off all the scope reviews i watched trying to figure out whether i should care about first focal plane reticle or not, you did the best 'real life example' explanation that puts it in very clear perspective for me. excellent job Johnny. As with anything you do, your approach is methodical and thorough, yet never lacks practicality and never over-burdened with technical lingo or in-depth theory. i can relate to this type of review as oppose a million other youtubers that review their crap but also want show off how smart they are and how many words they know. sometimes (usually all the time) less is definitely more.
Absolutely fantastic job of showing both the differences in focal planes and glass. Even if it was exaggerated it did its job. I wish more channels would do such side by side comparisons.
Thank you Johnny, your loading videos and this scope review are now my "go to" whenever i need clear, comprehensive information with no BS, i now have a 6-24×50 Diamond Back on my Tac A1 and and the results I'm getting from this set up with hand loads are now exceeding my greatest expectations, i can not thank you enough.
All of my optics are Vortex. I have a Crossfire II 3-9/40 mm Dead Hold BDC that came with my Mossberg Patriot .308 Win. Then, with my Mossberg MVP LR-308 and my Windham Weaponry R16SFST-30 (AR-10 platform) I put on the Diamondback Tactical 6x-24x/ 50 mm FFP scopes. Then, this year, the Venom came out and I bought three of those. One for the Patriot, which I re-homed to an MDT LSS Gen 2 Chassis, folding stock adapter, and SCS butt stock, one for the MVP, one for the R16. Which means I had the Crossfire II, and two Diamondbacks Tactical, and a few cheapies laying around. My newest hunting rifle, a TC Compass II .308 Win, I wanted lightweight with the Crossfire II but I feel like I am getting more precision with the Diamondback Tactical and it is 10 ounces heavier than the Crossfire II. However, my rifle weighs only 9 pounds 7 ounces, and I can live with that. So, I would suggest a Diamondback Tactical, if you can afford it, for all rifles. Maybe a Venom for long range or situations where you are constantly dialing different DOPE and returning to zero speeds that up. The only exception might be if you get a straight wall chambering like .350 Legend, .450 Bush Master or .45-70 Government. Then a dead hold BDC reticle might work. Vortex has one called the Crossfire II Straight Wall BDC. It competes with the Leupold Freedom 350 Legend. Though you can true any reticle with your cartridge using a ballistic calculator.
I recently found your channel and I have to say, you are a legend man. I just bought a Thompson Center Compass in 6.5CM as a platform to build my first precision rifle and your videos are a literal godsend for me. Keep doing what you’re doing! And THANK YOU!
I bought a Diamondback 6-24x50 yesterday and I can happily confirm that they fixed most of the issues you pointed out about the turrets. They line up almost perfectly now with the notches, and the play is significantly less than what's on yours.
Hey dude that was the best visual of chromatic apparitions I’ve seen, very educational! I think these are a decent value that appear to track pretty well! I definitely understand your reasoning for liking 2nd FP for me I like first focal plane to call missed shots. Great review man I like your approach, also the groups were excellent here!
yep, just remember you also get CA from the mirror in the adapter and any CA from the cell phone lens. any time we bend white light the different colors are going to show because they dont pass through glass at the same speed.
Value things that work for us.... but the extra Value on optics should be close or equally value to the arm. Glass isn’t cheap but it’s worth the shoot experiences.
Absolutely one of the best scope reviews I've seen. I think you covered everything very well and left out all the superfluous BS so many other like to add in trying to be entertaining. Just give me the facts and let me decide. THANKS!
After watching your review and having more rifles than scopes, I just took delivery of the diamondback tactical FFP. I got the 4-16x44 to save some money. (350.00 to my door with two day shipping from amazon) So far I like it. The glass is pretty good. It isn't PST gen 2 good, but its more than usable. The turrets were mushy but at 350.00 delivered, the turrets get no points lost for the mushy thing. I can hear and feel the clicks and thats all you can really ask for from a sub 400.00 optic. When I can get to the range, if it tracks, holds zero, and the click value is consistent from top to bottom its a winner.
Thanks for sharing this review. I’ve just acquired the Diamondback 6-24x 50, and it’s a big step up from the cheaper Bushnell and Simmons scopes that I have been using for ~7 years. The Vortex is on top of a T1x 22LR and once it was sighted in, I put holes in holes. I’ve never done that before. I’m not used to either of them, yet. I’m having trouble finding a decent bipod that fits on to a swivel stud. Great review.
You are a master reviewer. I give them no margin of error for their turrets at this price point. Mushy turrets that do not line up with the marks is unacceptable. Do not concede this to be acceptable for MFG brown nose points. I mean sure, you obviously have enough money to buy $2000 worth of scopes just to play with and do reviews with, but most of us are trying to pick the cheapest scope with the most value. Your explanations of chromatic aberrations was excellent. Your explanation of the first versus second focal plane was excellent. Your shooting with tracking the scope around the paper was excellent and first time I had seen that method.
Fantastic video. Well presented with a wealth of info. My wife was trying to decide between these two scopes and you helped her immensely. Much appreciated.
I just happened across your video John, info still applies today sir. I too am looking for one more scope. You really done a great job explaining the important features and comparisons of the chromatic apparitions ....well done John, thank you...
