Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 specs and field of view
On the Diamondback HD 8x42, eye relief reaches 17 mm and close focus is only 5 ft, against a 6.6 ft median for 8x42.
- Field of view
- 393 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 17 mm
- Close focus
- 5 ft
- Weight
- 21.8 oz
- Exit pupil
- 5.3 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- 21.8 oz, lighter than the typical 24.2 oz
- 17 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Focuses as close as 5 ft
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Who the Diamondback HD 8x42 suits
Anyone watching near subjects gets the most from those figures. The calculated exit pupil of 5.3 mm suits dusk, and 21.8 oz keeps carries light.
Its 393 ft field equals the size median rather than beating it, and 17 mm of eye relief is under the 18 mm median.
Diamondback HD 8x42 aside, the most popular models of all sizes are in our best binoculars comparison. Diamondback HD 8x42 is one of 75 models in the 8x42 binoculars comparison. Vortex lists it in the $200 to $500 price band, alongside the models in best binoculars under $500.
Diamondback HD 8x42 specifications
Diamondback HD 8x42 figures as Vortex prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8x42 size.
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 42 mm |
| Field of view | 393 ft at 1,000 yd (131 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 7.5° |
| Apparent field of view | 60° * |
| Eye relief | 17 mm |
| Close focus | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 55 to 73 mm |
| Weight | 21.8 oz (618 g) |
| Length | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
| Width | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
| Fog-proofing gas | Argon |
| Tripod adaptable | Yes |
| Focus system | Center focus |
| Maker list price | $200 to $500 |
| Exit pupil | 5.3 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 18.3 * |
| Relative brightness | 27.6 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Diamondback HD 8x42 against other 8x42 binoculars
Diamondback HD 8x42 shows 393 ft at 1,000 yd, at or above the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart. At 21.8 oz it is at or under the 24.2 oz median weight for the size.
Diamondback HD 8x42 and its nearest rivals
Diamondback HD 8x42 next to the 8x42 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 | 393 ft | 17 mm | 5 ft | 21.8 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 | 426 ft | 17 mm | 6.5 ft | 23.1 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x42 | 393 ft | 19 mm | 4.9 ft | 23.9 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 | 399 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 24.9 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 |
Other sizes of the Diamondback HD
Vortex makes the Diamondback HD in 9 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 | 8x42 | 393 ft | 17 mm | 5 ft | 21.8 oz | 5.3 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 | 8x28 | 332 ft | 18 mm | 6 ft | 13.7 oz | 3.5 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 10x28 | 10x28 | 273 ft | 16 mm | 6 ft | 13.3 oz | 2.8 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32 | 8x32 | 426 ft | 16 mm | 5 ft | 15.9 oz | 4 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 10x32 | 10x32 | 340 ft | 14 mm | 6 ft | 16 oz | 3.2 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 | 10x42 | 330 ft | 15 mm | 5 ft | 21.3 oz | 4.2 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 10x50 | 10x50 | 315 ft | 17 mm | 6 ft | 30 oz | 5 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 12x50 | 12x50 | 271 ft | 14 mm | 6 ft | 28.9 oz | 4.2 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 | 15x56 | 230 ft | 15.6 mm | 14 ft | 34.8 oz | 3.7 mm | Check price on Amazon |
Lists that include the Diamondback HD 8x42
Vortex binoculars
Diamondback HD 8x42 questions
Diamondback HD 8x42: does it work with glasses?
Diamondback HD 8x42 has 17 mm of eye relief, which meets the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses.
Diamondback HD 8x42: what does 8x42 mean?
Diamondback HD 8x42 magnifies 8 times through 42 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 5.3 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Diamondback HD 8x42: how wide is the view?
Diamondback HD 8x42 shows a view 393 ft wide at 1,000 yd, at or above the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart.
Diamondback HD 8x42: can it go on a tripod?
Diamondback HD 8x42 is tripod adaptable according to Vortex, so it accepts a binocular tripod adapter.