Just received this scope and took it out of its box and had a look see.
I like it! Pleasantly surprised it is NOT MADE IN CHINA!!! It is made in the Philippines just like the old school "pre China" made Simmons 44Mag and White Tail Classics which were their clearer scopes, and nice glass like the old front AO Bushnell Legend Mildot and Side Focus Sightron STACs and current top of the line most expensive Burris scopes you can buy for $1200-$2000+ dollars, yep expensive Burris scopes are made in the Philippines if you hadn't already known.
This Vortex Diamondback has a front AO with a 10 yard minimum focus and a BDC reticle that looks like it would work well with airguns. It is spaced farther apart than the Burris Timberline, Bushnell AR optics, and the cheaper Hawkes. The glass is exceptionally bright and clear and is a lot clearer than the old Simmons Competition Airgun and Pro Air series that really looks like this scope had evolved from. Low profile finger adjustable turrets have screw on covers that have good clicks. Also comes with see thru clear and yellow bungie corded lens covers.
Currently doing a comparison using the NEW Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x EFR, Burris Timberline 4.4-14x, OLD front focus AO Bushnell Legend 5-15xMildot, Clearidge Ultra RM 3-9x, OLD Bushnell front AO Trophy 4-12x, Optisan Mamba Lite 3-12x, BSA 4-14x, Monstrom Tactical 4-14x, Sun Optics 4-14x, Sightron STAC 4-20x, UTG Mini Swat 3-12x (The $150 version, not the $100 version which externally looks to be similar in dimension), Hawke AirMax 4-12x50AO and a Hawke Sidewinder 30 3-12x and 4.5-14x using the same magnification when comparing them side by side and it is one of the best scopes out of this bunch, optically speaking upon first glance.
I will report back when done.
I am not sure if this scope is springer rated because I am tempted to mount it onto my Walther LGV Competition Ultra or my HW50s Hunter.
I have noticed that most dealers are sold out of this discontinued model and am unsure if the Crossfire2(I wonder where this one is made?) is the replacement but I would most certainly like to buy more of these.
HA
Shouldn't have any problems with the Diamond back on one of those springers. FWIW, a few years ago the 4-12x40AO Diamondback was one of the recommended scopes for use on the Diana 54, aka the scope killer. So I'd think it should be fine on your Walther LGV or HW50S.
BTW, that's a nice selection of scopes you have, HA. But you really should try the 3-9x40AO Nikon EFR. It's also made in the Philippines and has very clear glass from edge to edge. Here's a write up I did of the Nikon EFR that I have on my 50S with some pics looking thru it.
The one in my link above is a 1st gen model. I see that you responded to Prairie Farmer's thread about the current 2nd gen version, but if you look close at the pic of the box label you can see that they are still made in the Philippines. I plan on getting one of the new models for my R9. For less than $200 they're a great scope.
https://airgunwarriors.com/community/airgun-talk/new-nikon-p3-scope-deal-hot/
Mark, sorry, but I was referring to the Nikon EFR. I've never had the Diamondback 4-12x40, mainly because of it's price. IIRC, it was close to a $300 scope when new and I couldn't (still can't) see paying more for a scope than most of my air rifles cost, lol. If I was a competitive shooter I might look at things differently. But given I rarely shoot as far as 50yds I'm all about budget friendly, springer reliable, scopes.
HA, if you want more info on the 4-12x40 Diamondback there's plenty to read in this link. This is what came up in a search on the DWC for the Diamondback.
That is good to know regarding durability of the Vortex scope on a springer! I wonder why this particular model has been discontinued? It is probably the best $199 (plus shipping) I spent and the only one they had left! The $199 must have been at a closeout price if they cost $300.
I know somone locally who has the original Nikon EFR and will ask to have a look see next time I visit. I wonder if they have them available with a BDC type reticle for the EFRs?
Jim, is yours the new model or the older version? Thanks for the links, there were very good read!
Where is the best place (price wise) to purchase a new one?
I have checked out Nikon scopes (in general) and have noticed 50 yard minimum focusing distances on the AO but that was looking at local shops and had not come across an EFR.
So far, my shooting eye likes this Vortex Diamondback better than the new Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x EFR.
