Review of the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60 spotting scope (1 Viewer)

[OrnithologyDevotee]

So I purchased this scope off eBay for $180 a few months back. I have it on a fotopro carbon fiber tripod. I think for the price it's an okay scope but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's not super bright, small field of view, and a whole lot of CA. It is usable at low magnification like 20x but I find it absolutely awful at anything above 40x. It works for shorebird identification and distance birdwatching. I just don't find the optics enjoyable to use. I have tested some high end scopes before and think they are wonderful. I may have to bite the bullet and get a better scope with ED glass.

This is the scope on my tripod.


This is a Black-headed Grosbeak digiscoped with my phone at 20x magnification. It was very windy on my balcony today so the video is quite shaky.
View attachment IMG_2561.mov

 

[Ignatius]

I had that scope once. Gave it away together with my Diamondback and Crossfire binos when I bought my first Habicht (7x42 GA) in the early '20s. Would not buy anything from that company again, especially now.