Vortex is an American optics manufacturer with nearly two decades of experience providing top-notch gadgets like spotting scopes.
Spotting scopes are essential for long-range viewing, whether for hunting, birdwatching, nature-loving, or any activities that require seeing distances longer than the range of the average rifle scope.
Vortex develops three levels for its spotting scope, with the Diamondback series as the affordable option.
The Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 spotting scope comes with angled or Straight eyepiece versions like other spotting scopes. However, our focus will be on the 45° angled version of the spotting scope.
Aside from being affordable, the Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Angled Spotting scope has many functionalities. If you want to find out about this scope, this article will give you all the details.
In addition, other important tips, like the pros and cons of the scope, are included for an in-depth understanding of the spotting scope.
Features of Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Angled Spotting Scope
Before you invest, that should last for several years, like a spotting scope. However, sometimes you may wonder if a particular spotting scope is right for you.
In this section, we discuss the features of the Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Angled spotting scope.
1. Magnification
One of the first things you notice in the description of a scope is the magnification to show the importance of this feature.
Magnification or power is the number of times you can increase a target for optimal viewing. For example, the vortex Diamondback HD spotting scope sports a variable power range of 20-60x.
Its magnification range is great for the average viewer not looking for extreme distances. A scope with this power range makes it possible to see targets over 200 yards away easily. This way, you can use the spotting scope for hunting, nature viewing, and birdwatching.
2. Objective Lens
While the objective lens is not the sole determinant of a clear image, it has a big role to play alongside other optical features. Generally, the objective lens of a scope affects the image clarity you can get as it allows light into the tube.
A wide objective lens will take in more light and help create a brighter image than a scope with a smaller lens.
The scope comes with a large 85mm objective lens that provides enough light, even at higher magnification, to form clear images. The lens also makes viewing in poor light conditions possible since the lens is wide enough to gather any available light.
3. Optical Clarity
Spotting scopes need a high optical performance since they view long-distance targets. Regarding this vortex scope, the glass has anti-reflection properties that focus light and prevent dispersion, thereby improving clarity.
Furthermore, with a fully multi-coated lens system, all the lenses in the scope are covered with more than one coating with different properties that make images clearer.
The vortex Diamondback scope features high-definition glass with extra-low dispersion properties that focus light and ensure high light transmission, improving the image’s color and contrast.
In addition, the Porro prism in the scope makes it possible to get all the bright images without the light inside the tube interfering with its clarity.
4. Durability and Build
Getting a powerful scope that can view long distances is great, but what good will it be if it breaks with the slightest pressure? This is why you should consider the type of material used to make the scope and its durability in general.
This vortex Diamondback HD spotting scope is built with an aluminum body that is further protected with rubber armor with a grip-friendly surface. The grip-friendly surface prevents slip which can break the scope. All these will give you a clue as to what the scope can withstand.
The scope lenses are fully multi-coated with protective coatings like the Armortek layer, preventing scratches, dirt, or oil from damaging the lens and obstructing the view.
The scope is also purged with argon and O-ring sealed to keep it fog proof and waterproof. This way, you can use the scope in a wet environment and not notice a reduced image clarity or expose the scope to damage.
5. Size
The size of a scope matters when you consider storage and moving the scope around. This Vortex Diamondback HD scope is 18.1 inches long, 5.4 inches high, and 8.9 inches wide.
The scope weighs 61.3 ounces, putting it at more than the average weight for similar spotting scopes. While it is not the biggest scope, it is not lightweight or compact, so it may require extra effort and room to move it around.
Vortex uses a durable neoprene carrying case to make movement easier for this Diamondback spotting scope.
6. Field of View and Eye Relief
High-magnification scopes typically have a lower field of view, and spotting scopes do not have the best field of view.
However, this vortex scope tries to maximize the field of view possible to ensure you can see around your target.
For example, at the lowest magnification of 20x, the field of view is 108 feet at 1000 yards, while the field of view at the highest magnification of 60x is 60 feet at 1000 yards.
When looking through the spotting scope, the farthest distance you can place your face away from the lens without noticing a reduction in clarity is regarded as eye relief.
Generally, eye relief increases as you reduce the power of the scope, with this scope featuring eye relief of 20.3 to 18.3 mm at 20x to 60x magnification.
The exit pupil of this scope is 4.25 to 1.4 mm at 20x to 60x to indicate the width of the light beam leaving the eyepiece. With the long eye relief, viewing long distances is possible without injuries or eyestrain.
7. Viewing Angle
Spotting scopes can have straight or angled eyepieces, and the scope in view is an angled scope set at a 45° angle. Angled scopes are easier to share since the eyepiece is below your eye line.
It is generally more comfortable, with the possibility of using it without a tripod. If you choose to go with a tripod, there’s the flexibility of using low tripods.
Also Read About: 4 Best Vortex Spotting Scopes to buy {Expert Choice}
8. Mounting System
Since it is an angled scope, the tripod type is not fixed, with the flexibility of using tripods of varying heights possible. The shoe for the mount is ARCA compatible, allowing you to mount it on ARCA or Swiss tripod head without using additional plates.
It uses the regular ¼” to 20″ socket threads to use other available heads with the same dimensions. You can rotate the mounting collar in any direction along its 45° plane to make it easier to view the scope comfortably.
9. Sunshade
The scope has a built-in retractable sunshade that you can pull out when shooting at angles that puts the sun’s rays directly on the objective lens.
The sunshade will block the rays and prevent glare which can expose your position in target shooting or cause light reflection, reducing image clarity.
Pros and Cons of Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Angled Spotting Scope
Here are direct reasons you should and shouldn’t buy this vortex scope. With this, you will know if this spotting scope is right for you.
Pros
- Wide magnification range of 20-60x to see targets over 200 yards away
- Wide objective lens diameter of 85x to gather enough light for improved image clarity
- High-performance HD and ED glass
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Long eye relief
- Affordable spotting scope
- Waterproof and fog proof design
- Retractable sunshade to reduce glare and improve light transmission
Cons
- Low-quality parts
- Bulky
How to Set Up Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Angled Spotting Scope?
Learning how to set up the scope will improve your speed, as you can quickly get it up and ready in minutes. Here’s what to do to set it up:
- Attach the eyepiece by fixing it into the body and rotating it in a clockwise motion till it is tight.
- Set the scope’s magnification by turning the adjustment ring. Turn clockwise to increase the magnification and anticlockwise to reduce it.
- Adjust the viewing angle by moving the mounting collar, so the eyepiece is in the direction most comfortable for you. Firstly turn the thumbscrew anticlockwise to loosen the mounting collar, adjust the eyepiece to the most comfortable position and lock in the position by tightening the thumbscrew when you turn it clockwise.
- Mount on a tripod or car window mount.
- Refocus the fine focus so you can see the target in detail.
- Adjust the eye cup by moving it down if you want to see the full field of view with glasses or adjust it up if you want to see the full field of view without glasses.
- Pull the sunshade out if the sun’s rays are hitting the lens.
Summary
Vortex Diamondback HD spotting scope uses a high-performance optical system, leading to improved image quality.
In addition, the series is affordable, so people on a budget can get it without spending too much; however, some of its parts may need to be of higher quality.
Nevertheless, this scope will serve you well if you’re looking for a scope for average spotting scope ability.
