Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes

The media could not be loaded. What was I expecting vs what I got. First, I have a GoSky 20-60 at 60mm it feels cheap and lightweight. It also is very dark. It is crisp and not soft. The Vortex is crisp thru the entire magnifying band. The light from the 85mm is the huge difference. I expected it to soften up in the higher magnification but that it not noticeable. What is noticeable is the chromatic aberration. It's HUGE in this glass. I am a professional photographer and I did not buy this for photography. I bought it for hunting and sighting in my scope. The color difference does not bother me. I will post a video where you can see this. I am happy with the build and quality. For under $500 it's exceptional. My wife and I use vortex products while eagle watching and we're adding this to our tools. The focus ring and the magnification dial are not hard to turn. I have no need for the padded sleeve it came with. I use a tripod always. You'll need a strong tripod as the weight will sag your lightweight tripod. After you get it, you'll want to carry it with you always. I have a work vehicle where I can do that. It's an excellent man toy and would make an excellent gift. Look for the purple spot in the middle of the glass on the video.

Easily zoom in from hundreds of yards away, and the focus is excellent with most of the zoom ranges. You will need a tripod

I use it for birding and finding rare birds in area or across large bodies of water/ brush. It’s great to use and the detail is amazing. Rule of thumb: larger the lens, more light and detailed the image is.Have fun looking at the moon at maximum zoom. You can easily see all the little details.

Works great, good deal. Kudos to the seller

Let me tell you something here : I am not optics expert here. I am your average Joe who always had middle of the road binoculars (like Nikon Monarch 7, three of them in different configurations). I am not expert, bur guess what : I have eyes !!!! i ALSO HAVE A GOOD VISION. And I know what to look for.I got me this Vortex Diamonback HD 20-60X85 and I am pleasantly surprised what a great quality optics this is. First of all it's super clear. It is shoulder to shoulder with my Nikon Monarch 7 witch has ED glass. View is very clear with plenty of light even on the cloudy day. I have NO distortion whatsoever even at the high end Zoom. The build quality of this thing is phenomenal. It's built like a tank.Please don't listen to these optics snobs here that are picky about this scope. They clearly have no clue what they are talking about. How come ? Very simple : You DO NOT compare Honda with Mercedes S Class, do you ? And this is what every one of them does. This scope is a Honda. It will get you there, it will last long time, and it will give you good service. Mercedes will do that too, and more, but at what price ?If you are on the fence, go for it and don't look back.

Typical excellent quality from Vortex.

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Impressed with quality of the scope for the price. Optics are impressive.