Excellent review, it gives a very comprehensive and detailed review about what really matters. Thanks for spending the time and effort, it will definitely help a lot of people to make a more informed purchasing decision.
I absolutely love this channel!!!!!! it’s overwhelming how much information you provide!!!! So great I love watching! Your personality it’s so awesome to top it off you keep it interesting and exciting to stay glued for 90 minutes of reloading!!!! THANKS!!!
I have one and i didn't really think it would hold up to my carbine ruger 44 magnum , i went through 3 scopes that claim shock proof all junk till i came across vortex diamond back it holds up to my activities of hunting, rain or shine. Great scope im happy
Thank you very much for the in depth review on this scope. getting ready to build a 20" heavy barrel AR-10 and looking into scopes for build as we speak. came across this and after watching every video I can find and reading countless reviews im thinking this is the scope I'm gonna end up going with for that particular build. build is gonna be specifically for longer range shooting so thinking this scope will work best for me and my budget since I'm not able to drop a grand or 2 on something better.
Love this video! I had been feeling conflicted between Diamondback Tactical 6-24 & Strike Eagle 4-24 scopes, & this review really showed me what I needed to know. Thanks!
Thankfully Vortex is finally getting the message and dropping the side focus range below 50 yards as a minimum. Now more rimfire shooters like myself will give them a consideration. Air rifle shooters also can now add Vortex to the possibilities. I prefer a higher magnification range, and a ranging reticle. In the future I hope Nikon will finally get the message. Thanks for the through review.
Absolutely correct about the shrinking FFP reticle being hard for "older" eyes to read. The high end optics are (IMO) for younger eyes at longer ranges (beyond 600 yards). If that ain't you, save your money. The crosshairs are what matters for accurate shooting. More folk buy for "seeing" than shooting.
After many years of peering through top tier telescopes (Takahashi and Televue) and Kowa spotting scopes....the same holds true in riflescopes....buy all the quality you can afford....but thanks for showing the differences in real viewing situations for the different price points from the same manufacturers line of optics and explaining chromatic aberration and its effect on optical clarity. Great video !!!
Once again John, great review! I'm a big photography buff, and in photography, aberration is a big deal. In shooting, color isn't so much. I do understand it's about the quality of the glass. That's why I use ED glass in my Nikons. Great point on can you hit with a $400 as well as $1100. Using a load you posted in the 6.5 Grendel series, I shot a .460 4 shot group, after the fist sight in. New 18" Grendel barrel from Atheris Barrel Company. The scope was 4.5-18X 40, on sale, at Midway for $165.00. I have to respect what you do, and what you say. Again, a good review. I watch as many of your loading vids as I can. My girl calls you, the Hands.
My strike eagle checked a lot of boxes for my Grendel build. 4 power on the low end for close hunting situations, illuminated reticle and 50mm objective lens for low light conditions, and 24 power top end for long shits at the range. It's a very versatile optic.
Great review and comparison. One of the best scope reviews I've seen especially compared to others who just talk about the scopes and give positive and negative opinions without any substance or basis for their opinions other than setting the scope up on a mock-up action and point the scopes in their backyards and attest to the durability and performance based on a 45-second turret twisting frenzy. Fantastic shooting too. You have the T/C Compass and your loads dialed in on target.
Johnny; Excellent video. I think many times ppl get a bit overly excited about FFP scopes. Those scopes certainly have their advantages. The SFP scopes also have certain advantages like staying at higher magnification. I think knowing your scope's abilities makes all the difference in long range shooting. One important note - We don't always shoot in blight sunlight. Sometimes we've got very limited light and that's where the illuminated reticles comes into play.
Good vid. I love my Diamondback coming from cheaper scopes the glass is incredible. I didn’t thing I would like that reticle as I thought it was too busy but now I love it for quick adjustments. Where you see the bullet strike becomes your new reticle. I would buy many more Diamond backs. With the differences if I was to step up I would go all the way to the strike eagle but stay with the FFP. I would also stay with The ebr reticle if possible. I am now a Vortex Fanboy. Incredible from my past experience to now. Keep posting your very honest is your review.
great video, I purchased a Diamond Back Tac 4-12, the windage knob waslabeled backwards. the arrows on the scope indicated correctly, but the indication on the knob was opposite, had to send it back to Vortex to have it corrected
I also have a Diamondback Tactical with the MOA reticle. I noticed right off the image quality wasn't as good as my 30 year old Leupold VX3 3.5-10x 50mm. The features more than make up for the slightly less sharp image. The down side is, if I had waited another month, the Leupold VX-3i 6-24x 50mm that I really wanted dropped in price to only about a $150 or so more than the Vortex and now it's discontinued. The only thing close they have now with a MOA reticle is going for around $2k.
Chinese made scopes usually don't have great glass unless you know which ones are the best you can buy at their respective price points. The $500 Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x50 and $700 Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 are a few examples of best clear glass in their price points compared to all other brand labeled Chinese made scopes which do not have as good glass at these price points.
Dispite the glass quality, the open center reticle, n ffp the diamond backs very impressive for the price imo. Im outting it in my 6.5 ruger pred. Thanks again
I'd like to see him review the Bushnell 4.5-18X40. I got one, on sale, and shot a .460 four shot group on the sighting in with my new 6.5 Grendel. I got the load data from his Grendel Loading Series. The decision to go with an 18 inch was also, after watching him shoot the 18 inch Faxon. The load shoots under .700 at one shot per second, with a stock I have to hold off the bag to keep it from collapsing.
