Votex diamondback opinions

[Keyman62421]

FFP 6X24X50 any reports? 

 

[mmahoney]

I've copied and pasted my opinion of the scope below from an old post. I wasn't overly impressed.

#9 Vortex Diamondback 6-24×50 FFP Ebr-2c MRAD Tactical

Pro:

• 
  Repeatable: As a bare minimum, a scopes turrets have to be repeatable. The Vortex aces the box test with grippy turrets that are easy to turn.
  
• 
  Parallax: I love side parallax scopes. The Diamondback has a very nice one that has the most important airgun distances marked (10,15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75,100,150, 300, and infinity). Unfortunately, the marked distances aren't always accurtate to where the image is actually parallax free. For example, at 27.4 yards I found the correct parallax setting on the scope to be just a hair further than the 30 mark. 
  
• 
  Adjustment Range: With 19 MRAD (65 MOA) or elevation adjustment, the scope has enough adjustment to reach out too 100+ yards without the need for adjustable rings. Adjustable rings are still needed if you want to stretch the scope out to 200 yards such as for the Long Rangers challenge.
  
• 
  Reticle: While quite busy at first glance, the small subdivisions make using the reticle for holdovers and windage adjustments very accurate. I personally use a rangefinder for ranging, but if you like to use your reticle, you’ll love the fine subtensions on this scope. The size of the reticle is perfect. The subtensions are still useful at the 6x magnification and do not grow too thick at 24x. There is an MOA version if you prefer it.
  
• 
  Turret Height: The tactical turrets don’t stick up as far as a lot of other tactical turrets. I really like this feature as the turrets on my Leupold stick up so high that it is hard to fit the rifle in a gun scabbard.
  
• 
  Zero Stop: Since the turrets do not have markings to show which revolution you are on, the zero stop has become a feature I rely on with this scope that I usually ignore on other scopes.
  
• 
  Company Policy: I’ve been wanting to buy a Vortex scope for a while now. Even though I am not a veteran, it is my belief that we don’t treat our veterans with the respect they deserve. I appreciate that Vortex gives veterans a 20% discount on their scopes and have been wanting to buy a Vortex scope for a while to support the company and show my appreciation.
  
• 
  Warranty: Unlimited, transferable, lifetime warranty for any owner of the scope. No documentation needed. Can’t get better than that! Well, I guess it would be better not to ever need the warranty, but it is nice piece of mind to have.
  

Con:

• 
  Glass: I sure wish I had an Athlon, Optisan, and Aztec to compare the glass too. But alas, I no longer own those scopes so must rely on old observations and opinions of those scopes. All scopes lose brightness and clarity as the magnification increases. On the Vortex, the image stays bright and sharp at magnifications up to about 12x with no noticeable change in image quality. The image degradation becomes noticeable at about 16x and above. The image is not as clear at high magnifications as my March and Leupold 6.5-20 scopes. There is a bit of noticeable haze especially at the 24x magnification. The glass is decent, but does not stand apart from other scopes in this price range.
  
• 
  Finicky Eyebox: Head placement is very important. The image is washed out easily if the head is not placed perfectly. It is reminiscent of the SWFA SS in this way.
  

• 
  Mushy Turrets: There is significant play in the turrets between each click. This never really bothers me as the amount of play is consistent each time and is always followed by an audible click. It is much different than the turrets on my March which have absolutely no play. I know most people prefer turrets with no play which is why I list it as a con, but it doesn’t really bother me. Consistency rules and these are consistent.
  
• 
  No Revolution Markings: This lacking feature bothered me at first until I found a work around. I often adjust my scopes to shoot long range and rely on markings under the turret to determine which revolution I am on. It takes several revolutions to reach out to 200 yards for example. This scope has no such markings. The zero stop can be used in replace of these markings. As I crank on the turrets to lower the point of aim, I know that I am at the correct revolution when I run up against the zero stop.
  

Other:

• 
  Size- The scope is the typical size for a 6-24×50 scope at 14.5 inches long and 24.6 ounces.
  

Status: Owned and mounted to my father's Air Arms S510 carbine. My father likes the reticle and good elevation adjustment range.

 

[Laity]

I use the 6-24 and the 4-16 Diamondbacks and find them bang on . I also use the Viper PST's and again love them too . The DB are cheaper than the PST's but to be honest I don't think there is that much in it , I too think that zero stop is a must , well it is for me as I always forget where I am . The 6-24 I use on my Red Wolf n/f it works a treat , Low light is not bad at all , once you set it up it works a treat . 



I love my Vortex's , I have a bunch of them. 



Rog 

 

[stoti]

Yeah, I agree, it’s a great scope for under $400. I have the 6-24 ffp also. I don’t agree with the finicky eye box or mushy turrets at all. Turrets are crisp and concise. I agree the revolutions are not marked but I use a Scopewerks turret so that’s a non issue for me. I’ve heard people complain about the reticle too but it’s just like any other ffp reticle. If you use ffp scopes often, it will not be an issue. For $399 it’s a great buy. Quite a few of us paid a lot less when they first came out. Wish I would have bought a couple more. It’s not a Razor, but it’s not 2k+ either. Almost forgot, for a $400 I think the glass is good too. However, I just bought my first Discovery scope and it’s glass is crazy good for $270, also well worth a look.

Stoti

 

[jmmartinez573]

I have a diamond back FFP 4-16 and the 6-24.

I’m no scope expert, but I loved both of them. Reticule is nice and both are more than enough scope for the average joe. 

Turrets were accurate. Very little mush. Have had no issues dialing those things back and forth. 

I think it’s great scope for the money and warranty is excellent. 

I want to buy optisan but I don’t like the short 1 year warranty. Vortex is life time! 

 

[Pulpit]

It's a decent scope at that price level. Mahoney's comments on the glass clarity are bang on. I ended up getting a bushnell forge for only 50.00 more than the vortex. with rebates. The forge 4.5-27 x50 glass clarity vs 6.5 x 24 diamondback is night and day. It put the Diamondback to shame, although the forge retails for a lot more I only paid 10% more. If I didnt buy the forge I would have been happy with the diamondback but I ended up returning it. 

 

[Keyman62421]

Thanks all