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While searching for the best new binoculars for your needs, it is never a bad idea to begin with Nikon's Prostaff 5 and Vortex's Diamondback.
Nikon and Vortex are the titans of the optics world, but which is the best brand to go for?
Nikon Prostaff 5 8x42 and Vortex Diamondback 8x42 are both among better quality representatives in their price class and are both brand’s entry-level binoculars.
Nikon and Vortex are the biggest among the manufacturers of such binoculars on the European and American markets,
as Nikon is known for their multi-year tradition of producing high-quality optical glass materials, and Vortex imports most of the components overseas.
That being said, which of the two binoculars is a better fit for you? What follows is our comparison of the build quality, price, and optics.
Nikon Prostaff 5 8x42 VS Vortex Diamondback 8x42
You can also read our buying guide here .
Both models are highly suitable for a novice hunter or a birdwatcher. However, these binoculars are also recommended for general use, and are appropriate for anything not too specific as they are practical, not too heavy to carry, and easy to use.
When it comes to these two optics titans, the price is quite acceptable, as everything cheaper is already of questionable quality. The price is more or less the same.
And not that anyone would plan to damage their binoculars, it is still good to know – if the worst does happen – that Vortex offers a 10-year warranty, and Nikon only 2.
Nikon Prostaff 5 takes on a design that is bigger with fewer details and weighs 630 g, while Diamondback is lighter, at 618 g.
The weight and the length (shorter on the Diamondback) are also culprits making it easier to manage the Diamondback with one hand.
The two binoculars have a central bridge and central focusing. The rubber on both is strong, thick, well-designed, and the details on the Diamondback fit each other perfectly.
Prostaff’s materials have not veered away from the plastic design, as they are plain plastic and black rubber.
As for the color, Diamondback is available in hunting green, beautifully designed good quality rubber with nice inscriptions and a logo, which is also engraved in rubber covers.
If you are concerned about exposing them to water, both are waterproof, submersible, and perform well with fluctuations in temperature and in the rain.
Also, both models are no slouch in other departments either, as both promise to be fog proof, Prostaff with O-ring seals and Nitrogen gas, and Diamondback filled with Argon gas.
Both models are right up there when discussing the optics.
The Diamondback and Prostaff 5 have a fully multi-coated optical system for maximum light transmission, so they perform well in low light conditions.
Diamondback with its 1.5 m of close focus gets more points than the Prostaff 5 since the latter has the same focus of 5 m.
Also, Diamondback has a better and wider field of view – 120 m /1000 m, in contrast to Nikon's 110 m /1000 m, – which helps to follow and focus on fast-moving objects.
When observing with the Diamondback, the apparent and the real field of view are both much bigger and wider than with the Prostaff 5.
A visible image is extra detailed and bright. However, it seems the central sharpness is slightly better on a Prostaff 5.
Sharpness is one of the features that makes Nikon Vortex's competitor. However, we must mention that the difference is absolutely minimal if at all noticeable.
That said, the focusing system on both models is central and both have a right-eye diopter setting.
Famous for their day-time and early morning/late evening use, Diamondback would perhaps be more suitable for travelers, since its design is more ergonomically advanced and provides a better grip.
But whichever of the two binoculars you opt for, rest assured that both Nikon and Vortex are right up there when it comes to the best and latest advanced binoculars.
central sharpness
use with glasses (good eye relief)
field of view
lens covers
size
VIP warranty
size and weight
build quality
quality bag
use with glasses
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