The Bushnell Engage has a SFP moa reticle with much nicer image quality on high magnification compared to the Vortex Diamondback Tactical. The Forge is offered in both FFP and SFP reticles and have even nicer image quality and adds a zero stop. The Athlon Ares BTR is a much better alternative to the Bushnell Forge.
Looks like it's coming up 1/4 to 1/2 minute short on each adjustment. Not a problem unless you plan to shoot out to extreme long range. That's where the money goes in those Schmidt and Benders. But does return to zero and is consistent with adjustments. That dog will hunt for most hunting applications, especially within 500 yds.
Come on Robert...are you really comparing a Vortex to a Schmidt & Bender ? Sub-$400 vs $2000+ ... that's not even apples to oranges - that's apples to asteroids!!!
No lol. Just saying that 400 gets you pretty good. 3000 gets you dead on balls. Wasn't expecting that from that scope, but for my .308 hog gun, it'd work great.
R.Schneider Good to know where the extra money goes in those higher end optics. My US Optics ST-10 (10x34mm lower end) was off by about a half inch using a 10MOA tracking test at 100yds with a .223Rem :( Sent it in and they fixed it. My Burris MTAC 1-4x24.....half inch off with excellent return to zero in the end but no matter for the $400 Burris with the intent to zero and hold. US Optics had no excuse. Have videos on them. Like your "Dead on Balls" comment :)
This was very helpful to me. After watching the video, I decided to go with the Strike Eagle. It seems to be the best deal for the money. My Vortex is going on a Springfield Armory Precision M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor. Thanks for the review.
I am so pleased to see your video on subjects beyond reloading. Thank you! I wonder if you can make some videos on muzzle brakes with/without outer sound forwarding sleeves and their accuracy impacts.
I just bought a Diamondback, 3 days later I found a Strike Eagle on sale for near the same price... I guess I should buy 1 more. 😊 I would love the PST, just out of my price range. Nice review, thanks !
Hey, Johnny. I gotta say, I really like your videos. They are the best of any out there. It's clear that you'd make a good instructor. Your video helped me make two decisions on these scopes. I've been trying to select two scope rigs and I was already looking at the Vortex scopes. CZ-527 Varmint with 25.6 inch barrel in 6.5 grendel, is going with the 6-24 diamondback tactical FFP. 22" AR in 6.5 Grendel, going with the Stike Eagle 3-18 x44 SFP illuminated for the same reasons you outlined in your video. When hunting with the AR, I need wide field of view (and 31.8 feet on the strke eagle), and illuminated reticle is great in low light hunting in woods.s Your reloading videos are the best out there. I was intrigued at how incredibly well you shot 140 gr in the grendel and velocity was remarkable! I realize that your using a shorter barrel, but I'd love to see the new 135 grain A-tip tested in the Grendel. I'm thinking with that long barrel CZ, I might be able to push 2600. IDK.
Great video Johnny. I was debating about purchasing a diamondback Tactical for one of my rifles. I own a Strike Eagle 4 to 24 as well as a PST Gen 2 5-25 and both are great scopes. I agree with you about the first focal plane. Although the concept is great looking through the glass at low magnification kind of sucks. I always use at least 10 or higher.
Hey, i was watching the review and saw your comment. Do you happen to have an update on your time with the savage and diamondback? I plan on getting the savage 110 tactical and im looking around for some glass.
@@mohamadalmousawi8521 I love the scope for what it is, but I don't like that there is no zero stop. I'm selling it to upgrade to the new strike eagle vortex just announced. Nothing wrong with the scope at all especially for the price point
nice.I think you are pulling it off the the right and low a tad bit.I could tell the chromatic aboration differences.Im so glad you showed me that info so I know what to look for a little better.Also I love the open reticle .Great Video.Thank you
Great review!!! I have been looking at the MRAD version for my 6.5 Creedmoor for a budget option. I will have to try the tracking test, I really liked that.
Ive got this scope and its a great Optic.Its on a AR15 224 Valkyrie and its works out great and its been thru the mill and no problems. Im thinking about getting the other Vortex DB Tactical in 4-16x44 at $349. Im a Vortex Fan. Im with you on the SFP & FFP as far as Hunting and shooting Long Range...Great Comparison and Great Video.Thanks.
I have the mrad version of the ffp diamond back tactical. I agree that the optics look better in real life than in the video. I honestly don't really notice the chromatic aberrations very much using the actual optic. Typically this is something I'm pretty aware of having done some opto-mechanical design myself in the past. I also have some slight color blindness which some what helps me though. For me personally I agree that the ffp retical is pretty small at 6X but I have pretty good vision so it's not terribly difficult for me to use. It is difficult to read the mil Mark's at that magnification but frankly if I'm taking a shot at 6x magnification than I'm probably not shooting much past 50 -100 yards at which point I can do a pretty good job of range estimation and drop compensation without the optic anyway. Would I take this optic back downrange.....ehhhh probably not. Would I use it for pretty much anything stateside... easily. Good review.
Bought a diamond back tac in 4-16 is riding a ruger precision rimfire have been very pleased for the $325 price and mine tracks well too thanx for the video brother
I too am considering the DB tactical 4-16x for a Ruger Precision Rimfire. Quick question: what rings/mount did you go with and any issues with the 30 moa base and the objective bell?
