Best Vortex Binoculars: Reliable Optics for Your Hunting Trips

I’ve known a lot of folks that use their rifle scope to act as binoculars – I know because I have been that guy myself. While it’s an acceptable way to zone in on a particular target, it’s hardly optimal – not to mention unsafe.

So you are pointing your scope (aka your actual rifle) to check out something moving in the nearby brush, then it turns out to be another hunter. You can bet that the other guy won’t be too thrilled to have a deadly weapon pointed at this direction.

I also know because I have been both those guys – but not anymore.

Since then, I took it upon myself to get a pair of binoculars. It might have been a cheap, lousy pair but it was such a revelation. Never went back to using rifle scopes to glass an area.

Over the years of using binoculars, there’s a particular brand that I became fond of: Vortex. So for this post, we rounded up some of the best Vortex binoculars available.

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How We Chose Our Top Picks

Let’s get this out of the way, Vortex binoculars can be quite expensive.

So as an authority when it comes to hunting gear, we like to see our readers getting value from our opinion, especially when it comes to picking out gear. Therefore, we always strive to be informative, accurate, and most of all, honest to make sure we give out recommendations that are actually beneficial to our readers.

We rounded up these binoculars based on a number of factors like specs, build and construction, durability, performance, and budget. We also peeked into the reviews and feedback of these products just to ensure we end up with recommendations that people actually liked.

Without further ado, let’s check out some binoculars.

Top 5 Vortex Binoculars

We reviewed the top Vortex binoculars on the market, and rounded them up for you.Below are some of the top-rated binoculars from the Vortex brand:

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars

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I love the fact that the Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars come with a larger objective lens which provides excellent light transmission. However, it’s not just about light transmission but also gathering. The Diamondback features other sizes but this one seems to be the most popular of the bunch.

The build quality for these binoculars is simply out there. The solid and tough profile comes highly appreciated when you are outdoors and glassing an area. It can definitely handle a few drops without breaking anything. One of the most noteworthy features of the pair is the inclusion of the roof prism design. This enabled the manufacturer to keep the binocular compact and lightweight.

The pair did a great job of providing clear, crisp image even during low-light situations. The wide field of view (FOV) is also a standout, especially when compared with brands in the same budget. It doesn’t hurt that it looks great as well.

Definitely worth the money!

2. Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars

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The Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars is another very popular model from Vortex, and for good reasons.

The Viper HD is known for its high-density optical system that features a combination of excellent light transmission and a lens coating that prevents reflections. The binocular is produced with a high-proof prism quality that improves resolution and contrast. Color clarity and focus are off the charts as well that result in brighter, clearer pictures.

The pair is boosted with Argon purging and a sealed O-ring to bolster its waterproof capability. The pair is also very resistant to fog build-up, making it an excellent option regardless of the weather. I have been using this pair and I am happy to report that fogging was never a problem at all.

Like many Vortex binoculars, the Viper HD features a wide field of view, perfect for casing an area for targets. It’s a little bit on the expensive side but it’s definitely worth the investment.

3. Vortex Optics Crossfire Roof Prism Binoculars

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The Vortex Optics Crossfire Roof Prism Binoculars is another quality optics from the brand but it’s a more budget-friendly option.

The Crossfire is an excellent product if you want to introduce binoculars into your hunting routine. My Crossfire came with a 10x magnification power which is good for various purposes other than hunting. I’ve used the binoculars for birding, sports watching, and travel. Thanks to the fully multi-coated lenses, you get some excellent quality images for an affordable budget.

Light transmission is amazing with the Crossfire, making it a good pair if you’re working in a low-light environment. For a budget model, the Crossfire is one tough pair. The rubber armoring gives it a nice solid feel and a nice non-slip grip. It uses nitrogen purging which makes it rather weatherproof. Rain or fog won’t be a problem with this pair.

Unfortunately, the eye relief could use a few improvements. Other than that, it’s a great optical tool without breaking the bank.

4. Vortex Optics Vulture HD Binoculars

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The Vortex Optics Vulture HD Binoculars is a pair that’s specially designed for hunting. As you can see from the specs, this is for the hunter who takes his optics very seriously.

Let’s start with the design of the Vulture HD. It features a compact design which adds a good deal of portability to it. Ergonomics is also on-point, thanks to the non-slip grip which works well even when things are a bit wetter. This is one of the toughest binoculars I’ve used with an ultra-durable and scratch resistant Armortek coating. On top of the excellent build quality, it’s also waterproof and fog proof.

Of course, you can’t talk about the Vulture HD without mentioning its performance. Look at that magnification power and the size of the objective lens. The larger objective lens means that more light will come through the glass, an excellent boon when you’re hunting. The Vulture HD also works wonders in low-light situations.

It’s just a high-end binocular that delivers all the goods.

5. Vortex Optics Vanquish Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars

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Many people don’t like bringing binoculars because they can be rather bulky and heavy. If that’s you, you will want to check out the Vortex Optics Vanquish Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars.

The Vanquish Reverse Porro is one of the smallest, lightest, and most compact binoculars from Vortex. While I’d rather have the roof prism models from the brand, the Porro prism design is still somewhat popular. While the design doesn’t have much complexity, the image clarity and brightness are still a lot better than most cheap binoculars.

The pair features the multi-coated lenses from Vortex, so light transmission and resolution are still excellent. The pair is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed which adds several layers of durability to it. From birding to hunting, these binoculars just get the job done.

Of course, the lightweight and compact design is the true star here. It might not have the most advanced optical features, it’s still a great pair for less intensive applications.

Buyer’s Guide – Factors To Consider When Choosing A Hunting Binocular

As is the case with most products, it’s always best to know the important factors to consider when shopping for a pair of binoculars:

• Magnification – bigger is always better, right? Nope! That just doesn’t apply to hunting binoculars. The higher the magnification, the lower the steadiness. In other words, you need a pair that doesn’t need steadying after a long, tiring hike through the woods. It all depends on your needs.
• Field of view (FOV) – this refers to the area of free that you visualize at 1,000 yards. Basically, a lower FOV means a narrower area, while a higher FOV number means a wider area. There’s really no specific rule of thumb when it comes to FOV. However, if you are hunting in a wide-open area, you want a pair with a higher FOV.
• Objective size – the objective size is the second number that follows the magnification power. So for instance, a 10×42 model has an objective size of 42. In general, most hunters would prefer an objective range of 40 to 42 mm. Higher objective sizes are not really necessary unless you do a lot of hunting at night.
• Image quality – of course, as a hunter, you want optics that will provide high quality images in the most straightforward manner possible. However, such binoculars are not exactly cheap. So if you want to save money, go for a quality pair that provides fair image quality. Otherwise, a more expensive pair is better if you’re going to use the binoculars in extended periods of time.
• Weight and size – the weight and size of the model are often dictated by the amount of glass or type of lens used. When it comes to hunting, you don’t really want to lug around a heavy pair of binoculars. Get a sizable model that won’t hurt your back or neck as you wander through the woods.

Vortex Is A High-Quality Brand Worth Your Investment

That wraps up our list of the best Vortex binoculars that you can get in the market.

Vortex is a reputable brand that offers a wide range of high-quality optics. They’re not exactly high-end like most European brands but their products are not cheap either. Regardless, it’s hard to go wrong with Vortex’s product line.

So have you used a pair of Vortex binocular before? What’s your experience with the brand? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!