Vortex Optics DB-214 Diamondback HD 8x42 Black

These are not state of the art but they are very good for value/performance. The initial impression is excellent; bright, sharp and clear with good contrast. Detailed testing show a few minor imperfections, but they are relatively minor. They are not Swavorskis. There is a sweet spot very slightly below the centre where chromatic aberration, colour fringing, is negligible and resolution really very good. Above this point there is a little magenta fringing, and below a little turquoise fringing, on high contrast edges. This limits the results just a little at longer ranges, but you'll have to spend big money to get much better. Resolution is very good for about the central 60-70% of the large apparent field of view vertically, and good throughout horizontally. There is some pincushion distortion but really you have to look for it.Build quality is really good, they feel like a premium product.A first pair came with a soft case with an unstitching logo and were returned. The binos were fine and optical performance seems extremely sample-consistent.Overall very pleased.

Bought specifically for a trip to Yellowstone National park and I found them excellent. Sharpness is very good and distance focus is good, no bad points.The animals like wolves can be a long distance off and these were able to spot them but if you want real good viewing a spotting scope is required which are much harder to use.

For a "lower cost" set of binoculars the image quality on these is phenomenal. Loads of light and really easy to focus at distance and close-range. Really please with these.(For the record they also came with a carry bad and straps which again all seem quality)

Really sturdy and top quality. The image quality is excellent and the harness and bag that comes with it is also excellent. Very pleased with this product.

These are very nice binoculars. Fantastic build quality and with a good image. However the minimum IPD is 6.0mm. This what mine is and thought this wouldn’t be an issue. However with the objective lens covers tethered the rubber rings prevented the binoculars from being set to their minimum IPD setting. This means they have to be removed and I wasn’t happy about this. Additionally the image is excellent at shorter distances I found the sharpness to be lacking at longer distances. These two factors meant I had to return them.

Excellent binoculars with a sharp, bright image. A complicated harness comes with the case so you can walk around with the binoculars on your chest like a proud dad with a new baby. Not for me, so I took scissors to the straps and cobbled together a simple shoulder strap. Otherwise great.

Small and fast focus would advise 10 or 8 x mag for birding but the 12 x 50 is brilliant for long range viewing of birds of prey. Good optics for the money I am very pleased with them.

Optics are ok, but a couple of months after purchase the right eyepiece struggled to 'wind down' for use with spectacles. Now it is stuck in the open position and won't wind down. Minimal usage and 3 months after purchase. Unacceptable.