My eyesight sucks too, and I use my FFP scope on 8X at 100 meters. I started out higher and reduced the magnification as my eye adjusted to it. Maybe I'll get it down to 6X one day, but for now 8X seems to be a reasonable compromise..
Great video, I currently have two Vortex Viper SFP HSLR 4-16X50mm with BDC reticles on my two hunting rifles. A Crossfire SFP 6-18X42mm on a bolt .223 and just ordered a Viper FFP PST Gen II 5-25X50mm with EBR-7C reticle to put on a dual purpose Tactical Target rifle that I also wanted to hunt with. I, too, always have my scopes on 4-6 power when walking around in case of a close shot. I struggled with my decision to purchase a FFP scope. I was concerned about low power, First Focal Plane, on being able to see the Reticle. The ability to turn on the PST Gen II illuminated Reticle a little more than half way, the cross hair is much thicker and easier to see on low power. This made my decision easier to pull the trigger on a FFP scope with a fine thickness Christmas tree reticle. Thanks for a great review.
some vortex scopes lets you undo the screws on the turrets to line it up and mark turret at your zero. if yours has the option, you might be able to fix that. At 4:20
My next scope is going to be a Vortex and I was already debating the Diamondback and the Strike Eagle for my new Rem 700 PCR .260 Rem that hasn't arrived YET ;-( . It'll be here soon enough :-). I like the cost of the DB but also like what the extra $300 gets you with the SE. Your target shooting with the DB is informative. I am not reluctant to get either and my local gun dealer has the DB in stock and the regular $399 price. It can't be said enough, Great Video and review of these rifle scopes.
One thing I noticed with the diamond back turret markings. When I'm behind my gun shooting the lines seem to line up perfectly from the angle your eyes would be behind the gun. I was kinda upset about the markings not lining up when I was looking it over but it works well for me. Not sure if vortex did this by accident or on purpose but I got used to it and kinda like it now.
I recently got the 4-16x44 MOA version and also found the turrets mushy, especially compared to the Viper PST Gen 2, which is not really fair because the DBT is less than half the price. Having said that, if you pop the turrets off, there is a fairly healthy glob of grease inside the cap and if you give it a wipe with a clean cloth and remove most of it, that will help with the mushy clicks. Also had the same problem with the turrets indexing properly to zero. But overall, it's a pretty good scope for the price.
Hi from France, I bought a few days ago a Vortex Diamondback 6-24X50, I think Vortex fixed the problem of alignment between turrets and the marks . I've many Hawke varmint scopes and a Bushnell Tactical Elite 5-15X40 . I am a shooter and never had any problem with my scopes, whatever I shoot at +25°C or -10°C . But over 22°C, the rifle is hot after the first shot ...
Great comparison Johnny! I like the thin cross hairs in the diamondback. I just don't like the fact that it doesn't have rev lines below the turret to remember your original zero with. Like the SFP diamondback and strike eagle. I think that is a critical feature for cheap scopes with no zero stops.
Anytime you can watch a video for free and actually learn something it's a good day. Thanks for a great video.
Damn rite!
@@joebirdable 😮
off all the scope reviews i watched trying to figure out whether i should care about first focal plane reticle or not, you did the best 'real life example' explanation that puts it in very clear perspective for me. excellent job Johnny. As with anything you do, your approach is methodical and thorough, yet never lacks practicality and never over-burdened with technical lingo or in-depth theory. i can relate to this type of review as oppose a million other youtubers that review their crap but also want show off how smart they are and how many words they know. sometimes (usually all the time) less is definitely more.
By far the best review I’ve ever seen on RUclips regarding any category... so detailed and so thorough, thank you so much! Very well done sir.
This was one of the best scope reviews I've seen. Appreciate all the great info you demonstrated in the video, thanks
Absolutely fantastic job of showing both the differences in focal planes and glass. Even if it was exaggerated it did its job. I wish more channels would do such side by side comparisons.
@13:06 - That was a break-through and now I realize why people are praising this review - kudos, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Johnny, your loading videos and this scope review are now my "go to" whenever i need clear, comprehensive information with no BS, i now have a 6-24×50 Diamond Back on my Tac A1 and and the results I'm getting from this set up with hand loads are now exceeding my greatest expectations, i can not thank you enough.
All of my optics are Vortex. I have a Crossfire II 3-9/40 mm Dead Hold BDC that came with my Mossberg Patriot .308 Win. Then, with my Mossberg MVP LR-308 and my Windham Weaponry R16SFST-30 (AR-10 platform) I put on the Diamondback Tactical 6x-24x/ 50 mm FFP scopes. Then, this year, the Venom came out and I bought three of those. One for the Patriot, which I re-homed to an MDT LSS Gen 2 Chassis, folding stock adapter, and SCS butt stock, one for the MVP, one for the R16. Which means I had the Crossfire II, and two Diamondbacks Tactical, and a few cheapies laying around.
My newest hunting rifle, a TC Compass II .308 Win, I wanted lightweight with the Crossfire II but I feel like I am getting more precision with the Diamondback Tactical and it is 10 ounces heavier than the Crossfire II. However, my rifle weighs only 9 pounds 7 ounces, and I can live with that.