HA
My EFR is a first generation model. But I do plan on getting the new model P3 EFR for my R9. I've just kind of been holding off to see if Nikon will be offering a rebate as they sometimes do.
As far as I know, the Nikon EFR has only been available with their "Precision Target Reticle" with the tiny dot at the center of the crosshairs.
As far as best price, Optics Planet and Sport Optics have the best price on them that I've seen so far. But I've never ordered from either of them. Sport Optics have them for about $187 and looks like they give free ground shipping. But, they also have a 12% off promo code that looks like will work for the Nikon. That brings it down to just under $165. That's a pretty good deal considering they're right at $190 most places! Optics Planet has them listed at about $190 but they are also offering a 10% off coupon and free shipping. And Amazon has them listed for about $185 with free shipping.
I have had this scope for about 4 years now, and recently have moved it to a newly acquired Edgun Matador in .22. All the adjustments are smooth and precise, and the glass is very good for this price point. I have a couple of Leupold 3-9x33 EFR scopes, and this scope is every bit as good as they are in every way. I used some of the Xtra high Warne quick detach rings on the Edgun and they are a perfect fit for me. Have had these rings for probably 15 years and never seemed to find a home for them. Now this combo is going to be permanent. This Edgun is an older single shot, that is smoothed in and well taken care of, and is amazingly accurate. Squirrel eradication at it`s finest.
My EFR is a first generation model. But I do plan on getting the new model P3 EFR for my R9. I've just kind of been holding off to see if Nikon will be offering a rebate as they sometimes do.
As far as I know, the Nikon EFR has only been available with their "Precision Target Reticle" with the tiny dot at the center of the crosshairs.
As far as best price, Optics Planet and Sport Optics have the best price on them that I've seen so far. But I've never ordered from either of them. Sport Optics have them for about $187 and looks like they give free ground shipping. But, they also have a 12% off promo code that looks like will work for the Nikon. That brings it down to just under $165. That's a pretty good deal considering they're right at $190 most places! Optics Planet has them listed at about $190 but they are also offering a 10% off coupon and free shipping. And Amazon has them listed for about $185 with free shipping.
I've had one for a few years and love it. Clear as a bell! I just wish they had a reticle with some additional aim points. If they did, they would be on every gun I own except my field target rifles.
Just received this scope and took it out of its box and had a look see.
I like it! Pleasantly surprised it is NOT MADE IN CHINA!!! It is made in the Philippines just like the old school "pre China" made Simmons 44Mag and White Tail Classics which were their clearer scopes, and nice glass like the old front AO Bushnell Legend Mildot and Side Focus Sightron STACs and current top of the line most expensive Burris scopes you can buy for $1200-$2000+ dollars, yep expensive Burris scopes are made in the Philippines if you hadn't already known...
...The glass is exceptionally bright and clear and is a lot clearer than the old Simmons Competition Airgun and Pro Air series that really looks like this scope had evolved from...
...I am not sure if this scope is springer rated because I am tempted to mount it onto my Walther LGV Competition Ultra or my HW50s Hunter...
HA
Even the Pro Air scopes were pretty nice. I seem to recall that they came in both a 4-12 and 6-18 version. One nice thing is that they DID hold up well on springers as a rule, and the optics were at least decent IMO. Optical clarity and brightness don't mean a thing when it comes to a springer scope if it doesn't last.
The old 44 Mag scopes were extremely well made, and definitely held up on springers. I had one on a Beeman Kodiak and it never missed a beat. Some people think the 6.5-20 x version looked too large on an air rifle, but mine looked right at home on that full-sized rifle. Better (worse?) than that, I had another brand new one waiting in the wings, sitting in a box at my old place in Sugar Land, but it got 'lost in the wind' when I moved. I still think about that scope and miss it. I'm thinking that whoever wound up with it is still grinning from ear to ear at his find, assuming it didn't end up in a trash bin by mistake.
I have to say the old 44MAG and Whitetail Classics were superb scopes! They could take the punishment of springers and even the 44MAG on a springer had an echo hum ring to the reticle whenever I shot the gun but never gave any problems. Sold it on the gun years ago. Informed the buyer about the ringing reticle phenomenon as not to completely flip out when he first shot it.
HA
