Vortex DB-215 Optics Diamondback HD 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15.0mm
- Field of view
- 330' @ 1000 yds (6.3º)
Maker specs: Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42
Binoculars under $300
Shop 16 binoculars, most of them 8x42 and 10x42 pairs for birding and hunting, and compare ED glass, prism coatings, sealing and eye relief. Prices change often, so check the current price on the product page before you buy.
Read more
Card specs come from each maker's published specs. Several makers here list ED glass, which Celestron says virtually eliminates color fringing, or phase-corrected prisms, which Nikon says limit resolution loss. The grid also holds a 7x50 marine pair, two 12x50s and a 10x50.
- 16 models
- 14 with our score out of 10
- 14 with maker-listed specs
Our picks under $300
Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 11.6mm
- Field of view
- 314 ft. at 1000 yds (6° real)
Maker specs: Nikon ACULON A211 10x42
Steiner Marine Binoculars
- Size
- 7x50
- Eye relief
- 20.2 mm
- Field of view
- 354 feet at 1000 yards
Maker specs: Steiner Marine 7x50
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15.2 mm
- Field of view
- 340 ft at 1,000 yd / 113 m at 1,000 m
Maker specs: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42
Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42
- Size
- 8x42
- Eye relief
- 17.8mm (0.70")
- Field of view
- 393 ft at 1,000 yds; 7.5°
Maker specs: Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42
Pentax SD 8x42 Binoculars
- Size
- 8x42
- Eye relief
- 21mm
- Field of view
- 131m at 1,000m (7.5° angle of view)
Maker specs: Pentax SD 8x42
Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 16.5 mm
- Field of view
- 340 ft./1000 yds. (6.5 degrees)
Maker specs: Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42
Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15.2mm
- Field of view
- 330ft at 1000yds
Maker specs: Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42
Bushnell Engage DX 12x50
- Size
- 12x50
- Field of view
- 273 ft
- Close focus
- 8 ft
Maker specs: Bushnell Engage DX 12x50
Sightmark Solitude 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15 mm (0.6 in)
- Field of view
- 340 ft @1000yd / 113 m @1000m (6.5 degrees)
Maker specs: Sightmark Solitude 10x42 XD
Wingspan Optics Thunderbird Ultra HD
- Size
- 8x42
- Eye relief
- 22.5 mm
- Field of view
- 420ft/1000 yds
Maker specs: Wingspan Optics Thunderbird Ultra HD 8x42
Wingspan Optics Skyview Ultra HD 8X42
- Size
- 8x42
- Eye relief
- 17.8mm
- Field of view
- 393 Ft/1000 Yds
Maker specs: Wingspan Optics SkyView Ultra HD 8x42
Carson 3D Series HD
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 16 mm
- Field of view
- 314 ft at 1,000 yd (105 m at 1,000 m; 6°)
Maker specs: Carson 3D Series HD 10x42 ED
Nikon Prostaff 7S 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15.5mm
- Field of view
- 325 ft. at 1000 yds (6.2° real)
Maker specs: Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 10x42
Also in our guides: Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10×42Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 (under-$300 list)
The full ranked list
The full lists these picks come from, with our notes on every pair.
- Best Binoculars Under 300
13 picksHighest score: Vortex DB-215 Optics Diamondback HD 10x42
Compare binoculars under $300
Scroll sideways to see every comparison field and Shopping action.
| Model | Magnification | Objective (mm) | Eye relief | Field of view | Maker’s model | Shopping action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex DB-215 Optics Diamondback HD 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 15.0mm | 330' @ 1000 yds (6.3º) | Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 | |
| Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars | 10x | 42 | 11.6mm | 314 ft. at 1000 yds (6° real) | Nikon ACULON A211 10x42 | |
| Steiner Marine Binoculars | 7x | 50 | 20.2 mm | 354 feet at 1000 yards | Steiner Marine 7x50 | |
| Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 15.2 mm | 340 ft at 1,000 yd / 113 m at 1,000 m | Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 | |
| Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 | 8x | 42 | 17.8mm (0.70") | 393 ft at 1,000 yds; 7.5° | Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 | |
| Pentax SD 8x42 Binoculars | 8x | 42 | 21mm | 131m at 1,000m (7.5° angle of view) | Pentax SD 8x42 | |
| Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 16.5 mm | 340 ft./1000 yds. (6.5 degrees) | Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 | |
| Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm | 10x | 42 | 15.2mm | 330ft at 1000yds | Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42 |
Compare 6 more models
| Model | Magnification | Objective (mm) | Eye relief | Field of view | Maker’s model | Shopping action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell Engage DX 12x50 | 12x | 50 | 273 ft | Bushnell Engage DX 12x50 | ||
| Sightmark Solitude 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 340 ft @1000yd / 113 m @1000m (6.5 degrees) | Sightmark Solitude 10x42 XD | |
| Wingspan Optics Thunderbird Ultra HD | 8x | 42 | 22.5 mm | 420ft/1000 yds | Wingspan Optics Thunderbird Ultra HD 8x42 | |
| Wingspan Optics Skyview Ultra HD 8X42 | 8x | 42 | 17.8mm | 393 Ft/1000 Yds | Wingspan Optics SkyView Ultra HD 8x42 | |
| Carson 3D Series HD | 10x | 42 | 16 mm | 314 ft at 1,000 yd (105 m at 1,000 m; 6°) | Carson 3D Series HD 10x42 ED | |
| Nikon Prostaff 7S 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 15.5mm | 325 ft. at 1000 yds (6.2° real) | Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 10x42 |
2 models without a maker’s figure record are listed in the picks above.