So, I would suggest a Diamondback Tactical, if you can afford it, for all rifles. Maybe a Venom for long range or situations where you are constantly dialing different DOPE and returning to zero speeds that up.
The only exception might be if you get a straight wall chambering like .350 Legend, .450 Bush Master or .45-70 Government. Then a dead hold BDC reticle might work. Vortex has one called the Crossfire II Straight Wall BDC. It competes with the Leupold Freedom 350 Legend.
Though you can true any reticle with your cartridge using a ballistic calculator.
All I needed to know in one video. This is one of the very best scope review I've seen yet.
Keep on the good work, much appreciated!
Maybe the best scope review I have seen. Thank you for this.
I love how you actually do tracking tests, nobody does them!
I recently found your channel and I have to say, you are a legend man. I just bought a Thompson Center Compass in 6.5CM as a platform to build my first precision rifle and your videos are a literal godsend for me. Keep doing what you’re doing! And THANK YOU!
I bought a Diamondback 6-24x50 yesterday and I can happily confirm that they fixed most of the issues you pointed out about the turrets. They line up almost perfectly now with the notches, and the play is significantly less than what's on yours.
Brother, your vids are great. Full of relevant data presented in a fast and easy to understand manner. Nice work.
Your groupings at a hundred yards are insane, great job!
as a newbie to scopes this has been one of the best videos i have come across, thank you!
I really like that diamond back reticle how the very center there’s nothing to obstruct the target
Hey dude that was the best visual of chromatic apparitions I’ve seen, very educational! I think these are a decent value that appear to track pretty well! I definitely understand your reasoning for liking 2nd FP for me I like first focal plane to call missed shots. Great review man I like your approach, also the groups were excellent here!
yep, just remember you also get CA from the mirror in the adapter and any CA from the cell phone lens. any time we bend white light the different colors are going to show because they dont pass through glass at the same speed.
Value things that work for us.... but the extra Value on optics should be close or equally value to the arm. Glass isn’t cheap but it’s worth the shoot experiences.
West Desert Shooter yes proof on the tracking. I have not tested that yet.
Chromatic Aberration shows up even on my pst gen 2.
Absolutely one of the best scope reviews I've seen. I think you covered everything very well and left out all the superfluous BS so many other like to add in trying to be entertaining. Just give me the facts and let me decide. THANKS!
After watching your review and having more rifles than scopes, I just took delivery of the diamondback tactical FFP. I got the 4-16x44 to save some money. (350.00 to my door with two day shipping from amazon) So far I like it. The glass is pretty good. It isn't PST gen 2 good, but its more than usable. The turrets were mushy but at 350.00 delivered, the turrets get no points lost for the mushy thing. I can hear and feel the clicks and thats all you can really ask for from a sub 400.00 optic. When I can get to the range, if it tracks, holds zero, and the click value is consistent from top to bottom its a winner.
Thanks for sharing this review. I’ve just acquired the Diamondback 6-24x 50, and it’s a big step up from the cheaper Bushnell and Simmons scopes that I have been using for ~7 years. The Vortex is on top of a T1x 22LR and once it was sighted in, I put holes in holes. I’ve never done that before. I’m not used to either of them, yet. I’m having trouble finding a decent bipod that fits on to a swivel stud. Great review.
I have been wanting someone to review this scope for a while! Even better - JRB is one of the most objective and thorough channels out there! Thanks.
A comprehensive comparison with clear explanations and no-nonsence presentation :)
Hands down the best scope review I've seen to date. Great comparison between both optics that most people are in the market for. No nonse. Loved it!
You are a master reviewer.
I give them no margin of error for their turrets at this price point. Mushy turrets that do not line up with the marks is unacceptable. Do not concede this to be acceptable for MFG brown nose points. I mean sure, you obviously have enough money to buy $2000 worth of scopes just to play with and do reviews with, but most of us are trying to pick the cheapest scope with the most value.
Your explanations of chromatic aberrations was excellent. Your explanation of the first versus second focal plane was excellent. Your shooting with tracking the scope around the paper was excellent and first time I had seen that method.
Fantastic video. Well presented with a wealth of info. My wife was trying to decide between these two scopes and you helped her immensely. Much appreciated.
After watching your review I went and bought one. Thanks Johnny
Alex Papadatos did you get to try it at any longer ranges yet?
I just happened across your video John, info still applies today sir. I too am looking for one more scope. You really done a great job explaining the important features and comparisons of the chromatic apparitions ....well done John, thank you...
14:10 Visual explanation is awesome!!
Thank you for taking the time to review this, I just put one on my 350 legend AR-15 platform. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet...
Excellent review, it gives a very comprehensive and detailed review about what really matters. Thanks for spending the time and effort, it will definitely help a lot of people to make a more informed purchasing decision.
Best review I’ve seen in a long time! Thanks you for your time buddy! Subscribed!
I absolutely love this channel!!!!!! it’s overwhelming how much information you provide!!!! So great I love watching! Your personality it’s so awesome to top it off you keep it interesting and exciting to stay glued for 90 minutes of reloading!!!! THANKS!!!
I have one and i didn't really think it would hold up to my carbine ruger 44 magnum , i went through 3 scopes that claim shock proof all junk till i came across vortex diamond back it holds up to my activities of hunting, rain or shine. Great scope im happy
Well done, and thank you for taking the time to explain the differences between Vortex DB, SE and PST.
