Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars vs Maven B1.2 10x42 Binoculars

Answer

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the question, which I will try to answer as best I can, but please do take into account that whilst I have fully tested and reviewed the Maven B1.2 10x42 Binoculars, I have not done so with the 10x42 version of Vortex Diamondback HD. But I have reviewed the 15x56 version ( see my Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars Review).

Yes, I know this is a very different configuration to the 10x42, so many aspects will differ, but I can take aspects like build quality and materials used from that review and apply them to my answer for you.

Okay, so that being said what can we say about how they compare against each other:

Image Quality & Optical Performance

Quality vs Money
Without delving into an in-depth comparison of the specifications, I would say that both binoculars offer an excellent optical performance within their respective price ranges. Indeed for the price, the Vortex uses a surprisingly high level of optical coatings, which hopefully translates to an equally impressive image quality as was the case with the 15x56 version.

Not considering the price and thus overall, if they follow the level of the 15x56 version, I would probably describe the Vortex as very good, perhaps even close to excellent optically (I rated the 15x56 version as 8/10 in this area), whilst the Maven B1.2 are excellent to outstanding (I rated the view through them as 9/10)

The instantly difference here is sure to be minor and I am sure most users would really not notice any difference unless they compare them side-by-side. Even then you may need to do it in low light and/or take a very close look at details like the amount of image softening right at the edges of the view, and colour fringing by looking along the edges of highly contrasting objects.

Optical Stats:

Here the Maven B1.2 10x42 Binoculars have the advantage:

• Field of View: 347ft at 1,000 yards
• Close Focus Distance: 4.9ft
• Eye Relief: 17.8mm

Compare these to the Vortex DiamondBack HD 10x42:

• Field of View: 330ft at 1,000 yards (110m @ 1000m)
• Close Focus Distance: 5ft
• Eye Relief: 15mm

Field of View
So whilst not a massive difference, you will notice you get a slightly wider view through the Maven B1.2 versus the Vortex Diamondback when comparing them immediately one after the other. However it is important to mention her again, the view through the Vortex is by no means narrow, so without the side-by-side comparison, you would never feel the view through the 10x42 Diamondback is particularly narrow.

Eye-Relief
The amount of eye relief is quite a big difference between the two instruments.

If you wear eyeglasses or like to wear shades or eye protection (for hunting / target shooting etc.) this difference is very important. For most non-eyeglass users, the 15mm you get with the Vortex should be sufficient.

If this is important to you, take a look at these guides:

• Long Eye Relief Binoculars
• How To Use Binoculars With Glasses

Exterior & Build Quality

Another area where I am sure you will notice the difference between the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars and the Maven B1.2 10x42 Binoculars is in the build quality and some of the components used.

Again, I would like to mention that the Vortex is excellent considering the price of them, but with things like a metal focus wheel and just the level of detail, the Maven takes it up another notch. 

Weight is Important?
Whilst both are very similar in terms of their dimensions, the Maven is a fair bit heavier and whilst this is not ideal if weight is a factor for you, it does show to me that there are probably more metal parts and perhaps better quality lenses (more glass) used, but I can’t be sure on this. 

But what I can say here is the Maven has very large 25mm ocular lenses and whilst I have not measured them, nor can I find any info, I doubt that the Vortex will equal this – Large ocular lenses can provide us with a number of advantages, including improving image resolution and making it easier to line your eyes up to them correctly (so less black rings forming on the edges of the view). For more, take a look at my article on Binocular ocular lens size.

Conclusion

Anyway, in conclusion, I would say that in their respective price ranges, both are excellent 10x42 binoculars and thus both great options.

So whilst the differences between them are not massive, in most areas (apart from price), the Maven B1.2 10x42 Binoculars have the edge over the Vortex DiamondBack HD 10x42 and thus if the difference in price is not important, the Maven is certainly an upgrade, and whilst I would describe the overall improvement as more than a shade better, it is also not night and day!

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Jason