Mid-range binocular questions
What is better, 12x50 or 10x42 binoculars?
Choose 10x42 for hand-held, all-day use and 12x50 for long views from a steady rest. Both give about a 4.2 mm exit pupil (42 divided by 10, 50 divided by 12).
Bushnell lists the Engage DX 12x50 here at 30.2 oz with a 273 ft field, against 21.3 oz and 330 ft for Vortex's Diamondback HD 10x42. Our 12x50 guide explains why hand shake matters more at 12x.
Is ED glass worth paying for?
Yes, if you want the cleanest color edges in this grid. Celestron says ED glass virtually eliminates chromatic aberration, also called color fringing.
Here, Celestron (Nature DX ED 8x42), Carson (3D Series HD 10x42 ED), Vanguard (Endeavor ED 10x42) and Wingspan (SkyView Ultra HD 8x42) list ED glass on their own spec sheets.
Should I pick 8x42 or 10x42 for birding and hunting?
Pick 8x42 for birds in trees and game in cover, and 10x42 for open country. Celestron lists a 7.5 degree field for the Nature DX ED 8x42, and Pentax lists 7.5 degrees for the SD 8x42, against 6 to 6.5 degrees for the 10x42s here that list an angle.
A wider view makes moving subjects easier to find. See bird watching and hunting binoculars for use-specific picks.
What do phase-corrected and dielectric coatings mean?
Both are roof prism coatings that protect sharpness and brightness. Nikon explains that phase-correction coating limits the loss of resolution a roof surface causes, and that dielectric multilayer coating reflects more than 99% of light.
Carson lists both on the 3D Series HD; Vortex lists phase correction on the Diamondback HD 10x42.
Is a 7x50 marine binocular a good all-rounder?
It is best on the water and at dusk, but heavy for long walks. A 7x50 gives a 7.1 mm exit pupil, matching the 7 mm Nikon gives for the eye's pupil in the dark, and Steiner lists the Marine 7x50 at 36.3 oz.
Read what 7x50 binoculars are used for or browse marine binoculars.
How to choose mid-range binoculars
Optics worth paying for at this level
At this level, compare ED glass, prism coatings and gas-filled sealing. The table names the five pairs here whose makers state one or more of them.
| Feature | What the maker says it does | Listed for |
|---|---|---|
| ED glass | Cuts color fringing (Celestron) | Nature DX ED 8x42, Carson 3D HD, Vanguard Endeavor ED, SkyView Ultra HD |
| Phase correction | Limits resolution loss in a roof prism (Nikon) | Diamondback HD 10x42, Nature DX ED, Carson 3D HD, Endeavor ED, SkyView Ultra HD |
| Dielectric coating | Reflects more than 99% of light (Nikon) | Carson 3D Series HD |
| Gas filled, O-ring sealed | Waterproof and fogproof (Vortex) | Diamondback HD 10x42, Endeavor ED |
Choose by where you watch
Match the size to the light and distance. For woods and dawn starts, an 8x42 gives a 5.3 mm exit pupil and a wider view; for fields and ridges, a 10x42 adds reach at 4.2 mm. Nikon notes that at the same magnification a bigger objective gives a brighter image, which is how the 10x50 here compares with the 10x42s.
Sizes of the binoculars in this grid
The table counts each size in the grid with its exit pupil, so you can see how many 8x42s and 10x42s you are choosing between.
| Size | Models | Exit pupil, calculated |
|---|---|---|
| 10x42 | 8 | 4.2 mm |
| 8x42 | 4 | 5.3 mm |
| 7x50 | 1 | 7.1 mm |
| 12x50 | 1 | 4.2 mm |
Read waterproof ratings as written
Compare the stated rating rather than the word waterproof, because makers state different ratings. Bushnell gives the Engage DX 12x50 IPX7, Sightmark gives the Solitude 10x42 IP67, and Carson gives the 3D Series HD IPX6.
Confirm the model and the price
Check the size and model number on the product page against the card, then the seller and checkout total. Prices change often, so check the current price on the product page before you buy.
When to look at the Under $500 collection
Step up for more pairs that combine ED glass with phase and dielectric prism coatings. Here only the Carson 3D Series HD lists all three; in our Under $500 collection, Nikon lists them for the Monarch M5 and M7 8x42, with waterproofing to 1 m for 10 minutes.