Thank you very much for the in depth review on this scope. getting ready to build a 20" heavy barrel AR-10 and looking into scopes for build as we speak. came across this and after watching every video I can find and reading countless reviews im thinking this is the scope I'm gonna end up going with for that particular build. build is gonna be specifically for longer range shooting so thinking this scope will work best for me and my budget since I'm not able to drop a grand or 2 on something better.
Every scope review should be this excellent.
Love this video! I had been feeling conflicted between Diamondback Tactical 6-24 & Strike Eagle 4-24 scopes, & this review really showed me what I needed to know. Thanks!
Thankfully Vortex is finally getting the message and dropping the side focus range below 50 yards as a minimum. Now more rimfire shooters like myself will give them a consideration. Air rifle shooters also can now add Vortex to the possibilities. I prefer a higher magnification range, and a ranging reticle. In the future I hope Nikon will finally get the message. Thanks for the through review.
Absolutely correct about the shrinking FFP reticle being hard for "older" eyes to read. The high end optics are (IMO) for younger eyes at longer ranges (beyond 600 yards). If that ain't you, save your money. The crosshairs are what matters for accurate shooting. More folk buy for "seeing" than shooting.
After many years of peering through top tier telescopes (Takahashi and Televue) and Kowa spotting scopes....the same holds true in riflescopes....buy all the quality you can afford....but thanks for showing the differences in real viewing situations for the different price points from the same manufacturers line of optics and explaining chromatic aberration and its effect on optical clarity. Great video !!!
I like the way you do videos. No loud noisy stupid music, you get to it without a silly intro. Thanks.
Once again John, great review! I'm a big photography buff, and in photography, aberration is a big deal. In shooting, color isn't so much. I do understand it's about the quality of the glass. That's why I use ED glass in my Nikons. Great point on can you hit with a $400 as well as $1100. Using a load you posted in the 6.5 Grendel series, I shot a .460 4 shot group, after the fist sight in. New 18" Grendel barrel from Atheris Barrel Company. The scope was 4.5-18X 40, on sale, at Midway for $165.00. I have to respect what you do, and what you say. Again, a good review. I watch as many of your loading vids as I can. My girl calls you, the Hands.
My strike eagle checked a lot of boxes for my Grendel build. 4 power on the low end for close hunting situations, illuminated reticle and 50mm objective lens for low light conditions, and 24 power top end for long shits at the range. It's a very versatile optic.
Love your videos... you are the least followed, but by me the most appreciated reloader...
Good job on the video. Good info, helps
Great review and comparison. One of the best scope reviews I've seen especially compared to others who just talk about the scopes and give positive and negative opinions without any substance or basis for their opinions other than setting the scope up on a mock-up action and point the scopes in their backyards and attest to the durability and performance based on a 45-second turret twisting frenzy.
Fantastic shooting too. You have the T/C Compass and your loads dialed in on target.
Very good comparison video. I enjoyed the professional and unbiased review. Thank you
Johnny; Excellent video. I think many times ppl get a bit overly excited about FFP scopes. Those scopes certainly have their advantages. The SFP scopes also have certain advantages like staying at higher magnification. I think knowing your scope's abilities makes all the difference in long range shooting. One important note - We don't always shoot in blight sunlight. Sometimes we've got very limited light and that's where the illuminated reticles comes into play.
One of best scope reviews and comparisons... Subscribed
Great vid Johnny, thanks for helping me decide with these old eyes of mind
Thanks for the review, best I've seen, and very educational too.
Hands down best review ive seen of a scope. Looking for one for my 338 lapua amd still havent decided after watching this. Too many choices!
Good vid. I love my Diamondback coming from cheaper scopes the glass is incredible. I didn’t thing I would like that reticle as I thought it was too busy but now I love it for quick adjustments. Where you see the bullet strike becomes your new reticle. I would buy many more Diamond backs. With the differences if I was to step up I would go all the way to the strike eagle but stay with the FFP. I would also stay with The ebr reticle if possible. I am now a Vortex Fanboy. Incredible from my past experience to now. Keep posting your very honest is your review.
great video, I purchased a Diamond Back Tac 4-12, the windage knob waslabeled backwards. the arrows on the scope indicated correctly, but the indication on the knob was opposite, had to send it back to Vortex to have it corrected
My buddy just bought the diamond back, I'm glad I spent the money on the Viper PST.
I also have a Diamondback Tactical with the MOA reticle. I noticed right off the image quality wasn't as good as my 30 year old Leupold VX3 3.5-10x 50mm. The features more than make up for the slightly less sharp image. The down side is, if I had waited another month, the Leupold VX-3i 6-24x 50mm that I really wanted dropped in price to only about a $150 or so more than the Vortex and now it's discontinued. The only thing close they have now with a MOA reticle is going for around $2k.
Chinese made scopes usually don't have great glass unless you know which ones are the best you can buy at their respective price points. The $500 Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x50 and $700 Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 are a few examples of best clear glass in their price points compared to all other brand labeled Chinese made scopes which do not have as good glass at these price points.
It's nearly impossible for a Chinese made scope to have great image quality and brightness compared to a Leupold.
