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As of spring 2019 the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 has been replaced by the updated Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28.
The Vortex Diamondback 8x28 is both inexpensive and portable, making it attractive to novice birders and backpackers alike. At 14.9 ounces these bins are second only to the $750 Leica 10x25 Ultravid BCR in terms of weight. They also provide impressive clarity given their small size and low price. We highly doubt you're going to find a better pair of binoculars for less than $200. The only big downside is the brightness. The combination of small lenses and mid-range glass means these bins aren't able to soak up too much light, so don't expect any miracles on your next dusk or dawn nature walk.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Many buyers want to know what product gives them the most performance for their money. When it comes to binoculars, we think the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 is the answer. This is a compact binocular with excellent clarity, comfort, and construction quality. We give it our Best Buy Award, recommending it for those on a budget but who still want a top performing binocular.
Performance Comparison
The compact Vortex Diamondback 8x28, our Best Buy winning pair.
Credit: Michael Payne
Clarity
The clarity of the optics for the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 is really good, in part due to the phase corrected coatings. In our clarity test on the ISO 12233 chart, zone 9 was clear in the center but we could see defocusing around the edges. Chromatic aberrations were apparent with purple fringing noticeable in white or bright backgrounds. Again, in this category, the Diamondback scores far above the other budget models in our selection.
Brightness
The Vortex Diamondback 8x28 is not made for low light conditions and scored lower in this category than our other award winners. However, compared to other binoculars in a similar price range, the Vortex Diamondback scored way better. We still think these are best used in bright natural lighting. The 28mm objective lens limits the amount of light that enters the system. The fully multi-coated lenses do help with keeping what light enters the system from scattering.
To learn more about different lens coatings and factors that affect brightness, be sure to reference our Buying Advice Article which also includes a complete glossary of terms to bring you up to speed on binocular terminology.
Though not ideal for low light conditions, the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 blows the other binoculars in a similar price range out of the water when it comes to brightness and clarity.
Credit: Michael Payne
Ease of Adjustment
The Vortex Diamondback 8x28 started off with stiff adjustment mechanisms, like several of the binoculars that we reviewed. The hinge to adjust the interpupillary distance, the focus knob, and diopter all felt stiff before they broke-in. At first we thought the diopter had a locking mechanism, it was so difficult to move. After some use, everything loosened up and was easier to adjust. The diopter has no locking mechanism after all. All of the adjustment mechanisms are well placed and easy to use after the break-in period.
A compact and lightweight pair, the Vortex Diamondback can be brought backpacking or on trips where size and weight matters.
Credit: Michael Payne
Field of View and Close Focus Range
The Vortex Diamondback 8x28 can focus in on objects that are 13.1 feet away, which puts it towards the bottom of the list for close focus range. For comparison, the Swarovski and Zeiss models can focus on objects just 4.9 feet away. The field of view of the Vortex Diamondback is 360 feet at 1000 yards, which puts it in the middle of the list.
Comfort
The rubberized coating on the barrels makes the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 easy to hold onto. The eyecups are pliable, comfortable rubber. They aren't tapered like on its cousin, the Editors' Choice-winning Vortex Viper HD 8x42. Adequate eye relief keeps your eyes from straining.
We like the rubberized barrels for gripping and the rubber eyecups are comfortable when next to the face.
Credit: Michael Payne
The Vortex Diamondback 8x28 (middle) is the largest of the compact models tested for this review.
Credit: Michael Payne
Value
At under $200, the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 is an outstanding value. At just about any price range under $500, quality compromises have to be made in order to keep the cost down. Vortex steps up to the challenge and produces a good product for the price. Vortex does a good job of balancing those compromises out. We give this pair our Best Buy award for its excellent balance of quality, performance, and price. Budget shoppers (or any shoppers really!) will not be disappointed. You also get the Vortex VIP (Very Important Promise) warranty along with your purchase. The addition of this excellent warranty further increases the value of this purchase.
Conclusion
Though the Vortex Diamondback 8x28 scored in the second half of our test group, it is not a bad pair of binoculars. They will work just fine for most people who want a pair of compact binoculars and don't want to spend a lot. They also proved to have much better brightness and clarity than other low-cost binoculars. That's why the Vortex Diamondback earns our Best Buy Award.
When compared to our Editors' Choice winner, the Vortex Viper HD 8x42, the Viper has noticeably better brightness and clarity as a result of higher quality glass, smoother adjustment mechanisms, and a higher quality construction but a shorter field of view than the Diamondback. That higher quality pair also costs around $500 more than the Diamondback, so it is a much larger investment. We find the Diamondback to be completely adequate for most people as an everyday pair.
Other Versions
If you want a larger pair of binoculars, the Vortex Diamondback line comes in multiple ranges from this 8x28 to 12x50 and everything in between.
