet. Though a close focus below ten feet is inherently excellent, the Diamondback performs slightly better.
In addition, the Diamondback features a higher foot view of 330 feet compared to 325 feet on the Vortex Crossfire. Though a five-foot difference is insignificant, the Diamondback is still the winner, nevertheless.
Durability
The Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback possess excellent durability, which remain sturdy against drops and strong impacts. However, the difference lies in their purging material.
The purging layer protects the scope’s lens and body against scratches, heat, and water. The Vortex Crossfire features a high-quality nitrogen purging, while the Diamondback has the Argon purging.
Argon is more expensive than nitrogen due to its higher quality. This material makes the lens and scope body more resilient to weather impacts and extreme temperatures.
Therefore the Diamondback is the better option when it comes to durability.
Design
You can see the rugged rubbers on the two scopes, but there’s an additional grip on the Diamondback. When putting the two scopes side by side, it’s easy to notice that the Vortex Crossfire is slightly bigger overall.
Meanwhile, the compact design and shape of the Diamondback are easier to hold and carry around. It also features a lightweight (around 1.7 ounces), though the difference is insignificant.
Price
Due to the higher quality, lighter weight, and better performance, many users would jump to choose Diamondback. However, these advantages do come with a big tradeoff: Its high price.
The Argon purging on the Diamondback is much more expensive than the nitrogen purging on the Vortex Crossfire. With many improvements made to the scope, it’s understandable that Diamondback has a higher cost.
On average, you will save around $50 to $100 when choosing a Vortex Crossfire scope over the Diamondback. For regular users, this big gap in price is surely worth noticing.
Users’ Experience
To give the fairest comparisons, I have put my hand on both scopes and experienced them for a while. Here are what I felt about the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback:
Regarding build quality, both scopes have a beautiful and sturdy design with excellent cuts and finishes. I have tried dropping both the scopes a few times, and they suffer little to no scratches or damage.
Though the specs on the Diamondback are better, it’s hard to notice any significant difference in the viewing experience. However, if you pay particular attention, the Diamondback gives a slightly better image with less aberration.
In low-light viewing conditions, the Diamondback can efficiently magnify the dim light sources, which is ideal for use at night. Meanwhile, the magnifying ability of the Vortex Crossfire is decent.
Lastly, I personally like the compact and lightweight of the Diamondback. I have tried wearing both these scopes on my neck for many hours, and the Diamondback provides more comfort throughout the process.
Meanwhile, the slightly heavier weight of the Vortex Crossfire will add up and cause some inconvenience after many hours.
If you want more in-depth reviews, consider watching the video below.
Final Verdict
There’s no doubt that the Diamondback is the better option regarding performance and qualities. However, I think that the Vortex Crossfire is the right choice if you want the best value for money.
Though the specs are better, it won’t improve your usage experience much in real life. Both the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback are high-quality scopes, and the experience they offer is nearly identical.
If you don’t care about money, then just go for Diamondback as the most optimal option. Thank you for reading!
Last Updated on October 28, 2023 by