Dispite the glass quality, the open center reticle, n ffp the diamond backs very impressive for the price imo. Im outting it in my 6.5 ruger pred. Thanks again
Great job brother!! I just ordered a Strike Eagle ! Good to know stuff about 1st and 2nd focal plane! Thanks
Hey Johnny I wish you'd do more scope reviews, your reloading is top notch I would love to get you thoughts on the Bushnell Forge and engage lines.
I'd like to see him review the Bushnell 4.5-18X40. I got one, on sale, and shot a .460 four shot group on the sighting in with my new 6.5 Grendel. I got the load data from his Grendel Loading Series. The decision to go with an 18 inch was also, after watching him shoot the 18 inch Faxon. The load shoots under .700 at one shot per second, with a stock I have to hold off the bag to keep it from collapsing.
The Bushnell Engage has a SFP moa reticle with much nicer image quality on high magnification compared to the Vortex Diamondback Tactical. The Forge is offered in both FFP and SFP reticles and have even nicer image quality and adds a zero stop. The Athlon Ares BTR is a much better alternative to the Bushnell Forge.
Looks like it's coming up 1/4 to 1/2 minute short on each adjustment. Not a problem unless you plan to shoot out to extreme long range. That's where the money goes in those Schmidt and Benders. But does return to zero and is consistent with adjustments. That dog will hunt for most hunting applications, especially within 500 yds.
Come on Robert...are you really comparing a Vortex to a Schmidt & Bender ? Sub-$400 vs $2000+ ... that's not even apples to oranges - that's apples to asteroids!!!
No lol. Just saying that 400 gets you pretty good. 3000 gets you dead on balls. Wasn't expecting that from that scope, but for my .308 hog gun, it'd work great.
@@robertschneider1977 "Dead on balls" lol I'm going to have to use that one day.
@@jonathanb1987 it's an industry term😏
R.Schneider Good to know where the extra money goes in those higher end optics. My US Optics ST-10 (10x34mm lower end) was off by about a half inch using a 10MOA tracking test at 100yds with a .223Rem :( Sent it in and they fixed it. My Burris MTAC 1-4x24.....half inch off with excellent return to zero in the end but no matter for the $400 Burris with the intent to zero and hold. US Optics had no excuse. Have videos on them. Like your "Dead on Balls" comment :)
DAMN YOU JOHNNY!!!!! i ordered this same exact scope and its backordered 4 months!
This was very helpful to me. After watching the video, I decided to go with the Strike Eagle. It seems to be the best deal for the money. My Vortex is going on a Springfield Armory Precision M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor. Thanks for the review.
Thank you very much for all your hard work and time for making this video!
I am so pleased to see your video on subjects beyond reloading. Thank you! I wonder if you can make some videos on muzzle brakes with/without outer sound forwarding sleeves and their accuracy impacts.
I just bought a Diamondback, 3 days later I found a Strike Eagle on sale for near the same price... I guess I should buy 1 more. 😊 I would love the PST, just out of my price range.
Nice review, thanks !
Hey, Johnny. I gotta say, I really like your videos. They are the best of any out there. It's clear that you'd make a good instructor. Your video helped me make two decisions on these scopes. I've been trying to select two scope rigs and I was already looking at the Vortex scopes.
CZ-527 Varmint with 25.6 inch barrel in 6.5 grendel, is going with the 6-24 diamondback tactical FFP.
22" AR in 6.5 Grendel, going with the Stike Eagle 3-18 x44 SFP illuminated for the same reasons you outlined in your video. When hunting with the AR, I need wide field of view (and 31.8 feet on the strke eagle), and illuminated reticle is great in low light hunting in woods.s
Your reloading videos are the best out there. I was intrigued at how incredibly well you shot 140 gr in the grendel and velocity was remarkable!
I realize that your using a shorter barrel, but I'd love to see the new 135 grain A-tip tested in the Grendel. I'm thinking with that long barrel CZ, I might be able to push 2600. IDK.
Thank you for all your help Johnny.
I'm getting one of these for my Henry 4570.. excellent review Sir!
Great video Johnny. I was debating about purchasing a diamondback Tactical for one of my rifles. I own a Strike Eagle 4 to 24 as well as a PST Gen 2 5-25 and both are great scopes. I agree with you about the first focal plane. Although the concept is great looking through the glass at low magnification kind of sucks. I always use at least 10 or higher.
I just put one of these on my Savage 6.5 creedmoor this last month. I am impressed so far. I like it
Hey, i was watching the review and saw your comment. Do you happen to have an update on your time with the savage and diamondback? I plan on getting the savage 110 tactical and im looking around for some glass.
@@mohamadalmousawi8521 I love the scope for what it is, but I don't like that there is no zero stop. I'm selling it to upgrade to the new strike eagle vortex just announced. Nothing wrong with the scope at all especially for the price point
You sir are the best reviewer!
nice.I think you are pulling it off the the right and low a tad bit.I could tell the chromatic aboration differences.Im so glad you showed me that info so I know what to look for a little better.Also I love the open reticle .Great Video.Thank you
Great review! Thanks for taking the time.
Great review!!! I have been looking at the MRAD version for my 6.5 Creedmoor for a budget option. I will have to try the tracking test, I really liked that.
You are an excellent teacher.
The Diamondback was on sale for $350 at Midway last month, now I have one on my Rem. 700 5R Tactical. :)
Ive got this scope and its a great Optic.Its on a AR15 224 Valkyrie and its works out great and its been thru the mill and no problems. Im thinking about getting the other Vortex DB Tactical in 4-16x44 at $349. Im a Vortex Fan.
Im with you on the SFP & FFP as far as Hunting and shooting Long Range...Great Comparison and Great Video.Thanks.
I have the mrad version of the ffp diamond back tactical. I agree that the optics look better in real life than in the video. I honestly don't really notice the chromatic aberrations very much using the actual optic. Typically this is something I'm pretty aware of having done some opto-mechanical design myself in the past. I also have some slight color blindness which some what helps me though. For me personally I agree that the ffp retical is pretty small at 6X but I have pretty good vision so it's not terribly difficult for me to use. It is difficult to read the mil Mark's at that magnification but frankly if I'm taking a shot at 6x magnification than I'm probably not shooting much past 50 -100 yards at which point I can do a pretty good job of range estimation and drop compensation without the optic anyway. Would I take this optic back downrange.....ehhhh probably not. Would I use it for pretty much anything stateside... easily. Good review.
Bought a diamond back tac in 4-16 is riding a ruger precision rimfire have been very pleased for the $325 price and mine tracks well too thanx for the video brother
I too am considering the DB tactical 4-16x for a Ruger Precision Rimfire. Quick question: what rings/mount did you go with and any issues with the 30 moa base and the objective bell?
Wow. Excellent, thorough review. Thank you!
My eyesight sucks too, and I use my FFP scope on 8X at 100 meters. I started out higher and reduced the magnification as my eye adjusted to it. Maybe I'll get it down to 6X one day, but for now 8X seems to be a reasonable compromise..
Great video, I currently have two Vortex Viper SFP HSLR 4-16X50mm with BDC reticles on my two hunting rifles. A Crossfire SFP 6-18X42mm on a bolt .223 and just ordered a Viper FFP PST Gen II 5-25X50mm with EBR-7C reticle to put on a dual purpose Tactical Target rifle that I also wanted to hunt with. I, too, always have my scopes on 4-6 power when walking around in case of a close shot. I struggled with my decision to purchase a FFP scope. I was concerned about low power, First Focal Plane, on being able to see the Reticle. The ability to turn on the PST Gen II illuminated Reticle a little more than half way, the cross hair is much thicker and easier to see on low power. This made my decision easier to pull the trigger on a FFP scope with a fine thickness Christmas tree reticle. Thanks for a great review.
Awesome video ...... everything from the field testing to the presentation. Thanks... helpful stuff
some vortex scopes lets you undo the screws on the turrets to line it up and mark turret at your zero. if yours has the option, you might be able to fix that.
At 4:20
was thinking the same thing
Excellent review and comparison. Learned about chromatic aberration. Thanks!
Great comparison video. Very well detailed. I think the Diamondback is just right for my cheapo Savage Axis II 7mm-08.
Great video. Well done and very helpful. You are an excellent speaker/presenter.
Aussie hunter here! Nothing but American scopes for me thanks. Leupold just quality and well priced.
Leupold scope are made in Asia.
Best video on scopes ive come across. Subbed
Thank you sir for the great factual presentation with know drama!
My next scope is going to be a Vortex and I was already debating the Diamondback and the Strike Eagle for my new Rem 700 PCR .260 Rem that hasn't arrived YET ;-( . It'll be here soon enough :-). I like the cost of the DB but also like what the extra $300 gets you with the SE. Your target shooting with the DB is informative. I am not reluctant to get either and my local gun dealer has the DB in stock and the regular $399 price. It can't be said enough, Great Video and review of these rifle scopes.
That's a supurb video! Thank you, I do obtain much information from these videos.
Good comparison. Made me reconsider the diamondback
Very good video, my buddy is considering the diamondback and this should be very helpful for him. Thanks.
This is an excellent video, very well done sir.
Thanks. I have paid more for scopes that did not track as well.
One thing I noticed with the diamond back turret markings. When I'm behind my gun shooting the lines seem to line up perfectly from the angle your eyes would be behind the gun. I was kinda upset about the markings not lining up when I was looking it over but it works well for me. Not sure if vortex did this by accident or on purpose but I got used to it and kinda like it now.
I recently got the 4-16x44 MOA version and also found the turrets mushy, especially compared to the Viper PST Gen 2, which is not really fair because the DBT is less than half the price. Having said that, if you pop the turrets off, there is a fairly healthy glob of grease inside the cap and if you give it a wipe with a clean cloth and remove most of it, that will help with the mushy clicks. Also had the same problem with the turrets indexing properly to zero. But overall, it's a pretty good scope for the price.
Hi from France, I bought a few days ago a Vortex Diamondback 6-24X50, I think Vortex fixed the problem of alignment between turrets and the marks . I've many Hawke varmint scopes and a Bushnell Tactical Elite 5-15X40 . I am a shooter and never had any problem with my scopes, whatever I shoot at +25°C or -10°C . But over 22°C, the rifle is hot after the first shot ...
Great comparison Johnny! I like the thin cross hairs in the diamondback. I just don't like the fact that it doesn't have rev lines below the turret to remember your original zero with. Like the SFP diamondback and strike eagle. I think that is a critical feature for cheap scopes with no zero stops.